National Post (National Edition)
World titles for Regina couple `exciting' and `pretty rare'
Strengthlete Clash victories in South Carolina
REGINA • Isaac Maze and Mel Peacock are the “world's strongest couple,” winning matching world champion titles at a strongman and strongwoman show in the U.S.
The Regina couple travelled to Hilton Head, S.C., on April 22-24 to compete at the 2022 Strengthlete Clash on the Coast, which attracts athletes from around the world for one of only a handful of international showcases on the circuit.
After a full round of qualifying events that narrowed 35 competitors down to finals over two days, Maze secured the title in the strongman competition in the under-105 kg division.
The following day Peacock also hit the top of the podium for the under-82 kg division in the women's invitational, out-lifting seven other athletes.
“It's exciting not only to win a world title but also it's probably pretty rare that it happens to two people from Saskatchewan, and who are dating and living together,” said Maze.
This was the first time a full women's competition was held at Clash, and Peacock took home a US$12,000 cash prize, the biggest cash prize offered in a strongwoman competition to date.
Peacock says she is excited to be the inaugural champion, and to see more doors opening for female competitors at big-ticket events.
“It's really cool to see how far females have come in the sport,” said Peacock.
“I think this is setting a standard now, like other promoters really have to step up their game to stay on the same level as Clash on the Coast.”
Collectively, the couple took home US$22,000 in prize money for their triumphs, in addition to the informal title of “world's strongest couple.”
Maze and Peacock met through their mutual interest in the sport after crossing paths in 2017 while competing in a competition in their home province of Saskatchewan.
Maze has been training since a group of friends convinced him to try strongman; Peacock since 2016 when her bodybuilding training led her to strongwoman.
“I tried it and fell in love with it,” said Maze.
Peacock said that having a partner who shares the same passion for such an intense sport is a big support — and sometimes an anxiety inducer, in the nitty-gritty of competition day.
“It can be a struggle at times, like when one's competing one day and the other person's competing the next day, you're torn between taking care of them but also taking care of yourself,” said Peacock.
“But all around, it's definitely more of a positive because we understand what we're going through, we understand each other's needs and our schedule. We live the same lifestyle.”
For both, their draw to the sport is twofold: the personal challenge of pushing their physical boundaries and the excitement of the competition.
“It's kind of cool to push yourself and push your body to the limits, but it's also cool because it's a really good spectator sport. Fans love it,” said Maze.
“Yeah, it's not like your typical strength sport, like powerlifting,” added Peacock. “It's really exciting to watch and as a competitor, it's really fun to have the crowd be that excited about what you're doing.”
Their combined successes at Clash was a big moment for Maze and Peacock, who train and compete outside of full-time jobs.
For the first time, the competition was televised on ESPN channels, drawing 2.2 million viewers. Not only was that exciting personally for the pair, they said it is excellent exposure for the strongman and strongwoman circuit.
“That's kind of what's needed to take the sport in the right direction,” said Peacock.