Photo: Cheick Ahmed al-Hassan Sanou
It was a heroic welcome for Cheick Ahmed al-Hassan Sanou, the world strongest man, as thousands of Burkinabes marked their attendance at the international airport of Ouagadougou
Cheick, also known as Iron Baby, broke the world record for log lifting at the Giants Live World Tour Finals in Scotland on Saturday.
He lifted a 229kg (36st, 1lb) log over his head, breaking the previous world record of 228kg.
A smiling Iron Baby dedicated his trophy to Burkina Faso and sent a message of hope,
“It’s a big deal for me, because since 2018 I’ve been trying to break the world record.”
“Iron Baby is my brother, he is a Burkinabé. He has really honored the country and we are very proud of him, that’s why we are here to give him this warm welcome that he richly deserves,” said Mamadou Koné, a fan of the athlete.
With a big smile across his face, trophy in hand, and by his side, the Burkina Faso Minister of Sports, Dominique Nana, Iron Baby said he was “touched” by the warm welcome that the public gave him and thus expressed his gratitude.
Photo: Cheick Ahmed al-Hassan Sanou lifts a child in the courtyard of his grandmother’s home in Burkina Faso
“After the departure of my father (recent death of his father, editor’s note), I wanted to honor him and honor Burkina Faso. I still hurt, but I do my best to continue to honor him. I dedicate this trophy to him, as well as to all Burkinabés,” the world record holder of the Log Lift said.
“Since 2018, I was looking to beat this record, now it’s done and I will do my best to put this record at another level to make it even more difficult to beat” he added.
