By Daniel Noble
LOCAL athletes Norman Mawhinney and Amanda Perry were crowned Hyrox world champions at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, on Sunday.
Comber’s Mawhinney, 68, and Newtownards’ Perry, 53, entered the competition as European champions and world record holders, competing in the age 60-64 mixed doubles – a category they were placed in based on their average age.
The gruelling course consisted of a 1km ski machine, 153kg sled push, 103kg sled pull, 80m burpee broad jumps, 1km row, 24kg kettle bell farmer’s carry for 200m, 20kg sandbag walking lunges for 100m and 6kg wall balls, with a 1km run before each section.
The pair completed their round in 1:08:57, just over two minutes slower than the world record time (1:06:42) they set in February, to claim top spot on the podium and get their hands on the coveted winners’ flag.
It is the first time they have reigned on top of the world, and Scrabo Striders athlete Mawhinney was not hiding his excitement.NEWTOWNARDS,
“It feels incredible. I’ve been a world champion before, having won the 65+ World Marathon Championships title in Chicago, but I’ve only been involved in Hyrox for one year,” he said.
Ballydrain Harriers member Perry was more reserved in her expressions after securing world championship glory, saying: “I’ve been a runner, played hockey
and enjoyed sport all my life. I love a challenge and Hyrox is the new fad, so I decided to give it a go, and it’s certainly been worth it.”
Mawhinney was the person who convinced fellow runner Perry to join him in the challenging world of Hyrox, but he only got involved himself at the request of a friend.
“Nic Stirk, who I know through my parkrun ambassador role, invited me to partner him in doubles at the Cardiff Hyrox last May. We won on what was our first attempt as a duo, and I was addicted from that point on,” he explained.
Not only did Run Hub gym owner Mawhinney partner Perry for the mixed doubles in Stockholm, he also competed in the men’s singles and teamed up with Stirk for the men’s doubles across a threeday event.
Friday’s singles and Saturday’s men’s doubles action also bred success for the 68-year-old, as he finished runner-up in both competitions.
Mawhinney now boasts a champions’ flag and two runner-up flags on the global stage, but he explains it has not come without hard work, dedication and sacrifice.
“I put in lots of training. As a runner, I came into Hyrox without enough strength, so I’ve been taking 11 individual classes a week at Ards Blair Mayne Leisure Centre.
“The coaches there are very strong and encouraging. Head coach Aaron Bell and his team have been a great help for me, and if I didn’t have those facilities, I wouldn’t have achieved what I have.”
Last weekend’s success may remain fresh in the memory for Mawhinney, but that has not stopped him from setting new targets for himself.
“I’m currently 68 and will be 70 by the time the 2028 Hyrox World Championships come around, so my main aim is going there and making the 70+ world record tumble,” he added.
“Next year, the world championships are in Hong Kong. My aims there will be to defend the mixed doubles title and add the singles title to my collection.”
