Latest news with #EddieWilliams
Malay Mail
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Breaking stereotypes: The ‘gentle giants' of the World's Strongest Man competition
SACRAMENTO, May 18 — Eddie Williams is a schoolteacher from Monday to Friday and a wedding singer on weekends. In his spare time, he lifts enormously heavy weights as he competes to be the world's strongest man. Some people think weightlifters are 'a lot of angry people who just like to throw weight around,' the 420-pound (190-kilogramme) Australian told AFP, but 'I can be, you know, a happy person, and still be able to lift heavy weights.' Dripping with sweat after a Stone Medley — that is lifting very heavy stones — Williams insisted there is no contradiction between strength and likability. His wife Hannah agreed. 'They're these gentle giants that are just so lovely, such beautiful human beings that are caring, and they're all cheering for each other,' she said. They were in the California capital for the 'World's Strongest Man' competition, taking place from Thursday to Sunday. Human colossuses like Williams, with sculpted backs, impossibly muscled arms and rippling thighs, compete by lifting objects up to twice their own weight — or more. Mitchell Hooper, a 29-year-old former champion who has a master's degree in clinical exercise physiology, agreed that people have a mistaken idea about competitive weightlifters. People think 'that we're uneducated meatheads,' said the 320-pound Canadian, whose nickname is 'Moose.' But, he added, 'a lot of guys have higher education, and we train to compete strongly, because we just like to challenge ourselves.' One man who clearly wanted to destroy stereotypes was American Rob Kearney, who dyed his hair and beard in rainbow colours for the competition and calls himself 'the world's strongest gay man.' Kearney, 33, a former competitor attending the event in Sacramento, said he wanted to 'break some of those stereotypes of what (people) think masculinity is.' 'Strength isn't just the amount of weight we can deadlift,' he said. 'Strength is all about who you are as a person, how you hold yourself and how you support others.' Rayno Nel of South Africa (right) and Lucas Hatton of the US (left) compete in the Titan's Toss competition on day two of qualifying at the 'World's Strongest Man' competition on May 16, 2025 in Sacramento, California. — AFP pic A struggle of titans The World's Strongest Man competition was first held in 1977 at Universal Studios in California. The concept has remained the same but, over the years, the sport has gained investors and enthusiasts, becoming more professional: eight world records have been set here in the last 14 years. The names of the individual events — the 'Titan's Toss,' 'Atlas Stones,' 'Flintstone Barbell' and 'Hercules Hold' — convey the magnitude of the challenges. To build the enormous strength necessary, nutrition is vital, said 30-year-old Rayno Nel, a South African beginner in such competitions. Nel, who took up the sport after graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering, puts in long nights at his gym while following a complicated eating schedule aimed at providing him with 6,000 calories a day in meat and vegetables. That takes sacrifice, he said, while quickly adding, 'I love it.' Once the competition is over, Nel plans to grab a burger and a beer. But for these Samsons — some over 6-feet-6 (two meters) tall — it's not all about food and exercise. Concentration and focus are also essential, said Odd Haugen, 75, a former competitor. 'You've got to be really ready,' he said, 'because it's really heavy!' Tom Stoltman of Great Britain competes in the Natural Stone Medley during the qualifying round at the 'World's Strongest Man' competition on May 16, 2025 in Sacramento, California. — AFP pic 'In pain every day' Hooper, who was catching his breath after throwing 30-pound sandbags over a 12-foot-high bar, acknowledged to AFP that there are downsides to being one of the world's strongest men. 'You wake up in pain every day. You're constantly sore. You don't fit in normal spots. You have to wear a sleep apnea machine. You're always hot. You're always sweating.' But, he added, 'the upsides are pretty cool.' Those include the enthusiastic fans, friends and family members who explode with joy when their favourite lifter manages a feat, or suffer along with him if he falls short. Power lifting is a competitive discipline, but the sense of camaraderie in the arena is clearly felt. Competitors watch their rivals intently, cheering them on, shouting and clapping. Such support, Kearney said, is the perfect refutation of all the stereotypes. 'When you see two men embrace each other and cheer for each other and support each other,' he said, 'it really shows just what strength means.' — AFP
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Gentle giants': World's strongest men defy stereotypes
Eddie Williams is a schoolteacher from Monday to Friday and a wedding singer on weekends. In his spare time, he lifts enormously heavy weights as he competes to be the world's strongest man. Some people think weightlifters are "a lot of angry people who just like to throw weight around," the 420-pound (190-kilogram) Australian told AFP, but "I can be, you know, a happy person, and still be able to lift heavy weights." Dripping with sweat after a Stone Medley -- that is lifting very heavy stones -- Williams insisted there is no contradiction between strength and likability. His wife Hannah agreed. "They're these gentle giants that are just so lovely, such beautiful human beings that are caring, and they're all cheering for each other," she said. They were in the California capital for the "World's Strongest Man" competition, taking place from Thursday to Sunday. Human colossuses like Williams, with sculpted backs, impossibly muscled arms and rippling thighs, compete by lifting objects up to twice their own weight -- or more. Mitchell Hooper, a 29-year-old former champion who has a master's degree in clinical exercise physiology, agreed that people have a mistaken idea about competitive weightlifters. People think "that we're uneducated meatheads," said the 320-pound Canadian, whose nickname is "Moose." But, he added, "a lot of guys have higher education, and we train to compete strongly, because we just like to challenge ourselves." One man who clearly wanted to destroy stereotypes was American Rob Kearney, who dyed his hair and beard in rainbow colors for the competition and calls himself "the world's strongest gay man." Kearney, 33, a former competitor attending the event in Sacramento, said he wanted to "break some of those stereotypes of what (people) think masculinity is." "Strength isn't just the amount of weight we can deadlift," he said. "Strength is all about who you are as a person, how you hold yourself and how you support others." - A struggle of titans - The World's Strongest Man competition was first held in 1977 at Universal Studios in California. The concept has remained the same but, over the years, the sport has gained investors and enthusiasts, becoming more professional: eight world records have been set here in the last 14 years. The names of the individual events -- the "Titan's Toss," "Atlas Stones," "Flintstone Barbell" and "Hercules Hold" -- convey the magnitude of the challenges. To build the enormous strength necessary, nutrition is vital, said 30-year-old Rayno Nel, a South African beginner in such competitions. Nel, who took up the sport after graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering, puts in long nights at his gym while following a complicated eating schedule aimed at providing him with 6,000 calories a day in meat and vegetables. That takes sacrifice, he said, while quickly adding, "I love it." Once the competition is over, Nel plans to grab a burger and a beer. But for these Samsons -- some over 6-feet-6 (two meters) tall -- it's not all about food and exercise. Concentration and focus are also essential, said Odd Haugen, 75, a former competitor. "You've got to be really ready," he said, "because it's really heavy!" - 'In pain every day' - Hooper, who was catching his breath after throwing 30-pound sandbags over a 12-foot-high bar, acknowledged to AFP that there are downsides to being one of the world's strongest men. "You wake up in pain every day. You're constantly sore. You don't fit in normal spots. You have to wear a sleep apnea machine. You're always hot. You're always sweating." But, he added, "the upsides are pretty cool." Those include the enthusiastic fans, friends and family members who explode with joy when their favorite lifter manages a feat, or suffer along with him if he falls short. Power lifting is a competitive discipline, but the sense of camaraderie in the arena is clearly felt. Competitors watch their rivals intently, cheering them on, shouting and clapping. Such support, Kearney said, is the perfect refutation of all the stereotypes. "When you see two men embrace each other and cheer for each other and support each other," he said, "it really shows just what strength means." pr/bbk/acb/st
Powys County Times
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Llandrindod to become home of disability bowls in Wales
A CELABRATORY event will take place next week to mark Llandrindod Wells becoming the centre of excellence for disability bowls in Wales. Llandrindod Wells Bowling Club, in the spa town's Rock Park, will become the home for Wales' disability bowls squad, which include para and visually impaired athletes. The squad includes many hopefuls ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, along with athletes who have previously competed at the games. The decision has been a collaborative effort between Sam Roff and Eddie Williams, members at the Powys club, and John Wilson, the Welsh Para Bowls co-ordinator and Disability Bowls Wales team manager. The club, and its exquisite playing surfaces, will become home for the all the disabled squads and will host performance training sessions and future competitions. An event celebrating the announcement will be held at the club, located at Rock Park Greens (LD1 6AE), next Wednesday, May 14, from midday. 'I give my heartfelt thanks to the club for so actively embracing inclusion and working with me over the last few months to reach this next step in what I hope will be a long and successful partnership,' said Mr Wilson. 'This venue is renowned and respected throughout the world as a fantastic place to play, on first rate greens of excellent quality, in a beautiful location. 'It will provide opportunities to our players to train on a quality surface in preparation for future international (tournaments) and (against) world class opposition they will face in other top-quality venues. 'I am delighted the club are so actively supporting inclusion of our sport for all abilities. Powys drug dealer back behind bars after being arrested 19 days after release Sir Salman Rushdie to return to Powys for Hay literary festival 'We are very grateful to the club and its members for demonstrating they clearly support inclusion in our sport. 'All of our players are absolutely delighted to have a home for our teams, which puts us on a par with Bowls England and Bowls Scotland.' The Disability Bowls Wales Squad boasts Commonwealth Games silver and bronze medallists, as well as gold medallists from the first-ever inclusive European Championships, held in 2024. The squad boasts a number of international and national champions, as well as several players who feature regularly for their county teams. 'Having a home is really important,' said Welsh lawn bowl player Julie Thomas, a former primary school headteacher and a double Commonwealth Games medallist and European champion, who lost her sight in 2014. 'For far too long we have relied on the kindness of individual host clubs but now we finally have a base and can offer to host world class events for ourselves. 'It now gives us real equity with the other Welsh international teams. We all now belong at the 'Home of Welsh Bowls'. 'It is a fantastic step forward and I am delighted, as are the other squad members.' Owen Williams, chair of Welsh Association of Visually Impaired Bowlers (WAVIB), added: 'I am delighted that the home of Welsh bowls, Llandrindod Wells, will be the centre of excellence for disability bowls. 'Having such wonderful greens to practice on and develop our players' skills will only help us to further promote the game of bowls for everyone. 'Congratulations to John and all involved in making this possible.'
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Yahoo
2 arrested for trying to smuggle drugs into Washington County prison using drone
The Brief Two suspects were arrested in Washington County for attempting a drone drug drop near a prison. Shantavia Glass and Eddie Williams face multiple felony charges, including drug trafficking. Deputies say they remain "relentless" in stopping contraband smuggling into prisons. WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ga. - A routine patrol near a Washington County prison led to the recent arrest of two people attempting to use a drone to deliver contraband to inmates. What we know According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, a deputy spotted several suspicious vehicles near the prison around 11:30 p.m. on Feb. 26. Upon investigation, the deputy approached one of the vehicles and found a man and a woman with a large drone carrying packages zip-tied to the bottom. Authorities arrested Shantavia Glass, 38, of Clarkston, and Eddie Williams, 55, of Stone Mountain. What's next Both suspects face multiple felony charges, including trafficking in marijuana, trafficking in methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II drug, and six counts of trading with inmates. What they're saying The sheriff's office emphasized its commitment to cracking down on contraband smuggling, stating that its deputies remain "relentless" in protecting the community and ensuring prison security.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Yahoo
Deputies catch metro Atlanta duo attempting drone prison drop
Two people from metro Atlanta are behind bars after deputies said they attempted a contraband drop at a state prison. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Washington County Sheriff's Office said it happened Wednesday around 11:30 p.m. Officials said a deputy was patrolling the Davisboro area when they spotted multiple suspicious vehicles near the area close to the prison. While investigating, the deputy approached one of the vehicles when they came in contact with Shantavia Glass, 38, of Clarkston, and Eddie Williams, 55, of Stone Mountain. Deputies said the pair had a large drone with packages zip-tied to the bottom. TRENDING STORIES: Oscars 2025: How to watch tonight on Channel 2, what's nominated, who's presenting Today marks 5 years since Georgia's first COVID-19 cases were confirmed Inmate found guilty of stabbing deputy multiple times at Fulton County Jail The pair was arrested and charged with multiple felonies, including trafficking marijuana, trafficking methamphetamine, two counts of possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II drug, and six counts of trading with inmates. One prison drop suspect told the sheriff's office, 'Y'all are relentless here in Washington County.' 'And they're right—the Washington County Sheriff's Office and its dedicated deputies remain relentless in protecting our community and ensuring the safety of all citizens,' Sheriff Joel Cochran responded. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
