Pure Strength

The first year of the championships was initially known as "Pure Strength Challenge" and it was an individual competition featuring only Bill Kazmaier, Geoff Capes and Jón Páll Sigmarsson. The competition was held at Huntly Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Jón Páll dominated and won 8 out of 10 events to become the champion. Events featured claymore front hold, McGlashen stones, cannon pull, caber toss, weight over bar, vertical hoist, log lift, Samson's barrow, cart-wheel deadlift and Dinnie stones; and the three athletes collectively broke eight world records.

Some strength historians and analysts regard it as the replacement for World's Strongest Man in that year while many believe it to be Jón Páll's most dominant performance ever, surpassing all four of his World's Strongest Man victories.

In 1988, the championships became a two-man team competition held at Allington Castle in Allington, Kent, England. The teams were from the United States, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Australia. Team USA ultimately emerged victorious, with team members Bill Kazmaier and Stuart Thompson. Unique events included tug of war, brick lift, and bow and axe static hold.

In 1989, team Iceland claimed victory with team members Hjalti Árnason and Magnús Ver Magnússon over team United States, team Great Britain and team Netherlands. The competition featured 16 events which spanned over 4 days.^[3] Unique events included sward and chalice hold, scrum push, lumberjack's log chop, and sack, hay and barrel loading race.

In 1990, team USA won with Bill Kazmaier and O.D. Wilson, defeating team Iceland, team Great Britain and team Netherlands.^[4] Like in previous year, it also featured 16 events which spanned over 4 days. Unique events included tram pull, pole push and car flip.

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  Huntly Castle was the location for Pure Strength '87
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  Allington Castle was the location for Pure Strength II in 1988
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  Stirling Castle was the setting for Pure Strength III in 1989