Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) has held a series of rigorous physical and health tests to shortlist 20 of the 131 entrants for ‘Qatar’s Strongest Man,’ contest slated for December 2.

To qualify, participants must pass a series of tests, which include more than 200kg of weight lifts and a 20-metre walk while carrying 120kg weights in each arm.

During the actual competition, participants must achieve the highest number of points from truck pulling, deadlifting, lifting sand bags, flipping giant tyres, heavy weight and car lifting to be “Qatar’s Strongest Man”.

The competition follows a points system where winners are ranked in accordance with the number of points they get.

“We prepared this year’s challenges to fit the growing level of competition,” AZF events manager Abdullah al-Khater said in a statement.

Due to the high level of attendance from local community members who joined the event last year to cheer the participants, he noted that they set up designated fan zone areas for all family members on the day of the tournament.

Hoping to defend his 2015 title, Kuwaiti-born Fahad al-Haddad said: “I have been putting hard work in my training, and focused on all the physical workouts needed to support and improve my overall body strength.”

“I believe this year’s competition will be tougher since AZF has raised the bar of qualification tests in order to select the best of the best for the competition,” he added.

Meanwhile, Kenyan participant, Cristopher Oketch, winner of the 2014 edition, echoed the statement of al-Haddad saying this tournament becomes harder every year.

“It is one of the best events of its kind that I participated. This competition is especially difficult because I am expected to take back my title and that is the goal that has guided me through my training and preparations for the past few months,” he said.

Oketch added that as part of his preparation, he underwent intensive physical training to improve his strength and endurance. He also changed his diet to increase weight, “keeping in mind that I also compete in body building and fitness challenges.”

Qatar’s Strongest Man competition is in line with AZF’s ongoing mission to promote a healthy lifestyle and encourage physical activity among community members in Qatar.