People from Vancouver Island and beyond can witness brute force as Duncan鈥檚 host B.C.鈥檚 first professional strongman championship on July 1.
Sean B. Hayes, widely known as 鈥楤.C.鈥檚 strongest man鈥�, alongside Kalem Nygren, currently ranked as the province鈥檚 third strongest man, are two of the 22 athletes competing for the 2024 Western Canada鈥檚 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鈥檛 wait to take on the national stage on Canada Day.
鈥淟ast November I blew my knee out (and have a torn PCL) so I need that to be reattached,鈥� said Hayes. 鈥淚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.鈥�
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鈥檛 resist.
Hard at work ever since, Hayes regained 35 lb. and resumed his rigorous training, despite still being lighter than he was last year.
鈥淓ven though I鈥檓 coming in with a little bit of a handicap here and there, I鈥檓 still competing to win (or) get on the podium. I鈥檓 not going just for fun,鈥� Hayes added.
Beyond the competition itself, this event carries deep significance for Hayes.
鈥淭he biggest thing for me is I have three kids in the Valley here and they鈥檝e never seen me do a professional show,鈥� Hayes mentioned. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e seen me do local shows as a guest lifter and do little bits, but they鈥檝e never seen me in an actual competition where I鈥檓 giving it my all. Since this might be the last opportunity to do so it鈥檚 incredibly meaningful that they get to come out and watch me.鈥�
Similarly, Comox Valley amateur strongman Nygren, who regularly trains with Hayes, shared that this event holds a unique significance for him as well.
鈥淚鈥檓 considering this (competition) as a lot more important because鈥� being from the Comox Valley and being First Nations too, competing on my hereditary land is a big thing for me,鈥� said Nygren. 鈥淚t would also be my first time doing a pro show with my son there. That鈥檒l be a big bonus and hopefully, that鈥檒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.鈥�
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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