Unstoppable Pete Linnett: Britain’s Disabled Strongman Champion
Pete Linnett, a 59-year-old weightlifting enthusiast from Glen Parva, has been crowned Britain’s Disabled Strongman, proving that his spina bifida is no match for his indomitable spirit.
Inspired by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Pete’s journey into weightlifting began in his teens.
It transformed him from an inactive youngster into a formidable competitor.
Pete recalls, “I was really inactive for the first 14 years of my life. I used to play instruments but I was piling the weight on, and I had to do something about it, so I went on this massive diet.
“I had no idea what I was doing, but I used to attend a night school that had a gym, so I started out lifting with my cousin. I did that for two years, and then I started getting into bench pressing – you don’t need to stand to do that, so I really enjoyed it, and It was what I excelled at. And the TV show Pumping Iron also inspired me.”
His first taste of competition came in the early 1990s when he entered the British Bench Press Championships, securing second place.
This led to an invitation to the Barcelona Paralympics and a journey that took him as far as Dubai, where he ranked 18th in the world.
Despite not making the Olympic cut, Pete’s passion for the sport remained undimmed. He went on to win the World Bench Press Championships four times and triumphed at the Arnold Sports Festival in Ohio.
In 2015, Pete discovered the World’s Strongest Disabled Man competition on the radio. He entered and won, showcasing his strength in events like the giant dumbbell press, a 300-kilo sledge pull, and a farmer’s hold with 150 kilos.
Pete’s grit and determination saw him outlast his competitors. “The pain was absolutely unbelievable,” Pete said. “But I managed a minute and 10 seconds. The other two competitors only managed to do half a minute.”
Pete’s story is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance, as well as the results of sticking to workout routines.
He says, “I was going to the loo every five minutes out of nerves, but it’s a real buzz for me. I don’t consider myself anything special. I’m just a normal person that’s got a passion for sport, and if I can do it, anyone can do it.”
This month, Pete will compete in the World Strength Games in Florida.
He’s also planning a unique fundraising effort for spinal research, promising to bench press every five minutes for as long as it takes his training partner to complete the London Marathon next year.
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