Anne Butters is officially the Strongest Woman in Canada in her weight class.

Butters won the top spot in the U73 kg amateur category at the Strongman National Championships held at the Minto Armoury in Winnipeg on Oct. 20.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 pretty cool,B次元官网网址� Butters said when asked what it feels like to be a national champion in the niche sport.

B次元官网网址淭o be first at nationals was my goal from the beginning.B次元官网网址�

Butters had been focused on cross-fit training for eight years when the opportunity presented itself to give strongman a try in 2020. Strongman is a weightlifting-based sport where athletes compete in several events to prove their strength, speed and endurance.

Since Butters discovered the sport, she just did this one thing: she worked out three hours a day, four days a week for three years.

B次元官网网址淚 just do what IB次元官网网址檓 told,B次元官网网址� Butters said of her training sessions, which are created for her by her trainer/coach, Dorell Petties. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 the mastermind behind it all.B次元官网网址�

Born and raised in Williams Lake by her parents Heidi and Herb, Butters has always been athletic, and humble. She played on the local rugby team, where she gravitated to the inclusive, supportive feeling of that sport; something she said feels very similar to the sport of strongman.

While she attended university for environmental engineering at UNBC, Butters worked summers as a BC Wildfire Service firefighter at the Cariboo Fire Centre. Once she graduated from school and hit the workforce in her chosen profession, however, she soon realized she had lost her interest in environmental engineering.

B次元官网网址淚 realized relatively quickly it wasnB次元官网网址檛 for me long-term B次元官网网址� the fulfilment just wasnB次元官网网址檛 there,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淛ust because youB次元官网网址檙e good at something doesnB次元官网网址檛 mean you like it.B次元官网网址�

Butters switched career paths to something she was familiar with, firefighting, and headed off to Cranbrook to attend the fire services training program for six months at the College of the Rockies. Her time at the fire centre in Williams Lake gave her the confidence to move into structural protection.

Once she turned her efforts to becoming a firefighter, she took physical fitness more seriously.

B次元官网网址淚 considered it a job requirement.B次元官网网址�

Eager to get to work, Butters applied for jobs across the province and country, and landed her first full-time job with the Grande Prairie Fire Department where she remains today.

Her shift work lends itself well to training as she works 24 hours on, 24 hours off, 24 hours on, followed by four days off.

She isnB次元官网网址檛 strict with her diet. Butters said she eats more now than ever, adding she is also known to partake in a B次元官网网址渇ire hall dietB次元官网网址� of nacho chips and ice cream sundaes. Generally, though, she eats a healthy, balanced diet and listens to her body.

Butters first competed in Strongman Nationals in 2020 and placed third. In 2022, she competed and placed second. This year, of course, she won first.

B次元官网网址淭hird timeB次元官网网址檚 a charm.B次元官网网址�

Butters competed in five different events over one day at nationals, with the keg-to-bar event being her highest placement.

In that last event of the day, competitors lifted a 200-pound keg filled with sand over a chest-high bar. Butters gave it everything she had left, lifting the keg over the bar eight times in 60 seconds.

B次元官网网址淚 knew I had to win that event to win.B次元官网网址�

ButtersB次元官网网址� rise to the top hasnB次元官网网址檛 been without its challenges. She has struggled with back strain during training, but credits a strong team of practitioners with keeping her competing.

She does plan to compete at nationals again next year, and said she will take it as it comes after that.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檒l just keep doing my thing.B次元官网网址�

In Grande Prairie, Butters has settled into life with her two dogs and partner Kyle, also a firefighter. The two are planning to get married next year.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 my No. 1 cheerleader,B次元官网网址� she said.

ButterB次元官网网址檚 sister, Jane, lives nearby in Tumbler Ridge with her young family, and her brother, Richard, lives in Williams Lake.

For anyone interested in trying a new sport, Butters encourages them to give it a try.

B次元官网网址淭he strongman community is incredible, very welcoming,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 highly recommend it to anyone. ItB次元官网网址檚 a very friendly sport. EverybodyB次元官网网址檚 cheering for you.B次元官网网址�