Weight over bar (or Highland games one arm weight over bar) is a traditional strength sport derived from ancient Scottish Highland games that involves the heaving of a 25.5 kg (56 lb) weight, over a bar using one hand.[1] Unlike its other counterpart, the Weight throw which involves a full body rotating spinning technique,[2] the Weight over bar requires the weight to be kept between the legs before swinging it up in a pendulum like manner, and releasing when it is at its apex, directly overhead.
History
An athlete performing the Weight over bar during Highland games.
The event dates back to about 600 years ago in ancient Scottish highland games where athletes threw a heavy block of iron using only one arm. The iron block was attached to a fixed small ring which itself was attached to a freely moving large ring used to grip the weight. The weight measurement derived from the imperial unit Stone, where a weight of 4 stones (1 stone = 14 lb) was used as a counterbalance for weight measurements when buying or selling in the ancient Scottish markets.[3]
In 1980 World's Strongest Man, the event was introduced to Strongman for the first time where the competitors had to throw the same 25.5 kg (56 lb) weight using only 1 arm for max height.[4] With each successful attempt, the bar was raised higher, eliminating the competitors one by one. Each competitor usually gets three attempts to clear each height.
→ Having broken the world record a total of twelve times, Hafþór is widely regarded as the undisputed greatest of all time at this event. He is also the only man who has ever cleared 5.95 metres (19 ft 6 in) or more. Second best athlete in history is Highland games specialist Spencer Tyler who has cleared 5.92 metres (19 ft 5 in). Joint-third best athletes in history are former world record holder and Highland games specialist Mike Zolkiewicz and pro strongman Mike Burke who both have cleared 5.82 metres (19 ft 1 in).
In 1992 World's Strongest Man, the competitors had to throw a 30 kg (66 lb) Thor's hammer using both hands,[4] and in 1993 World's Strongest Man, the competitors had to throw a 20 kg (44 lb) concrete block using both hands over a contraption which was called the Trojan wall.[4] At the 2017 Arnold Strongman Classic, the competitors had to throw very heavy sandbags using both hands over a 15 ft bar for maximum weight.[6] In 2024, the organizers of the 2024 Arnold UK Strongman competition paid a tribute to David P. Webster by modifying the event where the competitors had to throw a sandbag instead.[7] Just like in the block of iron with the ring, when it comes to the sandbags they made a handle where competitors could grip it similarly. In all the variations, the weights were thrown overhead, to the rear of the thrower, and over the top of the bar to prove clearance.[8]
Sandbag over bar
Below table summarizes the 5 heaviest sandbags ever tossed over a standard 15 ft bar.
