A MAN originally from Prestatyn is to compete at the Wales’ Strongest Man 2024 competition in Cardiff this summer.
Joe Roberts, 27, qualified for the final event in early May, having also been named Wales’ Strongest Man (under-120kg) in February.
He finished in eighth place in Wales’ Strongest Man 2023, but is hoping to better that when he returns to Cardiff International Sports Campus on July 21.
In June, meanwhile, Joe will enter Britain’s Strongest Man (under-120kg), held in Surrey, where he will be up against 19 other competitors.
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Prestatyn man competes at Wales’ Strongest Man 2023
Joe said: “For Britain’s Strongest Man (under-120kg), I’d like to come within the top five, looking towards the podium - there are a lot of talented guys taking part in this one.
“For Wales’ Strongest Man, my target is also the top five, which would qualify me for the UK’s Strongest Man, but a podium place would be nice!
“I’m not doing anything massively different to last year in preparing for it this year.
“There aren’t many events now that I’m doing for the first time, so I feel like I know what I’m doing with most of them, and it’s just about trying to be stronger for them quicker.
“I feel more prepared for the pressure of the competition now, though, and I think my body’s more adapted now to how fatigued I know I’ll be.”
Joe will be one of 12 finalists at Wales’ Strongest Man 2024, having completed five challenges in the qualifying event earlier this month.
These included a 200kg Conan’s Wheel, a 250kg 40-metre frame carry, and a 83kg dumbbell and 320kg axle deadlift from 15-inch height for reps.
Now working in Coventry, where he has lived since the age 18 when he began studying at the city’s university, Joe had previously spent his entire life in Prestatyn.
He also used to represent Coventry University’s rugby team while studying there, prior to injuring his knee.
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