Recently crowned as 2012 Britain’s Strongest Woman, Becki Etchells has a big future in this sport.
Impressively, to achieve this, she has only been training for 1 year.
We caught up with her for a quick chat, to find out more about Becki.
Phil Burgess: How did you first get interested in Strongwoman competitions?
Becki Etchells: My dad used to train at the same gym as Eddie Hall.
So I watched some of his comps and thought to myself I can do that stuff, I know I can.
It was quite frustrating at first because I knew there were strongwomen about but I just didn’t know how to get into the sport!
Phil Burgess: You recently won the Britain’s Strongest Woman competition, what did it mean to you to win this title?
Becki Etchells: It is such a great achievement, especially as it is only my first full year of taking part in the sport.
I am looking forward to the future in my strongwoman career.
I know I have a lot more to give and have a lot more experience to gain:) .
Phil Burgess: What were the events in the competition, and which of these did you find easiest, and which was the hardest and why?
Becki Etchells: The events were:
- Arm over arm van pull
- Log lift
- Farmers walk
- Deadlift for reps
- Block Medley
- Atlas Stones
I think the event that I found easiest was the Farmers walk, this is always my best event as I have good speed.
However I did better in some event’s I was expecting to do worse in and vice versa.
Phil Burgess: Where was the competition held and how many competitors were there, and who were your closest rivals?
Becki Etchells: The competition was held at pro strength and fitness gym Swindon.
I think there were 16 competitors overall and Wales Strongest Woman Sophie, I would say was my closest rival.
Phil Burgess: What is the next big competition which you will be competing at?
Becki Etchells: My next big comp is World’s Strongest Woman in Finland, which I qualified for by coming 1st.
I am very excited as this will be the biggest competition I have been in, and this was one of my goals to qualify and I have achieved it.
Phil Burgess: What are your goals for the rest of this year and for 2013?
Becki Etchells: My goals are to get stronger and better!! And as for 2013 keep my title and earn another.
Phil Burgess: Is the popularity of strongwoman competitions growing in the UK, or is it still a very small niche sport?
Becki Etchells: I would say strongwoman in the UK is definitely growing and will be as big in the UK as it is in all the other countries soon.
Phil Burgess: What strongwoman or strongman do you respect the most and why?
Becki Etchells: I saw Gemma Magnusson on tv a few years ago and thought WOW this is cool I want to do that! so here I am.
Phil Burgess: What is the best advice you have been given in the sport of strongman?
Becki Etchells: I was struggling with the Atlas Stones once and somebody said to me ‘don’t show the f*#ker any respect and pick the thing up!’ So instead of trying to get into a lifting position, that’s what I did 🙂 .
