Achi news desk-
The title of the strongest man and woman in New Brunswick was up for grabs this weekend at the Fundy Crossfit Gym in Saint John.
2024 Strongest NB marked the fourth year in a row that a strong event was held in St John. The event is overseen by Strongman Corporation Canada which holds provincial competitions across the country.
“Last year we had 38 (competitors), and this year we have 55,” noted organizer Jordan Dickens, which is the most competitors he has seen in the events four years of operation. “The turnout is amazing and the support and level of participation from women is huge this year and the spectators have been amazing too.”
It was standing room only inside the Fundy Crossfit Gym throughout Saturday as competitors competed in five main events across multiple weight classes throughout the day. The competitions included the farmers hold for the most time, a junior zercher walk, biggest log lift, trap bar deadlifts for reps, and the sandbag to shoulder competition.
While the sport is physically and mentally demanding, Dickens says injuries are rare.
“I’ve only had maybe one injury in four years,” says Dickens. “But they have to prepare their body for the duration of the competition because sometimes these things can drag on for five, six, seven hours.”
Competitors say the biggest struggle is trying to find the balance between training (strength and conditioning), recovery, and your personal life.
One of those competitors is Veronique Cormier, who set a national record for her weight class in the biggest deadlift.
“I knew going into it that I had done it many times in training but doing it on the day is very different after several events so I was surprised,” admits Cormier. “It’s a national record so it’s pretty cool to hold.”
Keagan Godin-Mallet, 17, also almost set a record for his age in the same event. Although he wisely broke the record, the youngster subsequently dropped the weight and dismissed his record opportunity.
In his mind, he set a new mark and he is looking forward to having the opportunity to make it official in future competitions, where the crowds will cheer him on just like they did on Saturday.
“It’s going to sound really sad but I swear no, I’ve never had that opportunity where everyone was cheering me on and this sport is exactly where everyone gets a chance,” said Godin – Mallet. “Everyone is supportive in this sport because everyone started in the same place and I think anyone who wants to start strongman fitness is a good thing.”
The young man witnessed his journey to becoming the world’s strongest man a year ago just by going to the gym in an attempt to lose weight and heal himself after being diagnosed with pre-diabetes.
“I was in a very dark place and dealing with a lot of problems,” he admits. “And it was an escape from life for me.”
“This is not a sport, it’s a community,” Dickens said. “Novelty brings people in, it’s strangely different and it gets people in the door, but the community keeps people competing in events like this.”
“Strongman is like a very specialized sport so you have a very family approach,” Cormier said. “Everyone is very supportive and usually in the weight classes everyone is rooting for your competitors as you want them to do their best there. If you’re going to beat them you want to beat them at their best.”
The fact that all contestants are so supportive of each other is one aspect that keeps the viewers coming out to watch.
“You’re just everyone competing against yourself, so because there’s a really strong community here,” said Amy-Rae Gauthier who was in attendance supporting her competing partner. “Everyone supports each other, they cheer each other on, and they all look out for each other at the end of the day.”
“It’s not like that in all sports,” said spectator Robby Bergeron. “There are sports that are more toxic than others but it’s great to see how much people love their sport and love to share it with other people.”
Podium finishers in each category qualified for the Strongman Corporation Canada Atlantics later this summer. The top three finishers in that event will then move on to the strongman national competition held in Moncton, NB, in October.
“Our sport has grown tenfold in the last three years, especially in these women’s classes,” said Dickens. “It shows that we provide a place for everyone to participate in Strongman.”
