Latest news with #StrongestMan
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Pregnant Morning Live star Michelle Ackerley reveals ‘miracle baby's' gender after fertility struggle
PREGNANT Morning Live star Michelle Ackerley has revealed the gender of her unborn baby. Advertisement 4 Michelle Ackerley has revealed the gender of her unborn baby Credit: Getty 4 Michelle announced her pregnancy on Morning Live last month Credit: BBC 4 Michelle with husband Ben Ryan, 53 Credit: Instagram Sharing more details about her pregnancy, Michelle told "When I found out I was pregnant, I told my husband, and he said this is a baby miracle." Michelle married husband Ben Ryan, 53, last summer . She previously praised her hubby, who is performance director at Premier League side Advertisement READ MORE ON MORNING LIVE "He has been so chilled," said Michelle. "The thing is, I'm not really sleeping well at the moment so I've been waking up in the middle of the night at 3am and I've been taking it upon myself to wake Ben up and say this is what we are going to have to get used to!" The One Show and World's Strongest Man presenter has also been open about her fertility woes and struggles with endometriosis. The chronic condition sees tissues similar to the lining of the womb grow on the outside of it causing inflammation and pain. Advertisement Most read in News TV She said: "I wanted to share though as my journey with endometriosis and infertility is something I finally felt confident to start speaking about more openly last year - realising how many other women were going through similar experiences. "Feeling part of a community - especially when it comes to women's health can really make a difference. Inside Morning Live's Michelle Ackerley's rise to fame - and her TV presenter mum who helped catapult her into a household name "Even at the very start of this year I was gearing up for yet another endo procedure and trying to come to terms with the mental & physical impact they can have. "It has been quite the emotional rollercoaster. Advertisement "The news of falling pregnant really came as a massive surprise to both of us. We still can't quite believe it. "And so in October, the start of a new chapter begins for @benryan7s and I, albeit with nervous and cautious excitement." Ben and Michelle - who have a ten year age gap - had been dating for years Former rugby star Ben used to coach the Fiji National rugby team - helping them scoop a gold medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Advertisement Who hosts BBC Morning Live? Morning Live has been a staple of BBC One's daytime schedule offering for the last four years and airs directly after BBC Breakfast each weekday at 9.30am. But who presents the show? Kym Marsh Kimberley Walsh 4 Michelle's due date is in October Credit: Instagram
Irish Independent
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Fundraiser for ‘Ireland's strongest man' to get vital knee surgery
Galway man Cilléin Groom has won the Ireland's Strongest Man competition twice in a row and is heavily involved in the sport of strongman in Ireland and beyond. However, his progress has hit a roadblock this month after injuring his knee while preparing for the final event of Ireland's Strongest Man 2025. As a result, Cilléin had to pull out of the competition as well as several others, as he now needs surgery to remove an inch long piece of cartilage and set him on the road to recovery. Saying that Cilléin is 'too proud' to ask for help, his good friend Ethan Preston has taken it upon himself to support his pal and is raising money for him to have the surgery privately, as he says that the HSE waiting list 'could take forever'. With a target of €9,000, the fundraiser has been posted on GoFundMe and has so far raised over €6,000. The GoFundMe reads: 'Hi, my name is Ethan Preston, a close friend of Cilléin Groom. Cilléin is a two time 'Ireland's Strongest Man' winner, current Irish Strength Cup champion and a regular 'UK's Strongest Man' competitor, with aspirations to go much further. While also doing as much as he can to grow the sport of strongman in Ireland with reffing, loading, coaching and the odd podcast. And anybody that speaks to him knows how much this sport means to him. 'Cilléin suffered a knee injury during the final event of Ireland's Strongest Man 2025 while looking to secure his third title in a row. This has resulted in him having to pull out of more planned competitions and ending his season as soon as it started! His knee has lots of damage and requires surgery to remove an inch long piece of cartilage and to get him back in one piece. 'HSE/public waiting lists could take forever for him to get looked at so private surgery is his best option. It doesn't get easier for him as the shop where Cilléin worked has just closed down and he cannot do any sort of manual labour as he can just about walk. 'As most of us would be, Cilléin is too proud to ask for help so here I am! If anyone is able to donate anything at all to help us raise the funds for Cilléins surgery, please do. Thank you.' You can donate to the GoFundMe here.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cumbria's Strongest Man and Women show promises records and remarkable feats
The most powerful men and women in the county will take the stage in west Cumbria this weekend. The fourth annual Cumbria's Strongest Man and Woman show promises to see records broken and some remarkable feats of strength. The event on Saturday at Rivendell in Workington will involve top competitors from Cumbria and some from further afield. Those behind the 2025 show say an exciting day is in prospect. 'We've got an amazing line-up of competitors,' said Dave Straughton, one of the event's main organisers. 'I honestly think it'll be the best one we've ever had.' Competitors will take part in five events to test the formidable strength of the men and women involved. 'We've got the max deadlift, and we honestly think we'll see some Cumbria records get broken in that,' added Straughton. Top competitors on Saturday include, from left to right, last year's 105kg champion Connor Smith, open champion Karl Gorman, Molly Wagstaff and Daniel McNicholas (Image: Submitted) 'We've got an overhead medley, where they've got to press four implements overhead - an axle, a log, a monster one-arm dumbbell, and a natural stone block. 'The third event is the max throw – and the fourth event's really fun, because it's a mystery event. 'Outside of the promotional team, no-one knows what it is. And that'll get announced after event three, about 20 minutes before it starts. So, that will throw a cat amongst the pigeons. I absolutely cannot wait to see the faces of the athletes and the crowd when we announce what it is. 'And then we'll finish with the Cumberland Stones at the end, like we always do.' The competition will include an open class, a 105kg class and, for the second year, a female category. A number of national-level competitors will be stepping up. They will include Workington's Karl Gorman, who has twice been named Cumbria's Strongest Man and will compete in the 105kg class, and fellow west Cumbrian Dan McNicholas, who was the first winner of the title, and who has also qualified for England's Strongest Man as well as holding the county's deadlift record. He will be among the open class competitors. Connor Smith, who also trains in Workington and recently came second in Britain's Strongest Man at u90kg, will also compete – while the remarkable Mark Tonner, from Catterick, will also wow the crowd. The military veteran, who lost the use of an arm after a blast in Afghanistan, has won World Disabled Strongman titles. 'He's twice as strong as the average man with one arm,' Straughton said. 'He's a beast. 'He's got to have some specialised kit – such as, for the log press, a specialised one-armed log. 'As amazing as all the athletes are, I think Mark will probably steal the show.' A crowd of about 500 people is expected and there will be refreshments and a bar. 'It's a brilliant family day and the atmosphere is always great,' added Straughton. The action starts at 11am and is expected to run to 5pm. Tickets are still available via the Cumbrian Strongman Promotions Instagram page HERE, or on the door.
The South African
27-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
South African Rayno Nel makes history as 'World's Strongest Man'
South Africa has a new sporting hero. Rayno Nel, a 30-year-old former rugby player from Bloemfontein, has just been crowned the World's Strongest Man. This victory marks a historic first—not only for South Africa but for the entire African continent and the southern hemisphere. Nel's triumph in Sacramento stunned the strongman world. In his debut at the World's Strongest Man final, he edged out defending champion Tom Stoltman by a razor-thin margin of just 0.5 points. The final event, the legendary Atlas Stones, saw Nel load the fourth stone mere fractions of a second ahead of his rivals, according to Good Things Guy. This clutch performance sealed his victory with a final score of 47 to Stoltman's 46.5. Canada's Mitchell Hooper finished third with 43.5 points. Nel's journey to global dominance is nothing short of remarkable. Born in Upington and raised in the rugby heartland of Bloemfontein, he played rugby for the Central University of Technology and the Free State Cheetahs. After retiring from rugby in 2019 to work as an electrical engineer, Nel discovered strongman competitions in 2023. He quickly made his mark, winning South Africa's Strongest Man twice and claiming Africa's Strongest Man titles in 2023 and 2024. He also dominated the 2024 Strongman Champions League season, becoming the world series champion. At the 2025 World's Strongest Man finals, Nel wasted no time making his presence felt. On Day 1, he won the opening KNAACK Carry & Hoist and placed second in both the 18-inch deadlift and the Hercules Hold. These results gave him a commanding lead of roughly seven points going into Day 2. Although Stoltman fought back with wins in the later events, Nel's early cushion proved decisive. Nel said, 'To represent South Africa in any way whatsoever feels surreal. We're a small country with many struggles, so this means so much to my people.' He added with a smile, 'I couldn't enjoy my favourite Black Label lager here in California, so I'll have to try American beer tonight.' The reaction back home was electric. South Africans from Cape Town to Johannesburg flooded social media with pride. The official South African Government Twitter account congratulated Nel, tweeting: 'HISTORY MADE! Congratulations to Rayno Nel, Africa's first-ever World's Strongest Man champion!' Nel's win is more than just a personal achievement. It's a beacon of hope and a symbol of possibility for South Africa's 'rainbow nation.' He is proof that with determination and hard work, even the strongest titles in sport are within reach. Nel remains humble and hungry. 'My strength came up fast, and I'm still improving,' he said. South Africa can now celebrate not just a champion, but a legend in the making. The world has taken notice—and so has the whole of Mzansi. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Powerhouse from Krugersdorp named World's Strongest Man
Krugersdorp's very own Rayno Nel has done his country and community proud by securing a sweet victory at the recent World's Strongest Man competition held in California, United States of America. • Also read: Krugersdorp's Rayno crowned International Strongman What makes this achievement even more impressive is that Rayno has only been participating in the sport for two years, having previously been a rugby player. In June last year, South Africa hosted the Strongman Champions League for the first time, with the vision of someday seeing a South African reach the pinnacle of this sport. According to Rayno, for this to have happened so quickly was a welcome surprise. From his Varsity Cup days at the Central University of Technology to lifting the ultimate title in strength sports, Rayno's journey has been one of sheer resilience and national pride. His win serves as a reminder that greatness does not ask for permission; it announces itself. In his rookie season, Rayno boldly announced South Africa's presence in this global sport. Weighing an astonishing 147kg and standing at an impressive 1.9 metres tall, he has always had the physical presence of a strongman. Rayno confirmed that he only began competing in strongman competitions in 2023, when he emerged victorious in his first-ever showing at South Africa's Strongest Man. His impressive performances continued over the next couple of years, including winning the 2023 Africa's Strongest Man competition and finishing fourth at the Siberian Power Show last year. Winning the global competition on his first attempt cannot be understated, as he broke further records, including being the first man from outside Europe or North America to take the title in the competition's 48-year history. Before his rugby career, Rayno played for the Free State Cheetahs. He grew up in Upington and went on to study in Bloemfontein before moving to Krugersdorp to be closer to his fiancée. Rugby was what I thought I would do for my sports career. 'I didn't think I would do any sport ever again, but I always had this competitive side to me, so when I stopped playing rugby, I knew I needed to do something competitive. That's just who I am.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
