Iñaki Perurena Gartziarena

Iñaki Perurena Gartziarena (born 25 October 1956) is a Basque Strongman who specializes in Harri-jasotzaileak (traditional Basque stone-lifting), and also a poet and a bertsolari.

Career and achievements Perurena made his debut as a stone lifter in 1973 Guipúzcoa championships. Within the next few years he improved drastically and became the first stone lifter in the country to successfully lift a laukizuzena (rectangular stone) at the 1987 Antonio Elorza Velodrome, Donostia. He kept on breaking the record until 1994 where he raised the mark to . In 1999, he established another record by lifting a stone 1,000 times continuously in 5 hours, and four years later, extended it to 1,700 consecutive lifts in 9 hours. for three reps

In recognition of his stone-lifting achievements, Perurena was awarded the 2010 Navarra Gold Medal for Sports, and due to his prowess with both ancient and modern stones, Perurena is considered the greatest Basque stonelifter in history.

Personal life Perurena is married to Maite Zubitur, and they have three children.