The first event of the day saw competitors take on the "Squat Lift".  Initially the weight of the lift stood at 230kg, however every time the athlete completed a successful lift the weight was increased. The additional barrels complemented by the pouring rain made sure the athletes had no place to hide. As referee Svend Karlsen put it, it was "a great day for squatting".

To their immense credit Group 1 provided a great climax. Mick Holding and Ross Stone began well with 4 reps each but the best was yet to come. Mark Felix came next, producing 5 reps moving him up the group table. However the fantastic showman Jimmy Marku destroyed the challenge with 6 reps, lifting all 5 barrels totalling an unbelievable 315kg.

In the afternoon it was time for Felix to shine. He was able to carry the heavy pair of anvils 80 meters before stopping, over 20 meters more than his closest rival Raymond Christie. Christie will need to continue to achieve high placed finishes if he is going to challenge for one of the two qualification spots but at the moment it looks like it is between Felix, Holding and Marku.

Group 2

It was another

It's too easy says Terry Hollands!

outstanding day for the Englishman Terry Hollands as he continued to dominate the field in Group 2, leaving him as the only athlete left to have picked up maximum points after day 2.

Paul 'Cuddles' Carter - enjoying the Deadlift

The Dead Lift was however not quite as easy for him as some of the other events had been!  Although he and Laurence Shahlaei were equal in completing 4 reps each, it was Hollands who was awarded the victory with the quicker time.

Shahlaei again lost out to Hollands in the afternoon, this time in the Farmers Walk event. It was not so close this time as the superior power of Hollands was clear to see, while others struggled, he had time to smile for the camera and shout a message to the crowd! Extraordinary!

Group 3

Mark Westaby came into day 2 with a healthy lead over the other athletes in his group, however it was one which was soon to be cut short.  Paul Roberts produced the performance of his tournament so far in the morning Squat Lift event. The Irishman went first and did well to set the benchmark high enough to take the points, his 4 reps were twice as good as all the other competitors in this group.

In the afternoon Group 3 became subject to the gruelling Shield Carry, an event which has often caused many competitors to call for oxygen afterwards due to sheer the intensity of the challenge. Chris Innes provided us with the best effort for the day in the Shield Carry event, carrying the 175kg weight for 90.5 meters.

Group 4

Francis Kirby and Darren Saddler performed well in the Group 4 Dead Lift.

Francis Kirby competing in the Shield Carry

They were the only two athletes who managed to complete 4 reps. As Sadler enjoyed the quicker time, it was he who was awarded the full 5 points.

Look no hands - Darren Sadler

In the afternoon the Shield Carry continued to cause a lot of grief for the participating athletes. Kirby however battled on with great courage and strength and edged his way into second place in Group 4 with victory in the Shield Carry.  He was not the only one giving it his all of course.  Paul Wood was intent on giving himself a good chance to qualify tomorrow as he pushed himself to the very limit, requiring oxygen from the medics after his fantastic effort.  He managed to reach 60 meters in what looked like a very painful walk but it did earn him 1.5 points.  It will however take an inspired performance from Wood, Jay Hughes or Louis Maclean tomorrow for them to break into the qualifying spots.