IT was a big weekend for the Povey Performance Training gym, as four competitors headed up to Adelaide for the South Australia’s Strongest Arnold Qualifier.
The strong man competition sees competitors look to be the strongest in their set category, with the chance to make the national Arnold Strong Man competition in Melbourne next year.
For trainer Rob Povey it was an impressive performance, with a win in his Under 80kg category after completing all his events with relative ease and as a result he gained a spot in the Arnolds.
William Northcott finished second by just one point in the Under 90kg class, while Rordan Walker competed in the Under 105kg category and finished fifth, after performing well in several events.
First-time competitor Sophie Bohner managed to qualify for the Arnolds in the Open class after a tough day of competition in searing heat, completing several events in an impressive effort.
Formerly a power lifter, Bohner changed to the strong man format after advice from her trainer Povey.
Bohner said it was a daunting prospect to compete in the event for the first time, but was pleased with her overall results.
“I would have liked to go in another strong man, more of a casual event,” she said.
“But Rob said he knew I could get half of the required weights.”
With that in mind Bohner said it was a good learning experience in her new discipline.
“There were a few mistakes I made and know next time I can do better,” she said.
“There is a lot of endurance involved, which I struggled with.
“In power lifting you do it once, but with this you have to do repetitions.
“The weights were intimidating and a couple of times I thought I could have tried harder, but I was pleased with my results.”
Heading into such an event, competitors are notified of the minimum weights they have to lift.
From there it is a matter of training to lift those weights, or not entering at all.
Several disciplines are required to be completed, from carrys and deadlifts, to the Atlas Stones, where Bohner was required to lift and throw 65kg concrete balls over a 1.2m bar.
She managed to do that six times in a minute.
“I completed three lifts of 145kg in the deadlift, which was a good way to start the day,” Bohner said.
“A couple of others I struggled with, but it was 38 degrees and the metal bars were slippery.
“The Atlas Stones was probably my best event for the day.
“I was happy with how I competed.”
Bohner said she was impressed watching Povey compete, where she noted as an example he lifted 200kg in the deadlift seven times in a minute.
“Rob was amazing,” she said.
“He really killed it.”
Povey and Bohner will now prepare for the Arnolds in March, 2020 in Melbourne, where the weights have already been released.
Once again Bohner said they are intimidating, but she looks forward to the challenge ahead.
