One of the most notable figures in the modern era of Strongman, Rob Kearney, is ready to move on from the sport. As per his recent Instagram post, ‘World’s Strongest Gay’ will retire after his upcoming appearance at the 2024 World’s Strongest Man. So, he wants to have one last appearance at the most prestigious competition before he wraps up his 15 year journey in the sport.
Rob Kearney’s retirement from competitive Strongman came as shocking news, since he is just 32-years-old. Usually, Strongman athletes compete up until their 40s, but Kearney revealed why he is deciding to make his move.
“I’m retiring. It sounds weird to say out loud, but this year’s 2024 World’s Strongest Man will be my final competition as a professional Strongman. Sad, excited, and honored.
I have done more in this sport than I could have ever imagined when I started 15 years ago… But I am at a point in my life and career where I feel good, where I can walk away with my head held high and be proud of everything that I have done in this sport.”
Watch Rob Kearney’s full announcement:
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Following the announcement of his retirement, Rob Kearney appeared in an interview on Laurence ‘Big Loz” Shahlaei’s YouTube channel. During their conservation, Rob revealed that he is very optimistic about the upcoming 2024 World’s Strongest Man competition. Specifically, he believes that the events in the group stages could be very good for him and that he has a decent chance of making it to the finals.
If Kearney is correct, it would be his first time appearing in the finals of the World’s Strongest Man. It will also be his fifth appearance at the WSM, so managing to make it to the finals would be the perfect way for him to wrap up his career.
Rob Kearney’s Career Overview
Rob Kearney started training Strongman at the young age of 17 back in 2009. He quickly made progress and, a few years later, started appearing in International competitions. So, as the years went on, Rob accumulated his appearances and took part in 26 overall.
In all of his years of competing, Rob Kearney placed on multiple podiums and even managed to win two major International competitions. The first of those wins came at the 2017 Giants Live North American Open, where he beat 12 incredible Strongmen. The second competition that Rob won was the 2019 Arnold Australia, where he outperformed the likes of Rauno Heinle, Mikhail Shivlyakov, Jerry Pritchett, and others.
However, the significance of Rob Kearney’s presence in the Strongman community does not lie solely in his overall performances. Instead, he also made huge advancements when it came to inspiring others. He overcame multiple setbacks, such as testicular cancer and other injuries, always managing to come back and perform well at some of the best competitions in the world.
Moreover, seeing how Rob Kearney was a bit smaller than some other Strongman athletes, he knew that there would be events which would never suit him well. So, he focused on mastering other events. In turn, Rob became one of the best deadlifters and overhead pressers in the history of the sport.
Watch Rob’s interview with Big Loz here:
Related: Rob Kearney Hits 950 lbs Equipped Squat Single In Prep For 2022 Arnold Strongman
There is no doubt that Rob Kearney will give his all to make his final professional Strongman appearance the greatest one yet. However, regardless of the outcome at the 2024 WSM, Rob’s name will be written down in history as one of the greatest athletes that the sport of Strongman has ever seen.
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