If the strongman competition at Dubai Muscle Show in 2016 and 2017 was special, what we saw last year managed to raise the bar even further.

The women returned once again, but due to popular demand a third category was added to the men’s event – an under 105kg.

And while the event had been progressing, the organisers Emirates Strength had really seen blast off.

Their work to put Dubai firmly on the strongman map had seen them introduce World’s Ultimate Strongman to the elite in the sport.

To add a little spice to the hunt for the Middle East’s strongest man, it was announced the winner of the open class would be invited to WUS can test themselves against the very best in the world.

Moving to an even bigger strength arena at the World Trade Centre we were treated to another fantastic show.

The events were; max deadlift, yoke carry, sandbag loading race, log press, and the Atlas stones.

Melissa Coates would go on to take the women’s title, Azim Dayani the men’s under 90kg,  Akbar Taleshi the men’s 105kg and Ramin Farajnezhad.

Farajnezhad would be presented his trophy by Brian Shaw, who he would go on to face at WUS earlier this year.

What will 2019 hold?