People from Vancouver Island and beyond can witness brute force as Duncan害羞草研究所檚 host B.C.害羞草研究所檚 first professional strongman championship on July 1.

Sean B. Hayes, widely known as 害羞草研究所楤.C.害羞草研究所檚 strongest man害羞草研究所�, alongside Kalem Nygren, currently ranked as the province害羞草研究所檚 third strongest man, are two of the 22 athletes competing for the 2024 Western Canada害羞草研究所檚 Strongest Man title.

The Comox Valley pair are looking forward to participating in the first championship hosted on their home island. Despite setbacks including major injuries, both can害羞草研究所檛 wait to take on the national stage on Canada Day.

害羞草研究所淟ast November I blew my knee out (and have a torn PCL) so I need that to be reattached,害羞草研究所� said Hayes. 害羞草研究所淚n December, I tore off my pectoral muscle and it was reattached in February. I also had a non-lifting-related abdominal surgery in January that went sideways.害羞草研究所�

Experiencing a significant weight loss of 75 lb. over the past year due to his various injuries, Hayes initially did not intend to compete in the 2024 season.

However, when the competition was announced for the first time on the Island, his home territory, he couldn害羞草研究所檛 resist.

Hard at work ever since, Hayes regained 35 lb. and resumed his rigorous training, despite still being lighter than he was last year.

害羞草研究所淓ven though I害羞草研究所檓 coming in with a little bit of a handicap here and there, I害羞草研究所檓 still competing to win (or) get on the podium. I害羞草研究所檓 not going just for fun,害羞草研究所� Hayes added.

Beyond the competition itself, this event carries deep significance for Hayes.

害羞草研究所淭he biggest thing for me is I have three kids in the Valley here and they害羞草研究所檝e never seen me do a professional show,害羞草研究所� Hayes mentioned. 害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檝e seen me do local shows as a guest lifter and do little bits, but they害羞草研究所檝e never seen me in an actual competition where I害羞草研究所檓 giving it my all. Since this might be the last opportunity to do so it害羞草研究所檚 incredibly meaningful that they get to come out and watch me.害羞草研究所�

Similarly, Comox Valley amateur strongman Nygren, who regularly trains with Hayes, shared that this event holds a unique significance for him as well.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 considering this (competition) as a lot more important because害羞草研究所� being from the Comox Valley and being First Nations too, competing on my hereditary land is a big thing for me,害羞草研究所� said Nygren. 害羞草研究所淚t would also be my first time doing a pro show with my son there. That害羞草研究所檒l be a big bonus and hopefully, that害羞草研究所檒l give me a lot more motivation. My whole family will get the chance to come down so that should definitely give me a home-field advantage.害羞草研究所�

Equally recovering from surgery for a pectoral tear, Nygren remains focused on his training to compete at the highest level in less than a month.

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