K'òmoks First Nation member Kalem Nygren is B.C.'s strongest man.
Nygen placed first overall in the Heavyweight class at the Provincial Strongman Championships at Williams Lake on Aug. 30. Nygren's win qualifies him for both the Canadian Amateur Strongman Championships in Calgary. Alta. in October and the Strongman Pro/Am at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, in March.
The provincial competition consisted of five tests of strength. The first was an overhead medley, with a a 230 lb axle bar, 250 lb log, and 270 lb axle bar to be lifted from the ground to overhead. Nygen finished all three overheads with the second-best time of 30.5 seconds. Next was the 600 lb frame with oversized handles, which was to be moved 40 feet. Nygen finished that in 11.5 seconds, for a fourth place in that event.
From there was a deadlift ladder, which consisted of two reps on a 525 lb axle bar, and then two more on a 575 lb standard barbell. Nygen finished all four reps in 25.3 seconds, placing him second in that event. The fourth event was a 725 lb yoke walk, followed by a 300 lb sandbag carry. Each had to be completed to 40 feet. Nygen placed first in this event, finishing in 27.6 seconds.
Finally, Nygen had to lift four sandbags to shoulder height. The sandbags were 185, 210, 250 and 300 lbs each. Nygen finished the event in second with a 24.8 second time.
The events all had points, which together gave Nygen a score of 34 of a possible 40 points. That was the highest score for his weight class, placing him at the top of the podium.
Nygen trains locally at Hayes' Garage Gym with some of the top strongmen athletes in the province and country and at Fitness Excellence.
