LANCASTER, Pa. — Warwick senior and Lititz native Connor Gilbertson wants to be the next strongman.
The 17-year-old is well on his way after qualifying for America's Strongest Teen competition after only picking up the sport around a year ago.
"After about a year and a half of doing powerlifting, I switched to strong man," said Gilbertson. "My first ever strongman competition was in September and now I'm going to be headed to America's Strongest Teen."
Gilbertson registers around 6'5" and over 300 pounds. His workouts consist of abnormal lifts such as atlas balls and even pulling fire trucks. It's a taxing yet rewarding strain on his body.
"Nothing is easy it's really brutal and taxing on your body," said Gilbertson. "We are doing hundreds and hundreds of pounds for multiple reps and multiple sets."
The Americas Strongest Teen competition will take place in Sacramento, California. He has already shown his strength as one of the area's best and is now ready to take it up a notch competing in five different competitions.
"This is my first big competition," said Gilbertson. "I've only had two ever-sanctioned ones before this so I'm still fairly new to the sport still and I'm going to try my best."
With the goal of putting on for the area in the process.
"Strongman is not as popular as it should be," said Gilbertson. "So really representing the strongman community and pushing that. I think it's going to be great for Pa. and Lancaster itself."
The American's Strongest Teen event begins on July 20.