Rebecca Roberts (strongwoman) explained

Rebecca Roberts (born 1994), is a Welsh strongwoman and grip athlete, current UK's Strongest Woman 2023[1] and winner of the 2021 and 2023 World's Strongest Woman competition. She regained the title of 'World's Strongest Woman' after winning at the Official Strongman games in West Virginia December 2023, becoming one of only 4 women in history to become a multiple Worlds Strongest Woman champion.

Biography

Roberts grew up in North Wales, and is Welsh by birth. Growing up, she has "not been dealt the best cards in life",[2] after losing her mother at a young age and her father suffering from dementia shortly after, however she attended university in Liverpool where she studied forensic psychology and through university clubs she discovered rugby.

She was introduced to strength and grip sports by her partner Paul Savage, who remained her coach until his sudden passing in December 2022. Rebecca continues to compete in his honour. She is an advocate for body positivity and mental health, partially due to her own experience of bullying due to her weight and size.[3] Roberts works full time but still trains roughly 20 hours a week[4] to be able to compete at an international level. She is very active on social media, posting about her training, competitions and her weight loss journey, as well as the challenges of training while grieving.

Career

Roberts' strongwoman career began with her first competition in 2016. Standing at 6 ft 3 in,[5] she has competed in numerous strongwoman competitions since, as well as grip competitions. She also holds several world records.

Competitions
YearCompetitionLocationResultWeight Class
2024Arnold UK Birmingham7th Open
2024Columbus, Ohio6th Open
2023World's Strongest Woman Charleston, West Virginia1st Open
2023Spartan Grip Championships Spartan Training Centre1st Open
2023Britains Strongest Woman Doncaster Dome1st Open
2023European Championships Excel London2nd Open
2023Wales' Strongest Woman International Sports Stadium, Cardiff 1stOpen
2023UK's Strongest Woman Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham 1stOpen
2023Wales' Strongest Woman Spartan Training Centre, Wrexham 1stOpen
2023Columbus, Ohio2nd Open
2022Worlds Strongest NationLiverpool M&S Arena1stOpen
2022World's Strongest WomanDaytona Beach, Florida8th Open
2022Wales' Strongest WomanInternational Sports Stadium, Cardiff1stOpen
2022Wales' Strongest WomanPB Performance Gym, Cardiff1stOpen
2022UK's Strongest WomanDoncaster Dome, Doncaster1stOpen
2021World's Strongest WomanDaytona Beach, Florida1stOpen
2021UK's Strongest WomanBangor, County Down2ndOpen
2021Britain's Strongest WomanDoncaster2ndOpen
2021Wales' Strongest WomanSwansea1stOpen
2019World's Strongest WomanDaytona Beach, Florida7thOpen
2019Bodypower StrongwomanNEC Birmingham1stOpen
2019Europe's Strongest WomanRotherham1stOpen
2019Britain's Strongest WomanDerbyshire6thOpen
2019British Grip ChampionshipsStafford1stOpen
2019Wales' Strongest WomanCaernarfon1stOpen
2018Arnold's EuropeBarcelona10thOpen
2018Europe's Strongest WomanBelfast2ndOpen
2018WHEA World Grip ChampionshipFinland1st Open
2018WHEA World Championships[6] Finland1stOpen
2017WHEA World Grip ChampionshipFinland1stOpen
2017WHEA World Championships[7] Finland1stOpen
2017BNSF Britain's Strongest WomanNewcastle1stOpen
2017European Grip ChampionshipsNorway1stOpen
2016UK's Strongest WomanKent1stOpen
World Records
YearRecordSportFederationPerformanceRecord still held?
2023Conan's Wheel of PainStrongwoman92 ft 9 inYes
2022Thor's Hammer[8] StrongwomanRogue39 secondsNo
2018Handshake Lift (one hand)[9] GripDavid Horne World of Grip84.68 kgYes
2018Axle Deadlift (20" from the floor) double overhand thumbless grip[10] GripDavid Horne World of Grip137.05 kgYes
201876mm Silarukov Rolling Handle (thumbless) hold (one hand)[11] GripDavid Horne World of Grip47.5 kgYes
2018IronMind Little Big Horn[12] GripIronMind70.96 kgNo
2018Log Lift Max[13] StrongwomanWHEA90 kgNo
2018Deadlift Max[14] StrongwomanWHEA227.5 kgNo
20172.5" Crusher[15] GripFBBC67 kgYes
20173" Trilobite[16] GripMammoth Grip Tools43.1 secondsYes
2017IronMind Block[17] GripIronMind31.55 kgYes

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2023-05-29 . 2023 UK's Strongest Woman & Man Results — Rebecca Roberts & Paul Smith Take Gold . 2023-05-30 . Fitness Volt . en-US.
  2. Web site: Warrington bodybuilder set for space on world stage. 2021-11-23. Warrington Guardian. en.
  3. News: ‘Bigger is better’: The weightlifter. en-GB. BBC News. 2021-11-23.
  4. Web site: Grimsditch. Lee. 2021-09-05. Woman sheds nine stone after first date changes her life. 2021-11-23. Liverpool Echo. en.
  5. Web site: Rebecca Roberts Lifts Big on the Little Big Horn. 2021-11-23. ironmind.com.
  6. Web site: Strongest man/woman champions - World Heavy Events Association. 2021-11-24. www.worldheavyeventsassociation.com.
  7. Web site: Strongest man/woman champions - World Heavy Events Association. 2021-11-24. www.worldheavyeventsassociation.com.
  8. Web site: Record Breakers - Leaderboard . 2022-03-07 . www.roguefitness.com . en.
  9. Web site: World Records. 2021-11-24. www.davidhorne-gripmaster.com.
  10. Web site: World Records. 2021-11-24. www.davidhorne-gripmaster.com.
  11. Web site: World Records. 2021-11-24. www.davidhorne-gripmaster.com.
  12. Web site: Rebecca Roberts Lifts Big on the Little Big Horn. 2021-11-24. ironmind.com.
  13. Web site: Strongest man/woman records - World Heavy Events Association. 2021-11-24. www.worldheavyeventsassociation.com.
  14. Web site: Strongest man/woman records - World Heavy Events Association. 2021-11-24. www.worldheavyeventsassociation.com.
  15. Web site: VBARCERTS. 2021-11-24. www.fatbastardbarbellco.com.
  16. Web site: European Grip Championship 2017. 2021-11-24. The GripBoard. en-US.
  17. Web site: IronMind Block - Rules & World Records. 2021-11-24. ironmind.com.