steinstossen
{{Short description|Swiss stone throwing competition}}
File:Unspunnen 1981 Com LC0751-017-003-001.jpg
Steinstossen (translated to 'stone throwing' in English) is the Swiss variant of stone put, of throwing a heavy stone overhead using both arms for the longest distance.{{Cite web|url=http://business.toledoblade.com/frontpage/2008/08/21/Rocking-the-German-American-Festival.html|title = The Blade | Toledo's breaking news, sports, and entertainment watchdog}} Practiced among the alpine population since prehistoric times, it is recorded to have taken place in Basel in the 13th century. During the 15th century, it is frequently recorded to have been practiced alongside the Schützenfeste of the Old Swiss Confederacy.
The historical throwing event is also central to the Unspunnenfest, a festival inaugurated in 1805 in Interlaken near the old ruins of Unspunnen Castle in the Bernese Alps, and held once every twelve years.
Unspunnen stone throw
One of the main highlights of the Unspunnenfest is the 'Unspunnen stone throw' where the contestants have to begin on a {{convert|6.1|m|ftin}} runway, hurling the {{convert|83.5|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} stone into a {{convert|4|in|mm|adj=mid|-deep}} sand pit. The unique stone is carved out from Aare granite of the Hasli valley.
World records
= All-time record =
- {{convert|83.5|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} for {{convert|4.11|m|ftin}} by Markus Maire {{flagicon|SUI}} (2004 Eidgenössischen Schwing und Älplerfest, Lucerne){{cite web|url=https://strengthrecord.com/strongman-world-records/#S6 |title=STRENGTH RECORD, Section 06 - Throwing |website=www.strengthrecord.com |access-date=10 April 2025}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/maire-and-grab-win-glory-at-unspunnen/5422870 |title=Maire and Grab win glory at Unspunnen |author=Markus Maire |website= Swissinfo.ch |date=3 September 2006 |access-date=28 April 2023}}
= Unspunnen record =
- {{convert|83.5|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} for {{convert|3.98|m|ftin}} by Urs Hutmacher {{flagicon|SUI}} (2023 Unspunnenschwinget, Interlaken){{Cite web |url=https://www.srf.ch/sport/mehr-sport/schwingen/unspunnen-steinstossen-hunziker-macht-frust-vergessen-hutmacher-siegt-mit-rekord/ |title=Unspunnen-Steinstossen |author=Swiss National TV|website= SRF.com |date=27 August 2023 |access-date=7 Nov 2023}}
:→ Hutmacher surpassed Maire's {{convert|3.89|m|ftin}} from 2006 Unspunnenschwinget.{{Cite web |url=https://www.oldtimestrongman.com/blog/tag/stone-lifting/ |title=The Unspunnen Stone |author=John Wood |website= Oldtimestrongman.com |date=22 November 2017 |access-date=28 April 2023}}
International variations
=Germany=
In 1860, Steinstossen was introduced as a track-and-field discipline in Germany, retaining the name in spite of the stone being replaced by a {{convert|15|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} block of iron.
=United States=
==Ohio Swiss Festival==
Within the United States, the Ohio Swiss Festival in Sugarcreek has the distinction of being the longest running competition, having run annually since 1956.{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesreporter.com/picture-gallery/news/2021/10/03/steintossen-ohio-swiss-festival-sugarcreek/5979137001/|title = Steintossen at the Ohio Swiss Festival in Sugarcreek.
}} Contestants in the men's division hurl a stone weighing {{convert|61.25|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}}. They begin on a {{convert|6.1|m|ftin}} runway, hurling the rock into a {{convert|4|in|mm|adj=mid|-deep}} sand pit. The record holder of this event for 21 years was Jud Logan of North Canton, Ohio, with a throw of {{convert|4.37|m|ftin}}. That record was broken by Beaux Lenarz in 2005 with a throw of {{convert|4.42|m|ftin}}. There is also a women's division, using a {{convert|34|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} stone. The women's record is held by Roberta Collins of Sandusky with a throw of {{convert|3.87|m|ftin}}.
==German-American Festival==
Steinstossen at the annual German-American Festival, in Toledo, began in 1989. The competition is scheduled for a two-hour period beginning at 3:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Kevin Marx of Toledo, in 2009, had a throw of {{convert|4.66|m|ftin}}. A different rock is used at this festival than is used at the Ohio Swiss Festival so the two cannot be directly compared, even though both rocks weigh the same. The women's record at the German-American Festival is held by Becky Ball of Marblehead with a throw of {{convert|3.94|m|ftin}}, in 2007.
==Arnold Strongman Classic==
{{Main|Arnold Strongman Classic}}
The steintossen is one of the regular events which may feature, on a selective basis, in the annual Arnold Strongman Classic competition. In the 2023 competition in Columbus, Ohio, the contestants had to throw an {{convert|84|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} replica of the Unspunnenfest stone. Poland's Mateusz Kieliszkowski threw the stone for {{convert|3.47|m|ftin}} to win the men's event.{{cite web|url=https://strongmanarchives.com/viewContest.php?id=1367 |title=2023 Arnold Strongman Classic |website=strongmanarchives.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}
The women's competition was won by Victoria Long of USA who threw a {{convert|50|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} replica for {{convert|3.31|m|ftin}} to win the event.{{cite web|url=https://strongmanarchives.com/viewContest.php?id=1368 |title=2023 Arnold Strongwoman Classic |website=strongmanarchives.com |access-date=28 April 2023}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
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