After accidents seemingly ended his profession, Caron is planning a strongman return.
Relating to prolific, profitable resumes, few trendy strongmen may have the ability to match the profile of Jean-François Caron, aka “JF Caron.” Later this yr, the strongman world may see the 40-year-old veteran return to the game after taking some needed time away.
In a YouTube interview with Laurence Shahlaei on Apr. 6, 2023, Caron revealed he would try a strongman comeback someday in late 2023. The nine-time Canada’s Strongest Man (CSM) champion (2011-2019) had beforehand suffered two torn patellar tendons throughout the 2022 Arnold Strongman Basic (ASC). After a interval of restoration, Caron maintained he was coaching once more to return to kind.
Whereas largely bedridden whereas recovering from his accidents, Caron had misplaced 60 kilos of physique weight. Making a soar again to the higher echelon isn’t any assure after what the veteran endured, however he appears dedicated to creating it occur by means of his coaching. Some current 400-kilogram (881.8-pound) deadlifts and 270-kilogram (595.2-pound) again squats for reps are demonstrations of the ability Caron is reassembling.
That mentioned, it could nonetheless take a while earlier than he’s able to sq. off with a number of the strongest individuals on the globe in an official aggressive capability. He nonetheless has a variety of progress to make earlier than he can carry out the requisite actions wanted to shine as knowledgeable strongman once more.
“The ability is there. It’s simply not fluid like earlier than,” Caron mentioned. “… Altering instructions … I’m not secure like earlier than. Explosive actions will take extra time.”
Caron declared that he’ll start engaged on event-focused coaching with 2021 CSM victor Gabriel Rhéaume as soon as he returns from the 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM). That contest will happen on Apr. 19-23, 2023, in Myrtle Seashore, SC. On the time of this writing, Caron has not outlined an actual coaching timeline.
As for Caron’s total profile, he has fairly the mantle to lean on.
In accordance with Strongman Archives, the athlete has appeared in over 80 competitions and earned almost 20 victories, together with his CSM title reign and a win within the 2022 Forca Bruta. Earlier than his current accidents, Caron had competed in 11 of 13 WSM contests because the yr 2008 (lacking 2009-2010) and positioned among the many high 6 in seven consecutive editions (2015-2021).
It’s unclear exactly when Caron will attempt to compete once more, however he said an expectation to be able to compete by October. Whether or not he has eyes on the 2023 Rogue Invitational, usually held in late October, wasn’t clear.
If he’s wholesome sufficient, Caron did share that he’ll attempt to compete once more on the 2023 Magnus ver Magnusson Basic. On the time of this writing, that competitors doesn’t have a concrete date, nevertheless it often happens round late November in Iceland, primarily based on previous precedent.
Whether or not the strongman fixture returns to relative prominence in Iceland or at a later date, the power athlete is bound to be welcomed again, by followers and friends alike, after the devastating harm that many anticipated to be career-ending.
Featured picture: @jfcaronstrongman on Instagram
