Mitch Labonte (MBC News photo)
A Perth strongman is preparing to take his hometown pride to an international stage.
Mitch Labonte says he did very well at his last event, he tells us about it.
Labonte has been training for more than 40 years and has spent the last several years competing in strongman events.
The sport can include everything from axle deadlifts and tire flips to stone lifts, stone carries and truck pulls.
The Perth athlete says getting ready for that kind of competition takes discipline, creativity and a willingness to put in the work wherever he can.
Labonte says he prefers an old-school approach, often training outdoors year-round and using natural objects as part of his workouts.
He says strongman competition is not just about the events themselves. For him, one of the biggest accomplishments is having the drive to get out there and keep pushing his limits.
Labonte has called Perth home for just over a decade, and says the town has become an important part of his story.
That support system matters as he prepares for the world stage. Labonte says the sport itself also has a strong sense of camaraderie, with competitors helping each other improve.
Labonte says he is proud to represent Perth when he heads to Utah next year.
With months of training still ahead, he says the goal is to stay ready, keep improving and carry the community’s support with him.
Listen to the full interview below.
