2019 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic champion Martins Licis embarked on a journey of exploration during his hiatus from competitive strongman following his decision to withdraw from the 2024 WSM competition due to sciatica.

Despite stepping back from competition, Licis has not shied away from leveraging his formidable strength in various global adventures, from Pakistan to Greece, to learn how to sumo wrestle or compete in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. 

Licis traveled to the Georgia highlands to lift the legendary Svaneti Bell. On Sept. 1st, 2024, Licis shared film of his journey.

[Related: Build the Legs of a Strongman With Luke Stoltman’s Training Routine]

The Ancient Svaneti Bell

The Svaneti Bell represents a venerable millennia-old tradition. The ancient Svaneti Bell, housed in an 11th-century church, stands in the Svaneti region, home to approximately 10,000 to 15,000 inhabitants and perched at around 2,100 meters (6,900 feet). 

The Svaneti Bell swing is a unique ceremonial feat of strength to test the strength of people braving these mountains.

Licis and strongman Konstantine Janashia paused their journey in Mesa to enlist a tour guide to help them navigate the route to the Svaneti Bell. After the four-hour trek, they reached the base.

Unable to proceed by vehicle, the strongmen undertook the 20-minute hike to the Svaneti Bell’s location. Luckily, hiking offers numerous health advantages, such as lowering blood pressure, alleviating stress, boosting immune system performance, promoting weight loss, reducing symptoms of depression, and improving overall physical well-being. (1)

Martins Licis Lifts the Svaneti Bell

The Svaneti bell has two metal handles designed to rest on each shoulder. It weighs 100 kilograms (220.5 pounds). Although the optimal position for bell placement is on the shoulders, Janashia adapts the technique due to his size, which restricts him from reaching his shoulder.

Instead, Janashia positions the handles between his forearms and biceps — akin to a Zercher squat — swinging them for approximately 10 seconds before letting go. This mirrors how Licis attempts to lift the Svaneti Bell: 

Licis gently lowers into a squat, adopting a broad sumo stance.

Positioning the bell handle atop each shoulder, Licis secures it firmly for added stability.

Licis shifts to a staggered stance, elevating the bell as he firmly plants his feet.

Positioned in a partial squat, Licis rhythmically swings the bell side to side for approximately three to four seconds before cautiously lowering it.

Licis adopts a broader stance for another set, swinging the bell for roughly 10 seconds. He then lifts the Svaneti stones, organizing them meticulously.

We lifted the stones: the lady’s, boy’s, and men’s stones. Each respectable for mountain people who were smaller in stature. 

The strongmen’s accomplishment was celebrated atop the mountain with shots of Georgian whiskey sipped from an animal horn.

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Reference

Mitten, D., Overholt, J. R., Haynes, F. I., D’Amore, C. C., & Ady, J. C. (2016). Hiking: A Low-Cost, Accessible Intervention to Promote Health Benefits. American journal of lifestyle medicine, 12(4), 302–310. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827616658229

Featured image: @martinslicis on Instagram

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