When is the right time to start competing in strength sport? There is no right time! If you can lift with good technique just fucking do it! Stop procrastinating and making excuses, throw yourself right into the deep end.
A little over 4 years ago I came dead last in my first strongman competition (Novice Irelands strongest man) and I couldn’t even open the log for max event starting at 100kg because I wasn’t strong enough for it and lifting up to what I think was just a 115kg stone.
Fast forward 4 years and I came 2nd in Irelands strongest man under 110kg, qualified for Europe’s strongest man under 105kg and done a decent job of hanging with the best at that, have log and axel pressed 135kg as well as pulling a 320kg deadlift.
Point being no matter where your starting point is you can and will get a lot stronger depending on how bad you want it!
I’ve seen it many times and it’s no different for myself doing my first one, no matter where you place in a competition or just getting ready for one, it ignites a fire in your belly like no other and will take your training to the next level!
I’ve seen it many times and it’s no different for myself doing my first comp, no matter where you place in a competition or just getting ready for one, it ignites a fire in your belly like no other and will take your training to the next level.
So why not just throw yourself into it and chip away until you make your way to the top?
Coming last in that competition undeniably lit a fire in my belly and I promised myself to never come last again and not be able to not open an event. It showed me where and what I needed to improve on, I also learnt a lot from my fellow competitors.
This year going to Europe’s I knew I wouldn’t win or even come top 3. My aim was to hang with the best, not come last, hit some pb’s, I did all that and gave myself a baseline to know where and what I have to improve on at the very best level and make it to the top of my sport.
That once again has lit another fire in my belly for new goals at a much higher level!
Author: Matty Costello