"Webster Stones" refers to a strongman event involving lifting and carrying heavy stones, often featured in competitions like the World's Strongest Man (WSM). The event is named after David Webster, a Scottish author, historian, sports promoter, and strongman pioneer who was instrumental in establishing the World's Strongest Man competition. Webster died in October 2023 at the age of 95.
The Webster Stones event typically involves pairs of stones with different weights. For example, in the 2024 World's Strongest Man competition, the stones weighed 250 pounds (116 kg) and 300 pounds (136 kg). The challenge requires strongmen to carry these stones down a course, with measurements taken from the hindmost point of the back stone. Competitors are generally allowed a single drop, with a limited time to pick the stones back up and continue. The event tests not only strength but also the athletes' technique and strategy.
David Webster's contributions extend beyond the event named in his honor. He promoted the first televised strongman contest in 1955 and was a consultant for the creation of the World's Strongest Man television show in the late 1970s. He also helped create the Arnold Strongman Classic and served as its head official for 14 years. Furthermore, Webster revived interest in the Dinnie Stones, a pair of famous lifting stones in Scotland. His legacy in strength athletics is significant, with the Webster Stones event serving as a lasting tribute.
