Central Texas duo to compete in Official Strongman Games World Final

WACO, Texas (KWTX) – In about two months, a pair of Central Texans will make a visit to Arlington in hopes of being topped the strongest particular person on this planet.

“This is our biggest strongman competition there is out there,” mentioned Jade Dickens, a retired educator from Gatesville who’s set to compete within the video games.

Ian Bracken can be set to compete; he echoed an identical sentiment.

“Outside of the TV show ‘The World’s Strongest Man’, it’s the only way to get the title of ‘World’s Strongest Man’ for any class that’s not the super heavyweight open,” he mentioned.

Both competed within the Official Strongman Games World Final final yr.

However, they’ve been laying the groundwork for an look on the world stage for years.

“It’s pretty awesome watching men and women pick up cars and big stones,” mentioned Dickens.

“I told my husband 25 years ago, I said, ‘this is something I’d like to do,’ and I’ve been doing it ever since.”

Bracken is just a little bit newer to the scene.

He was a soccer participant at Baylor University within the early 2000s, and says he’s all the time had a ardour for competitors.

After selecting up powerlifting round 2010, he says balancing the game with different obligations in his life caught as much as him.

“I got up to 380 pounds and almost 40% body fat, which was pretty bad,” he mentioned.

In 2020, Bracken was in a position to choose up the game once more and set a brand new objective.

“My goal initially was that I wanted to bench press 400 pounds on my 40th birthday,” he mentioned.

“Because in college, one of my buddies’ fathers did that while we were playing college football. So we all made an agreement that we were going to try to do that.”

Bracken hit that objective rapidly, earlier than setting the bar even increased.

“I’m the kind of person who needs a large goal so I keep chasing,” he mentioned.

“My first TikTok video ever was, I’m coming for that trophy, World’s strongest man 2024.”

Bracken positioned fifteenth within the competitors final yr.

While that was in need of his objective of ending within the high 10, it’s no small feat.

Especially for Bracken, who has Type 1 Diabetes.

This means he should take precautions, akin to carrying an insulin pump and monitoring his blood sugar ranges throughout occasions.

“My goal is to inspire people to say that even though you have these extra steps that you have to do, it doesn’t mean you can’t do it,” mentioned Bracken.

“It’s not a disability that will hold you back unless you let it. ”

As they inch nearer to the world closing, each athletes have an identical objective.

“The goal is definitely at least top 10 this year,” mentioned Bracken.

“I’d love nothing more than to get on that podium.”

“At least get one or two spots above 9th,” mentioned Dickens.

“That’s my realistic goal.”

The Official Strongman Games World Final is about for Nov. 20-23 in Arlington, Texas.

Copyright 2025 KWTX. All rights reserved.