Ettiene Smit

Etienne Smit – South Africa

How many hours per day do you train? 2.5 hours

How many days do you train per week? 4-6 days

What does your training involve?

Weights, strongman events, cardiovascular (cycling, jogging, swimming)

What does your diet normally consist of?

Breakfast: Protein shake, cereal.

Later; eggs, meat, 2 slices of toast, rusks and coffee!

Lunch 300-650g protein (beef, chicken or fish, carbs, veg and salad

Dinner: Protein shake after training.

Then 300g-600g protein, carbs, veg and salad

What made you want to become a strongman?

I have always been competing in athletics and have been a provincial rugby player. I started training in the gym and a friend entered me in a strongman competition. I won and the bug bit me.

How old were you when you started training and competing in strongman?

I started training at 24 and competed in my first competition when I was 26 years old!

What is your greatest strongman achievement?

6 times South African strongman and being invited to World’s Strongest Man

How do you manage to balance work and training for strongman?

It is difficult finding time to train with a full time career but I manage to make time to train because this is what I love!

What is the worst injury you have ever had?

Biceps and calf injuries!

What are your plans after your strongman career?

To carry on with my full time career. To train and still be part of strongman as an organiser and supporter

What has been your biggest disappointment whilst training as a strongman?

Being injured and not being able to train

What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a strongman?

To give your all and never give up

What is your favourite strongman event and why?

Tyreflip – it’s an event that comes naturally to me

What is you least favourite strongman event and why?

Hercules hold – for me it is an uncomfortable and painful exercise

Which current strongman do you admire now & why?

Zydrunas Savickas – he’s got amazing strength and has achieved a lot and still stays like a gentle giant

How do you prepare yourself for major events?

Stay focussed and alter my training programme and diet accordingly

What is your favourite other sporting event?

Rugby

What do you do to relax? Do you have any hobbies?

Socialise with friends, doing woodwork and watersports. I also enjoy the Bushveld and hunting

What would be your favourite type of holiday and destination?

Relaxing on the South African coast

What is your favourite film?

Cliffhanger

What car do you drive now and what car would you like to drive?

I currently drive a Ford Focus but would like to drive a nice custom built Wrangler Jeep

What personal achievement are you most proud of?

I’ve been achieving in all sports from a young age. But my strongman achievements will be my greatest

Who is your biggest threat for 2009 and why?

Mariusz, Derek Poundstone and Big Z. I think they are awesome athletes

If you could saint a sports person who would it be?

Os du Randt

Other information

I started doing strongman at the age of 26 and I have become SA’s strongest man in 5 years. I’ve had the opportunity to compete internationally but because of financial difficulties I couldn’t do as much as I would have liked to! Currently I own a restaurant in Pretoria, South Africa which takes up most of my time.

General stats:

Leg press max weight: 920 kg

Bench press max weight: 240 kg

Squat max: 290 kg Dead lift max: 405 kg