The Strongman Champions League (SCL), in partnership with the Columbia County Sports Commission and local community partners, will host an international professional strongman competition on Saturday, Oct. 10, at Olustee Park in downtown Lake City.
According to an SCL press release, the free event will feature up to 14 professional strongman athletes from around the world competing in a full day of strength challenges, entertainment and family-friendly activities. Organizers expect competitors from several countries, including a strong contingent of athletes from the United States.
Strongman Champions League is the world’s largest professional strongman organization, hosting as many as 16 international competitions annually across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas. Its competitions are distributed worldwide through television, streaming services, digital platforms and social media, including Amazon Video.
One of the featured events in the Lake City competition will be a 74,000-pound tower ladder truck pull in partnership with the Lake City Fire Department. The challenge will test competitors’ strength while highlighting the department’s role in serving the community.
Additional competition events will be announced closer to the event. Organizers said the challenges are designed to test athletes’ strength, endurance, speed and determination while providing an exciting spectator experience.
“Florida is one of the strongest markets for strength sports in the United States, and we believe Lake City is an excellent location to bring athletes from around the world together with some of America’s leading competitors,” said Ilya Khazov, an SCL organizer and professional strongman, in the press release. “The support we have received from Columbia County, Lake City, the Lake City Fire Department and members of the local community has been outstanding. Our goal is to create a memorable event that families can enjoy together while introducing more people to the excitement and atmosphere of professional strongman.”
Cody Gray, executive director of the Columbia County Tourist Development Council, said the event is expected to generate tourism and showcase the community to an international audience.
“We are thrilled to welcome Strongman Champions League, their international athletes and spectators to Lake City and Columbia County, Florida,” Gray said in the press release. “Events like this provide residents and visitors with a unique experience, generate significant economic activity, and showcase our authentic, natural Florida community as a premier destination for major sporting events.”
The Lake City competition follows Strongman Champions League’s successful U.S. debut in Ohio in 2025, where nearly 7,000 spectators attended the inaugural American event. Organizers said the success of that competition demonstrated the growing popularity of professional strongman in the United States and its ability to attract sports fans, families, businesses and international media.
In addition to the competition, the Oct. 10 event will feature food vendors, community activities, entertainment, special guest appearances and other attractions throughout the day. Organizers will announce the complete athlete lineup, event schedule, parking information and additional competition details in the coming months.
The Lake City competition is also expected to be featured as part of Strongman Champions League’s international media programming.
Event Details
What: Strongman Champions League International Competition
When: Saturday, Oct. 10
Where: Olustee Park, Lake City (169 N. Marion Ave.)
Admission: Free
Featured Event: 74,000-pound Lake City Fire Department ladder truck pull