Dubai Sports Council’s video on last week’s World’s Ultimate Strongman press conference has become an online rage, crossing the million mark within days of posting on social media platform Instagram.

The press conference to announce World’s Ultimate Strongman at Beasts in the Middle East, which will take place at Bab Al Shams Arena inside Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve on October 26, was held at Dubai Sports Council on July 31 and the video of the event – featuring His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, alongside some of the world’s strongest athletes – has gone viral. It has been viewed 1,003,569 times already on Dubai Sports Council’s official Instagram account and the number is expected to keep growing.

Last week’s press conference was graced by the Who-Is-Who of the international strongman circuit. American legend Eddie Hall, the 2017 World’s Strongest Man and brand ambassador of World’s Ultimate Strongman, was present at the event and so were the likes of upcoming Polish star Mateusz Kieliszkowski, “Georgian Bull” Konstantine Janashia, Lithuanian legend Zydrunas Savickas, show-boater Iron Biby of Burkina Faso, British superstar Terry Hollands, and American entertainer Robert “Obie” Oberst.

The event itself, however, should be an even greater crowd-puller given that the reigning World’s Strongest Man, Hafthor Bjornsson, famously known as “The Mountain”, will be competing as well.

Bjornsson is also a well-known actor, having played Gregor Clegane in the Game of Thrones, the critically-acclaimed TV series that boasts record viewership and owns 38 Primetime Emmy Awards, which is more than any other primetime scripted television series.

Iceland’s Bjornsson, a 6ft 9in giant who weighs between 180kg-200kg, is one of the biggest stars of the circuit and has millions of fans around the world. A former professional basketball player, he is the first person to have won the Arnold Strongman Classic, Europe’s Strongest Man and World’s Strongest Man in the same calendar year.

Organised under the auspices of the Dubai Sports Council, the World’s Ultimate Strongman will be the first event of its kind to be held in the Middle East. With the richest Strongman prize-purse ever on offer, the event promises to be a jaw-dropping contest between humanity’s strongest for the coveted title.

A part of the Beasts in the Middle East festival, which will see the Bab Al Shams Amphitheatre being transformed into a festival ground for the day with activities for every age, the World’s Ultimate Strongman will be an opportunity for fans to witness athletes perform incredible feats of power across a number of disciplines, from lifting logs over their head to pulling objects like trucks and cars, as they compete to prove their supremacy in strength, speed and conditioning.

There will also be a special martial arts show on the day and Shaolin Monks, who are considered among the best martial artists in the world, will be flying in from China to exhibit their ancient art.

The Beasts in the Middle East, then, promises to be a fun-filled day out for the family in the idyllic settings of the Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve, and it should further embellish Dubai’s burgeoning reputation as a city of Ultra events and Challenges.

Fans are advised to secure their tickets and travel packages in advance to avoid last minute disappointments. They can do so by visiting the official website: www.worldsultimatestrongman.com.

FACTFILE

What: The World’s Ultimate Strongman

When: Friday, October 26, 2018

Time: 3pm to 3am

Venue: Bab Al Shams Arena, Al Marmoom, Dubai

Travel packages and tickets: www.worldsultimatestrongman.com