On July 27, 2025, the annual STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® U.S. Men’s Championship reached a thrilling conclusion at German Fest in Milwaukee, marking the final day of a three-day event that brought together the nation’s elite lumberjack athletes. The competition, held on the BMO Pavilion stage along the shores of Lake Michigan, drew an estimated 17,000 fans over the weekend, with more than 10,000 in attendance for the climactic final round.
With a total prize purse of $275,000 on the line, competitors showcased their strength, speed, and precision across six demanding disciplines: underhand chop, standing block chop, springboard chop, single buck, stock saw, and hot saw. These events are designed to test various facets of timber sports and are known for their high energy and crowd appeal.
In an intense and closely contested finale, Matt Cogar of Grafton, West Virginia emerged as the U.S. champion, capturing his fifth consecutive national title. Cogar demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the competition and delivered a standout performance in the underhand chop, matching an American record with a time of 13.78 seconds. His victory was especially hard-fought as he entered the final hot saw event tied in points with young contender Matt Slingerland.
The hot saw round proved decisive and chaotic, with four competitors disqualified or failing to complete their cuts. Cogar kept his composure under pressure, completing his run cleanly while others faltered, securing both the event win and the overall championship title.
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Walt Page of California finished second, earning a John Deere Gator for his efforts, while Matt Slingerland took third place, receiving a Brute Forge racing axe. The reigning world champion and 2024 U.S. titleholder, Nate Hodges, was eliminated in the quarterfinals following a critical mistake in the single buck event, which dashed his hopes of repeating as champion.
With this win, Cogar has earned the right to represent the United States at the 2025 STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Individual World Championship, set to take place on October 25 in Milan, Italy. The event will be part of the global TIMBERSPORTS® World Championships hosted at the Allianz Cloud Arena.
The championship in Milwaukee was part of a broader celebration of the sport and included semi-finals for both men and women. The women’s championship took place on the evening of July 26, adding to the festival atmosphere at German Fest, one of the largest celebrations of German culture in the Midwest.
Adam Wolff, STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® USA Team Manager, praised the venue and the intensity of this year’s field, highlighting the growth of the sport and the exceptional level of competition. He emphasized the significance of Milwaukee as a host city and the enthusiasm of fans who turned out in large numbers throughout the weekend.
Reflecting on his victory, Matt Cogar expressed gratitude for the support of his family and acknowledged the challenges he faced leading up to the event, including recent respiratory health issues. He described the win as both physically and emotionally meaningful given the strength of the competition.
Cogar’s fifth national title adds to an already impressive resume and continues a legacy that was momentarily interrupted in 2024 when Hodges claimed the crown. With his place in the world championship now secured, all eyes will be on Cogar as he aims to bring home another global title for the United States.