The Strongest

After the success of The College Fitness Games and the Strongman competition at Runshaw College earlier this year, AoC Sport is proud to launch a brand-new national competition, The Strongest. Running from October 2025 to March 2026, The Strongest is designed to find and celebrate the strongest male and female college students across the country, testing pure strength, grit and determination. The competition is split into two thrilling phases:
Phase 1: Online Qualifier – Oct 1 to Dec 12, 2025 Students can enter from anywhere; their college gym or local facility by submitting their 1 Rep Max lifts in:

• Deadlift
• Overhead Push Press

Using just a barbell and plates, athletes record and submit their scores online. Each lift is scored separately, with leaderboard points awarded based on ranking. A combined points tally will determine the strongest lifters in the country. Top-performing students by December 12 will receive a prestigious invite to compete live at the Strongest Finals in March 2026 at Runshaw College.

Phase 2: The Strongest Finals – March 2026 at Runshaw College Finalists will face off in a showcase of raw power and functional strength through four epic events:

• Axle Deadlift for Reps
• Log Press for Reps
• Sandbag to Shoulder
• Farmers Walk into Yoke Walk

The student scoring the most points across all events will be crowned AoC Sport’s Strongest 2026.