Canadian Mason Wins Spec Mix Bricklayer 500 World Championship

The mason and tender team topped the competition with a brick count of 760.

In front of the largest crowd in the 17-year history of the Spec Mix Bricklayer 500 World Championship, Mason Mario Alves of A & M Masonry in Hamilton, Ontario earned the title of “World’s Best Bricklayer.” After 60-minutes of laying bricks against 26 other world-class masons, the 30 year old put up a wall with a brick count of 760. It was his third time qualifying for the championship event in Las Vegas. With the help of his brother mason tender Michael Alves, Mario delivered his best performance.

Of the 27 bricklayers and mason tender teams that competed for the event’s $125,000 purse, Mason Darian Douthit with Providence Masonry, Fairland, Okla. claimed the next highest ranking title, the Spec Mix Top Craftsmen. Douthit laid 537 perfect brick which a 30 judge panel agreed was the “most sellable” wall. A mason for over 30 years he also won the Top Craftsman title back in 2016. Darian’s mason tender was Andy Zepeda.The event veteran claimed a 2019 John Deere Gator XUV 835 and another $10,000 in cash and prizes for his efforts.

Second place honors went to Cole Stamper of Mason Structure in Lexington, Ky. A mason for 20 years, Cole laid 749 brick with no deductions to win $4,000 and over $1,500 in sponsor prizes. His mason tender was Jeff Becker. Rounding out the pool of winners was third place Juan Cabral of Phoenix Masonry in Denver, Colo. Juan laid 732 brick to claim a check for $3,000 plus $1,500 in prizes. Juan’s mason tender was Jose Limon.

Kicking off the bricklaying action was the Spec Mix Toughest Tender competition. Twenty-seven mason tenders raced to stage all the materials used during the bricklaying event. Mason tender Charlie Cheatham with United Masonry in Cleveland, Ohio was named Toughest Tender and collected a check for $2,500 and $1,500 in prizes. Charlie recorded a winning time of 13 minutes 52 seconds. Established to show the value a mason tender brings to a mason, the event is a crowd favorite that tests the speed, endurance, and accuracy of a skilled laborer.

Commonly referred to as the “Super Bowl of Masonry,” the bricklaying battle took place on Wednesday, Jan. 23th in the heart of the Masonry Madness Day arena at the World of Concrete trade show in Las Vegas. Before a bricklayer is eligible to compete in the Spec Mix Bricklayer 500 World Championship, each competitor must qualify by winning their Regional Series competition. This earns them a shot at taking down the returning Champion or Spec Mix Top Craftsman title holders.

The Spec Mix Bricklayer 500 initiative was created in 2003 to promote masonry construction while accentuating the craftsmanship, pride, and passion that masons dedicate to their work. It’s also a means for Spec Mix, its sponsors and supporters, to give back to the masonry trade and strengthen its future. Over the years the event has evolved into an industry movement that is used as a tool for recruiting skilled labor and workforce development programs. The fierce competition, quality of craftsmanship, and growing annual crowds, is evidence that the Spec Mix Bricklayer 500 is uniting the industry and infusing energy into a craft that commands respect and admiration.

First place prizes:

2019 Ford F-250 4x4 XLT Super Duty Truck
$5,000 from Spec Mix
Essick EM120YD Mortar Mixer
Stihl TSA 230 battery-powered cut-off machine, 9-inch wheel, AR 900 battery, AL 500 high-speed charger
iQ Power Tools 360 Table Saw Set, Rolling Table, Smart Cart and a 14-inch Silent Blade
Blaklader $1000 gift certificate for Bricklayer, $500 gift certificate for Toughest Tender
Stabila custom trophy, 24-inch level, and plaque
Marshalltown Trophy Trowel & tool bag
Gatorback Mortarboards - 10 pack
Spec Mix Bricklayer 500 World Champion Jacket & 1st Place Trophy
Spec Mix Toughest Tender $2,500 check & Spec Mix Toughest Tender trophy
Stihl $700 product certificate
iQ Power Tools $200 iQ gift pack, jacket, and three saw blades
Blaklader $500 Gift Certificate
Marshalltown tool bag

Spec Mix Top Craftsman prizes:

$5,000 and a Spec Mix Top Craftsman trophy
John Deere Gator XUV835 Crossover Utility Vehicle
Blaklader $1000 gift certificate
Stabila custom trophy, 24-inch level, and plaque
Marshalltown ceremonial trophy trowel & tool bag
Gatorback Mortarboards - 10 pack

The Spec Mix Bricklayer 500 initiative was created to give back to the masonry trade and has expanded in many positive aspects. Regardless of its growth the event remains laser-focused on achieving its original goals of uniting the masonry industry and putting the craft’s artisans on the world’s stage. It’s also taken on the role as the masonry industry’s top marketing campaign, frequently leveraged by industry professionals to infuse a strong sense of pride within its craftsmen, as well as masonry instructors using it as a tool to recruit young adults and individuals looking to start a new career.

Event sponsors:
Platinum Level
Spec Mix
Quikrete Companies
Ford Commercial Vehicles
Hydro Mobile
John Deere
Hohmann & Barnard, Inc.
The Belden Brick Company
Multiquip, Inc.
Stabila
Gold Level
Blaklader
iQ Power Tools
Marshalltown
Mason Contractors Association of America
Prism Pigments
Stihl Inc.