Men and women in a village in southern India took part in an unusual strength competition on Friday by taking turns to try to lift enormous, round stones.

The event, known locally as "Illavattakal", took place in Panakudi village in the Nellai District of Tamil Nadu state.

Female competitors were challenged to lift a 45-kilo stone, while men grappled with one weighing 114 kilos.

A young man named Thangaraj took first place in the men's category.

For the women, a competitor called Mahalakshmi was crowned champion.

Men & women Stone lifting sports orgainsied in southern India.

Is it a sport only for men. A big nooo.. Even we are no way low to them says a women who lifted a big stone on lifting stone sport organised for celebrating the pongal occasion. Lifting stones are heavy natural stones which people are challenged to lift, proving their strength and it is called as Illavattakal in Tamilnadu. This sport happened in panakudi a small village in Nellai District of Tamilnadu. In this sport women lifted a stone weighing nearly 45kgs and Men lifted stones weighing 114 kgs. Thangaraj a youth who lifted the stone twice is being awarded 1st prize and Chellapandi lifted once the stone and he was awarded 2 nd prize. And in Womens category Mahalakshmi and Padmapriya won the first and the second places consequently. And the organizers said they take proud in remembering their glorious sports of the past.