Alhambra native ranks among world’s most powerful men
Most people would be happy to be known as the eighth-strongest man in the world. But not Mike Sidwell.
The Alhambra native said he could have had a better competition for Team USA at the Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships March 3-6 at Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, which featured more than 18,000 athletes competing in 50 sports, 14 of which are Olympic-level.
“Everything was right going in, but it just wasn’t my day, which is even harder to swallow,” said Sidwell, who competed in the showing the 175-pound division. “I need reason. So, back to the drawing board. I have to reach a level that — even an off day — is a great day.”
COMPETITION RESULTS
In the log clean and press to start the World Championships, Sidwell did the necessary four repetitions of 270 pounds in the 60-second time frame.
Next, he had to carry a 570-pound car frame 60 feet in the fastest time he could post.
“I put the work in, and my grip is stronger than ever,” Sidwell said. “Only a few people finished the frame. People that never fail grip events didn’t finish. It’s no excuse, but it made this easier to swallow. My grip has been my weak point since starting this sport. Since prepping for this contest, I’ve never been stronger. It’s not strong enough though. Until it is, there’s nothing to celebrate. Only a few athletes finished the frame Friday (March 4). Athletes that have grips of steel dropped it. The grip was powder coated, a.k.a., slippery. Those are excuses though. That’s the easy way out. I despise excuses. Improve or die. I will continue progressing until I surpass them all.”
In the 525-pound axle deficit deadlift (basically pulling the bar off the top of the lifter’s feet), Sidwell recorded zero reps in the 60 seconds.
“This is the event that will haunt me until I return,” he said. “I trained for it to go up and knew it was going up. It didn’t go up.”
In the keg/keg/sandbag medley (a.k.a., “death medley”), Sidwell easily did the first two kegs and was moving on to the sandbag finish.
“I made a deal with myself going into this event that I could die on this event, because it was our last,” he said. “Give it everything I had to finish, because there’s nothing after. A part of me is forever on that field now. I went out and collapsed to my knees with the bag still in my arms. The one technical error we found from the weekend — picking the sandbag too low — led to this. I willed myself up and inched toward the line. I went down yet again. The bag had just a couple inches to go. I stood up and flipped it over. I finished and never quit. And, I never will.”
SPECIAL MOMENT
As he walked off the field after the competition, Sidwell completely collapsed.
“This ended up being one of the most special moments of the weekend,” he said. “Zach Hadge, who turned pro this weekend and will be going against the Giants at the World’s Strongest Man next year, carried me off the field.”
Hadge’s words to Sidwell will forever resonate with him: “What you just did is one of the most impressive things I’ve ever seen in this sport. You have more heart than anyone I know. You are an inspiration to us. No one trains harder than you… Your day is coming.”
Unfortunately, Sidwell was not one of the select four individuals who advanced to the second day of the competition. However, he is pumped up with the drive and motivation to earn a podium finish next year.
“I love the sport, every minute aspect,” he said. “And when I set a very specific goal, I put everything into it and will continue to do so until I achieve it. That goal guides everything I do.”
INTRODUCTION TO THE SPORT
Sidwell, who is a critical care registered nurse and at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis as well as a critical care travel R.N., found bodybuilding during his senior year of high school. After training for eight years, Sidwell got to step on a stage to compete in the second largest bodybuilding show in the U.S.
“I believe there were 300 competitors and several thousand in attendance,” he said. “It was a great journey, but something was always missing. A friend suggested Strongman. I didn’t realize it was even an option. The U.S. Strongman president lived in St. Louis and had all of the equipment in a small training center — car deadlift, stones, logs, yokes and everything I had seen on ESPN. I was hooked the first day.”
WANTING MORE
Sidwell has now competed in the sport of Strongman for six years.
“It’s been a great ride so far,” he said. “I’ve met so many amazing friends throughout the U.S. and world. The sport has contributed to my entire life since starting.”
But he wants that’s title.
“When I began this sport, I set my long-term goal to win the National Championships for my weight class. This year’s nationals slightly changed that. Finishing in the top six earned me a qualification to represent Team USA at the World Championships,” he said. “I still want a national title but recognize I am a legitimate contender to be the the best in the world.”
Sidwell trains at JD’s Gym, which is located at 3542 Lemay Ferry Road in St. Louis’ South County. The gym offers Strongman, MMA, powerlifting and normal gym equipment.
“It’s the greatest atmosphere and group of people I’ve ever been around. The Daltons, the owners of JD’s Gym, are some of the best people you’ll ever meet,” he said.
He has already started training for next year.
“I am counting down the days til the 2017 World Championships,” he said. “I’ve never failed in this sport, only won or given myself opportunities to grow and improve. This will prove to be the greatest opportunity yet. I see nothing but the podium next year.”
This story was originally published March 16, 2016 at 5:30 AM with the headline "Alhambra native ranks among world’s most powerful men."