In a display of resilience, burly men in Gaza gathered on Friday for a strength competition that drew cheers from Palestinian onlookers, including women and children perched atop the rubble of buildings destroyed by war. The event featured competitors heaving heavy weights, flipping massive tires that stood nearly as tall as the men themselves, and pulling trucks with ropes.
Participating was a “great, indescribable feeling. After three years of destruction, strikes, hunger and death, we are back in this fantastic atmosphere,” said one bulky participant, Riyad Fattouh.
The Palestine Strongman Championship was organized by Waleed Owda, who explained that the event had been originally scheduled for 2021 before facing multiple delays. It was postponed again in 2023 when war erupted following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which triggered extensive Israeli retaliation.
Reflecting on the impact of the conflict, Owda stated, “All sports activities were stopped and all sport clubs and venues were destroyed in Gaza.” Despite these conditions and the fact that the territory remains largely cut off from the world under a fragile ceasefire, Owda emphasized the determination of the participants. “Today, with the help of sponsors, we were able to hold the championship and it is successful, as you can see,” he said, adding that “the youths proved to the world that Gaza is home to champions.”
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — No day in Gaza is normal, but Friday stood out for its shouts of delight as athletes pulled trucks, flipped massive tires and heaved weights in a strength competition that drew cheering crowds.
