Calgarian claims title of 'strongest teenager in the world'

Alex Skirukha started lifting weights at Bearspaw Christian School when he was in Grade 8, and every year he's gotten stronger and stronger.

Skirukha says he loves being in the gym.

"Probably my favourite part about this whole environment is the camaraderie," the 17-year-old said.

"Everybody supports everybody no matter what your weight is. You just go and support your friends and do your best. It's all about self-improvement in here."

This year, the Grade 12 student decided to enter his first teen strongman competition, and his rise in the sport has been meteoric.

In March, he won Calgary’s strongest teenager.

In June, he won the province.

In October, he took the title at the nationals, and just last week, he blew away the competition to claim the title of the world's strongest teenager in Madison, Wis.

Skirukha still can't believe he won.

"I saw some of my competitors, and they were towering over me," he said.

"I didn't think I was going to win. I just had the mentality of 'I'll do my best and we'll see where I end up,' and I ended up winning.

"It's almost unreal. I never expected to be the strongest teenager in the world, but definitely it's a blessing that I was able to go and compete."

Jesse Roest is Skirukha's teacher and coach at Bearspaw Christian School.

He says he's not surprised how far the teen has come in the sport.

"He impressed, absolutely, but I had full confidence in his ability," Roest said.

"Part of my job as a coach is to instil that in him. And when he gets out there, he's a different guy. He's hyperfocused."

Skirukha loves being in the gym and competing in strongman competitions.

He says he sees it as being a part of his future.

"The goal is to go further," he said.

"I truly love this sport, and it's just so much fun for me. I'd love to go pro. That would be pretty fantastic, and we'll see—maybe I'll win a couple more championships."

Skirukha wasn't the only student from Bearspaw Christian School to come home with a medal—Jessica Gray won the bronze medal, and we have a story on her here.

Alex Skirukha and Jessica Gray.