Australia’s Joey Fisher from Johnson & Young Cranes has earned a place in the grand final of Liebherr’s international Game of Cranes competition, set to take place in November at Liebherr’s headquarters in Ehingen, Germany.
Joey secured his spot after winning the Australian preliminary round held in Adelaide, where local crane operators showcased their skill, precision, and focus across three demanding disciplines. The event drew strong participation and enthusiasm from operators across the country, with each competitor demonstrating the high standard of crane operation in Australia.
In the practical challenges, operators had to manoeuvre a crane out of a confined space with millimetre accuracy in the Remote Drive BTT-E parking task. They also guided a concrete block through an obstacle course, ensuring a chain attached to it remained in constant contact with the ground — without the block touching it. Selecting the correct lifting gear was part of the test, along with a theoretical section that covered operating manuals, choosing appropriate lifting accessories, and calculating physical forces.
“The performances we saw in the qualifiers were impressive. All participants showed how demanding and professional crane operation is today,” said Christoph Behmüller, Head of Training and Education at Liebherr in Ehingen.
Joey now joins four other regional champions from around the world who will compete for the title in Ehingen:
- Africa, Middle East & Asia: Kirk Smith (Titan Cranes NZ), New Zealand
- Australia: Joey Fisher (Johnson & Young Cranes), Australia
- Europe: Scott White (City Lifting), United Kingdom
- North America: Nick Jackman (Mountain Crane), USA
- South America: Leonardo Navarro (WWN Guindastes), Brazil
“The competition was fierce: all the operators present were highly competent and demonstrated their skills with mastery,” said Rene Porto, divisional manager of the mobile cranes division at Liebherr Brazil.
South American winner Leonardo Navarro said, “I feel honoured to go to Germany to compete with the best crane operators in the world.” Rene said Leonardo’s performance stood out: “Without a doubt, Leonardo deserves first place. His crane operation skills were outstanding.”
Kirk Smith from New Zealand, who won the Africa, Middle East and Asia regional round in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, said it was an unforgettable experience. “What an incredible experience the Dammam preliminary round was! The five-star treatment and the professionalism from the entire Liebherr Saudi Arabia team were exceptional. The Game of Cranes did not disappoint – it was a thrilling mix of nerves and excitement that kept me humble and sharp, despite the jet lag. I am thrilled to have won this round, and I look forward to the next challenge. My deepest thanks to Liebherr for this amazing opportunity.”
Marius Kleck, Regional Sales Manager Middle East & Central Africa at Liebherr, said the competition highlighted the high skill level of today’s crane operators. “The competition showed how much skill and precision go into every single move. It was impressive to see how calmly and focused the participants performed, even under pressure.”
The Australian round in Adelaide concluded with celebrations among all participants and the Liebherr team, recognising the talent and effort displayed. Joey will now represent Australia on the global stage in Germany, where the world’s best crane operators will compete in the final challenge of the Game of Cranes – a true test of precision, technique, and professionalism.