The strength of Cyprus

In Cyprus, legend tells of a warrior so mighty that his strength reshaped the very land…

Digenis Akritas is our hero: a mythical figure who saved Cyprus from the invading Saracens. As he leapt across the sea to protect the island, his hand struck the Kyrenian Mountains. To this day, you can see the imprint of his fingers in the Pentadaktylos. And the rock he hurled at the attackers is Petrou Tou Romiou!

Such tales may be the stuff of children’s stories. But the legacy of strength remains alive and well on the island today.

“Cyprus has always been a land of strength, not just in its people, but in its very essence,” says Ilya Khazov. “Through countless challenges, this island has never faltered. This is a place where resilience runs deep, where every struggle only makes us stronger.

“Strength is woven into the fabric of this island. So it feels very fitting that Cyprus is the place where the world’s strongest men gather together each October…”

The Lion of Limassol, 35-year-old Ilya is Cyprus’ strongest man. Known for his raw power and relentless determination, he’s a regular on the professional strongman circuit. He holds the Guinness World Record. He recently won Cyprus’ first ever gold at an international strongman event. In September, he represented the island at the Nomad Games in Kazakhstan – and took silver in one of the strength events.

And, last October, he hosted a highly successful stage of the Strongman Champions League at Limassol Old Port – an event that drew participants from around the world!

Last Saturday, the Lion of Limassol repeated the feat, once more hosting the biggest strength event in Cyprus. But this time, Ilya took the competition to new heights: more participants, more challenges, and a larger crowd than ever before…

“Twelve professional strongmen from as far afield as the UK, Spain, and Finland competed in five events over the course of the day,” he says. “We had athletes from around the world, showcasing incredible talent and pushing their limits.

“The diversity of the competitors brought a real international feel to the event,” he adds. “And it was amazing to see how the crowd got behind each of them, no matter where they came from.”

In a truly global celebration of strength, a large crowd of Brits cheered on Kane ‘the Hurricane’ Francis, while a dedicated group of Americans showed up to support US strongman Brian Kichton. Even Italian competitor Invernizzi had strong backing from an enthusiastic contingent of his fellow countrymen.

Between events, the strongmen met the crowd, chatting and taking photos.

“I think people are sometimes a little intimidated by the sheer size and power of strongmen,” says Ilya, who – at six foot five and 180kg – would certainly stand out from the crowd if you met him.

“But once you’re up close, you realise how friendly and approachable we are. These guys might be lifting stones and pulling buses, but they’re some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet!”

Close on 5,000 spectators attended the day-long event; people of all ages and backgrounds. Cypriot Smurf and Lagi Flatley (he of Britain’s Got Talent riverdance fame) were there to MC the event. And, this winter, the event will be broadcast in almost 100 countries to 100 million people around the world.

Thanks to Ilya’s ingenuity, several of the events had a distinctly Cypriot flavour: the 16-tonne bus was kindly lent by the bus company EMEL; the sandbag race saw competitors loading 200-kilo weights onto a double-cab pickup; and the front lift challenged participants to hold 25kg sacks filled with Cyprus’ finest potatoes at arm’s length for close on 60 seconds.

A. Roszkowski from Poland emerged victorious, securing first place with a dominant performance in the Loading Race. Juhász from Hungary claimed second place, consistent across all events. And Francis of Great Britain rounded out the podium in third, taking first in the Atlas Stones and second in the Bus Pull.

“As each strongman completed their final lift or pull, you could feel something greater unfolding,” Ilya concludes. “That, perhaps this was not just a competition, but the birth of new legends.

“Like Cyprus itself, these men represent more than just raw power. They embody resilience and the kind of strength that endures. A testament to an island that has always emerged stronger after every challenge.”

For more information on the event visit the Instagram account @scl.cyprus You can follow Ilya on @ilyakhazov.strongman