A STRONGMAN competitor is set to once again enjoy the amazing experience of competing against the best in the world.
Last December Joe Kennedy got to compete in the Official Strongman Games in West Virginia for the World’s Strongest Man title u80kg, where he finished in the top 20.
This was after Joe had enjoyed whirlwind success in 2023, which saw him crowned England’s Strongest Man u90kg.
The success has continued into 2024 and last month Joe became England’s Strongest man at u80kg, taking home the title against 40 of the strongest lightweights in the country at Kaos gym, in Preston.
This meant Joe has been crowned England’s Strongest man in two weight classes.
Joe will once again be competing in the Official Strongman Games again at the back end of this year.
“I wasn’t expecting it, I wasn’t planning on going again but the opportunity is too big to pass up,” he said.
Joe has plenty more ambitions ahead in 2024 and is also hoping to qualify for the European Strongest Man in August.
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Joe added there has been a big drive to increase the profile of the lightweight Strongman competitions which increased the exposure his achievements have had.
He hopes to increase awareness of the sport in St Helens and encourage others to get involved, with the lightweight classes making it more “accessible”.
“They are really pushing the Lightweight Strongest Man up to the same level and the exposure I got was pretty big,” added Joe, from Sutton Manor.
“I had to do an interview and it got 20,000 views, they are really trying to push the sport.
“It’s a sport that anyone can do, it’s accessible for people to try.”
Joe, who trains at The Workshop Gym on Sutton Road, says that while his first time competing in the Official Strongman Games was “very challenging” and he was “really happy” with his performance, coming in the top 20 last December.
He believes the experience he has gained from that will stand him in good stead, as he learned ways he can improve such as on the re-feed.
“They always say you are there for the experience first time and second time you are there to make your mark.”
- Follow joekennedy_viking_strongman on Instagram.
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