Mubiru to switch to strongman contests after World Cup gold

Uganda's powerlifter Roy Mubiru will, starting next year, switch to competing in the strongest man competitions after winning all that there is in powerlifting.

Last week, Mubiru competed in the 2019 WPA World Cup International Championships where he won another two gold medals in the 124kg-Masters 40-44 years division (Raw Tested) category at the Dungeon Fitness Gym, Alsaka.

Mubiru has now won four medals this year following another two he won during the 29^th World Powerlifting Alliance World Championship in Ukraine in May.

"Now I have won 4 gold medals for Uganda this year; from the warm-up before the world cup in Ukraine, the 2 gold from Ukraine and this one. I feel I have won all the top medals in powerlifting so I'm turning to the strongman competitions that will be held in West Virginia next year," Mubiru said

"But I need more support from the government and the president. They should also recognise my medals as they do for the athletes.  Uganda is now number in the world powerlifting in my category and that is no mean feat," Mubiru reasoned.

Mubiru who made a total of 650kgs in the World Cup will now return to Uganda next month to help in the organization of an African Power Lifting Championship to be held in Uganda. Ugandan powerlifters are already preparing for the event.

It will have the tested and untested in the competitions; pull-and-push, deadlift, squat, bench press and weightlifting that will be on the same stage.

In May, Mubiru grabbed the biggest victory of his career when he won gold and an overall place finish while competing in the 125kg-Masters 40-44 years division (Raw Tested), Mubiru lifted a total of 555kgs in the deadlift, squat and bench press (Full Power ) to emerge the best in his category.

He was the sole representative from Uganda and Africa at large in the championship that attracted lifters from 24 countries.

Strongman competitions is a sport which tests competitors' strength in a variety of non-traditional ways. Some of the disciplines are similar to those in powerlifting. However, strongman events also test physical endurance to a degree not found in powerlifting or other strength-based sports, such as carrying refrigerators, flipping truck tires, and pulling vehicles with a rope.