Strongwoman

A strongwoman is a woman who performs feats of strength in a show or circus, or a woman who competes in strength athletics. Traditionally, strongwomen have had a special appeal, as women involved in demonstrated feats of strength were exceptions.

Charmion (1875–1949), vaudeville strongwoman and trapeze artist

Traditional strongwomen

Traditionally, strongwomen were featured as performers in a circus, or in vaudeville, music halls, or other venues, and engaged in feats of strength such as barbell lifting and human juggling.

Some famous traditional strongwomen include:

Modern-day strongwomen

In recent years, the term strongwoman has come to refer to the women who compete in events such as the annual World's Strongest Woman and Arnold Strongwoman Classic competitions. Strongwomen compete in the sport of Strongman and the sport has become popular with female strength athletes over the past decade that there are several state and nationally sanctioned competitions that prepare amateur female athletes for national competitions that allow for the opportunity to compete as professionals. In all these contests, the participants compete in similar types of events that can be found in a Strongman competition. Such events include, but are not limited to:

Some notable modern strongwomen:

  • Becca Swanson, powerlifting world record holder
  • Jan Todd, powerlifting world record holder
  • Bev Francis, powerlifting world record holder
  • Aneta Florczyk, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2008 World's Strongest Woman
  • Donna Moore, 2016, 2017 and 2019 World's Strongest Woman, 2018 Arnold Strongwoman Classic Champion
  • Olga Liashchuk, 2022 and the reigning World's Strongest Woman, 2019 and 2020 Arnold Strongwoman Classic Champion
  • Jill Mills, 2001 and 2002 World's Strongest Woman
  • Victoria Long, 2022 and 2023 Arnold Strongwoman Classic Champion
  • Michelle Sorensen, 1997 World's Strongest Woman
  • Nina Geria, 2011 World's Strongest Woman
  • Kristin Rhodes, 2012 World's Strongest Woman
  • Kati Luoto, 2013 World's Strongest Woman
  • Liefia Ingalls, 2017 Arnold Strongwoman Classic Champion
  • Andrea Thompson, 2018 World's Strongest Woman
  • Rebecca Roberts, 2021 World's Strongest Woman
  • Tatiana Kashirina, weightlifter
  • Chen Wei-ling, weightlifter
  • April Mathis, powerlifter
  • Sara Schiff, powerlifter
  • Tamara Walcott, powerlifter
  • Bonica Brown, powerlifter
  • Robin Coleman, strongwoman
  • Heini Koivuniemi, strongwoman
  • Lindsey Quinones, strongwoman
  • Lidia Gynko, strongwoman
  • Niina Jumppanen, strongwoman
  • Gemma Taylor-Magnusson, strongwoman
  • Anna Rosen, strongwoman
  • Jackie Young, strongwoman
  • Joanne Barter, strongwoman
  • Annika Eilmann, strongwoman
  • Emmajane Smith, strongwoman
  • Brooke Sousa, strongwoman
  • Jessica Fithen, strongwoman
  • Cynthia Morrison, strongwoman
  • Rhianon Lovelace, strongwoman
  • Lyudmila Gaiduchenko, grip strength specialist
  • Amy Wattles, grip strength specialist
  • Elizabeth Horne, grip strength specialist
  • Jaana Tanner, grip strength specialist
  • Adriane Blewitt, grip strength specialist
  • Beth Phoenix, wrestler
  • Ronda Rousey, wrestler
  • Nyla Rose, wrestler
  • Janae Kroc, powerlifer and bodybuilder
  • Amber DeLuca, strongwoman, bodybuilder, powerlifer and pornstar
  • Elizabeth (Aunty Liz) Mason-Shahlaei

Training

Women who compete in Strongman (strongwomen) must be well versed in the styles and techniques that are demonstrated in both powerlifting and Olympic weightlifting as the types of lifts that are performed in both sports are fundamental in strength sports and carry over into the techniques that have been developed for the events that make up a Strongman competition. In addition to developing the proper technique for the foundation lifts, strongwomen must also develop endurance through cardiovascular conditioning training. Being able to adapt to implements (straight barbells versus axle barbells, axle barbells versus logs, etc.) is important as the technique used for the different implements are nuanced and are not readily available at commercial gyms.

Competitions

This is a list of Strongwoman Competitions. Some also include men.[3]

  • Maidens of MightStrongwoman Challenge 2019[4]
  • California's Strongest Women
  • Connecticut's Strongest Man and Woman
  • May Flowers of Power Competition
  • Central Valley Strongest Man and Woman
  • Central Valley Strongest Man and Woman
  • War on the Shore Strongman/Strongwoman Classic
  • Minnesota State Strongman & Strongwoman Championships
  • Texas Strongest Woman
  • Official Strongman Games

See also

References

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