WORLD STRONGMAN
International Union
A culturally integrated competition format of World Strongman based on the institutionalisation of traditional strength games within a structured governance framework.
The discipline emerged as a strategic diversification of the global strongman movement, combining sportisation principles with the preservation of traditional strength practices.
Ethnosport-Strongmen was formally introduced within the World Strongman structure following strategic cooperation with World Ethnosport (2016).
This partnership resulted in the development of a dedicated competition direction, bridging the gap between ancient heritage and modern professional sport.
Ethnosport Strongman is developed in close cooperation with the World Ethnosport Society, a UNESCO-accredited NGO operating in the field of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The Society maintains strategic cooperation with local communities and sports federations to conduct the ETHNOSPORT CHALLENGE tournaments, showcasing nominees and winners of the World Ethnosport Award.
In line with its UNESCO-accredited status, the Society provides expert support to National Commissions for UNESCO in the preparation of nomination dossiers.
The headquarters is located in Moscow, the residence of the founding president and center for global ethnosport strategic development.
Based on the 2019 original framework: Clarity, Simplicity, and Accessibility.
Calculated based on the collective number of victories achieved by team representatives across all disciplines.
Ethnosport implements may vary according to local tradition, provided safety and event approval standards are met.
Ethnosport disciplines are not part of the Core Standardised Competition System unless explicitly integrated under official regulation.
All unique implements must undergo technical validation by World Strongman officials prior to competition use.
Building on the institutional foundations of Ethnosport, World Strongman translates traditional heritage into active competition. For the 2026 season, several key disciplines have been integrated into the official tournament calendar, with Stick Pulling taking a central role as a primary test of explosive power and grip endurance.
A traditional Indigenous strength game focused on the development of grip strength and upper body pulling power.
The contest is performed by two athletes seated face-to-face, gripping a wooden stick with both hands.
Upon the start signal, each athlete attempts to pull the opponent across a designated boundary line or force the opponent to release the stick.
The discipline is widely recognised and regularly contested at the Arctic Winter Games, as well as incorporated into various strongman competitions in ethnosport formats.
Each event must declare:
Ethnosport events do not automatically contribute to official rankings.
