The Grand Prix, a four-round competition held across Melbourne and Geelong, tested athletes’ power, endurance and resolve through classic strongman events such as deadlifts, stone loads, carries and vehicle pulls.
Across the season, Benalla was represented by Rebecca Mudd, Eliza Walker, Jack Bennett and Meaghan Yamin, who each brought home personal bests and impressive results.
In the final round, Eliza Walker took first place in the Women’s under-73 kg division, dominating every event on the day and every round of the entire series to finish as overall series champion.
Her clean sweep across all four Grand Prix competitions cements her position as one of the top emerging athletes in the state. Like many others in the sport, Walker said what she values most is the culture that surrounds it, one built on encouragement and camaraderie rather than rivalry.
“Strongman is such a welcoming environment,” she said.
“Everyone cheers for each other, and no matter who you are or where you start, someone is always in your corner.”
Rebecca Mudd continued her consistent run in the Women’s Masters division, finishing second at the final round and first overall in the series. Her performance in the tractor pull earned her a new personal best, and she reflected on the friendships that form within the sport.
“Through this sport, you will meet the most beautiful people from faraway places,” she said.
“You’ll cheer for them and they’ll cheer for you, because everyone just wants to see each other succeed. No matter what your starting point is, there’s something for everyone, and you’re stronger than you know.”
Jack Bennett claimed third place at the Royal Geelong Show in the under-90 kg division, rounding out his third year in the sport and securing first place overall in the series. For him, strongman is about more than just numbers on a scoreboard.
“There’s always something in this sport that you’ll be good at,” Bennett said.
“You might not be the strongest in static lifts, but maybe you can move fast under load, have great grip strength, or you’re just pig-headed enough to make it work. You discover a lot about your own strengths and weaknesses, not just physically, but as a person.”
Competing in just her second ever strongman event, Meaghan Yamin achieved three new personal bests in the Novice Female division. For her, the day was less about rankings and more about belonging.
“What I love most about strongman is its inclusiveness,” she said.
“No matter your age, gender, background or body type, you’re welcomed and celebrated.”
Every Benalla athlete achieved at least one personal best during the final event, an impressive testament to months of preparation, travel and commitment. The under-90 kg and Novice Female divisions were particularly competitive on the day, making their results all the more meaningful.
Benalla’s collective performances saw Mudd, Walker and Bennett all crowned series champions in their respective divisions, a remarkable achievement for a regional town competing against much larger metropolitan clubs.
The group trains locally, often meeting for informal weekend sessions to push each other through self-directed programs. Their teamwork and consistency have built a small but determined community that’s quickly earning recognition across the state.
Looking ahead, the team has set its sights on Victoria’s Strongest next year, the official qualifying event for the Australian Strongman Championships, where they’ll look to continue representing Benalla on the national stage.
The Victorian Grand Prix Series will also return next season, offering more opportunities for new and returning athletes to compete.
The group encourages anyone interested in testing their strength to get involved. Whether you’re an experienced lifter or just curious to try, strongman offers something for everyone, a chance to challenge yourself, discover your potential and join a community that celebrates every effort.
That same momentum will continue to grow with the upcoming Rose City Classic, a new strongman event planned for late 2026. Designed to showcase both seasoned competitors and first-time lifters, the Classic will bring strength sport back home to Benalla, giving locals a chance to see the excitement of strongman up close and inspire the next generation of athletes.
As the final scores of the Victorian Grand Prix are confirmed, Benalla’s representatives have achieved something special, proving that small-town determination can hold its own on the state stage, and that this is only the beginning.
