Monrovia – The Liberia Strongman Federation (LSF) has dispatched its first-ever official national delegation to compete in the Pure Power International Strongman Competition in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
By Christopher C. Walker 0777898224/0886723075 [email protected]
The move marks a major milestone for strength sports in Liberia as the country seeks to establish its presence on the continental stage.
The delegation is composed of the top three winners from the most recent National Liberia Strongman Competition held in late December 2025.
The athletes will represent the elite tier of Liberian strength across three weight categories.
According to a release from the Strongman Federation of Liberia, the athletes to represent Liberia are John S. Weah, known as The Gentle Giant,” National Heavyweight Champion, Sam Woart: National Middleweight Champion and Clarita Dolo National Strongwoman/Female Category Champion.
The team is expected to arrive in Abidjan on February 9, led by Liberia Strongman Federation executives Christopher Dompo and Prince Tamba.
The federation credited U.S.-based Coordinator Emmanuel G. Paye for his role in structuring the national qualifiers that paved the way for the county’s international debut.
“History in Motion”
Junda Morris, the founder of the Liberia Strongman Competition and a prominent figure in African bodybuilding and fitness, described the trip as a turning point for the sport in Liberia.
“This moment is bigger than competition, it is history in motion,” Morris said.
“For the first time, Liberia is stepping onto the international Strongman stage as an official delegation. What began as a vision to give Liberian strength athletes a platform has now become a national movement,” she said.
Morris, who also serves as the President of the Liberia Bodybuilding & Fitness Association (LBFA), noted that the federation is focused on creating sustainable pathways for athletes to secure professional sponsorships and international recognition.
Expanding the Footprint
Strongman competitions differ from traditional powerlifting by incorporating “real-world” strength challenges, such as pulling trucks, lifting massive stones, and carrying heavy logs.
The Pure Power International event is one of West Africa’s premier strength contests, attracting elite competitors from across the ECOWAS region.
For the Liberian athletes, it offers a chance to compete under the scrutiny of international judges and gain exposure to high-level training and equipment.
As the team prepares for their events, sports stakeholders in Monrovia have hailed the delegation as ambassadors for “non-traditional” sporting disciplines.
Many hope that success in Abidjan will encourage the Ministry of Youth and Sports to provide more structured budgetary support for the federation.
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