IT'S BACK!

The Warpath Strength Skull Smash Challenge III will take place on Saturday, September 21, at Chicago Barbell Compound in Chicago, IL, and will feature five events:

1. Log Press
2. Max 18" Axle Deadlift
3. Farmers Walk
4. Sandbag Ladder (Sandbag-Over-Bar)
5. Strongman Cornhole

Skull Smash is the title sponsor for this event and will generously provide the winner of each division with a bottle of their ammonia inhalant as a prize. In addition, Skull Smash will be awarding a one-year athlete sponsorship to the top male and top female competitors as decided by a panel of judges, volunteers, and Skull Smash representatives at the contest. Details of what will be included in this sponsorship will be forthcoming as we get closer to the date of the contest.

WEIGH-INS

There will be weigh-ins on Friday, September 20, but the timing is TBD. They will likely happen sometime between 9 am and noon, and then again later in the afternoon/evening (4-6 p.m.), but please check back on this page and/or follow the Warpath Strength Facebook and Instagram pages for regular updates There will also be weigh-ins from 8-9 a.m. on Saturday, September 21 (the morning of the competition), but ALL competitors MUST weigh in and complete their check-in before 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 21. If you show up after 9 a.m., you will not be allowed to compete. Please be respectful of the promoter and staff and DO NOT show up at the last minute.

EVENT RULES

There will be a rules meeting for all athletes at 9:30 a.m. on the day of the competition followed by a group photo. This is why we require all competitors to weigh-in/check-in before 9 a.m.

Please note that all weights are subject to change at any time per the discretion of the promoter up to and including the day of the competition. As equipment is tested over the next few months, updates will be announced on Facebook and Instagram.

Here are the rules for each event:

Log Press (for reps) with Slater True logs

• Athletes must clean and press a log for as many reps as possible in one minute. The log will be cleaned once and then the athlete will press away as many reps as possible.
• A successful rep will be counted once the athlete’s knees, hips, shoulders, and elbows are all locked out and the athlete is clearly in control of the implement.
• If an athlete has any physical issues or limitations, such as a shoulder or elbow impairment that prevents them from completing a full lockout, the judge must be notified prior to the athlete taking their attempt.
• The athlete must wait for the down command from the judge for the lift to be counted.
• There is a 60-second time limit for this event. The athlete with the most reps in 60 seconds wins.
• Equipment allowed: Belt, knee and elbow sleeves, wrist wraps, chalk, gloves. BELTS MUST BE WORN WITH BUCKLES IN THE BACK.
• Equipment NOT allowed: No grip shirts and absolutely no tacky of any kind (not from a jar, no spray, no towels, no tape).
• We will use Pit Bull steel logs for the lighter weight classes and Slater True logs for the heavier weight classes.
• Dropping the log from overhead will result in a zero for the event and possibly (very likely) expulsion from the competition. Please respect the equipment.

Max 18” Deadlift (from blocks) with Arsenal Athletics Axle Bars

IMPORTANT: Arsenal Athletics Power Axles will be used for this event for all competitors. It is stainless steel and 2.5-inches in diameter. It is a very thick bar and not all figure 8 straps will fit, so please come prepared with longer wrist straps. Also, these axle bars have extremely aggressive knurling. Every athlete will be required to cover their shins/knees with tights, socks or sleeves of some kind in order to prevent your legs from looking like they were shredded with a cheese grater. I am not kidding. Be sure to bring something to cover your legs and prevent any bleeding on the bar.

• A conventional stance deadlift is mandatory. No Sumo stance, Jefferson deadlifts, or any other deadlift variation will be allowed. conventional deadlifts only. Hands must be outside the knees for the entire duration of the lift.
• Straps will be allowed, including figure 8 straps...HOWEVER, the straps must be tight and the athlete's hands MUST be wrapped around/holding the axle. A long figure 8 strap with “fingertips” being the only thing touching the bar will not be an acceptable lift.
• Athletes will have three (3) attempts to deadlift the most weight on the axle bar from the blocks, which will set the height of the bar at 18 inches.
• Athletes will have 60 seconds for each attempt.
• Athletes will be allowed to hitch or ramp.
• Athletes must wait for the “down” command for a successful rep to be counted. If the bar is dropped without the athlete being given a “down” command, the rep will not be counted.
• The Wessels Rule (Rule of Three) will be in effect. If an athlete fails an attempt, you will not be allowed any subsequent attempts.
• No mid-lift bounce allowed. This is where the athlete forcefully pushes the bar to the blocks, mid-lift, to gain height on the rebound to get past a sticking point.
• No “Eddie Halls” allowed, meaing the weight must be controlled to the blocks for the lift to count. DO NOT simply drop the bar after you recieve the "Down" command from the judge.
• No points awarded if no complete lifts are counted, meaning if you miss your opener, you will receive a zero for the event.
• The athlete will nominate their second attempt weight immediately after completion of their first lift, and will nominate their third attempt weight immediately after completion of their second lift.
• The athlete's opening attempt lift must be at or above the minimum set weights for a given lane. The opening weight on the bar for Lane 1 will be 175# and the opening weight for Lane 2 will be 405#.
• This will be a "rising bar" event. Weight jumps will be made in 10# increments from the minimum opening weight in Lane 1 (the 175# lane) and 20# increments in Lane 2 (the 405# lane) regardless of the athlete's weight division/class. Athletes must pay attention and listen to the weights being called out by the judge, timer, or loaders. If you miss a weight, the bar will not be unloaded…the weight will not be lowered.
• Equipment allowed: Deadlift suits, belt, knee and elbow sleeves, knee and wrist wraps, wrist straps, chalk.
• Equipment NOT allowed: No gloves, hook-grip straps and absolutely NO tacky of any kind (not from a jar, no spray, no towels, no tape).

Farmers Walk with timber handles

• Athletes will carry five-foot-long, custom-built, timber farmers handles down a 75' course (straight, no turn) as quickly as possible.
• No drops are allowed beyond the first five feet. If the athlete drops the handles after the first five feet, or cannot complete the course in 60 seconds, a distance will be recorded.
• Both handles and the athlete must completely cross the finish line to complete course.
• Respect the equipment. Please DO NOT drop, slam or throw the handles once you cross the finish line. Control the implements and put them down as gently as possible.
• Equipment allowed: Belt, knee, calf and elbow sleeves, knee and wrist wraps, gloves, chalk.
• Equipment NOT allowed: No tape and no tacky of any kind (not from a jar, no spray can, no tacky towels, no tape).

Sandbag Ladder (Sandbag-Over-Bar)

• Athletes will be required to pick and load three sandbags, from lightest to heaviest over three crossbars set at decreasing heights from highest to lowest. This means the lightest bag will be loaded first over the highest crossbar and the heaviest bag will be loaded over the lowest and last crossbar.
• Each bag must be loaded twice over each one of the crossbars, which will be set up in three wall-mounted CrossFit-style squat racks next to one another.
• When the judges gives the “Go!” command, the athlete will pick and load the lightest bag over the first crossbar and then move around to the other side of the rig to pick and load the bag back to the starting position before moving to the next bag and rack.
• No shouldering of the bags is allowed. The sandbags must all be front-loaded.
• The athlete MAY NOT use the crossbar to push the sandbag over it. The athlete is only allowed to touch the sandbag.
• The rep will be counted once the sandbag has been loaded over the crossbar and has hit the ground. If time expires and the sandbag is resting on the crossbar, or if the bag has not yet hit the ground when time expires, the rep will not be counted.
• There is a 60-second time limit for this event. The athlete who loads all three bags in the shortest amount of time will win.
• Athletes may start with his/her hands on TOP of the first sandbag, but not underneath.
• The heights of the crossbars will be set at 52 inches, 50 inches, and 48 inches for all of the women’s divisions. The height of the crossbars will be set at 56 inches, 54 inches, and 52 inches for all of the men’s divisions.
• Equipment allowed: Belt, knee and elbow sleeves, wrist wraps, chalk, gloves. BELTS MUST BE WORN WITH BUCKLES IN THE BACK.
• Equipment NOT allowed: No grip shirts and absolutely no tacky of any kind (not from a jar, no spray, no towels, no tape).

Strongman Cornhole

• Each athlete will be given three attempts to toss a strongman “throw bag” into a giant (3’ x 6’) custom-built cornhole board.
• All women’s division athletes will throw their bags from a line 14 feet from the end of the board. All men’s division athletes will throw their bags from a line 17 feet from the end of the board.
• All women’s division athletes will use 15#, 20# and 25# throw bags, and all men’s division athletes will use 30#, 35# and 40# throw bags.
• Each athlete will have one minute to complete all three throws. If the athlete attempts their third and final toss as time expires, the attempt will still count if the bag is in the air and out of the athlete’s hand(s).
• Athletes may toss the bag using a double overhand or a single-hand grip.
• The athlete’s hand or arm may cross the line during an attempt, but the athlete’s feet must stay behind the line. If an athlete’s foot or any part of their foot touches or crosses the line, the toss will not count and the athlete will be given a “zero” for that attempt. Athletes will not be allowed to make another attempt with that bag. They must move on to the next heaviest bag.
• A bag that goes through the hole is worth 3 points.
• A bag that lands on the board and stays there is worth 1 point, but if a bag hits the board and then slides off the board (either partially or completely) no points will be given. The bag must remain on the board.
• A bag that lands on the ground or hits the board, but remains partially on the ground is worth 0 points.
• In the event of a tie for this event, athletes will be given additional throws, but with a twist that I will announce on the day of the competition.
• Equipment allowed: Chalk is permitted for this event. I don’t care what brand it is, and I don’t care if it’s a powder or liquid. Use as much as you want. Supportive gear such as a belt, elbow sleeves, and wrist wraps will also be permitted, but none of those things are likely to help very much so what’s the point?
• Equipment NOT allowed: No gloves, no tape, no straps and no tacky of any kind (not from a jar, no spray, no towels, no tape) will be allowed.

SPECTATOR INFORMATION

There will be a $15 admission fee for all spectators ages 13 and older. Children under 12 will be admitted for free. This entry fee will be CASH ONLY at the door on the day of the competition. There will NOT be any advanced ticket sales.

HOTEL INFORMATION

SpringHill Suites by Marriott (Chicago-O'Hare), 8101 West Higgins Road, Chicago, IL, 60631. Phone: 773-867-0000

Holiday Inn-Chicago O'Hare, 5615 North Cumberland Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60631. Phone: 773-693-5800.

Renaissance Chicago O'Hare Suites, 8500 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60631. Phone: 773-380-9600.

PARKING INFORMATION

There is a decent sized parking lot at Chicago Barbell Compound, but there is also plenty of street parking and another large parking lot located about 100 feet south of the building where the gym is located that has about 75-80 additional parking spaces.

FOOD

My Mighty Meals will be onsite on the day of the competition with a delicious offering of food for athletes and spectators.