Rob Kearney, Rhianon Lovelace Become First Pound-For-Pound Strongest Man And Woman

As strongman and strongman competitions, Rob Kearney and Rhianon Lovelace already hold some pretty big distinctions. However they recently got an honor that will likely put them down in history books forever.

When strongman champion Eddie Hall revealed that he was looking to find the strongest male and female athletes in the world, it got the strength sports world buzzing. The idea was that he, in partnership with Original Strongman, would have athletes submit their best deadlift and clean and press. These numbers would be compared to the bodyweight of the athlete to determine the pound-for-pound strongest. 

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Congratulations to @worlds_strongest_gay and @rhianon.lovelace.kaosstrength for becoming the very first Pound for Pound worlds strongest man and woman. Check out the results and get entering other contests via @officialstrongman_ 👈

A post shared by FitnessVolt (@fitnessvoltnetwork) on Sep 2, 2020 at 7:27am PDT

Now the competition has run its course, and the results are in. “World’s Strongest Gay” Rob Kearney, and 2018 World’s Strongest Woman Rhianon Lovelace have been awarded the first honors of pound-for-pound Strongest Man and Woman. For Rob, he was able to deadlift 421kg and clean and press 206kg, with a bodyweight of 131kg. As for Rhiannon, she was able to pull 261.7kg and clean and press 101.4kg, while weighing 66kg.

“IT’S OFFICIAL!!! I AM THE POUND FOR POUND STRONGEST MAN IN THE WORLD!!” Kearney said about the news.

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My overhead entry for the @officialstrongman_ pound for pound contest! ——— Nice little 206kg log press at 131kg BW! Who’s excited for the deadlift next!!! 💪🏼💪🏼

A post shared by Rob Kearney (@worlds_strongest_gay) on Aug 31, 2020 at 7:55am PDT

This was extremely impressive for both of these athletes. Kearney is looking to perform big at the World’s Strongest Man later this year, so this, as well as his American record log lift earlier this year, will be a great boost in confidence headed into the contest. His critics have always considered him a little small for strongman, but he proved here that this does not mean he is not powerful.

“Announcement has been made!” Lovelace said on Instagram.

“I am Officially the Lb for Lb Strongest Woman on the World!! 🌍💥🥂

Huge thankyou to @officialstrongman_ and @eddiehallwsm
For the opportunity!!

And the $10,000 cash prize is going to improve @kaos_strength
So much!!”

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261.5kg (575lb) Raw Deadlift at 65.5kg bodyweight. Just grams under 4 x bodyweight Raw Deadlift. Nearly exactly a year after I first pulled 4 xbw in a suit. My final Deadlift Entry for the @officialstrongman_ Lb for Lb Worlds Strongest Athlete Competition Run by @eddiehallwsm Wish me luck! Managed by @amg_sports_management @kaos_strength @strengthshop @elementsofgreen @hornsofodin @hosswear @fuel10k @reignbodyfuel @btb_sleeves @deadlifttillimdead #RepresentingBritishStrongwomen #WorldsStrongestWoman2018

A post shared by Rhianon Lovelace (@rhianon.lovelace.kaosstrength) on Aug 29, 2020 at 1:08am PDT

Lovelace was clearly proud of her performance and results. Moreover she seems rather happy with the $10,000 prize she won in the process. She is also riding some serious waves of momentum, off the back of a world record Atlas stone hoist a few months ago.

Congratulations are in order for both Rhianon Lovelace and Rob Kearney. This was a unique new contest from Eddie Hall and Official Strongman, and it will interesting to see if it continues moving forward. It puts a new spin on the sport, and bestows focus on complete and overall strength, rather than raw power.