Kristin Rhodes places second at the WSW
Wow what an awesome competition!! It was great to be truly challenged and really have some fierce competition! The crowds were crazy and I am pretty pleased with my overall performance. I am still smiling…what an incredible feeling to say I got 2nd at Worlds!! Here is a quick rundown and video will be posted soon.
There were 8 events all completed in under 4 hours
Event 1 Farmers 176 each hand for max distance turns every 20m or 66 ft
The equipment was nice, slightly knurled handles, a high pick and short cylinders. Order was determined by lottery and I drew Anki Oberg from Sweden as my competitor. I was stoked, knowing she was an awesome athlete and I hoped to be pushed by her. My run was fairly easy, the farmers felt light in hand as I had been training heavier, I managed to get through 3 turns and as I started my fourth I dropped them. I went overall 264 feet good for 3rd place here.
Event 2 Conan’s wheel approx 250 kg or 550 lbs
I had trained at home and consistently gotten 1 ½ turns almost exactly what I got here, a bit farther closer to 1 ¾ turns. It was really heavy. The first 4 competitors couldn’t even move it, the promoter was getting worried saying maybe we made it too heavy…All the Europeans made it look easy, as well as Elizabeth whom I beat only by 15 degrees. Definitely not my favorite event good for 4th place here
Event 3Axle Clean and Press each rep 75 kg or 165 lbs
We were told it was going to be 70 kg and were not told until after the fact it was 75 kg. Anyways since axle is my favorite event I was really excited to get my turn. I felt very confident that I may win this event or at least get 2nd. Ready, I went out and repped out 10. Aneta then had to go and beat my performance and she did not look happy about it. She did beat me with 11 reps but she definitely had to work for it. Very happy here got 2nd place.
Event 4 Yoke 210 kg or 462lbs for 25m
Because of my placing in the axle I was paired up with Aneta in the yoke race. What a perfect match it was. I was excited to go heads to head as yoke has become one of my favorite events. I stayed focused and ready as her whole” team” readied her for the event. Once the whistle blew I had total tunnel vision for the finish line. I felt like we literally ran with the yoke with me beating her by .05 my time was 9.87 and hers 9.93and clinching the win in this event. It was cool the polish strongmen ran over and said "The American won, she got it” Aneta looked at the stopwatches and said: Yes she got it” and gave me a big hug with a good job! Woo-Hoo! 1st place here
Boguslaw (Aneta’s coach and the promoter) came over to me at that point and told me to look at the two large golden cup trophies across the field and said I had won one for winning the event. The sponsor of that event had trophies made up for the winners of the sponsored events.way coolJ
Event 5 Car hold for time approximately 440 lbs
High pick was nice, didn’t feel too heavy, the knurling was terrible really cut into your hands. I held for 28 sec good for 4th place here. A bit disappointed as I had consistently hit 48-50 sec in training. Oh well
Event 6 Log lift for max last man standing format
Another good event for me, It started as a round robin choose when you want to come in. However it quickly got down to 3 Kati, Aneta and I. Kati and I ended up tying for 2nd with 95kg or 210 lbs a PR for me and Aneta of course beat us with her 220 lb log and her signature leg left(you will see in the videoJ) Excited to hit the PR considering it was the 6th event of the day. Tied for 2nd here
Event 7 Weight over bar for max height 28 lbs
This was probably the most fun event for me all day. Amy Wattles did well here placing 3rd and Aneta and I battled it out for 1st and 2nd for several heights. The crowd was going nuts as we both continued to clear the heights back and forth. We ended up tying at 16’ 2” here…thank goodness for a fixed barJ Tied for 1st here.
Event 8 Deadlift for reps 410 lbs approx 13-14 in
We were allowed to wear suits, (how people really like those is beyond me), the only benefit was my back didn’t hurt when I was done but I couldn’t breathe after 6 reps, couldn’t lock out the 7th and unfortunately the bar decided to bolt itself to the ground after that ha-haJ I knew going in I was in 2nd by 4 points, my performance locked it up for me I believe 4th here, and the realization that I had just got 2nd at Worlds started to sink in!!!!!!!!
My goal all along was to get on the podium. I knew the European women were very tough seasoned competitors and I would have to work very hard to reach my goal. What an amazing feeling to win and event, tie for 1st in an event and not place lower than 4th all day! I have worked my tail off since I started this sport just 1 ½ years ago to absorb as much as possible and to learn the technique required to perform at the top level of competition. This was definitely my biggest challenge thus far. The top 4 were pretty consistent all day, myself, Aneta Florczyk of Poland, Anki Oberg of Sweden and Kati Luoto of Finland. these were the toughest I have ever faced.
All I know is that training begins again soon after I get my much deserved rest; there is still ONE more step up on that podium as motivation for next year!
Thanks to my wonderful husband/training partner/coach Donnie Rhodes…without you I probably wouldn’t be here today. You push me and keep me in line even when I don’t want to train, well it all paid off as you say “Way to go #2!” I feel so very lucky to have youJ By the way thanks for changing my shoes all dayJ
To Dave M of Total Performance Sports, my trainer/coach/nutritionist your workouts are amazing- my progress is testament that you definitely have strongman training down to a science. I never feel overtrained and I still keep getting stronger. Thank you!!!
To my sponsors: Total Performance Sports, Barry Fefferman, Bart and Cindy Dunlevy, and Drew Ford Thanks so much for believing in me helping me get to Poland!
To Kevin and Heather Kinzy your help and guidance from day one in this support means a lot to me, Kevin the WOB rocked!!!
Joe Miller…Thanks for all your help getting me ready, you sat and watched what seemed like hundreds of throws (ok maybe not hundredsJ)
To Dione and Willie Wessels, thanks for believing in me and supporting me along the way. Glad I made you proud!
To all you Strongwomen out there, this is what it is all about- great competition. The opportunity is there, train hard don’t be afraid to push yourself set and your sights high. This is truly an incredible feeling to be top 2 in the World!!!
Kristin Rhodes
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