Tyler Desplenter competed at the True North True Strength Open in Elora, showcasing ‘oldtime’ strongman events. (Submitted Photo).
Chris Abbott, Post Correspondent
Tillsonburg’s own Tyler Desplenter is now officially a record-holder.
“Strongman is essentially a sport built around lifting heavy, odd objects,” said Desplenter. “So we do things like pull transport trucks, or pressing logs over our head, lift big stones on the platform, or flip big tractor tires.”
During the competition in Elora on August 23 at the True North True Strength Open, participants focused on ‘old style strongman,’ featuring dumbbell and barbell lifts aimed at maximum weight.
“It was almost like a link to the past couple hundred of years, testing some of those oldtime lifts. Two events were chosen by the contest promoter, and then up to three of these classic lifts. You had three attempts to lift as much weight as you could.”
Coming off an injury from provincials with only five weeks to prepare, Desplenter ended up seventh overall in Elora while setting two international federation records. He also tied another record but someone else got credit for it first.
“It was a pretty good day – and no injuries,” Desplenter laughed. “It was just a relief to show that I could keep pushing through and still come out on top. It was almost like the ‘cherry on top’ of a great season.”
He tied the record in the Hackenschmidt floor press where he lies on his back to press the weight up and set new records in Cyr press with a one-handed dumbbell press (161 pounds) and Habecker lift – where a barbell starts at one-third his height; competitors squat down using their elbows before standing up with it (430 pounds).
“Not so much pressure as normal in this contest because you get to choose your weight attempts. Achieving those records felt really satisfying. I’ve been competing for 13 years straight and earlier this year I finally won my first strongman contest after all this time.
“I checked off quite a few goals this year,” he said.
Desplenter runs Strength Intelligence in Tillsonburg where he focuses on strength training, enhancing athletic performance for sports, and rehabilitation.
H e b e g a n h i s l i f t i n g j ou r n ey as a powerlifter , which is common among many strongman athletes.
“ P ow e r l if ti ng consists of squats , deadlifts , and bench presses. Y ou ‘ re s tationary , lifti ng weights. In contrast , strongman involves picking up heavy objects and running with them.”
D esp le nter m en tio ne d th at h e tr ans it ion ed t o str ong ma n wi th th e pl an of doing it while he ’ s young er.
“ As I ge t older , I’ ll pro ba bly go back to po werlifting.”
As th e fi fth st ro ng est m an in his di vi sio n , he qu ali fie d fo r str ong ma n na tion als thi s ye ar bu t wo n’t be co mpe ti ng in Ca lg ary. Th e Tr ue No rth Tr ue St re ngth Op en m ark ed th e end of hi s se ason an d he’ ll return to traditional strongman events next year.
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