Once again competitors in Norfolk gathered to see who would take the title as the strongest in the region.
People gathered in Dereham to take part in Norfolk's Strongest Man and Woman 2023 on Sunday, July 9 at Big Andy’s Gym. Over 30 athletes from across the East battled hard across five events to see who could gain the title.
The event was organised by Andy Clarke, owner of Big Andy's Gym and three times World's Strongest Man Masters competitor (including second in 2021 and fourth in 2022), and Rachel Canham, England's Strongest Disabled Woman 2023.
Mr Clarke said: “The competition went amazingly well, the guys and girls really did put on a fantastic show for the large crowd we had through the day".
Ms Canham added: "It was extra special to see so many new athletes trying out strongman for their very first competition, and it has been made even better by everyone already saying they'll be back next year.”
The competitors had to lift the Apollens Axle, which is a thick metal bar on wheels, where they saw the women reaching 200kg and the open men reaching 360kg.
Other events included running with heavy weights, lifting 100+kg sandbags to their shoulder, and the Viking press. There was also the Conans Wheel, an event featured at Worlds Strongest Man earlier this year.
The event was sponsored by local businesses, including Dereham Hire & Sales, Regency Security and Muscleform Nutrition. The winners walked away with trophies and cash prizes too.
The winners were as follows:
Norfolk's Strongest Woman
Tayla Southgate - 1st
Misha Lilley - 2nd
Louise Sanders - 3rd
Norfolk's Strongest Novice
Nigel Brown - 1st
Carl Baldry - 2nd
Callum Southgate - 3rd
Norfolk's Strongest Man (Under 105kg)
James Barnes - 1st
Danny Wilson - 2nd
Pat Lee - 3rd
Norfolk's Strongest Man
Robert Sanewski - 1st
Dan Hynd - 2nd
Paulius Luksa - 3rd
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