Leuven Lions Clinch Fourth Buspulling Championship Title

The Leuven Lions rugby club has once again proven their strength, securing their fourth Belgian championship title in Buspulling. The unique competition, held in the village of Wommersom, challenges teams of six to pull a 15-ton passenger bus as quickly as possible across a designated finish line.

This year marked the fourth time the Belgian championship has taken place in Wommersom, where the sport has become a local fixture. Organizer Tim van der Velden explained that the discipline is not widely known outside of the immediate area, having been inspired by a German fairground attraction. The concept is straightforward: teams of six race to drag a 30-meter long, 15-ton bus over a 30-meter course. A lighter SUV is used for junior competitors.

This year's event saw 16 teams competing, including several all-women teams. "It's not just about brute strength," Van der Velden noted. "We also have many teams made up entirely of women. Together, strong – that's the message."

The Leuven Lions, coached by Joshua Harvey, demonstrated exceptional teamwork and power. "Our guys naturally have an edge," Harvey joked. "Moving big things is pretty much our specialty. You could say we've been preparing for this event since August." Rugby player Arthur estimated their time would be around 18 seconds, emphasizing the importance of a strong start to maintain momentum. The Leuven Lions successfully pulled the massive vehicle in the fastest time, beating out competitors like Pulled Pork and Chiro Budingen. Among the women's teams, Team Bruuth claimed victory for the third consecutive year. Van der Velden expressed his hope for future growth, aiming for 30 participating teams and marveling at how the spectacle of a rolling bus can energize an entire village.

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18 seconden moet zeker lukken. Het geheim zit hem in een goede start, om dan het momentum gaande te houden.