Campbells Creek resident Jane Laidler has qualified to compete in the Official Strongman Games – World Titles in the United States in December.
The beauty therapist and former local postie has been quietly toiling away in the gym for the past 18 months honing her craft and building her strength. She qualified for the World Titles online following some terrific success on the Aussie OSG circuit.
Jane performed well at the National Championships in Toowoomba, Queensland, in March and claimed the Western Australian Women’s Masters Champion title in July. As a result, her top 10 status earned her a spot in the Open Women’s division at the international event.
Jane’s friend Michelle Gibson is thrilled for the humble quiet achiever and has launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist Jane to make her dream to attend the Wisconsin competition a reality.
“Anyone who knows Jane knows that she shies away from the limelight, but what she has achieved is absolutely remarkable,” Michelle said.
“We are so proud of her and we want to see her give this opportunity her all so we urge local residents to donate whatever they can!
“We want to help cover her travel costs, entry fees and expenses, but also as a local businesswoman we want to alleviate the pressure as she will miss out on work and an income during her time overseas.”
Jane has always loved being active.
She holds a brown belt in Shito Ryu Karate and has won countless trophies, shields and ribbons competing at the Daylesford Speedway having followed her father Dennis and uncle Paul Laidler into the sport.
Jane is also a motorcycle licence testing officer at Austlink in Bendigo.
Her latest journey began a few years ago when she started swimming in the local Castlemaine Fitness Centre pool to further her fitness levels.
This then inspired her to join the Maine Fitness gym, who fully supported her in attaining her fitness goals.
Eighteen months ago, Jane started with Warrior Fit Strength Studio in Golden Square, under the coaching expertise of Sharlene ‘Charlie’ Lendon and Arron Lightburn, who incidentally are both attending the OSG finals in the US as competitors.
She has since participated in numerous competitions all over Australia including; Tasmania’s Strongest in Hobart 2023, Victoria’s Strongest Qualifier 2023, Australia’s Strongest Title Series in Toowoomba in March, and Western Australia’s Strongest in Perth in July.
Jane won Victorian Women’s Masters Champion 2023, finished second at the LDS Melbourne (Log Dead Stone) event in May 2024 and capped this off with the Western Australian Women’s Masters Champion Title in July 2024.
This passion and dedication has been rewarded by her selection for the Official Strongman Games – World Titles in Madison, Wisconsin from December 5-8.
Jane and her central Victorian colleagues will compete against 400 strongmen and women from across the world in four events – the log press, a car walk, sandbag medley and an axle deadlift.
Jane competing in the Open Women’s, Charlie in the Women’s under 73kg, and Arron in the Men’s under 80kg class.
The top 10 athletes in each division will progress to the final where they will compete in a wrecking ball hold, Atlas Stones series and a sandbag toss.
The trio is training four times a week in preparation for the showdown and are scheduled to jet off on November 28.
Jane thanked her coaches Charlie and Arron, and her family and friends for their encouragement and support. She was also touched by the support from the local community to date.
“I’m really looking forward to representing Australia, giving the comp my all, and making everyone back home proud!” she said.
Those who would like to donate to assist Jane to achieve her goal, can visit: gofund.me/d923cb52
