Desplenter sets two new strongman records

Tyler Desplenter competes at True North True Strength Open in Elora, and ‘oldtime’ strongman competition. (Submitted Photo).

Chris Abbott, Post Correspondent

Tillsonburg strongman Tyler Desplenter is officially a record-holder.

“Strongman is essentially a sport built around lifting heavy, odd objects,” said Desplenter. “So we do things like pull transport trucks, or pressing logs over our head, lift big stones on the platform, or flip big tractor tires.”

Competing in Elora on August 23 at the True North True Strength Open, contestants focused on ‘old style strongman,’ with dumbbell and barbell lift events, all for maximum weight.

“It was almost like a link to the past couple hundred of years, testing some of those oldtime lifts. Two events the contest promoter picked, and then up to three of these oldtime lifts. Three attempts to lift the maximum weight you can.”

Coming off an injury at provincials and just five weeks to prepare, Desplenter finished seventh overall in Elora, setting two international federation records. He also tied a record, but another strongman set it first and got credit for it.

“It was a pretty good day – and no injuries,” Desplenter laughed. “It was just a relief to show that I could keep pushing through and still come out on top. It was almost like the ‘cherry on top’ of a great season.”

His tied the record in the Hackenschmidt floor press, lying on the ground to press the weight up, and set new records in Cyr press, a one-handed dumbbell press (161 pounds), and Habecker lift - a barbell starts at one-third his height; contestants squat down to use elbows, standing up with it (430 pounds).

“Not so much pressure as normal in this contest because you get to pick the weight attempts. Getting those records was very satisfying. I’ve been competing now for 13 years straight and earlier this year I won my first strongman contest after all these years.

“I checked a lot of boxes this year,” he said.

Desplenter does strength, education and coaching with his Tillsonburg business Strength Intelligence, which focuses on strength training, getting stronger for sports, and sports rehab.

He started his lifting career as a power-lifter, as many strongman competitors do.

“Power-lifting is basically a squat, a deadlift and a bench press. You’re in one spot lifting weights. Basically, strongman is where we pick up the heavy objects and we run with them.”

Desplenter said he transitioned into strongman with the idea that he would do it while he was younger.

“As I get older, I’ll probably get back to power-lifting.”

The fifth strongest man in his division, he qualified for strongman nationals this year, but will not be competing in Calgary. The True North True Strength Open ended his season and he will get back to traditional strongman events next year.

chris@granthaven.com