Hello Everyone,
Hope all is well with you.
Little by little, I am getting better at this Strongman game.
On Saturday, September 14, 2003, I earned my highest finish yet, taking second place in the Amateur Heavyweight Class at the Xenia Old Fashion Strongman Challange in Xenia, Ohio.
I won the first event, the 18" deadlift, and finished second in the 250 lb. farmer's walk for distance.
Unfortunately I experienced a set back in the next event, the stones. I re-aggravated a previous bicep tear, which negatively affected my performance in both the stones and the following the event, the maximum log press.
Even though I finished toward the bottom in the stones and log, I did come back to win the last event, a 500 lb. deadlift hold for time with a 2" bar.
Second place was my highest finish yet, and I was very close to the first place competitor, but I have to admit, I was dissapointed not to win.
If I had won, it would have qualified me for the 2003 North American Strongman Society National Championships in Myrtle Beach on October 4th, but I came up a little short.
Now with my bicep injury I am not going to be able to compete, as planned, next weekend in Iowa, and the 2003 season is over for me.
I plan on taking a little time off from heavy training, hopefully allowing my bicep to completely heal, and then I am going to get after it for the 2004 season.
There is a big competition called The Monsters Of The Midwest, December 6, in St. Louis, MO, which might be a good one to use as an opener for the 2004 season.
I'll keep you posted.
Take care and stay in touch.
Joel
joel@houseofmuscle.com
http://www.HouseOfMuscle.com
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Attached photos: Joel in action at the 2003 Xenia Old Fashion Strongman Challange, Xenia, Ohio.
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