The competitors for the World Highland Games Heavy Championships which will take place at the Tulloch Inverness Highland Games in July, as part of InvernessFest, have been announced by the International Highland Games Federation.

• Ryan Vierra (USA) - Defending 5 Times World Champion
• Gregor Edmunds (Scotland) - Scottish Champion
• Greg Hadley (Canada) - Canadian Champion
• Kyrylo Chuprinan (Ukraine) - Ukranian Champion
• Harrison Bailey III (USA) - American Champion
• Scott Rider (England) - English Champion
• Bruce Aitken (Scotland) - World Scots Hammer Record Holder
• Wout Zjilstra (Netherlands) - Netherlands Champion
• Alister Gunn (Scotland) - Former World Champion
• Sean Betz (USA) - 3rd Ranked USA Heavy

The World Championships are returning to Scotland for the first time since 1995 thanks to support from Highland 2007 and main sponsors Tulloch plc.

Such is the interest from amongst Europe’s Highland Games fraternity at seeing five time World Highland Games Champion Ryan Vierra defending his crown against such a powerful field, the Games Committee have found themselves making some unexpected additions to the original programme.

As Games Secretary Gerry Reynolds explained: “We quickly discovered that almost every Heavy who was contacting us about coming to watch the Championships were also asking us if it would be possible for them to throw at our Games and be actively part of the weekend.”

The Games Committee have therefore announced that the programme for Saturday 21 July will now consist of the first four events of the World Championships, the traditional Open Men’s Championship and three new competitions for Women, Heavies aged 40-49 and Heavies aged 50 plus.

The programme for Sunday 22 July will feature the final four events of the World Championships and two events for Junior Heavies. These will consist of the traditional event for Heavies Aged under 20 and a brand new event for Heavies under 25.

Games Committee Chairman Councillor Angus Dick said: “ Because is has been 12 years since the World Championships were last staged in Scotland there are a whole generation of young Scots who have never had the opportunity to see the top Highland Games Heavies in action.

“We are delighted with the interest that this event is already generating and proud to be hosting the most star studded line up of Heavies ever seen in Scotland.  We are determined to stage one of the most memorable and spectacular Gatherings the Highlands have ever seen as part of the Highland 2007 celebrations.”

For further information contact: Gerry Reynolds on 01463 724262 / email: gerry.reynolds@highland.gov.uk