Mathew 'Matt' Ragg (born 21 September 1991) is a Strongman from New Zealand[1] and the reigning and six-times winner of New Zealand's Strongest Man competition.[2]
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| Nationality | New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 21 September 1991 New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Strongman | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 155–160 kg (342–353 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Background
editRagg started his sporting career as a sprinter but a recurring shin injury caused him to move towards weight training.[2] In 2013, he started competing in local strongman competitions and broke some national records in the process. This paved him to join 2016 Arnold Amateur World Championships, where he secured third place behind Zach Hadge and Evgeny Markov, resulting in his pro debut.[citation needed]
Following a hiatus due to COVID-19 pandemic,[3] Ragg competed at 2022 Official Strongman Games and won third place which qualified him for the World's Strongest Man.[4] At 2023 World's Strongest Man, he managed to qualify into the finals and emerged ninth place. At 2023 Giants Live World Tour Finals, he won second place behind Tom Stoltman and ahead of the reigning World's Strongest Man champion Mitchell Hooper.[citation needed]
In 2024, he won the Beasts of Burden competition by scoring 41 of a possible 45 points[4] Ragg came fourth place at the 2024 World's Strongest Man and Giants Live Strongman Classic.
Personal life
editRagg is of Samoan descent.[5] He works full time as a shift supervisor at McDonald's.[2]
Personal records
edit- Deadlift (Equipped) – 460 kg (1,014 lb)
- Deadlift (Raw) – 429 kg (946 lb) (2024 Strongest Man on Earth)
- Squat (Raw with wraps) – 320 kg (705 lb) x 5 reps
- Log press – 200 kg (441 lb)
- Axle press – 180 kg (397 lb)
- Circus Dumbbell press – 125 kg (276 lb)
- Keg toss – 15 kg (33 lb) over 7.32 metres (24 ft 0 in) (2024 Strongest Man on Earth)
- Manhood Stone (Max Atlas Stone) – 220 kg (485 lb) over 4 ft bar
References
edit- ^ "Mathew Ragg". Strongman Archives. 21 January 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ a b c "MATHEW RAGG". giants-live.com. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ ""Right before the truck-pull, I'm just thinking about not dying" – Strongman Matt Ragg". Hanalei Foliaki for TP+. 15 April 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ a b "2024 Beasts of Burden Results — Mathew Ragg Dominates". Phil Blechman for Barbend. 22 January 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ ""Right before the truck-pull, I'm just thinking about not dying" – Strongman Matt Ragg". Hanalei Foliaki for TP+. 15 April 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
External links
edit- Mathew Ragg on Instagram