Strength master, Frankie Harman is the only New Zealand women to be heading to London for Static Monsters World Championships, 2023.

Held from July 28-30, Static Monsters World Championships is a Log Lift and Axle Deadlift competition attracting men and women from across the world to stake their claim as monsters of strength.

Last October, Frankie competed in the Static Monsters Worldwide competition held in Manawatu.

With an impressive 72.5kg on the Log Lift and a 210kg Axle Deadlift – Frankie placed eighth in the world for her category – securing her spot at this year’s world championships in London.

“I didn’t expect to finish in the top ten because there was about 66 women in the masters group from all over the world and I was like: ‘What?!’ and then had a little cry,” says Frankie.

Surrounded by strength

Frankie has been strength training and competing for the past four years.

“Back in 2019 my mum passed away and so when I came back from Fiji my friend told me to try strongman to help distract me.”

She then started training will fellow strongman competitor Rich Farrell who is internationally ranked – winning Oceanias Strongest 2022. Rich encouraged her to start competing.

“I said: ‘No I’m too scared – everything’s too scary’ but then I competed in 2019 and I’ve been doing Static Monsters ever since.”

Frankie doesn’t have to look far to see examples of strong woman either. “My friend Gabi Dixson is the fifth strongest woman in the whole world and we train together with Rich.”

Inspirational mum

As a mother of five and a full-time worker, Frankie keeps herself busy but makes sure she has time for her training. 

Preparing for London, she will be training four times a week at her gym Fitness On Fire in Papamoa. “During the holidays I have more time to myself because my husband’s at home as well but it is hard to balance.”

Although it may be a juggling act, Frankie says her kids are her why for her strength competing. “I do it to inspire my children.”

She says that her kids think that the fact she can pull a truck’s weight is pretty impressive, not to mention cool.

“My younger ones want to be like me when they grow up.”

Looking ahead to London’s championships, Frankie has her goals locked and loaded. “I want to finish in the top five.

“I will try to get 75kg with the Log Lift and probably 230kg with the Axle Deadlift.”

Frankie has family and friends living in London who will be cheering her on.

“I’m excited to meet the fellow athletes I follow on Instagram, see people I haven’t seen in years from my family and being amongst world class athletes.”

To help support Frankie get to London for the world champs visit: givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-frankie-get-to-london-to-represent-nz-at

Credit: Sunlive.co.nz