America’s strongest men and women will be crowned this weekend as part of a packed schedule of sports in Erie. In addition to the Strongman Corporation National Championships being held at the Bayfront Convention Center Oct. 13-15, Sinai Sports will host a World Ninja League Season 8 Qualifier Oct. 15-16 and ERIEBANK Sports Park will play host to Lake Effect Hockey’s Fall Challenge Oct. 14-16.
Aiming for a national championship in Erie, hundreds of male and female amateur athletes will compete in 10 weight classes in max axle press, farmer’s walk, sandbag carry, deadlift medley, Cerberus sandbag over-the-shoulder and seated arm-over-arm competitions. Participants take part in regional events throughout the year as they try to qualify for the national championships.
“We are excited for Erie to once again take center stage as the host of a national championship,” Erie Sports Commission Executive Director Mark Jeanneret said. “Having the opportunity to crown champions here is always something special, and it highlights a weekend full of other exciting events as well.”
Weigh-ins will take place Thursday from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., while the competition will run from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Bayfront Convention Center. On each day, the women will compete until 12:30 p.m. and the men will begin competing at 1 p.m. The event is open to the public, and tickets can be purchased at the event for $18.
The World Ninja League is an elite series of ninja competitions held throughout the country, and Sinai Sports will host a regional qualifier Saturday and Sunday for more than 150 athletes ages 6 and up. Competition waves will kick off Saturday at 9 a.m. and continue until 9:30 p.m., while action will take place from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Lake Effect Hockey continues its 2022-23 season with their Fall Challenge, which will take place Friday-Sunday at ERIEBANK Sports Park. The youth hockey tournament will feature divisions ranging from 10U to 16U for boys as well as 12U and 16U/19U divisions for girls.
Action will begin Friday from 4-10 p.m. before a full day of games Saturday taking place from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday’s championship games will take place from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
For more information on these and other upcoming events in Erie, visit eriesportscommision.com/events.
