Birdsley brings home win from US Strongman competition

Porschia Birdsley won first place in the US Strongman Pro Woman's World (USS) competition in Peoria, Ariz., on October 21. Birdsley qualified for this competition due to her winning second place at the Dallas, Texa,s national competition on June 3.

The USS competition features heavier weights than the national and local competitions. It held a variety of events. The first event was a pressing medley that included a 100 lb mouser block, a 150 lb sandbag over the shoulder, a 165 lb 12-inch log, and a 175 lb axle, which Birdsley did in 34.41 seconds.

The second event was an 18-inch axle deadlift of 430 lb. Birdsley could have done more weight than this but was seeking to conserve her energy, so this was not a failure lift.

The third event was the fingal finger flip. Birdsley lifted a 350 lb large, metal pipe and did eight reps in one minute. Birdsley said, "The competitors were really nervous about this one. They were hyped up." During this event, the crowd was very excited and cheered on the athletes.

Regarding Birdsley's efforts, the Valor and Venom YouTube Live commentators told the viewers, "She's an animal out of Wyoming!"

The fourth event was a 160 lbs mouser block carry done in a 25-foot circle in one minute. The fifth and final event was stone loading over a bar. The atlas stones were in increasing weights, starting at 150 lbs, then moving up to 175 lbs, 205 lbs, 225 lbs, and 250 lbs. Birdsley was able to lift the first three stones.

Birdsley received her belt for first place in the USS Pro Women's World competition. Not only that, Birdsley has been asked to represent Wyoming in America's Strongest State Team Event. It will be made up of two women and four men from each state. All the West Coast teams will meet in Gilbert, Ariz., on January 6, 2024. The top three teams for the West Coast will head to the finals. The final location is to be determined. This will be the first time Strongman will be done as a team.

Regarding her latest achievement, Birdsley said, "I'm super blessed and excited. I always approach competition like it could be my last one or if it's not necessarily something that's going to be a forever sport. But the doors keep opening and I only have more desire to compete and to get strong for the event. Right now, it's just kind of shifting forward. Like I said, if God ever called me not to do it, I wouldn't. Right now, it's just kind of moving forward."