THUNDER BAY -- Jeff Nason is one strong competitor.
The 22-year-old joined a dozen other weightlifters Saturday afternoon to compete in the 6th annual Thunder Bay’s Strongest Man competition in support of local volunteer organization Camp Quality.
Nason has been tapping into his inner strength for more than five years as he trains to become Thunder Bay’s Strongest Man.
“The best part is the friendly competition,” Nason said after lifting a heavy Atlas stone for his second competition of the day in the Paulucci's Wayland Bar and Grill parking lot.
“Everyone is so close in our city that it just makes for fun competition. We are all friends, we help each other and support each other.”
Nason added that it’s the fun aspect of the competition that he enjoys most of all.
The competition required strength and lots of it. Throughout the afternoon the competitors were required to take part in five different strength testing events.
The participants were split into a light and heavy weight division. Each contestant powered through the pain of presses, squats and even deadlifting a Volkswagon Golf weighing in at more than 500 pounds.
Nason said to prepare for weight lifting events his training consists mostly of strength based exercises, sometimes gymnastic workouts and cross training helps as well.
The weightlifter added that he has come in first place the past two years and he hopes to make it three years in a row.
