Rowan O’Malley from Britain is just ten, but the young lad has already become famous for his weightlifting records. Dubbed the “World’s Strongest Schoolboy,” Rowan holds three records in his age group. The talented kid performed a mind-boggling 281-pound deadlift, 220-pound squat, and 126.7-pound bench press at the USA Powerlifting Youth Nationals 2023. When kids are busy with schoolwork and scrolling social media, the Coventry-based kid is charting a powerlifting success story. However, his jaw-dropping record has evoked concern among adults worried about the impact of lifting heavily on growth.

Earlier, a post by Generation Iron celebrated the Strongest Boy’s triumphant saga while adding a link to the story in its bio. Furthermore, many famous strength athletes appreciated the post, including Kyle Landi, Canada’s first bodybuilder with Down syndrome. On the other hand, some netizens, albeit happy with Rowan’s success, raised an important question surrounding the linkages between age and growth. Let’s dig deeper.

Rowan O’Malley has big plans for his future

The English kid has just started, but he is already a star. Rowan appeared in many television interviews, talking about his process. The Generation Iron captioned the post, “Rowan O’Malley has set world records for his age group and has his sights set on bigger achievements!” His father, Ben O’Malley, also took to Instagram and informed people of the steps Rowan would take after enjoying his time in the limelight. Training is a number one priority for the dad-son duo, as Strongboy hopes to become a professional rugby player one day. Moreover, Rowan, weighing 123 lbs., has set his eyes on the USAPL Youth Nationals competition next year to set a record in the 11-year-old age group.

Additionally, Ben O’Malley stated that they would like to use popularity to teach how to train young minds in perseverance and discipline. The proud father also makes it clear that their focus is on the safety and health of Rowan. Furthermore, he shunned any ‘ego lifting’ or sensationalism to promote his kid. Rowan is an accomplished kid, playing to his strengths. However, the Generation Iron post on Instagram had mixed reactions from subscribers.

Netizens are anxious about the impact on Rowan’s growth

The powerlifting prodigy is a source of inspiration for adults and children alike. Moreover, many young girls are also breaking the mold of traditional concepts of strength. Earlier, Emily Ibanez Guerrero spectacularly performed a breathtaking 319-pound barbell back squat. The internet lauds these confounding displays of power and disciplined routines. However, one cannot help but wonder about the health effects of lifting heavy weights, especially on growth.

Read More: “You Are So Strong”: Netizens Stunned as This 9-Year-Old Weightlifting Champion Lifts 242 Lbs Heavy Weight

After looking at the post on Rowan O’Malley, one user wondered, “Genuine question. Could this stunt his growth by putting all that weight on his back?” Another user outrightly spelled out his misgivings. They stated, “Bro definitely stunted his growth.” Another subscriber quipped, reflecting on the apprehension, ” I think it’s awesome, but at the same time at least teach the kid how to not herniate his disk at the bottom of his squat like Jesus Christ man.” 

“Kids that young ain’t gotta be training like that. Sports are more than enough,” stated one follower. However, many people congratulated the shining star for his record-breaking performance. Highlighting a stark reality, they wrote, “People complaining while their kids are playing Fortnite with a bag of chips and cola.” The impact of powerlifting on growth is a genuine question. Without proper supervision and suitable form, even adults are prone to injury. However, these bodybuilding athletes are gifted children with an entire cohort of supporters and coaches tracking their health and progress. Are you impressed by Rowan’s success? Let us know in the comments.

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