4. Varya Akulova – Started Training When She Was 4 Days Old
When Varya Akulova was born, it was clear that her parents had big plans for her. Her father Yuri and mom Larysa were both professional weightlifters that met each other when working in a traveling circus. Yuri started training Varya when she was 4 days old, saying in an interview “I was determined right from the start that our tiny Varya would become the strongest girl in the entire world….[I] tied heavy bolts to her arms and legs, so that as she moved around in her cot she had to use her muscles.”
When she was 18 months she was participating in the circus, by the time she was 4 she was able to lift 56 pounds and by 5 she was able to lift an astonishing 196 pounds.
She’s only moved up from there and at 14 years old was able to lift 660 pounds. Some experts believe her strength also partially comes from special genes that were passed down through her ancestors.
When talking about her life, Varya said “People might think it’s strange to find I’m so strong. They probably think I should be into clothes, makeup and music – girlie things like that. But I’m happy with my life. I just have to be careful around my friends, though. I pushed a boy at school who was teasing me and he flew several yards through the air. I don’t know my own strength.”
She continued, “I enjoy it all…the training, the traveling, the competition and the crowds. I love my life. And one day I will be an Olympic champion.”
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