What It's Like Being Judged on Your Concrete Work

For months, eight teams of concrete contractors have worked through a gauntlet of challenges to prove their skills and showcase what they can do with a bag of concrete. These contractors have been put to the test in Concrete Combat, an online skill-based reality competition with $10,000 and a trip to World of Concrete on the line. 

Sponsored by Sakrete, Oldcastle APG’s bagged concrete materials brand, announced the winners of the second season: Aldo Chavez and Julio Chavez of Texas-based Orion (formerly TAS Concrete) earned the coveted title of Concrete Combat Champions. Concrete Combat: Season 2 is available on Roku TV and YouTube. Season 1 of Concrete Combat is also available on YouTube. Season 2 premiered on December 16, 2024. 

Would you Work on Camera?

Challenges of Concrete Combat: Season 2 put contestants to the test on projects ranging from repair jobs, slab placements, finishing an outdoor kitchen, and constructing a skate ramp. Aldo and Julio aced their first challenge in the Concrete Coliseum, survived the semifinal skate park battle royale, and clinched the win by going back to basics in an intense finale. Bagged concrete materials and supplies were provided by Sakrete and Oldcastle APG brands such as Belgard hardscapes. 

Aldo and Julio competed in the "Slab Pour Showdown" finale against Matt Jordan and Adam Calderwood of Grindline Skateparks in the placement of a sidewalk. With both speed and quality of their pour contributing to the final score, the challenge put the teams’ essential skills to the test. After careful deliberation, judges crowned Aldo Chavez and Julio Chavez Concrete Combat Champions.  

Sakrete

Judges included Dirk Tharpe,  Sakrete Territory Sales Manager at Oldcastle APG; Mike Day, owner of Day’s Concrete Floors and host of All About Concrete; Jose Garcia, celebrated contracting influencer and owner of Garcia Concrete LLC; and Pat McClain, owner of Chihuahua Custom Concrete. Combined, they have over 100 years of experience in the concrete industry.

“Concrete Combat is no easy competition. With the team and time constraints, even our most seasoned competitors can struggle to complete a project that will hold up to our judges’ high standards,” said Dave Jackson, Senior Brand Manager, Sakrete. “Aldo Chavez and Julio Chavez represent the best of the best of concrete professionals. They rose to the occasion in each challenge, demonstrating polished skills and determination. We’re proud to crown them the Season 2 Champions.” 

Sakrete

Tharpe recognized Aldo and Julio's talent in the competition, saying, "[they] should be very proud of their work and well-deserved win. Concrete Combat is, at its core, a celebration of tradesmen and women and the talent and grit we see on job sites every day. It was an honor to return for Season 2 and join Sakrete in elevating our industry.”  

Open to all kinds of concrete work, Orion Concrete specializes in larger-scale projects, including marine, engineering, and consulting. Julio and Aldo focus on repair work, especially for vertical jobs.

"I love repairs because it's what we have been doing for many years and what we know how to do best," says Aldo. 

In Texas, he says the concrete work is booming with tons of work happening with many projects being larger-scale buildings. Even with the local work, many more jobs are landing outside the state. It's been a busy 2025 for Orion Concrete, and anticipating an even busier 2026. 

Sakrete

After winning the competition, things have changed for Aldo back at home, standing out enough that the "big boss" knows who he is. He has earned a new position, a promotion, and has started being recognized outside of work. People have even started contacting him on social media to congratulate him.

Contractors are already fighting the clock, but would you do that with a camera recording your every move? That pressure will either make or break you. Having risen to the challenge, Aldo found that using that stress might come to your advantage. 

"I realized sometimes the pressure of a timed challenge makes you work better", says Aldo. "It forces you to be more focused."

Sakrete

"Keep your head up," he says. "Sometimes our line of work can feel slow, but you have to stick with it. Workers like us like to stay busy. So, stay with it and be patient."

 While Aldo says that competing in season 2 was fun, only the best will be able to make it. "The show is a great way to showcase how much you know, how hard you work, and how smart you are with your technique."

For those curious about what they did with the prize money, Aldo took a vacation with his children so they could visit family in California.