South Tyneside fitness instructor up for award

Ant Clennan, who runs South Tyneside Kettlebells, has been nominated in the category in the Gazette’s Best of South Tyneside Awards.

The nomination follows his attempt to lift the heaviest weight ever with kettlebell swings in an hour in aid of children’s heart unit at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.

The 38-year-old from Jarrow set his sights on the current record of 12,500kg when he swung kettlebells weighing 36kg and 24kg back and forth as many times as he could within 60 minutes.

Ant, a former doorman, more than tripled the previous record.

Recordings of the challenge, which took place at the club’s base in Salem Street, Jarrow, have been sent to Guinness for verification.

Ant said: “The nomination means a lot. I didn’t expect anything for doing what I do. I am humbled by it and it is nice of people to think of me. It is really kind of them.

“It is always great to have the opportunity to raise money for charity and it ticked something off the list that I wanted to do for a while.

“I have raised around £2,000 and I am hoping for a few more donations to get it to £3,000.”

During the challenge last month, 40 of the club’s members showed up to support Ant and of them 37 took part in the challenge. By using staggered starting times, the group paired up and used kettlebells ranging between 16kg and 35kg. This means they all broke the current world record - but only Ant’s attempt was officially submitted. Ant said the charity was impressed with the fundraising and now he is looking to do more to help support the CHUF unit.

He said: “I am looking to break some more records and set some more records.

“I will continue doing it for charity.”

To contribute, visit: www.justgiving.com/southtynesidekettlebells