Cheick Sanou


Cheick Ahmed al-Hassan Sanou, also known as Iron Biby, is a Burkinabe strongman. He is five-time World Log Lift Champion and holds the Guinness World record for most overhead presses in one minute.
As the current world record holder in the log clean and press, axle clean and press, and numerous unofficial records for other forms of overhead presses, Sanou is regarded as one of the strongest overhead pressers of all time.

Early life

Sanou was born in Burkina Faso. He was a large child who was frequently bullied at school for his size; he earned the nickname "Biby" at an early age. He had early interests in sprinting, gymnastics, and basketball.
At age 17 he attended the University of Moncton in Canada, where he earned a business administration degree. During that period, he began his journey in weightlifting, showcasing exceptional talent early on.
In 2013, at age 21, Sanou entered and won his first powerlifting competition. Following his achievements in strongman, he acquired the moniker "Iron Biby".

Strongman career

Sanou entered his first strongman competition in 2016, the Ultimate Strongman Junior World Championships in Canada. There, he placed 3rd. He progressed quickly in the sport, entering his first two Giants Live shows the following year.
Although Sanou has not had any major wins in multi-event competitions, he has gained a reputation as one of the greatest pressers in the world. He has won the Giants Live World Log Lift Championship a record five times. He has set several world records in the log press and axle press—he has held the log press record three separate times, most recently improving it by lifting 231 kg at the Giants Live World Log Lift Championship in 2024.
Sanou has often struggled to train conventionally in his home country of Burkina Faso. He claimed to eat as many as eight chickens a day to maintain his weight throughout training. He has claimed that he does not use anabolic steroids.
While in Burkina Faso, Sanou often trains past midnight as it is too hot to train during the day.

Personal records