People from Vancouver Island and beyond can witness brute force as Duncan含羞草研究社檚 host B.C.含羞草研究社檚 first professional strongman championship on July 1.
Sean B. Hayes, widely known as 含羞草研究社楤.C.含羞草研究社檚 strongest man含羞草研究社�, alongside Kalem Nygren, currently ranked as the province含羞草研究社檚 third strongest man, are two of the 22 athletes competing for the 2024 Western Canada含羞草研究社檚 Strongest Man title.
The Comox Valley pair are looking forward to participating in the first championship hosted on their home island. Despite setbacks including major injuries, both can含羞草研究社檛 wait to take on the national stage on Canada Day.
含羞草研究社淟ast November I blew my knee out (and have a torn PCL) so I need that to be reattached,含羞草研究社� said Hayes. 含羞草研究社淚n December, I tore off my pectoral muscle and it was reattached in February. I also had a non-lifting-related abdominal surgery in January that went sideways.含羞草研究社�
Experiencing a significant weight loss of 75 lb. over the past year due to his various injuries, Hayes initially did not intend to compete in the 2024 season.
However, when the competition was announced for the first time on the Island, his home territory, he couldn含羞草研究社檛 resist.
Hard at work ever since, Hayes regained 35 lb. and resumed his rigorous training, despite still being lighter than he was last year.
含羞草研究社淓ven though I含羞草研究社檓 coming in with a little bit of a handicap here and there, I含羞草研究社檓 still competing to win (or) get on the podium. I含羞草研究社檓 not going just for fun,含羞草研究社� Hayes added.
Beyond the competition itself, this event carries deep significance for Hayes.
含羞草研究社淭he biggest thing for me is I have three kids in the Valley here and they含羞草研究社檝e never seen me do a professional show,含羞草研究社� Hayes mentioned. 含羞草研究社淭hey含羞草研究社檝e seen me do local shows as a guest lifter and do little bits, but they含羞草研究社檝e never seen me in an actual competition where I含羞草研究社檓 giving it my all. Since this might be the last opportunity to do so it含羞草研究社檚 incredibly meaningful that they get to come out and watch me.含羞草研究社�
Similarly, Comox Valley amateur strongman Nygren, who regularly trains with Hayes, shared that this event holds a unique significance for him as well.
含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檓 considering this (competition) as a lot more important because含羞草研究社� being from the Comox Valley and being First Nations too, competing on my hereditary land is a big thing for me,含羞草研究社� said Nygren. 含羞草研究社淚t would also be my first time doing a pro show with my son there. That含羞草研究社檒l be a big bonus and hopefully, that含羞草研究社檒l give me a lot more motivation. My whole family will get the chance to come down so that should definitely give me a home-field advantage.含羞草研究社�
Equally recovering from surgery for a pectoral tear, Nygren remains focused on his training to compete at the highest level in less than a month.
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