Keg-tossing
Sport
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Keg-tossing (or keg toss) is a traditional strength sport that involves the heaving of a standard half-barrel beer keg or a similar implement.[1] The basic technique involves swinging the keg in a pendulum like manner and releasing when it is at its apex.[2] The keg must be completely emptied before it should be tossed for better stability and to avoid injuries.
Highland games and Strongman competitions
Throughout centuries, several variations of the traditional movement has been carried out during Highland games.[1] In Ireland, empty beer kegs weighing 12.5 kg (28 lb) or 15 kg (33 lb) have been typically thrown over upwards and the height of the toss determined the winner. Another variation in Scotland combined techniques of both the discus and hammer throw. Rather than height, this form measured the farthest distance. In both variations, athletes were given three attempts to throw the keg and the winner was determined by measuring the height or the distance tossed.[2]
The keg toss was introduced to Strongman in 1986 Le Défi Mark Ten International competition where competitors had to throw a 25 kg (55 lb) beer keg for maximum height over a bar. In 2006 World's Strongest Man group stages, multiple kegs were introduced, to be tossed over a bar in the fastest time. In 2010 World's Strongest Man the 8 keg standardization occurred where the competitors had to throw 8 beer kegs of increasing weights ranging from 17–24 kg (37–53 lb) over a 4-meter bar. The keg toss has been featured over 60 times in Strongman competitions[3] and in all above instances, the kegs were thrown overhead, to the rear of the thrower, and over the top of the bar to prove clearance.[4]
World Records
Max height/ Max weight
(Includes keg toss, sandbag and weight over bar variations)[5]
- Keg toss – 12.5 kg (28 lb) over 8.54 m (28 ft 0 in) by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson
(2014)[6] - Keg toss – 15 kg (33 lb) over 7.77 m (25 ft 6 in) by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (2024)[7]
- Keg toss – 25 kg (55 lb) over 6.00 m (19 ft 8 in) by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (2012)[8]
- Sandbag over bar (Max height) – 25 kg (55 lb) over 5.90 m (19 ft 4 in) by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (2024)[9]
- Sandbag over bar (Max weight) – 45.4 kg (100 lb) over 4.57 m (15 ft 0 in) by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (2017)[10]
- Highland games one arm weight over bar – 25.5 kg (56 lb) over 6.17 m (20 ft 3 in) by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (2022)[11]
- David Webster one arm sandbag over bar – 25.5 kg (56 lb) over 5.79 m (19 ft 0 in) by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (2024)[12]
Speed
- Keg toss – 8 kegs (18–25 kg) over 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in) bar in 15.71 sec by Žydrūnas Savickas
(2013)[13] - Keg toss – 8 kegs (18–25 kg) over 4.9 m (16 ft 1 in) bar in 16.35 sec by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (2014)[14]
- Keg toss – 8 kegs (18–24 kg) over 5.2 m (17 ft 1 in) bar in 21.04 sec by Krzysztof Radzikowski
(2013)[15] - Keg toss – 10 kegs (18–25 kg) over 4.6 m (15 ft 1 in) bar in 21.02 sec by Aivars Šmaukstelis
(2023)[16]
Note: During Savickas's performance, rule was to start while athletes were already touching the first keg. During Björnsson, Radzikowski and Šmaukstelis's performances the starting signal was given when athletes had to stand back in a line, having had to run forward a few feet in order to grab the first keg.
Progression of the 12.5 kg (28 lb) keg toss for height world record
| Height | Holder | Year and Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.10 metres (23 ft 31⁄2 in) |  Berend Veneberg | 1999 IFSA Hungary Grand Prix | Keszthely, Hungary |
| 7.40 metres (24 ft 31⁄2 in) |  (To be confirmed) | (To be confirmed) | (To be confirmed) |
| 7.50 metres (24 ft 7 in) |  Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson | 2014 Guinness World Records, China | Shanghai, China |
 Mike Burke | |||
| 7.70 metres (25 ft 3 in) | Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson | ||
| Mike Burke | |||
| 8.00 metres (26 ft 3 in) | Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson | ||
| 8.05 metres (26 ft 5 in) | Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson | 2014 Guinness World Records, Italy | Milan, Italy |
| 8.54 metres (28 ft 0 in) | Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson | 2014 New Hampshire Highland Games | Lincoln, New Hampshire, USA |
Progression of the 15 kg (33 lb) keg toss for height world record
| Height | Holder | Year and Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.40 metres (21 ft 0 in) | Harold 'Iron Bear' Collins | 2001 | (To be confirmed) |
| 6.71 metres (22 ft 0 in) | Johnny Perry | 2002 Viking Challenge | Miami Beach, Florida, USA |
| 7.10 metres (23 ft 31⁄2 in) | Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson | 2015 Giants Live Scandinavian Open | Norrköping, Sweden |
| 7.15 metres (23 ft 51⁄2 in) | Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson | 2016 World's Strongest Man, group 3 | Kasane, Botswana |
| 7.25 metres (23 ft 91⁄2 in) | Brian Shaw | 2016 World's Strongest Man, group 2 | |
| 7.26 metres (23 ft 10 in) |  Konstantine Janashia | 2021 World's Strongest Man | Sacramento, California, USA |
| 7.50 metres (24 ft 7 in) |  Maxime Boudreault | ||
 Tom Stoltman | |||
| 7.75 metres (25 ft 5 in) | Brian Shaw | ||
| 7.76 metres (25 ft 51⁄2 in) | Tom Stoltman | 2024 World's Strongest Man | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA |
| Mitchell Hooper | |||
| Wesley Derwinsky | |||
| 7.77 metres (25 ft 6 in) | Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson | 2024 Strongest Man on Earth | Loveland, Colorado, USA |
Progression of the 25 kg (55 lb) keg toss for height world record
| Height | Holder | Year and Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.88 metres (16 ft 0 in) | Jón Páll Sigmarsson | 1986 Le Défi Mark Ten International | Montréal, Canada |
| 4.90 metres (16 ft 1 in) | Forbes Cowan | 1995 Manfred Hoeberl Classic | Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany |
| 5.00 metres (16 ft 5 in) | Ted van der Parre | ||
| 5.10 metres (16 ft 9 in) |  Gary Taylor | ||
| 6.00 metres (19 ft 8 in) | Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson | 2012 Icelandic Highland Games | Akranes, Iceland |