STRONG man Justin Motbey has a goal of lifting 400 kilograms in the deadlift event at the World Strength Games (WGS) in Utah this week.
The Glenreagh 36-year-old is also a support worker, an active RFS member, president of a social rider’s motorcycle club and a husband and father of two.
He is competing in five events, each in the maximum weight category, and has two attempts to achieve each lift successfully.
Justin told News Of The Area that in the log press, “which is a log that you press above your head”, his goal is to lift 160kgs.
His goal for the Farmers Carry, which is “two handles with weights on the end you carry for 15 metres”, is 150kg per hand.
His heaviest goal is to carry 420kgs in the Yoke, a frame carried on the shoulders for over 15 metres.
The deadlift is Justin’s favourite event.
“I’m still a little off any world records but to hit a 400kg deadlift will set my current personal record nice and high, as it was at 340kg at the end of last year,” he said.
Justin was nominated to compete in the World Strength Games after appearing at the National Arnold Qualifier at the Sydney Fit Expo last October.
“One of the promoters, Mickey Kemp, was asked who he thought would be worthy of an invitation to head over to the USA and represent Australia in WSG25,” he said.
He joins 10 Australian representatives, ranging from people in their 20s to a woman in her 60s.
Justin first entered a strongman competition in 2016 and achieved fourth place with little to no training.
“I didn’t train for a few years until 2023 when I started… at Fenrir Strength Coffs Harbour.
“[Since then] I have taken out a competition first place, a first-equal place and a first at regional levels.
“I took out fourth place at the national level in Sydney [but only] due to sustaining an injury in the first event and withdrawing from the last event.”
Justin has partial distal bicep ruptures in both arms, after injuring them separately while moving a fridge and getting planks off a car.
The injury has been hard to overcome.
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my wife Sheridan who has held down the house to allow me to train three nights a week.
“Without her this wouldn’t have happened and I’m truly grateful to her.
He also credits his coach Jack Davey and the team at Fenrir Strength.
“They seriously have been in my corner since I started, their hype is like no other.”
To follow Justin’s performance in Utah go to @snorlax_strength on Instagram.
By Andrea FERRARI
