Lengthy had a weekend to recollect throughout.
It’d be arduous to prime the weekend of March 2-5, 2023 for Victoria Lengthy. Whereas the strongwoman captured her second consecutive Arnold Strongwoman Classic (ASC) title in Columbus, OH, she notched a exceptional feat within the course of. On the second day of competitors, Lengthy set a brand new World File by finishing an Elephant Bar Deadlift of 295.2 kilograms (651 kilos). It was fairly the best way to place a cherry on prime of a fruitful efficiency.
The Elephant Bar deadlift was launched by Rogue Health and made its debut through the 2016 ASC, although it didn’t have a file amongst strongwomen rivals till 2020. An Elephant Bar is a specialised barbell manufactured by Rogue Health. The ten-foot size is considerably longer than a standard barbell, which permits the bar to bend as an athlete pulls by means of the vary of movement. The prolonged distance additionally provides “whip” to the lockout place because the weights rebound barely from momentum. Total, this mix makes the carry uniquely difficult in comparison with different deadlift variations.
Just a little later within the competitors, Tenth-place ASC finisher Tamara Walcott would match Lengthy’s mark by pulling an identical weight. Through the 2022 Rogue File Breakers, Walcott had beforehand set the Elephant Bar Deadlift file with a pull of 290.7 kilograms (641 kilos) on the 2022 ASC. The athlete has now added 4.5 kilograms (10 kilos) to her all-time finest quantity. Each rivals utilized lifting belts for help. Lengthy utilized lifting straps, that are in abidance with Strongwoman guidelines, to help with the milestone.
Notably, Walcott opted to not use any grip help, seemingly owing to her expertise as a aggressive powerlifter the place straps aren’t permitted. Nevertheless, followers and commentators have been notably stunned by Walcott’s vital battle to attain a decisive lockout in comparison with Lengthy’s obvious ease with the file carry. Nonetheless, for Lengthy and Walcott to placed on a present with this variation of a barbell stays spectacular.
On a wide-spanning aggressive stage, Lengthy’s victory and record-setting efficiency are nothing new for the strongwoman famous person. In keeping with Strongman Archives, the athlete has solely ever fallen wanting a win as soon as in six profession contests — her aggressive debut on the 2019 World’s Strongest Lady (WSW) contest. Ever since, Lengthy has maintained a spotless resume together with two America’s Strongest Lady titles (2021, 2022), the 2022 Shaw Traditional championship, and now two consecutive ASC titles.
As for Walcott, after a disappointing aggressive strongwoman debut, matching the Elephant Bar Deadlift file was seemingly a welcome approach to end. Transitioning from powerlifting to strongwoman and vice versa may be difficult for athletes. For Walcott to discover a approach to maximize her preliminary look may converse volumes of huge enhancements ought to she proceed in strongwoman competitions. For added context on prowess in her first skilled power sport, in response to Open Powerlifting, Walcott has not misplaced a powerlifting competitors since October 2019.
Lengthy could have loved the victory en path to her second title win. To notch a World File in a prestigious contest will not be insignificant and speaks to the rising energy of one of the crucial formidable girls rivals in power sports activities.
Featured picture: @roguefitness on Instagram
