Washington woman competes in “World’s Strongest Firefighter” contest
Wendi Wentzell represented the South Strabane Township Fire Department in Columbus, Ohio, this past weekend as she took part in the “World’s Strongest Firefighter” contest.
“World’s Strongest Firefighter” is part of the annual Arnold Sports Festival. Named for actor, bodybuilder and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, each year an international group of athletes takes part in a series of strength competitions in the “Arnold Strongman Classic” and the “Arnold Strongwoman Classic.” The offshoot competition for firefighters began in 2020.
Wentzell, 41, of Washington, has been with the South Strabane Fire Department for three years. She is a full-time career firefighter and EMT. She placed fifth in her division.
“I was actually going to compete last year,” Wentzell said Monday, adding she was unable to do so for personal reasons, but was still able to attend as a spectator.
“I made sure to do everything I could this year to actually compete.”
Wentzell said much of her “fun time” away from the fire department was spent getting ready for the competition.
“I spent the last year doing a few local competitions. I hired a coach from Maryland,” Wentzell said.
When it came time to compete, the men were divided into three weight categories and women into two categories. The top two from each category competed in the finals on Saturday.
“The men and women are competing against each other. The woman that placed first in my division went on to place third overall. She’s incredible,” Wentzell said.
Competitors were not separated by age, which Wentzell felt was her biggest disadvantage.
“Another 10 to 15 years on the joints, it makes a big difference,” Wentzell said.
Some of the events included the “cerberus bag toss,” which had athletes tossing increasingly heavy bags over a bar, and the “yoke/wheelbarrow race.”
For the race, Wentzell explained that they had to carry a 500-pound yoke over their back a certain length, and then return while pushing the yoke like a wheelbarrow.
Events such as these feed directly back into Wentzell’s duties as a firefighter.
“I see a lot of direct correlation with the strength aspect of my job, and that’s why I really enjoy it,” Wentzell said.