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CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – Chalk powder drifted through the air as a competitor clapped his hands and prepared to lift a 260 lb. stone. Everyone’s attention was on him, excited to see a demonstration of strength and determination. This demonstration was just one of many feats of raw strength displayed at the event.
People from all over Okinawa came to compete on Camp Foster for the shot to be crowned champion and claim the title of Okinawa’s Strongest Nov. 3, 2019.
The sun was bright, the skies were clear. Everyone at the competition was full of energy. Competitors were pushed to their limits, testing the extent of their strength, each aiming to be the best.
“It takes commitment to yourself,” said U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Axel Persaud, a pilot of with the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 and a champion from the male division in Okinawa’s Strongest. “You have to commit yourself to a training plan and make many sacrifices. You have to sacrifice your time to train, even if it means getting up at three in the morning to train or spending your weekends to train.”
The competition started early in the morning with each competitor signing up and weighing in to determine which weight division they would compete in. Each division had to go through eight different events, which included; deadlifts, log clean and press, sled pulls, farmer’s carry, weighted wheelbarrows, yoke carry, tire flips, and atlas stone lift.
Sportsmanship was a common virtue throughout the competition. Each competitor cheered each other on, encouraging other competitors to do their best and push themselves.
“There are no shortcuts,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Kimberly Pistell, a battalion surgeon with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 and a champion from the female division. “You have to be persistent and put in the time to train yourself. The competition is great motivation and lets you show all the work you’ve put into making yourself better.”
At the event's conclusion, a champion was named from each weight division, earning them the title of Okinawa’s Strongest.
“This is definitely a proud feeling for me to earn the title of Okinawa’s Strongest,” said Persaud. “This competition is a lot different from training by yourself. It’s you versus everyone else, and everyone is competing to be the best. This competition will really test you, not just physically, but mentally as well. It really is mind over matter. Your body is going to experience pains you’re not used to. You must build the confidence in yourself that you can do anything, that you can lift that 260 lbs., because the second that you don’t believe in yourself, then you won’t be able to.”
| Date Taken: | 11.04.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 11.06.2019 02:28 |
| Story ID: | 350320 |
| Location: | CAMP FUJI, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 27 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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