Council strongmen capture weighty prizes
Two members of staff from Salt Ayre Sports Centre have won national competitions in strongman and weightlifting competitions.
Kenny Cardwell, 22, a fitness assistant and lifeguard, won the Olympic Dragon Under 90kg competition against 21 other strongmen in Manchester. The contest included such strongman classics as atlas stone loading, farmers walk, a van pull and the deadlift.
Kenny’s victory was made even sweeter when he unanimously won the outstanding achievement award as he defeated more experienced competitors weighing as much as two stone heavier.
Ben France, 36, Salt Ayre’s health and fitness co-ordinator, won the World Drug Free Powerlifting Association’s U100kg Deadlift World Championship with a season’s best 285kg (44 and a half stone) against British and international competition.
Ben qualified at the BDFPA North West Championship and then by winning the British Championship for a second time.
Ben said: “We are not known at Salt Ayre for a big free weights area or a huge gym, but we have everything needed to succeed whatever your health and fitness goals, whether you are looking to get fitter, leaner, bigger or stronger! Reflexions is a really friendly gym with great equipment and great staff who can help you reach your fitness or body composition goals.”
Date Published: 22/10/09