KINGWOOD, W.Va. (WBOY) — The West Virginia Strongman Corporation State Championship was held in Kingwood on Saturday.

More than 70 athletes competed in competitions such as the deadlift, yolk walk, overhead and “sandbags of suffering” in hopes that they would punch their ticket to the national strongman competition later this year.

More than 200 spectators were expected to stop by the Craig Civic Center and watch the display of strength, sportsmanship and friendly competition.

Stewart Reed, one of the organizers for the West Virginia state Strongman Championships, spoke with 12 News about the unique environment of the competitions.

“Strongman is very much a community that cares about each other but still want to compete. It’s a way to express your strength and express a very fulfilling and rewarding hobby actually,” Reed said.

Athletes from eight different states were in attendance, ready to show off the hard work they had put in leading up to the competition.

This year’s competition was hosted by the Lift Hard Strength Club out of Preston County.

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MARSHALL COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey made an announcement Friday about another mining-related fatality in the state within 24 hours – the latest in northern West Virginia.

The governor released the following statement:

“Denise and I were deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Darin Reece, who passed away following an accident at the Ohio County Mine. We extend our condolences to his family, his fellow miners, and all those who knew him. He served as a Continuous Miner Section Supervisor and was part of a workforce that takes on difficult and dangerous work every day.

“The impact of these events reaches far beyond the job site. It is felt by families, coworkers, and entire communities. That weight is even greater today, as this marks the second loss of life in West Virginia’s mining community in less than 24 hours.

“The West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety, and Training is on site and conducting a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident.

“We ask West Virginians to keep Darin’s loved ones and the entire mining community in their thoughts during this difficult time.”

Earlier on Friday, Morrisey announced another mining-related death in Raleigh County in the southern part of the state.

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