Sport / Seven Shetlanders secure podium places in superb showing at strongman event
SEVEN Shetlanders are celebrating after securing podium places at a strongman event in Wishaw late last month.
A total of 10 competitors from the Shetland Weight Training Club in Scalloway descended on North Lanarkshire to try their hand at the Scottish Natural Strongman event.
The group ranged in age from 18 to 53 and in bodyweight from 72kg to 105kg, showing that strength sports are for everyone.
Of those 10, a magnificent seven ended up on the podium to secure qualification for the UK and Irish competition in April.
And five of the seven also finished in first or second place – which earns them a spot at the European competition later this year.
Cameron Nisbet won the men’s under-72kg category, with Peter Fazekas completing a Shetland top two by finishing in second.
Nisbet was delighted with his performance, which saw him defend the Scottish natural strongman title that he won last year.
“My personal highlight was lifting a near double bodyweight 140kg ball shaped sandbag twice over a bar,” he told Shetland News.
“I’m now feeling confident to try to defend my UK title in April and compete in the first EU competition in June.”
Lee Brain was also second in the men’s masters under-90kg, while Ryan Garriock was runner-up in the men’s under-105kg category.
Alec Robinson and Shyren Batziris were second and third respectively in the men’s juniors, and Batziris told Shetland News he really enjoyed “putting on a show” for the people watching.
“This year I was in my last year of juniors before I move to under-90kg,” he explained.
“Gutted about how I did in the pressing event, as in training it was all going well and usually my best event, but I am super happy to have lifted the 140kg sand-ball over bar twice.
“I’m looking forward to competing in future competitions, and potentially competing at the UK’s in April.”
Robinson said he was “happy with the result” at what was his first major competition.
“I hadn’t anticipated placing second beforehand and it was a pleasant surprise!” He said.
“I’ve definitely still got aspects to improve on and hope to do so before the European competition in June.”
Tegan Patterson was Shetland’s final podium placer, earning third position in the women’s under-73kg event.
Stuart Nisbet (men’s masters), Jonathan and Kevin Manson (both men’s under-105kg) were the other representatives from the isles in the competition.
Each competitor had five tests of strength with various “trump” weight options on each event which were worth more points than lighter weights.
Stand out performances across the weekend included Patterson lifting a 100kg ball shaped sandbag over a bar twice and Cameron Nisbet lifting a 140kg version of the same bag twice.
Teenager Robinson impressed by lifting a 100kg weight overhead twice, with Garriock lifting a 115kg weight overhead twice and Kevin Manson deadlifting 270kg twice.
Shetland Weight Training Club’s Stuart Moar paid tribute to the efforts of all 10 after superb performances across the weekend.
“The club is very proud of all the athletes that competed – they all did so well,” he said.
“It is absolutely amazing to see so many make the journey away to compete together, they are all so supportive to each other as well.
“The standard of strength athletes that have and continue to represent the club and Shetland is outstanding.
“They all work so hard week in, week out to get to where they are.”
The group thanked Shetland Weight Training Club for the equipment, facilities, and support through competition preparation, and to NorthLink Ferries for their sponsorship for some of the travel costs.
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