University Of Sunderland Student 5th At Natural Strongman Competition
Written by Sofija Krasauska on 7th November 2025
Matei Trache, a sports and exercise student at the University of Sunderland, placed 5th at the Natural Strongman Champion of Champions on November 2nd.
Image credit: Matei Trache
Trache, 22, travelled to Birmingham to compete amongst the strongest natural men in the country. The event focuses on clean sport, requiring athletes to get tested for performance enhancing drugs, such as testosterone. Placed in the open category, Trache was up against athletes of various ages, some nearly twice his age. “It was a strange competition, and most likely the first of its kind”.
Athletes put their strength to the test with a max deadlift, sand bag loading medley, pressing ladder, a Conan’s wheel and a shouldering medley (including atlas stones, sand balls and sand bags).
Image credit: Matei Trache
Although competitions of the sort can be traced back to ancient civilisations, the United Kingdom Natural Strongman (UKNS) is still up-and-coming. Founded in 2022, the federation works to organise Natural Strongman events and grow its community globally.
UKNS focuses on fair and clean sport, pushing its athletes to reach their full potential and new heights. “We’re not just growing a sport; we’re building a legacy of strength and integrity.”
Matei competing at Junior Worlds | Image credit: Matei Trache
So far, the season has been a success; Trache won his UKNS Junior World title in August. This is his sixth year in the sport, and there’s only more to come.
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Matei will next take the stage at UKNS’ Natural Strongman Record Breakers on December 13th. This time, he’s aiming even higher: “I want to push the Junior Deadlift world record further than it ever has been, and set the Junior Atlas Stone world record.” England National’s in Liverpool will conclude the season.
In true athletic nature, Trache manages his studies, active hobbies, training and his job as a trampoline coach.
Image credit: Matei Trache
Congratulations to Matei and his coaches, and good luck on the upcoming competitions!
If you want to keep up with Matei, click here!
