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Keg-tossing (or keg toss) is a traditional strength sport that involves the heaving of a standard half-barrel beer keg or a similar implement. The keg must be completely emptied before it should be tossed for better stability and to avoid injuries. The basic technique involves swinging the keg in a pendulum like manner and releasing when it is at its apex.
Throughout centuries, several variations of the traditional movement has been carried out during Highland games. In Ireland, empty beer kegs of different weights and sizes have been typically thrown over upwards and the height of the toss determined the winner. Another variation in Scotland combined techniques of both the discus and hammer throw. Rather than height, this form measured the farthest distance. In both variations, athletes were given three attempts to throw the keg and the winner was determined by measuring the height or the distance tossed.
The keg toss was introduced to Strongman in 1997 European Open competition where competitors had to throw a 20 kg (44.1 lb) beer keg for maximum height over a bar. In 2006 World's Strongest Man group stages, multiple kegs were introduced, to be tossed over a bar in the fastest time. In 2010 World's Strongest Man the 8 keg standardization occurred where the competitors had to throw 8 beer kegs of increasing weights ranging from 17 to 24 kg over a 4-meter bar. In all above events, the kegs were thrown overhead, to the rear of the thrower, and over the top of the bar to prove clearance.
Max height/ Max weight (Includes keg toss, sandbag and weight over bar variations)
- Keg toss – 12.5 kg (28 lb) over 8.54 m (28 ft 0 in) by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson
(2014)[1] - Keg toss – 15 kg (33 lb) over 7.77 m (25 ft 6 in) by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (2024)[2]
- Keg toss – 25 kg (55 lb) over 6.00 m (19 ft 8 in) by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (2012)[3]
- Sandbag over bar (Max height) – 25 kg (55 lb) over 5.90 m (19 ft 4 in) by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (2024)[4]
- Sandbag over bar (Max weight) – 45.4 kg (100 lb) over 4.57 m (15 ft 0 in) by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (2017)[5]
- Highland games one arm weight over bar – 25.5 kg (56 lb) over 6.17 m (20 ft 3 in) by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (2022)[6]
- David Webster one arm sandbag over bar – 25.5 kg (56 lb) over 5.79 m (19 ft 0 in) by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (2024)[7]
Speed
- Keg toss – 8 kegs (18–25 kg) over 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in) bar in 15.71 sec by Žydrūnas Savickas
(2013)[8] - Keg toss – 8 kegs (18–25 kg) over 4.9 m (16 ft 1 in) bar in 16.35 sec by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (2014)[9]
- Keg toss – 8 kegs (18–24 kg) over 5.2 m (17 ft 1 in) bar in 21.04 sec by Krzysztof Radzikowski
(2013)[10] - Keg toss – 10 kegs (18–25 kg) over 4.6 m (15 ft 1 in) bar in 21.02 sec by Aivars Šmaukstelis
(2023)[11]
Note: During Savickas's performance, rule was to start while athletes were already touching the first keg. During Björnsson, Radzikowski and Šmaukstelis's performances the starting signal was given when athletes had to stand back in a line, having had to run forward a few feet in order to grab the first keg.
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