From staff reports
The strongest man in California? How about El Capitan High School alumnus Blake Hoffman? Hoffman, 29, captured first place in California’s Strongest Man contest last Saturday in Huntington Beach. Hoffman won accolades in the middle weight division (201-231 pounds).
The contest was promoted by Scott Brengel of East Coast West Coast Strength in Costa Mesa. There were five events in the contest. Among them were the Log Press (270 pounds, maximum reps for 60 seconds), Farmers Walk (lifting and carrying 275 pounds on each arm for a distance of 130 feet for time), Truck Pull (pulling a U-Haul truck and jeep weighing approximately 19,000 pounds 75 feet in the fastest time) and Beer Keg toss (over a 15-foothigh cross bar — 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45-pound kegs — for time).
The last event featured lifting Atlas stones onto or over a fourfoot bar or metal platform. The round stones weighed 240, 275, 300, 320 and 360 pounds.
Hoffman finished first in the truck pull, second in the keg toss, third in the farmers carry, tied for third in the log press and fifth in the Atlas stones. Hoffman said the most challenging event for him was the truck pull.
“Monday before the competition I was training that very event and I was training on a heavier truck and I ended up sustaining a soft muscle tear in my calf,” the Lakeside native explained. “I thought I wasn’t going to be able to compete. That Thursday I decided I would compete for fun and whatever happened I wouldn’t worry about it.
“Going into that event normally I knew I would win, but with the injured calf I wasn’t sure what would happen. Would it tear even more? Would I fall and hurt myself even worse? The event started and I used my right leg as much as possible and ended up winning the event by three seconds. It set me up for a 5.5-point lead in front of everybody and at that point I knew I secured the win for California’s Strongest Man.
“There were some great competitors in my class and they still made me work for the win. It was almost a relief going into a competition hurt because I put no pressure on myself until I realize I have a shot at winning. With some help from my coach Scott and support from my family I was encouraged to compete, and I am glad I did.”
Hoffman currently serves as a sergeant in the Army National Guard Airborne Division as a
parachute rigger. He has been lifting and training for approximately six years. He is in the gym six days each week from two to four hours each day.
He focused on music in high school rather than sports.
“I was a musician in high school — it was my first love,” Hoffman said. “I took many weight-lifting classes while at El Capitan as well. That helped create the physical and mental strength I have today.”
