Robert Oberst is a competitive strongman veteran. The American has competed in different strongman competitions since 2012 and was a regular at the World Stronger Man competition. However, after a decade of training and competing, Oberst has realized he no longer wants to continue as a competitive strongman.

Oberst appeared on World’s Strongest Man winner, Brian Shaw’s podcast, and announced his retirement. Brian didn’t see it coming, nor did many fans of the sport. However, the renowned strongman explained why he stepped away from the sport he helped popularise in the U.S.

Robert Oberst justified his decision:

On December 2, the renowned strongman appeared on his friend and fellow strongman, Brian Shaw’s podcast. The two conversed for over an hour, and near the end of the podcast, Oberst made a shocking announcement. “Officially as of this point right now. I will never compete in strongman or heavy lifting or anything ever again. I’m retired fully from competitive strongman,” said Robert.

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“I’m closing the door because… I can’t be half in and half out,” said the American strongman. Robert added, “I can’t be like partially in it… My body, my soul, everything rejects it.” He also said he had contemplated retiring for a while. However, Robert wanted to go all out for one last competition before calling it a career. Robert told Brian he trained a lot for two years, but everything fell apart.

Notably, Robert dropped out as the captain of the U.S. team at World’s Strongest Man this year because of unknown circumstances. Martin Licis replaced him. “As soon as I eased off, my body started to, like, feel better,” revealed the strongman.

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Oberst explained he would eventually do “something silly” if he kept on training and competing while thinking of retiring.

A glimpse of the elite strongman’s career

The American worked as a bouncer before discovering Strongman. However, after working out for only four months, he earned his pro card at the Dallas Europa event. The strongman veteran made his World’s Strongest man debut in 2013 and finished 9th. Since then, Robert has participated every year except in 2017 and 2022. His best result at WSM was an 8th-place finish in 2018.

Besides WSM, the veteran has also finished in 8th place in the 2014 Arnold Strongman Classic. He finished 2nd in America’s Strongest Man twice. Once in 2013 and again in 2014.

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While Robert surprised Brian with his sudden announcement, the WSM winner thanked Robert for his contribution to the sport.