Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

This Woman Just Lifted One Of The Heaviest Stones In The World

This Woman Just Lifted One Of The Heaviest Stones In The World
(bigdinnie/YouTube, @leigh.hollandkeen/Instagram)
Make us preferred on Google

Leigh Holland-Keen accomplished a major feat that was worthy of raise.

The 29-year-old Australian became the first woman in 40 years to lift the famed Dinnie Stones of Scotland in front of hundreds of spectators in Potarch, Aberdeenshire.


Watch the record-breaking feat below.






Holland-Keen Ardblair, a nurse from New South Wales, Australia, trained for a year to compete in the qualifying competition known as the Ardblair Stones at Donald Dinnie Day, The Gathering II, on August 5.




The athlete told news.com.au about her first time trying to lift the stone last year.

Last year was the first time I actually had a go at it. It wasn't planned — I traveled over from Australia to Scotland with my stepdad and mum, who also lift, and was given an opportunity to do it.

She wasn't able to lift the Dinnies at the time but realized that the possibility was within reach if she dedicated time for the stones-specific training.

I was very close to getting them a good lift, so after that I thought, 'Maybe I can actually do this if I put in some work.'
My sporting career is in strongwoman, that's my background, so I have been constantly training for that. But over the past 6-7 months I mainly focused on deadlifts, trap bar, and deadlift holds.






Most strongmen are unable to raise the granite boulders.

Barbend explained just how heavy the massive stones weigh.

The Dinnie Stones are two stones with metal handles that have a cumulative weight of 332.5kg (733 lbs). Individually, the smaller stone weighs 146kg (322 lbs), and the larger comes in at a massive 188kg (414 lbs).



Only 90 men have been able to raise the Dinnie Stones since their discovery in 1953. According to Barbend, only five strongmen have been able to keep the stones suspended above ground for 30 seconds.

In 1979, Jan Todd became the first female to lift the Dinnie Stones and held that record until now.



The stones were named after a man named, Donald Dinnie, an athlete who managed to lift and carry the stone across a bridge in Potarch during the 1800s.

But Holland-Keen said that the challenge wasn't exclusively a physical one.

It's mental. Obviously there's a lot of training, but you do a lot of visualization on the day. It made me realize how much mental strength it takes to do it by watching these big guys — who I knew could lift it easily — and they were failing because they weren't there mentally.

Twitter summed up her record-breaking win perfectly.









Three out of the four International Highland Games Federation (IHGF) Scottish Stones of Strength qualifying competitions took place in Scotland over the past two months. The stone lifting finals will take place on September 2 at the Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games.

Until then, there is one more qualifying round left to go, and that will take place this weekend at the Ardblair Stones at Blairgowrie Rugby & Ale Festival 2018.


H/T - YouTube, Instagram, news.com, Barbend

More from Trending

Jennifer Lawrence; Connor Wood
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images; Michael Simon/GC Images

'Dancing With The Stars' Contestant Has Priceless Reaction After Jennifer Lawrence Reveals He Once Ignored Her

Imagine actually getting acknowledged by your celebrity crush—but only so they could roast you.

That's what happened to comedian Connor Wood when his crush Jennifer Lawrence sent him a message on social media.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump; Bill Maher
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images; Alex Wroblewski/AFP via Getty Images

Trump Drops Epic 1,300-Word Truth Social Rant Against Bill Maher After White House Dinner—And Yikes

On Sunday night, MAGA Republican President Donald Trump posted a stream of consciousness rant about repeat dinner guest, comedian, and host of HBO's Real Time Bill Maher and it's a lot.

Literally.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bill Clinton; Donald Trump
Joe Raedle/Getty Images; Aaron Schwartz/Getty Images

Bill Clinton Mocks Trump's Rose Garden Renovation With Savage Liberace Comparison—And We Totally See It

Former President Bill Clinton criticized Congress for failing to push back against President Donald Trump's Rose Garden renovation, comparing it to the style of the late pianist and performer Liberace, who was known for gaudy gold costumes and flashy choreography.

The Oval Office has also been significantly revamped since Trump took office in January 2025. It features, among other things, a fireplace adorned with gold cherubs and medallions, surrounded by portraits of American statesmen in ornate gold frames and shelves filled with gilded figurines, urns, and freshly-installed Rococo mirrors.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump and Nicki Minaj
Alex Wong/Getty Images

Trump Grosses Out The Internet With Crass Comment About Nicki Minaj's Body At MAGA Rally

President Donald Trump disgusted observers after he singled out rapper Nicki Minaj during a Michigan campaign rally on Sunday, complimenting her "beautiful" backside.

Just days ago, Trump raised eyebrows after revealing at a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, that he was "examining" Republican Senator Jon Husted's "body" while Husted was speaking, even commenting on Husted's butt. Trump made similar comments about Husted at the Michigan event, later adding, “off the record, women yes, men no.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Stella Parton
Gregg DeGuire/WireImage/Getty Images

Dolly Parton's Sister Accuses Republicans Of Rigging Voting Machines In Tennessee After Alarming Incident

Stella Parton, a performer in her own right from a family of talented singers that included her older sister Dolly, has consistently been far more vocal online than her legendary sibling when it comes to social causes and politics. Stella Parton has never held back on voicing her support for social justice and basic human rights and her opposition to fascism, oppression, and bigotry.

And she doesn't mince words when she calls things, or people, out.

Keep ReadingShow less