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Photos: Lifting 200-kilogram stones in Spain’s Basque Country

The "Harri-jasotze," or "Stone Lifters" in the local language of the mountainous Basque Country region, gather in competitions held both indoors and in town squares to see who can claim to be the strongest. The competition consists of four three-minute sessions, in which they have to pick up a given stone as many times as they can. The Stone Lifter who tallies the most total weight wins.

Updated on: Apr 20, 2019 2:23 PM IST

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Jose Ramon Izeta, 52, a former basque stone lifter, holds a 100 kilograms stone, during an exhibition in the basque village of Azkoitia. Their faces contorted by the effort needed to lift 200 kilograms or more, these burly competitors keep alive one of the traditional sports of Spain’s rural north one heavy stone at a time. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)

Updated on Apr 20, 2019 2:23 PM

Jose Ramon Izeta, 52, a former basque stone lifter, holds a 100 kilograms stone, during an exhibition in the basque village of Azkoitia. Their faces contorted by the effort needed to lift 200 kilograms or more, these burly competitors keep alive one of the traditional sports of Spain’s rural north one heavy stone at a time. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)

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A group of basque stone lifters line up as they wait their turn to lift a stone. The “Harri-jasotze,” or “Stone Lifters” in the local language of the mountainous Basque Country region, gather in competitions held both indoors and in town squares to see who can claim to be the strongest. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)

Updated on Apr 20, 2019 2:23 PM

A group of basque stone lifters line up as they wait their turn to lift a stone. The “Harri-jasotze,” or “Stone Lifters” in the local language of the mountainous Basque Country region, gather in competitions held both indoors and in town squares to see who can claim to be the strongest. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)

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A basque stone lifter holds a 200 kilograms stone. After grabbing hold of the stones on the ground, they use three movements to lift them to shoulder height. The competition consists of four three-minute sessions, in which they have to pick up a given stone as many times as they can. The Stone Lifter who tallies the most total weight wins. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)

Updated on Apr 20, 2019 2:23 PM

A basque stone lifter holds a 200 kilograms stone. After grabbing hold of the stones on the ground, they use three movements to lift them to shoulder height. The competition consists of four three-minute sessions, in which they have to pick up a given stone as many times as they can. The Stone Lifter who tallies the most total weight wins. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)

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Basque stone lifters hold 100 kilograms stones. The stones are made of granite, weigh between 100 and 212.5 kilograms (220 and 470 pounds), and have the form of a cube, a sphere, a cylinder or a rectangle. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)

Updated on Apr 20, 2019 2:23 PM

Basque stone lifters hold 100 kilograms stones. The stones are made of granite, weigh between 100 and 212.5 kilograms (220 and 470 pounds), and have the form of a cube, a sphere, a cylinder or a rectangle. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)

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Udane Ostolaza, 13, (2ndL), waits her turn next to others basque stone lifters. The lifters, which include some women, use resin to help grip the stones. They wear knee protectors, a band wrapped around their torso, and a leather vest that leaves their thick arms exposed. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)

Updated on Apr 20, 2019 2:23 PM

Udane Ostolaza, 13, (2ndL), waits her turn next to others basque stone lifters. The lifters, which include some women, use resin to help grip the stones. They wear knee protectors, a band wrapped around their torso, and a leather vest that leaves their thick arms exposed. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)

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Inigo Eizagirre, 24, holds a 100 kilograms stone during a training session in the basque village of Zarautz. Eizagirre can raise a rectangular stone weighing 100 kilograms up to 21 times in less than three minutes, a pace that gives him a chance to win a tournament. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)

Updated on Apr 20, 2019 2:23 PM

Inigo Eizagirre, 24, holds a 100 kilograms stone during a training session in the basque village of Zarautz. Eizagirre can raise a rectangular stone weighing 100 kilograms up to 21 times in less than three minutes, a pace that gives him a chance to win a tournament. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)

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Inigo Eizagirre, 24, a basque stone lifter, poses holding a round stone at the end of his training session, in the basque village of Zarautz. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)

Updated on Apr 20, 2019 2:23 PM

Inigo Eizagirre, 24, a basque stone lifter, poses holding a round stone at the end of his training session, in the basque village of Zarautz. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)

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