When one thinks of a typical schoolboy, images of homework, playgrounds, and perhaps an occasional after-school activity come to mind. Rowan O’Malley, however, is anything but typical. Introduced to the world as the ‘World’s Strongest Schoolboy’ during his recent stint on “This Morning,” O’Malley shared that his journey with weights commenced remarkably at just 10 year old. And, with an unwavering gaze set on the future, he’s expressed a strong desire to further solidify his place in the powerlifting arena.
While most kids his age are preoccupied with their daily school routine, O’Malley weaves his passion for lifting seamlessly into his day. Despite the rigors of grade school, he remains undeterred, allowing no obligations to overshadow his commitment to the gym. It’s a balancing act, but one he seems to execute with flair.
In today’s digital age, O’Malley’s feats have not gone unnoticed. His extraordinary lifts – from squats to deadlifts and bench presses – frequently grace social media platforms, garnering admiration and astonishment in equal measure. But for this 10-year-old, this is merely the beginning. He has set his sights on the competitive world of UK powerlifting, with plans to debut as soon as he turns 12.
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Rowan O’Malley’s World’s Strongest Schoolboy: From Zero Weights to World Records at Age 10
In a revealing conversation, 10-year-old Rowan O’Malley shared the intricacies of his journey in the powerlifting domain. O’Malley elucidated that his initiation into the sport was at a remarkably tender age. Yet, interestingly, he embarked on this path without any weights. The primary focus was to familiarize himself with the foundational movements, ensuring precision and technique from the outset.
“I started with no weights, just the techniques so I could know what I was doing first,” said The World’s Strongest Schoolboy O’Malley. ‘I deadlifted the world record for a 10-year-old and I was nine, and that’s when it first started to get a bit serious.”
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Today, at just ten years old, Rowan O’Malley is making waves in powerlifting. Currently, he can lift twice his body weight. Meanwhile, he holds the record as the strongest ten‑year‑old in the under‑56‑kilogram class. At the same time, other young athletes like Rory Van Ulft and Jordan Mica are gaining attention too. Together, they’re reshaping how the world sees strength sports for kids.
Yet, this trend has sparked serious questions. Critics warn about the strain it puts on growing bones and joints. In their view, the risk of long‑term damage is too high. To them, no record is worth harming a child’s future health.
On the other hand, proponents point to the benefits. They say strength training, when done right, improves body composition, boosts athletic performance, and teaches discipline. To them, it’s not about how much a child can lift. Instead, it’s about learning safe technique and building habits that can last a lifetime.
@rowostrong 10 Year Old Breaks All Time World Records with 628lb Powerlifting Total. #strong #worldsatrongest #fitnessmotivation #fitness #power #squat #bench #deadlift ♬ original sound – Rowostrong
Today, at just ten years old, Rowan O’Malley has already proven himself a rising star in powerlifting. So far, he has stayed injury-free and kept his focus sharp. Meanwhile, he shows no signs of slowing down. Moreover, he openly talks about chasing bigger milestones and breaking both personal and world records. In short, with grit and discipline, he is ready to test his limits and redefine what’s possible for athletes his age.
Overview
Rowan O’Malley is no ordinary schoolboy. Holding the title of the ‘World’s Strongest Schoolboy,’ he began weightlifting at a mere one-year-old and has since been turning heads in the powerlifting community. Balancing academics and his passion, O’Malley has made waves on social media with his record-breaking lifts. As young powerlifters like him emerge, they spark a debate on the safety of the sport for children. Yet, for O’Malley, with his sights set on UK powerlifting championships and a dream to continually break records, the future seems limitless.
Featured Image – “10-Year-Old ‘World’s Strongest Schoolboy’ Doubles His Weight in Squats & Deadlifts, Fuels with 3,000-Calorie Diet – Credit: @rowostrong (TikTok) & rowo_Strong (Instagram)








