Jude Freeman has the highest rank that can be achieved in Kettlebell Sport – ‘Master of Sport World Class’ and has been lifting for England since 2017.
Jude’s amazing achievements include becoming Master of Sport World Class, two time World Champion, two time Master of Sport, four time Candidate for Master of Sport and British Record holder for the Half Marathon Two Arm Long Cycle.
Gedling Eye caught up with Jude following her recent return from IKMF World Championships 2024 Part 1 which ran from May 3 – 5. Jude said: “We were in Nyborg, Denmark for the IKMF World Championships, a well attended event with almost 200 athletes from countries as far as Australia, India, USA, Canada, along with a multitude of European countries.
“Richard Freeman completed 2 Half Marathons (30 minutes continuous lifting without setting the bell down). He did Jerk 20kg achieving 541 reps and won the Gold medal while also winning silver in the One Arm Long Cycle 22kg achieving 356 reps.
“John Russell competed in 26kg One Arm Long Cycle in his first International Half Marathon event and achieved 295 reps winning a Bronze medal.
“I’m super proud of my athletes and Team England won the Championship again outright with the most Gold medals – our 3rd time winning out of 4 Championships that its been available to compete for.
“I am hosting my own Grassroots Kettlebell competition on Sunday May 19 at the Scout Hall, St James Church, Marshall Hill Drive, Mapperley. This is an open competition aimed at those who are beginners in the sport, providing an opportunity for them to be in a competition environment that’s friendly and supportive. Intermediate and advanced lifters will also be there from a variety of clubs all over the country, so it also means new lifters get to watch and judge those who are more experienced than them. Lifting starts at 10am.”
The world champion also runs small group training and kettlebells and circuits training at her ‘Tonic Fitness’ studio every week and on a Sunday morning World Champion Jude can be found running her outdoor bootcamp nearby at Onchan Park on Oakdale Road.
Jude added: “Bootcamp is a mix of bodyweight and weighted exercises including dumbbells, kettlebells, ropes, slam balls, skipping ropes and even space hoppers. Its suitable for all ages and all stages in your fitness journey, whether you’re new to exercising or want to add it to your current schedule.
“Between 2017 and present day I have competed in the UK and Ireland, and parts of Europe including France, Belgium, Sweden, and most recently in Hungary in Girevoy Sport (single and double bell events) Pentathlon (single and double bell events), Half Marathon (single and double bell events), World Games (double bell) and Full Marathon (single bell for 60 mins).
“Passionate to teach others these skills, I trained to be a Kettlebell Sport Coach and coach athletes to international level. I am the only Kettlebell Sport Coach in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and clients come to me for 121 training from as far away as Milton Keynes.”
Jude added: “My first World Championships was October 2017 (just before my 47th birthday) in Loutraki, Greece. I became a World Champion at that event with Gold in Veteran Class (over 40) and also a Bronze in Open Class (age 18+).
“This really was a defining moment for me and the real beginning of an international career in kettlebell sport. In December 2017 I competed in the British Championships lifting a 16kg kettlebell for 30 mins – half marathon and achieved the rank of Candidate for Master of Sport.
“I am so proud to have been lifting for England since 2017”.
Further information including contact details for Jude Freeman @ Tonic Fitness can be found online at https://www.tonicfit.co.uk/ or on Tonic Fitness social media HERE .
