Latest news with #Eukonkanto


Express Tribune
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
IShowSpeed deadlifts one-ton car with adults on top during Poland stop on Europe Tour
Streamer IShowSpeed has once again gone viral, this time for a strength challenge while touring Poland. During a stop on his Europe Tour Part 2, the 20-year-old teamed up with Polish-American weight expert Adam Josef for an unusual deadlift test: lifting a one-ton Mazda MX-5. no way Speed deadlifted a whole car in Poland — 2,711 lbs (1,230 kg) 😭🔥 — Speedy Updates (@SpeedUpdates1) July 17, 2025 The feat was captured on video near the 58-minute mark, with Speed lifting the car unaided—refusing both a back support belt and hand grips. After successfully raising the vehicle, he said, 'F**k, I'm dumb lightheaded,' before Josef increased the stakes by adding one adult passenger to the car per round. Speed pushed through, lifting two adults in Level 3 before briefly collapsing. On his next attempt with three people onboard—two in front, one in back—his first try failed. But after rallying with fan encouragement, he completed the lift. 'I'm about to lift three humans in a car, bro, you don't understand. Ain't nobody doing that but Superman, bro,' he told onlookers. Earlier in the week during a visit to Finland, Speed entered a wife-carrying competition known locally as Eukonkanto, despite still recovering from minor burns sustained during a sauna visit where he was briefly set on fire. The Europe Tour continues with upcoming stops in Slovakia and France, where more physical challenges are expected. Speed's growing list of viral moments underscores his dedication to both entertainment and endurance.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Everything you need to know about the Wife-Carrying World Championship in Finland
The Wife-Carrying World Championship – known as Eukonkanto - starts today and runs until tomorrow in Sonkajärvi, in the Northern Savonia region of Finland. Held since 1992, the annual sporting event involves male participants carrying their female partners on their backs through a challenging obstacle course, which features water, hurdles and sand pits. Not just a test of physical strength and endurance, the championship centers around communication, mutual trust, and teamwork. And a love of brew too, as the winning couple don't receive a medal or a cash prize but the wife's weight in beer. "Kippis" to that! The minimum weight of the wife to be carried is 49kg. If she weighs less, the wife will be burdened with a rucksack containing additional weight. The female participant does have to be legally married to their male partner, but she does have to be 17-years-old, or above. The official track length is 253.5 metres. The track contains two 'dry obstacles' and a 'water obstacle' that is around one metre deep. The only equipment permitted during the race is a helmet worn by the female competitor and a belt by the male competitor. Several types of 'carry' are possible: A piggyback, a fireman's lift (over the shoulder), or Estonian-style (the wife hangs upside-down with her legs around the husband's shoulders, holding onto his waist). Each competitor is responsible for his or her own safety… and insurance. NB: These are the international rules set by the International Wife-Carrying Competition Rules Committee, but rules can vary depending on the competition, as these contests have taken place in Australia, Estonia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Sweden, the UK, and other parts of the world. The competition is said to be based on the 19th-century legend of Herman 'Herkko' Ronkainen – or: 'Ronkainen the Robber' - who supposedly tested aspiring members of his gang by making them lug heavy sacks of grain or live swine around obstacle courses. Another version of this tall tale is that Herman and his thieves were accused of stealing food and abducting women from villages, then carrying these women on their backs as they ran away. Hence the "wife" or woman carrying. This year, the competition has announced that a record number of participants – more than 200 people from 18 different nationalities – will take part. For the first time, a seperate women's category has been introduced this year, with five pairs reportedly registered. Among the participants aiming to dethrone 2024 World Champions Vytautas Kirkliauskas and Neringa Kirkliauskiene from Lithuania (pictured above) is Severi Allonen, who was named Finland's Strongest Man in 2024. 'This competition has always intrigued me a bit, and I see it as a great opportunity to create interesting content for social media,' said Allonen. 'I also believe my strengths are well-suited for this sport, so I had to give it a try.' Best of luck to him, as Kirkliauskas and Kirkliauskiene have won the competition three times already – in 2018, 2019 and 2024. They are not, however, the record holders of the event. Taisto Miettinen and Katja Kovanen of Finland currently hold the most Wife-Carrying wins, having emerged victorious eight times – in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2022 and 2023. 'Preparations have gone according to plan so far, with the final push being the construction of the course,' said Joni Juntunen, Chairman of the Board of Eukonkanto Oy. 'Interest in the event has been strong, so we hope the audience will come out to enjoy the unique atmosphere of wife carrying and have fun with great music in the evenings.' The 28th takes place on 4 & 5 July in Sonkajärvi, Finland.


Euronews
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Euronews
What is the Wife-Carrying World Championship in Finland?
The Wife-Carrying World Championship – known as Eukonkanto - starts today and runs until tomorrow in Sonkajärvi, in the Northern Savonia region of Finland. Held since 1992, the annual sporting event involves male participants carrying their female partners on their backs through a challenging obstacle course, which features water, hurdles and sand pits. Not just a test of physical strength and endurance, the championship centers around communication, mutual trust, and teamwork. And a love of brew too, as the winning couple don't receive a medal or a cash prize but the wife's weight in beer. "Kippis" to that! What are the rules? NB: These are the international rules set by the International Wife-Carrying Competition Rules Committee, but rules can vary depending on the competition, as these contests have taken place in Australia, Estonia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Sweden, the UK, and other parts of the world. Where does this tradition come from? The competition is said to be based on the 19th-century legend of Herman 'Herkko' Ronkainen – or: 'Ronkainen the Robber' - who supposedly tested aspiring members of his gang by making them lug heavy sacks of grain or live swine around obstacle courses. Another version of this tall tale is that Herman and his thieves were accused of stealing food and abducting women from villages, then carrying these women on their backs as they ran away. Hence the "wife" or woman carrying. What's new in 2025? This year, the competition has announced that a record number of participants – more than 200 people from 18 different nationalities – will take part. For the first time, a seperate women's category has been introduced this year, with five pairs reportedly registered. Among the participants aiming to dethrone 2024 World Champions Vytautas Kirkliauskas and Neringa Kirkliauskiene from Lithuania (pictured above) is Severi Allonen, who was named Finland's Strongest Man in 2024. 'This competition has always intrigued me a bit, and I see it as a great opportunity to create interesting content for social media,' said Allonen. 'I also believe my strengths are well-suited for this sport, so I had to give it a try.' Best of luck to him, as Kirkliauskas and Kirkliauskiene have won the competition three times already – in 2018, 2019 and 2024. They are not, however, the record holders of the event. Taisto Miettinen and Katja Kovanen of Finland currently hold the most Wife-Carrying wins, having emerged victorious eight times – in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2022 and 2023. 'Preparations have gone according to plan so far, with the final push being the construction of the course,' said Joni Juntunen, Chairman of the Board of Eukonkanto Oy. 'Interest in the event has been strong, so we hope the audience will come out to enjoy the unique atmosphere of wife carrying and have fun with great music in the evenings.' The 28th Wife-Carrying World Championship takes place on 4 & 5 July in Sonkajärvi, Finland.