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. Rebecca is one of five siblings, she has two older brothers Chris & Ben, and 2 younger siblings Alicia & Liam.

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
Year Competition Location Result Weight Class
2023 World's Strongest Woman Charleston, West Virginia 1st Open
2023 Spartan Grip Championships Spartan Training Centre 1st Open
2023 Britains Strongest Woman Doncaster Dome 1st Open
2023 European Championships Excel London 2nd Open
2023 Wales' Strongest Woman International Sports Stadium, Cardiff 1st Open
2023 UK's Strongest Woman Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham 1st Open
2023 Wales' Strongest Woman Spartan Training Centre,Wrexham 1st Open
2023 Arnold Strongwoman Classic Columbus, Ohio 2nd Open
2022 Worlds Strongest Nation Liverpool M&S Arena 1st Open
2022 World's Strongest Woman Daytona Beach, Florida Injured Open
2022 Wales' Strongest Woman International Sports Stadium ,Cardiff 1st Open
2022 Wales' Strongest Woman PB Performance Gym,Cardiff 1st Open
2022 UK's Strongest Woman Doncaster Dome, Doncaster 1st Open
2021 World's Strongest Woman Daytona Beach, Florida 1st Open
2021 UK's Strongest Woman Bangor, County Down 2nd Open
2021 Britain's Strongest Woman Doncaster 2nd Open
2021 Wales' Strongest Woman Swansea 1st Open
2019 World's Strongest Woman Daytona Beach, Florida 7th Open
2019 Bodypower Strongwoman NEC Birmingham 1st Open
2019 Europe's Strongest Woman Rotherham 1st Open
2019 Britain's Strongest Woman Derbyshire 6th - Injured Open
2019 British Grip Championships Stafford 1st Open
2019 Wales' Strongest Woman Caernarfon 1st Open
2018 Arnold's Europe Barcelona Injured Open
2018 Europe's Strongest Woman Belfast 2nd Open
2018 WHEA World Grip Championship Finland 1st Open
2018 WHEA World Championships[6] Finland 1st Open
2017 WHEA World Grip Championship Finland 1st Open
2017 WHEA World Championships[7] Finland 1st Open
2017 BNSF Britain's Strongest Woman Newcastle 1st Open
2017 European Grip Championships Norway 1st Open
2016 UK's Strongest Woman Kent 1st Open
World Records
Year Record Sport Federation Performance Record still held?
2023 Conan's Wheel of Pain Strongwoman Arnold Classic 92 ft 9 in Yes
2022 Thor's Hammer[8] Strongwoman Rogue 39 seconds No
2018 Handshake Lift (one hand)[9] Grip David Horne World of Grip 84.68 kg Yes
2018 Axle Deadlift (20" from the floor) double overhand thumbless grip[10] Grip David Horne World of Grip 137.05 kg Yes
2018 76mm Silarukov Rolling Handle (thumbless) hold (one hand)[11] Grip David Horne World of Grip 47.5 kg Yes
2018 IronMind Little Big Horn[12] Grip IronMind 70.96 kg No
2018 Log Lift Max[13] Strongwoman WHEA 90 kg No
2018 Deadlift Max[14] Strongwoman WHEA 227.5 kg No
2017 2.5" Crusher[15] Grip FBBC 67 kg Yes
2017 3" Trilobite[16] Grip Mammoth Grip Tools 43.1 seconds Yes
2017 IronMind Block[17] Grip IronMind 31.55 kg Yes

References

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


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