The Painted Hand Casino will be hosting a Strongman Showcase on Aug. 17. Top competitors from previous championship events will take part in the pro competition, while the novice events allow people to take the chance to try their stuff.
The event begins at 10:30 at the Painted Hand Casino, starting with the Max Log Press. The professional event will also include a farmer’s walk, fire truck harness pull, tire flip and Conan’s wheel.
The novice competition will also be one to watch, because it will feature local competitors taking on some of the same events. Competing for the first time in a strength competition is Becky Wallis. Her events will include the log, deadlift and farmer’s walk.
“I’m nervous but very excited. It’s something that I’ve wanted to try for a long time, so it will be interesting to see how it goes.”
A lifelong athlete, Wallis said that she always wanted to try out a strength event, and this was an opportunity for her to give it an attempt. Her previous sports included football and hockey, including playing on Team Canada in the 2013 Women’s World Football Championships.
She is preparing with Crossfit, which she admits is not a typical training regimen for a strength competition but one that does have a great deal of strength training in it. She also did strength-specific training as well.
Right now Wallis is heavily involved in coaching, which she said is her way of giving back to the sports that gave her many opportunities.
“A lot of these sports in the community don’t function unless we have volunteer coaches. That’s how I got the opportunity to do all the things I’ve done in the past, so it’s an opportunity to give back to those kids who need those coaches and need those opportunities.”
Naturally, as a local coach, some of the kids she coached will be in the crowd cheering her on. She said it makes it a bit more exciting and a bit more nerve racking.
“It ups the ante, to do your best in front of all the people who are there rooting for you.”
Wallis sees the event as a good opportunity to get people interested in strength competitions, and letting people know it’s out there. She said she’s learned a lot since the event was announced, about the amount of competition and how far competitors can go.
“The more exposure that it gets, the better.”
