|
|
< Back
| Date Added: 27th Feb 2008 |
|
|
|
|
 |
 Stuart Leng has been the voice of X Training for years . He has continually commentated at most competitions, keeping the crowd entertained and competitors updated on race information. His knowledge and understanding of the sport has been without doubt a huge influence on anybody who has competed in any X Training event and recognised by Sky Sports as the one person they would turn to for information.
Not only that he created the Indoor Ironman an event that has run for over ten years - with the finest X Trainers in the UK battling it out to be the champion of the hardest Indoor Challenge event of them all.
There will probably be those that disagree that this one event is harder then others, but when your heart rate is pretty well maxed out after the first event in X Training - they are all exceptionally hard at this level (Advanced)
Stuart talks candidly about the sport, with some serious points thrown and some light humor too.
Worldgymchallenge acknowledges the service that Stuart Leng has brought to this very fine sport and wishes him well for the future and hopes that the Indoor Ironman will continue to be hosted annually with Stuart's influence and input. It would be a tragedy for this event not to take place |
| How would you describe somebody who attempts the Ironman/Woman ? |
| Anyone who attempts the Ironman is a true x-trainer. They are prepared to take on an event which is not their ideal, but offers a challenge that they just cannot resist, irrespective of how long it will take them and where they will finish. Someone like Pete Abraham, who is an Intermediate athlete, but will again do the Ironman this year, typifies for me, a true X-Training gladiator. |
|
Pete Abraham |
|
|
| What qualities do those people possesses half way round the course? |
| Bearing in mind that the competitors still have the Bench Jumps, 10% Run, Shoulder Press and weight carry still to doat the halfway point, they will need to possess endurance, strength, determination and a lot of courage, particulation if they are feeling exhausted at that point |
|
Marie Mitchell |
|
|
| How many events have you completed? |
| I wouldn't have a clue how many competitions I have completed, as I don't keep records. Bearing in mind how many years that I have been competiting, it must be over 100 |
|
Farouk Vawda |
|
|
| What was your most memorable event? |
| My most memorable events are from commentating, not competiting! The ones that spring to mind are the last X-Zone and the last two Superteams, which were held at Cosford. Such a brilliant venue and so many great athletes on show. Being asked by Sky Sports to commentate on the Superteams events is definitely the highlight of my rapidly fading X-Training career. The last Tropicana, which was my first national event and the first Boxfit are also high up on my list. |
|
Kirsty Read |
|
|
|
|
| Who would you like to see race one on one in the film character world ? |
| I would like to see Bruce Willis (Detective Mclaine) race Matt Damon (Jason Bourne) |
|
Haley Powell |
|
|
| Who would you like to see race in the fitness world ? |
In the fitness world. I once saw Steve Redgrave and James Cracknell have an awesome race at the British Indoor Rowing Championships and would love to have seen them go head to head in the Ironman.
|
|
Sam Orgee |
|
|
| If there was a time where X Training was recognised as a single sport – how would you see the events Calendar run ie Only National – International – World? |
| I can't envisage a time when X-training will be envisaged as a single sport. It's too diverse and I don't believe the level of participation will facilitate it. |
|
| What would you like to personally see happen to the sport? |
| I thought 2007 was the best year ever for participation and the range and quality of events. Having been at Calso last week I am very concerned at the poor entry for such a great competition and venue-it was an insult to Gary and Becky, who have done more for this sport than anybody. I fear a major drop in participation, particularly in the Grand Prix. My biggest disappointment and I share my part of the blame, is the failure to bring all the X-Training organisations together under one national organisation and the standardisation of rules for the exercises. That's why I shall be falling on my sword at the end of the year and withdrawing totally from the X-training scene. Hopefully a few new faces can rectify our previous failings. I had hoped that we might have progressed to a North and South Grand Prix, with maybe a Best of the Best at the end of it. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Finally – Y|our top ten X Trainers of the Ironman of all time (male and Female) |
| My top ten in no order are :
Micky White, Rob Volpe, Lee Rankin, Hywel Davies, Michele Parsons, Sue Regan-Watts, Gill Watson, Kirk Gibbons, Adam Horder and Kirsty Reid.
|
|
|
|
|
