Salina firefighter takes part in national strongman competition

Charles Rankin, Salina Journal
·4 min read
Salina firefighter Chris Rios lifts a weight during a strongman competition at Central Mall in Salina. Rios traveled to and competed in the 2023 World's Strongest Firefighter Contest at the Arnold Sports Festival that took place at the beginning of March in Columbus, Ohio, where he placed 29th overall.
Salina firefighter Chris Rios lifts a weight during a strongman competition at Central Mall in Salina. Rios traveled to and competed in the 2023 World's Strongest Firefighter Contest at the Arnold Sports Festival that took place at the beginning of March in Columbus, Ohio, where he placed 29th overall.

While the Salina Fire Department is known for its swift response to fires, rescues and medical emergencies, it can now be known for a new accomplishment, employer of one of the world's strongest firefighters.

At the beginning of March, SFD firefighter Chris Rios traveled to Columbus, Ohio for the Arnold Sports Festival, where he competed in the World's Strongest Firefighter Contest, placing 29th overall.

"There were over 100 from all over the world that competed," Rios said. "(Besides the U.S.,) we had people from Canada, Europe (and other places)."

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Not his first competition

Rios has been taking part in strongman competitions for the past few years.

"I just decided to throw my hat in the ring and see what I can do about four or five years ago," Rios said. "I've been competing all over Kansas, gone to Colorado and even Texas a couple times to compete."

Salina firefighter Chris Rios stands in front of a statue of Arnold Schwarzenegger during the 2023 Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio. Rios competed and placed 29th overall in the World's Strongest Firefighter Contest hosted at the festival this year.
Salina firefighter Chris Rios stands in front of a statue of Arnold Schwarzenegger during the 2023 Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio. Rios competed and placed 29th overall in the World's Strongest Firefighter Contest hosted at the festival this year.

This, however, was the first year Rios took part in the World's Strongest Firefighter event.

"They started small (a few) years ago in California and then hosted one at the Arnold last year...but they only picked 16 people to (compete) last year," Rios said. "This year, there was close to 130 people that competed."

Rios said the field of competitors was comprised of only full-time firefighters like himself.

While the events that he competed in, which included things like a farmers carry which is weights of 265 pounds in each hand being carried 40 feet before doing four deadlifts and then carrying the weights back 40 feet, a sled pull that saw competitors seated and pulling 800 pounds horizontally and two other events.

"I feel a lot of events, although you are carrying a lot of (different things), it really carries over to our job (as firefighters)," Rios said. "We're always having to pick people up in awkward positions. During a fire, we're having to move stuff (that can be heavy)."

SFD also provides emergency medical services (EMS) to the community and Rios said those employees can benefit from these kinds of activities too, as they may find themselves maneuvering into awkward places in addition to lifting patients.

"Nothing is ever the same (for a firefighter), so (these skills) carry over well in this job," Rios said.

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Hosting competitions himself

In addition to competing in strongman events, Rios is also the owner of a gym, Ellsworth Strength Center, in Ellsworth, and has begun hosting events too.

The first such event was last August, in conjunction with the Ellsworth Cowtown Days festival.

"There were three guys from Salina Fire that came over and competed in that," Rios said.

In addition to firefighters who enjoy this kind of competition, Rios said his event last year also drew other competitors from across Kansas and surrounding states. He said there are plans to have the competition back this year, but it will take place on a different date, so as to not overlap with another competition in Kansas.

"We try not to (have competitions) too close together," Rios said. "I'm planning to do one (again) later this fall."

Supporting other strongmen and women

Chris Rios, a firefighter with the Salina Fire Department, deadlifts during a strongman contest in 2022. Rios competed in the 2023 World's Strongest Firefighter Contest at the Arnold Sports Festival at the beginning of March in Columbus, Ohio.
Chris Rios, a firefighter with the Salina Fire Department, deadlifts during a strongman contest in 2022. Rios competed in the 2023 World's Strongest Firefighter Contest at the Arnold Sports Festival at the beginning of March in Columbus, Ohio.

Rios said one of the main reasons he competes in strongman, and one of the reasons he decided to host an event himself, is because of the community this sport brings.

"Across Kansas, there's quite a few people that do compete in strongman," Rios said.

In addition to firefighters, Rios said he knows law enforcement officers and other first responders who challenge themselves in this way, but there are also those people who others might not expect to compete as well.

"You have stay-at-home moms that compete," Rios said. "We people from teenagers all the way up to those who are 70-years old competing in strongman."

While it is a competition, Rios said one of the great things about this community is how they come together to support each other as they compete.

"Everyone is always rooting for each other," Rios said. "You might be the one that wants to win, but you're still out there cheering on your fellow competitors."

This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Salina firefighter competes in 2023 Strongest Firefighter Contest