Games Stronger than Ever

MORE than 4,000 people attended the Aberdeen Highland Games on the weekend exceeding the expectations of organisers who are now planning the 20th games next year.

Charles Cooke, president of the Games said the day was a great success.

Cheiftain Wej Paradice with Charles Cooke, president of the Aberdeen Highland Games.

“We’ve had a wonderful weekend, it’s been better than our expectations,” Mr Cooke said.

“Next year is our 20th year and next year we might come up with something a bit different,” he said.

“I’m off to Scotland next week, so you never know what I might find,” Charles Cooke said.

Dr Wej Paradice was chieftain for the day and joked that he wore a Rose of Scotland tartan to ensure no clans were put off side.

“It’s been fantastic, it’s been a great privilege to be selected and be able to represent the Scottish community here and take the opportunity to visit all the clan tents and people that have put in time to be here,” said Dr Paradice.

“We had about 2o of our clan here today and all had a great time,” he said.

“All the clans I think are still talking to each other and I hope everybody leaves the day happy and speaking to each other,” Wej Paradice laughed.

The strong man event was a highlight at the Games with Luke Reynolds from Springwood returning this year to claim the title of strong man for the fourth year.

“I won three consecutive years, but missed last year because I was competing overseas, but I’m pleased to get the title again and I’ll be back to defend it next year for sure,” said Mr Reynolds.

Strong men: Kurt Livers from Maitland, Scott Hall from Newcastle, Luke Reynolds from Springwood and Aaron Monks from Sydney.

Luke has been competing for 10 years in strong man events and at 6 foot 6 inches said he is a ‘little guy’ in the world of strongmen.

“I’d finished playing rugby league after 10 years of playing that and a mate contacted me and said ‘do you want to come and try a strong man contest at Bathurst?’ I went out there and did quite well so did some research and discovered the Tartan Warriors and it’s gone from there and now I compete all over the world,” he said.

“I’m probably average size, when you go overseas there is an Irish guy I competed against recently Sean he is  foot tall and 200 kilos, to give you perspective I’m 6 foot 6 and 165 kilos, so I’m a little guy,” he laughed.

“I love coming to Aberdeen, Bundanoon is the jewel in the crown so far as the strong man event, but I’ve always enjoyed Aberdeen because the crowd is different here, it’s warmer, the crowd is closer to the event so it is more intimate and we interact better with the crowd, so I really like Aberdeen,” Luke Reynolds said.