Ten years ago Reuben Jansen van Rensburg, 22, started lifting weights with sand-filled plastic shopping bags attached to a curtain rail.
Last weekend he won both the South Africa Strongman and the African Strongman, and ended the reign of the previous champ in the under 80kg ProAm class.
Hot on his heels was younger brother Timeon, who came second in South Africa Strongman and third in Africa in the under 90kg novice class.
The events were held simultaneously at Steineck Lodge near Rustenburg in North West.
Timeon, 18, says his brother’s passion for the sport prompted him to also try it.
“I was about 16 when I became interested. I would walk into the room and see Reuben's weights and try to yank them up. My failure inspired me to practise until I could do it.”
His ‘ouboet’ grins.
“Strongman changes you. You start thinking differently about strength and inanimate objects. If I look at a car, I immediately wonder if I can lift it. Tim loves to hike and he does the same when he sees a loose boulder on the trail,” Reuben said.
African Strongman Union president Kelin Mills said the two brothers’ performances were impressive, and he is eager to see how they will grow in the sport.
“I just recently took over as the president of the union and these two young men are impressive talents. They proved themselves against some really strong competition,” Mills said.
“Reuben not only came first in South Africa Strongman and the African Strongman this weekend. He ended the reign of the previous champ in the under 80kg ProAm class.”
Mills says the sport has grown in recent years since they started competing in different weight groups and classes.
“It just made it accessible for people who might not have been able to compete with the biggest and the best. Now we even have Crossfit people taking part in the competitions.”
“We spend our time between Muldersdrift on the West Rand and Kommetjie in the Western Cape,” Reuben, 22, told TimesLIVE Premium.
“I am a cybersecurity engineer, but Strongman is my passion.”
Timeon has just finished matric.
“I plan to start studying theology next year so I can become a pastor.”
Reuben is happy with his results.
“Last year I came second in the South Africa Strongman and my work this entire year was to focus on improving.”
The gruelling two-day competition consisted of six events.
Reuben explains: “First one is The Axle. You have to lift a car axle above your head and see how many repetitions you can do in one minute.
“Then we have the Maximum Deadlift where you can choose the weight you want to lift. My personal best for instance is 272.5kg so I started on 240kg.
“Third is the farmer's walk where you have to carry weights in each hand — in my case it was 110kg — and then you see who can carry the weights the fastest over 20m. I did it in 9.5 seconds. Tim carried his in 10.2 seconds.
“The fourth event is the Carry Medley, where you had to carry various hefty items and throw them over a high bar. You start with a 100kg bag of sand then a concrete-filled beer keg weighing 105kg and finish with a bag of sand weighing 120kg.
“The fifth event is the Yoke. It is basically a weighted steel frame you have to carry like an ox carries a yoke over a measured distance. The fastest person wins,” Reuben told TimesLIVE Premium.
“Last is Atlas Stone. You are given a huge round stone which you also have to throw over the high bar. You are measured on how many repetitions you can do.
“Reuben's favourite event is the sand bag in the Carry Medley.
“When you carry it, you struggle to breathe so a lot of competitors don't practise it. That means if I practise enough it gives me a competitive edge.”
Timeon has no favourite. “I love all of the events except the dead lift.”
Both recommend Strongman to people wanting to test their physical strength and endurance.
“It is an extreme sport where, very much like marathon running, you test yourself and compete against yourself as well as other people. It is incredible for personal growth,” Reuben said.
Timeon agrees.
“I imagine it to be like being a race car driver where your body is the vehicle. It is fun and it is healthy and everyone is welcome,” Timeon said.
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