Heavy Athletics
Heavy Athletics are a focal point of many Highland Games and have been for centuries. But what are they? Heavy Athletics in America are a collection of nine throwing events. A full "Highland Games" is often comprised of Heavy Athletics, Light Athletics (running, tug of war, dance competitions, etc.), pipe bands, and clan tents. Below you can find a brief description of each event contested in the Heavy Athletics found at any Goin' Rogue game.
The Stone Put
Like many distance events there is a heavy and a light stone put.
The heavy stone put is known as the Braemar stone and is thrown from a standing position with no approach allowed, typically weighing 20-26lbs. for men and 13-18lbs. for women.
The lighter stone throw is referred to as the Open stone where the athlete may take an approach prior to putting the stone. you may see many techniques similar to Olympic shotput. The open stone typically weighs 16-20lbs. for the men and 8-12lbs. for the women.
The Weight Throw
The weight throw uses lead or steel weights similar to old world counter weights on chains with metal handles. These weights are in stone increments and were traditionally used to measure grains and goods. There is once again an heavy and a light version for the weight throw and it is measured for distance.
The heavy weight weighs 56lbs. for men and 28lbs. for women.
The light weight weighs 28lbs. for men and 14lbs. for women.
The Hammer Toss
The hammer toss is measured for distance and has a light and a heavy impliment. The Scottish hammer toss looks very similar to the Olympic hammer throw with a few exceptions. The hammers are modeled after traditional blacksmith hammers with solid handles made often of wood, however in the modern age pvc has become very common. The athletes may not move their feet during the throw, as such may competitors wear hammer blades on their shoes to stay anchored to the ground.
The heavy hammer weighs 22lb.s for men and 16lbs. for women.
The light hammer weighs16lbs. for me and 12lbs. for women.
The Caber Toss
The highlight to any crowd is the famous Caber Toss. The competitor will attempt to pickup and flip a tree or caber end over end. This event is judged for accuracy. The goal being for the flipped end to land directly in front of the athlete as if 12 o'clock on a large clock face. Caber is entirely unique to the heavy athletics. Cabers vary widely in length and weight and there is no standard unit.
Weight Over Bar
The name of this event is fairly spot on. Athletes will take their respective heavy weight and attempt to throw over a bar that rises every round. When an athlete is no longer able to clear a height after three attempts they are eliminated. Athletes may take a standing or spinning approach but the weight must be thrown one handed.
The Sheaf Toss
Sheaf was a term used to denote a quantity of hay or straw. The athlete will attempt to throw a simulated hay bale off of a pitchfork over a bar that rises several feet every round. Much like the Weight Over Bar once an athlete fails a height three times they are eliminated. This is the only "non traditional" event as it originated in the U.S. not Scotland. The sheaf bag itself weighs 16-20lbs. for men and 10-12lbs. for women.
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