17 Wing Firefighter Crowned World’s Strongest FirefighterBy 17 Wing Corporate Services

When firefighter Evan Yaworski travelled to Columbus, Ohio, in March, his goal was simple: qualify for the finals and perform his best. He returned home with something far bigger — the title of World’s Strongest Firefighter.

Competing at the 2026 World’s Strongest Firefighter competition during the renowned Arnold Sports Festival, Yaworski emerged victorious against a field of firefighters from across North America and beyond. The competition brings together active firefighters to test their strength, power, endurance, and athleticism through a series of strongman-style events. The event also serves as a fundraiser for firefighter charities throughout the United States.

For Yaworski, a firefighter at 17 Wing Winnipeg, the win came as a complete surprise.

“They didn’t have a live score sheet in the finals, so we didn’t really know who was in the lead,” he said. “I just focused on my own events. When they started announcing the top athletes, I was pretty shocked when they called my name. It was overwhelming — a lot of emotions.”

First Time at the Competition

The 2026 event, held March 6–8 in Columbus, marked Yaworski’s first appearance at the World’s Strongest Firefighter competition. Unlike many championship events, participation is open to firefighters rather than requiring athletes to qualify through previous competitions.

The competition began with divisional events on Friday, where athletes competed within their weight classes. The top competitors from each division advanced to Saturday’s finals, where athletes from all weight classes faced off for the overall title. Final results were determined using a points-based system that accounts for the different weights used by each class while allowing all competitors to compete on an equal footing.

“My goal on the first day was just to make the finals,” said Yaworski. “Once I got there, I just tried to excel in every event.”

A Test of Strength and Determination

Over two days, competitors tackled nine demanding events designed to simulate the strength, endurance, and grit required in both strongman sport and firefighting.

Among the challenges were:

• Frame carry

• Fire hydrant carry for distance

• Dumbbell, log press, and deadlift ladder

• Keg carry and sled drag

• Fire truck pull

• Fire hydrant loading race

The most demanding event?

“Probably the fire truck pull,” Yaworski recalled. “It was a 60,000-pound pumper truck, and we had to pull it by ourselves. I’d done a bus pull once before, but that was about it.”

Despite the variety of challenges, Yaworski credits his balanced strength profile for helping him remain competitive throughout the weekend.

“I’m pretty well rounded. The carrying events went well for me, and the weights were light enough that I could move quickly in the pressing and deadlift events.”

Building on Years of Work

Although Yaworski has only been competing in strongman for three years, his athletic journey began long before that.

As a child, he watched strongman contests, lumberjack challenges, and firefighting competitions on television. Growing up, he participated in basketball, soccer, rugby, wrestling, and later Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He also spent seven years competing in weightlifting before transitioning to strongman.

That foundation helped accelerate his success.

In 2025, Yaworski captured the Canadian national title in his 90-kilogram weight class, earning professional status in Strongman Corporation Canada. Later that year, he represented Canada at the World Championships, finishing an impressive 15th in his first appearance.

Rather than taking time off after Worlds, he carried that momentum directly into preparation for the Arnold Sports Festival.

“I was having a really good season and just tried to stay healthy and keep building from there.”

Firefighter, Soldier, Athlete

Yaworski believes his military and firefighting careers have helped shape the discipline required to excel in elite competition.

As a firefighter at 17 Wing, he works 24-hour shifts, providing flexibility to train during downtime while also demanding a high level of physical and mental readiness.

“The discipline that comes with military service definitely helps,” he said. “There are days you don’t want to train, but you do it anyway.”

At the same time, he is quick to note that strongman training complements his profession more than the other way around.

“Strongman helps with the general fitness that firefighting demands.”

Breaking New Ground

Yaworski’s victory was significant for more than just personal achievement.

He believes he is the first Canadian ever to win the overall World’s Strongest Firefighter title, and notably, the first lightweight athlete to do so.

“I’d like people to see that you don’t have to be the biggest person in the room. Lightweight athletes can compete and succeed too.”

The achievement has already garnered attention within the firefighting and military communities.

“Everyone has been super supportive,” he said. “It’s a little weird when people say, ‘You’re that firefighter,’ but it’s been really positive.”

Looking Ahead

Yaworski’s busy competition schedule continues throughout 2026.

This summer, he will compete at Manitoba’s Strongest Man before travelling to Finland to represent Canada at the World’s Strongest Soldier, where athletes from NATO nations will compete on an international stage.

Closer to home, he is helping organize the inaugural 17 Wing Strongest competition on 14 August 2026.

Working alongside PSP staff, Yaworski hopes the event will introduce more CAF members to strength sports and potentially grow into a larger military-wide competition in the future.

“There are a lot of strong people on this base,” he said. “I want to encourage people to give it a try. It’s beginner-friendly, and you might discover something you enjoy.”

His advice for anyone considering strength sports?

“Be persistent. Enjoy the process. Don’t take it too seriously. If you’re going to spend all those hours doing something, you have to have fun with it.”

For Yaworski, that mindset has already taken him from watching strongman competitions on Saturday mornings as a child to standing atop the podium as the World’s Strongest Firefighter.

And by all indications, he’s just getting started.

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Now, Evan is introducing the Strongman Challenge at CFB Winnipeg called the 17 Wing Strongest.

Think you've got what it takes to earn the title of 17 Wing's Strongest?

 Hear directly from the event organizers in this video as they break down the competition, the events, and what participants can expect on competition day.

Whether you're an experienced lifter or looking to challenge yourself for the first time, this event is designed for all fitness levels, with weights scaled for beginners.

  Events include:

 - Farmer's Carry

 - Press Medley

 - Deadlift Ladder

 - Sandbag Carry

  14 August

Register by August 7! Email: Stefan.Dowhayko@forces.gc.ca