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COOK
ISLANDER NICK MACNAMEE NZ’S STRONGEST MAN |
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By Sandra Kailahi |
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New Zealand’s strongest man
is Cook Islander, Nick MacNamee and he’s got the national title to
prove it and is looking to compete in Australia and further a field.
Nick entered his first Strongman competition in 1996. He was approached
by Colin Cox who ran the Napier Strongman event and two weeks before
the competition decided to enter. He came fourth, which was pretty good
considering he didn’t have a lot of time to prepare. Nick was hooked.
“It’s just the challenge that I love. It’s not competing against the
guys but yourself and giving it all you’ve got and then finishing the
job.”
In 1999 he entered the New Zealand Strongman Event and placed second
behind the winner Matt Rossiter. Matt is well known in Strongman
circles as he’s held the national title several times and has even
competed overseas. In fact, he has the necessary equipment set up in
his garage at his home in Titirangi.
One year later, Matt invited Nick to train with him, which may have
proved a fatal mistake because Nick won the title that year.
“Yep, anyone that wants to train can come and train, there’s no point
in hoarding all the equipment but the only problem is when the boys
come and train and then beat you. What’s that about!” says a humorous
Matt.
Unfortunately, Nick snapped his Achilles tendon and wasn’t able to
defend his title but at the end of 2001 he decided to train again.
“I had to start from scratch and five months before the comp I was
still limping around and had lost a lot of strength in one leg. I had
to do a lot of gym work 4 to 5 days a week and then every Sunday I
would train at Matt’s place. At first I was limping but by the end of
the five months, I was pulling a truck,” says Nick.
The Strongman competition started in New Zealand in the early 90s. It’s
now held over two days at the Royal East Show in Auckland and involves
8 different events like truck pulling, the farmer’s walk, and the log
lift and 100 kilo block race.
Nick says his personal favourites include any event, which shows off
upper body strength. |
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New Zealand’s strongest man is Cook Islander, Nick MacNamee
lifting 100 kilo boulder onto barrel, one of his favorite event
which shows off his upper body strength. |
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The Strongman competition is held at the Royal East Show in
Auckland and involves 8 different events like truck pulling, the
farmer’s walk, and the log lift and 100 kilo block race. |
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Nick
practicing Farmer’s walk. First approached by Colin Cox who ran
the Napier Strongman event and trains with Matt Rossiter who
held the national title several times. |
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“I like the log lift event where you pull the log up to your chest and
then over your head. I favor upper body strength especially the truck
pull, so long as they are over 20 ton, that’s a comfortable weight.”
He says in order to do the event you need strength, fitness and stamina
and be dedicated.
Nick is sponsored by Miada Sports so he gets all his supplements
supplied but when it comes to competing overseas, he usually has to
find his own money.
Nick is looking at trying his hand at wrestling in Korea but that yet
to be confirmed. In the meantime, he is planning on doing what he sees
is the ultimate challenge, pulling an Air New Zealand 767 plane for
charity. He plans to continue with the Strongman event for a long time
yet.
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Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd.
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