‘I’m the fittest woman in Australia!’
Meet the real-life Australian Ninja Warrior who took on the world’s strongest women – and won!
They sure breed them tough in Queensland. Standing at just 158cm and weighing 58kg, tenacious Gladstone local Tia-clair Toomey has just been crowned the fittest woman on Earth after winning the gruelling Crossfit Games on her third attempt.
The 24-year-old champion stood proudly on the podium earlier this month and sent a special wave to the man who inspired her – fiance and coach Shane Orr, 28.
“He will say it is all me, but without his encouragement, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Tia tells Woman’s Day from New York, just days after securing gold at the Games in Madison, Wisconsin.
Jockey-sized Tia opened the punishing four-day program with an impressive win in the Run Swim Run — a 500m swim, sandwiched between a pair of 2.4km runs. By the end of the 13 events, it came down to a nailbiting finish, with unstoppable Tia clinching victory by just two points over fellow Australian Kara Webb.
“I was so emotional,” she says. “If you stay focused on your goal, anything is possible.”
Growing up in the cane fields of Queensland, Tia made the decision at a very young age to be a champion – she just wasn’t sure in which sport.
“I remember I was seven, it was the Sydney Olympics, and as a mad sporting family we were glued to the TV,” she says. “I was already in Little Athletics, and while I loved track and field, it was weightlifting that caught my eye.”
Years later, Tia discovered Crossfit – a fitness program that includes high intensity training, Olympic weightlifting, gymnastics, calisthenics and a handful of other demanding disciplines.
“I got hooked on Olympic weightlifting and was selected to represent Australia at last year’s Rio Games – I placed 14th. To wear the green and gold was a real honour,” she says proudly.
“I’m now training for next year’s Commonwealth Games. It will be amazing to represent my country in my home state.”
But first there’s a new goal on Tia’s bucket list– she wants to be one of the first women to climb that infamous wall on Nine’s Australian Ninja Warrior !
“You bet I’ll be there – that’s if I qualify!” she says. “It’s an amazing show, particularly for our junior generation who are hooked on the notion that it’s cool to be fit.
“Being fit is not rocket science – just work hard, have a goal and give it your best shot. If I can do it, anyone can!”
‘Have a goal and give it your best shot. If I can do it, anyone can!’ Tia’s abs-olutely amazin g!