2027 Bull of the Desert Strongman Competition

WELCOME TO THE 2027 BULL OF THE DESERTSTRONGMAN COMPETITION - JANUARY 30, 2027!  Update (10/13): Men's Master's Stone weights are updated, please check your weights This is a Nationals Qualifier event! Last year we combined the Bull of the Desert with the Yuma Marathon/half-marathon/5k.  It was so much fun watching all the skinny people be amazed with our athletes, we are doing it again!!!  Because both events will have registration going on at the same time, please follow signage for proper check-in/registrations.  I would hate to see my strongman athletes have to run!  Please follow this link to find maps of the event location, layout, and parking directions. This is a United States Strongman sanctioned event. USS membership is required of all athletes. Membership can be purchased ONLY here: https://www.unitedstatesstrongman.com/uss-membership. We have some exciting events planned in our 10th Annual Event. Please continue reading for specific event details and event weights.  Special This Year:  We will be providing athlete names on the shirts if you register by Dec 31, 2026.  Please don't wake up on New Year's Day having forgotten to register!  One more time...DEADLINE for personalized shirt is Dec 31, 2026.  Cocopah Casino is offering a 20% discount and $10 in "Rewards Play" for Bull of the Desert participants.  When booking your hotel room, make sure to mention you are a competitor!  You DO NOT have to book a room at the casino for the $10 Rewards Play.  Lift heavy things, enjoy the competition, then just head into the casino to play!  THE 5 EVENTS WILL BE:The 3 Leg Medley: Competitors perform a yoke walk for 10 meters. The entire implement must cross the line before being sat down, drops/slides do not count.  In the event of a drop, the athlete must reposition the implement to the point of the slide (judge will dictate spot). Yoke crossbar height will be taken during weigh-ins.  Athlete will then carry a seabag to the original starting point for 10 meters.  Athlete cannot use the straps/handle of the seabag for any portion of the event.  Athlete and seabag must cross the line for completion.  Athlete will then move to the keg overhead for a single rep demonstrating control in the locked-out overhead position.  Keg CANNOT be dropped from overhead...the rep will not count.  Athlete must follow the keg to the crash pad.  Fastest time wins; if athlete cannot complete the event, credit will be given for distance.  If more than one athlete finishes a leg but fails the next portion (i.e. "tie on distance") fastest time to complete the previous leg wins the points. Zercher Axle Deadlift:  This is a 1 rep max event, 3 attempts per athlete.  The equipment used will be an axle with wagonwheels. Athletes will address the bar and using the bend in the elbows hoist the bar to a full standing position.  The bar must be positioned in the elbow joint (this is for your safety).  The bar cannot come to rest on any other part of the competitor’s body or equipment (thigh/belt).  The bar must begin and continue upward movement within 60 secs of having their name called.  Athletes must wait for the down command.  Within the competitor group, the weight of the bar will not go down.  Weight jumps for female competitors will be 20 lbs.  Weight jumps for male competitors will be 40 lbs.  Athletes will give starting attempt at weigh-ins and will dictate the starting weight for that group.  In the event of a tie, winner is the lighter athlete. 1-Hand Snatch:  A true throw-back to the roots of strongman.  Featured in early Olympics, weightlifting exhibitions, and circus sideshows the 1-hand snatch is a test of power and agility.  This is a 1 rep max event, 3 attempts per athlete.  The snatch is a continuous movement of the barbell from the floor to a locked out overhead position.  While we are allowing “press out,” the bar cannot stop upward motion to the overhead position.  The only time the bar is allowed to stop is after the athlete catches the bar in a locked-out position and is finishing the movement from the squat or side bend position (i.e. athlete pulls barbell from the floor, catches the barbell overhead in a squat/side bend, stabilizes, then stands up.)  The movement is complete when the bar is under control overhead and the athlete is in a full standing position.  The bar must be followed to the ground once given the “down” command.  DO NOT drop the weight from overhead.  This will constitute loss of control and will result in a missed attempt.  Within the competitor group, the weight of the bar will not go down.  Weight jumps for females competitors will be 10 lbs, weight jumps for male competitors will be 20 lbs.  Athletes will give starting attempt at weigh-ins which will dictate the starting weight for that group.  In the event of a tie, winner is the lighter athlete.  Vehicle Pull:  Athlete order will be reverse order as determined by point totals of the first three events (highest total goes first).  Competitors will strap in and give a ready signal.  On call from the judge - pull the vehicle for a distance of 25 meters, 90 second time limit.  If athlete fails to complete the vehicle pull, distance will be measured for placement.  Vehicles that represent the Yuma community will be used in this event.   The Atlas Stones:  Athlete order will be determined by point totals of the previous events (lowest points go first).  Competitors will go head-to-head in a race showing off strength and speed while lifting and setting 4 stones onto a platform.  Competitors will start behind the staged series of atlas stones.  Once given the command to go, the competitors will have 90 seconds to lift and set 4 stones onto their corresponding tower.  Only stones that have been properly secured to their tower will count as completed; it is the athlete's responsibility to ensure the stone is secure on the podium.  Split times will be taken and used in the event of a tie.  If split times are tied (determined by the tenth of a second), lighter athlete wins. Round-robin of Medley, Snatch, and Deadlift.  Starting event for age/weight class will be determined based on entrants and announced the morning of the competition.  After the round-robin, points will be tallied to determine athlete order for the Vehicle Pull.  Note: The Vehicle Pull athlete order will be highest points go first.  Points will be tallied again to determine athlete order for Atlas Stones.  The Atlas Stone athlete order will be the traditional lowest point total first. Novice Class is open to beginners who have not won a novice competition.  Please enter the correct class. Weight classes may be combined or divided based on number of athletes.  Decisions will be made Jan 29 after initial weigh-ins. WEIGH IN DATE / TIME AND LOCATION:Date: Friday, January 29, 2026 Time: 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM  Location: Cocopah Convention Center (15318 S. Avenue B, Somerton, AZ 85350).  The Convention Center is the building west of the casino. Date: Saturday, January 30, 2027 Time: 6:30 AM to 8:00 AM  Location: Cocopah Convention Center (15318 S. Avenue B, Somerton, AZ 85350). The Convention Center is the building west of the casino. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS:0900: Competition begins with the round-robin. After completion of round-robin and 15 minute intermission, all athletes go to the Vehicle Pull (we will have 3 lanes operating at the same time). After completion of the Vehicle Pull and just enough time to get points totals calculated and score cards printed, all athletes go to the Atlas Stones for head to head competition.  Expect the order to start with Novice Women and continue using the stones in progressing order (e.g. Masters Women LW will go before Open W MW). AWARDS AND RECOGNITION:An awards and recognition ceremony will take place once all scores have been counted by the judges and scorekeepers. AUTHORIZED GEAR:Lifting belts, maximum of 4 inches.  (Soft belts over 4 inches upon approval)Knee Wraps / SleevesElbow Wraps / SleevesForearm Braces / SleevesWrist Wraps and SupportsGrip Shirts (Atlas Stones Only)Tack (Atlas Stones Only)Gloves (Aircraft Pull Only) PROHIBITED GEAR:Belts wider than 4 inchesDeadlift SuitsSquat SuitsBench Press ShirtsSlingshot GearAny form of gear designed to mimic the above-mentioned gear. Stay tuned for further information!!!!