Kettle king Gary is on top of world after gold strike
ARMY veteran Gary Rothwell has been crowned a double gold medal winner after landing two titles at the World Kettlebell Sport Championships.
Gary, 41, won gold in the open age and veteran categories at the championships in Greece.
The former army officer, who now runs Forever Strong Fitness and Performance in Newbold, competes in the Long Cycle contest using two 24kg kettlebells.
He was up against the best from around the world with the contestant who completes the most reps during a ten minute period, without putting down the weights, taking the title.
Gary, who has been married to wife Gill for 13 years, said: “When it kicked in that I had won I was over the moon.
“But at the time the pain and the 28 degree heat was too much for it to actually sink in.”
And all this after competing in the sport of kettlebells for just two years.
Gary joined the army at the age of 16 serving all over the world including Afghanistan and was in the force until he turned 40.
But on leaving, he set up his gym and took up the sport of kettlebells.
He added: “I started Kettlebell Sport in March 2015 having given up team sports due to injuries. I attended a convention and saw a demonstration of it and thought it would be good for my competitive nature.
“I compete in an exercise called Long Cycle. We are split into weight categories similar to boxers. You then do 10 minutes and the person in the weight category with the most reps wins.”
Gary, who trains in kettlebells three times a week, is now aiming for the British Championships on 4 November where he plans to increase the weights he uses to 32kg kettlebells.
He said: “Normally, guys start with the 32 kg kettlebells in their early 20s and here I am starting with them in my early 40s!
“The long term aim is to next year go back and compete as a professional with the 32 kg kettlebells.”