“What Happened to the Strongest Man in Kenya’s History Who Let Land Rovers Drive Over His Stomach?”
Conrad Njeru Karukenya, popularly known as Tiger Power, made history as one of Kenya’s strongest men because of his extraordinary physical strength.
He discovered his unusual ability in the early 1960s while in high-school after an ox-cart carrying 2.1 tonnes of coffee rolled over his abdomen when its brakes failed. Surprisingly, he survived without injury, an experience that inspired him to start training and showcasing his strength.
His most famous performance involved lying flat on the ground while a fully loaded Land Rover drove over his stomach. He also used his teeth to break six-inch iron nails, pulled vehicles and lifted heavy crates of beer. He could lift and carry up to eight grown men at once.
Tiger Power attributed his strength to rigorous training and a disciplined lifestyle. He woke up at 4:00 AM daily and avoided alcohol and smoking.
His remarkable talent earned him a Head of State Commendation (HSC) from President Mwai Kibaki in 2008. He was also honoured during the 2018 Mashujaa Day celebrations.
Unfortunately, Tiger Power died on 1 January 2019, aged 73, at Consolata Hospital Kyeni in Embu County. He had battled serious heart, lung and kidney complications since 2015, forcing him to retire from powerlifting.