Film Lens
Strong! follows Cheryl Haworth, who became an American national champion by age 15 and competed in the Olympics at 17. In 2000, she made history in Sydney as the youngest athlete to win an Olympic weightlifting medal. The film captures her efforts to maintain her champion status while facing the reality of her career nearing its end.
The documentary presents the complexities of Haworth's life as an elite athlete. It contrasts her celebrated status in weightlifting with the societal rejection of her body type. By focusing on her personal story, Strong! addresses themes of gender and body image within the context of sports and mainstream culture.
Why Watch
- •Meet Cheryl Haworth, a groundbreaking weightlifter.
- •See the struggles of an elite athlete facing injuries.
- •Find out about body image issues in sports.
Did You Know
•Cheryl Haworth was 15 when she became an American national champion.
•At 17, she competed in the Olympics in Sydney, Australia, in 2000.
•Haworth won an Olympic weightlifting medal at the youngest age in history.
•She stands five feet, eight inches tall and weighs over 300 pounds.
Perfect For
Weightlifting enthusiastsSports psychology fansBody positivity advocates