SportBeep.com
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
  • Baseball
  • Athletics
  • More
    • Golf
    • Hockey
    • Combat sports
    • Cricket
    • Figure Skating
    • Racing
    • Skiing
    • Swimming
    • Rugby
No Result
View All Result
SportBeep.com
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
  • Baseball
  • Athletics
  • More
Home Uncategorized

‘Gentle giants’: World’s strongest men defy stereotypes

Michael Taylor by Michael Taylor
May 18, 2025
in Uncategorized
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
1
17
SHARES
207
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The World's Strongest Man competition was first held in 1977 at Universal Studios in California. ©AFP

Sacramento (AFP) – Eddie Williams is a schoolteacher from Monday to Friday and a wedding singer on weekends. In his spare time, he lifts enormously heavy weights as he competes to be the world’s strongest man. Some people think weightlifters are “a lot of angry people who just like to throw weight around,” the 420-pound (190-kilogram) Australian told AFP, but “I can be, you know, a happy person, and still be able to lift heavy weights.” Dripping with sweat after a Stone Medley — that is lifting very heavy stones — Williams insisted there is no contradiction between strength and likability. His wife Hannah agreed.

“They’re these gentle giants that are just so lovely, such beautiful human beings that are caring, and they’re all cheering for each other,” she said. They were in the California capital for the “World’s Strongest Man” competition, taking place from Thursday to Sunday. Human colossuses like Williams, with sculpted backs, impossibly muscled arms, and rippling thighs, compete by lifting objects up to twice their own weight — or more.

Related news

Anti-doping bodies condemn ‘dangerous’ drug-fueled Enhanced Games

May 24, 2025
206

Anti-doping bodies condemn ‘dangerous’ drug-fueled Enhanced Games

May 24, 2025
205

Migrant families protest after US-Mexico reunion event cancelled

May 12, 2025
211

Migrant families protest after US-Mexico reunion event cancelled

May 10, 2025
219

US threatens to quit Russia-Ukraine effort unless ‘concrete proposals’

May 1, 2025
250

US threatens to quit Russia-Ukraine effort unless ‘concrete proposals’

May 1, 2025
209

Mitchell Hooper, a 29-year-old former champion who has a master’s degree in clinical exercise physiology, agreed that people have a mistaken idea about competitive weightlifters. People think “that we’re uneducated meatheads,” said the 320-pound Canadian, whose nickname is “Moose.” But, he added, “a lot of guys have higher education, and we train to compete strongly, because we just like to challenge ourselves.” One man who clearly wanted to destroy stereotypes was American Rob Kearney, who dyed his hair and beard in rainbow colors for the competition and calls himself “the world’s strongest gay man.”

Kearney, 33, a former competitor attending the event in Sacramento, said he wanted to “break some of those stereotypes of what (people) think masculinity is.” “Strength isn’t just the amount of weight we can deadlift,” he said. “Strength is all about who you are as a person, how you hold yourself and how you support others.”

– A struggle of titans –

The World’s Strongest Man competition was first held in 1977 at Universal Studios in California. The concept has remained the same but, over the years, the sport has gained investors and enthusiasts, becoming more professional: eight world records have been set here in the last 14 years. The names of the individual events — the “Titan’s Toss,” “Atlas Stones,” “Flintstone Barbell,” and “Hercules Hold” — convey the magnitude of the challenges.

To build the enormous strength necessary, nutrition is vital, said 30-year-old Rayno Nel, a South African beginner in such competitions. Nel, who took up the sport after graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering, puts in long nights at his gym while following a complicated eating schedule aimed at providing him with 6,000 calories a day in meat and vegetables. That takes sacrifice, he said, while quickly adding, “I love it.”

Once the competition is over, Nel plans to grab a burger and a beer. But for these Samsons — some over 6-feet-6 (two meters) tall — it’s not all about food and exercise. Concentration and focus are also essential, said Odd Haugen, 75, a former competitor. “You’ve got to be really ready,” he said, “because it’s really heavy!”

– ‘In pain every day’ –

Hooper, who was catching his breath after throwing 30-pound sandbags over a 12-foot-high bar, acknowledged to AFP that there are downsides to being one of the world’s strongest men. “You wake up in pain every day. You’re constantly sore. You don’t fit in normal spots. You have to wear a sleep apnea machine. You’re always hot. You’re always sweating.” But, he added, “the upsides are pretty cool.”

Those include the enthusiastic fans, friends, and family members who explode with joy when their favorite lifter manages a feat, or suffer along with him if he falls short. Power lifting is a competitive discipline, but the sense of camaraderie in the arena is clearly felt. Competitors watch their rivals intently, cheering them on, shouting, and clapping. Such support, Kearney said, is the perfect refutation of all the stereotypes. “When you see two men embrace each other and cheer for each other and support each other,” he said, “it really shows just what strength means.”

© 2024 AFP

Tags: powerliftingstrength sportsstrongmanweightliftingworld's strongest man
Share7Tweet4Share
Michael Taylor

Michael Taylor

Sport journalist known for his sharp wit and insightful commentary. Renowned for his passionate storytelling and deep understanding of the games he covers, Michael continues to captivate audiences with his engaging style.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
guest
1 Comment
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Follow Us

Popular News

  • Cruz Azul thrash Vancouver Whitecaps to win CONCACAF Champions Cup 

    120 shares
    Share 48 Tweet 30
  • Pacers beat Knicks to set up NBA Finals clash with Thunder

    32 shares
    Share 13 Tweet 8
  • Jefferson-Wooden scorches to 100m win at Grand Slam Track meet

    37 shares
    Share 15 Tweet 9
  • Kirkwood holds off Ferrucci to grab second IndyCar win of 2025

    34 shares
    Share 14 Tweet 9
  • Chevron champ Saigo takes three-shot US Women’s Open lead

    89 shares
    Share 36 Tweet 22
SportBeep.com

Welcome to SportBeep, your ultimate destination for all things sports! If you're passionate about the NFL, NBA, MLS, NHL, MLB, or any other sport, you're in the right place. Here, you'll find the latest news, in-depth analyses, and commentary on the most important sporting events and personalities from around the world.

Pages

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

News

  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • Soccer
  • Hockey
  • Tennis
  • Golf

Network

  • Coolinarco.com
  • CasualSelf.com
  • Fit.CasualSelf.com
  • Sport.CasualSelf.com
  • MachinaSphere.com
  • EconomyLens.com
  • MagnifyPost.com
  • TodayAiNews.com
  • VideosArena.com

© 2024 SportBeep ~ Top Sports News from around the world!

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
  • Baseball
  • Athletics
  • More
    • Golf
    • Hockey
    • Combat sports
    • Cricket
    • Figure Skating
    • Racing
    • Skiing
    • Swimming
    • Rugby

© 2024 SportBeep.com - Best Sport News