A MAN from Worcestershire will this weekend be hoping to chop his way to glory as part of the Team GB squad at the Timbersports World Championships.
Rob Chatley, from Tenbury Wells, and his teammates will take to the global stage in Stuttgart, Germany this weekend to compete with the best teams on the planet.
Led by team captain and British Pro Champion, Glen Penlington, the British team are aiming to improve on last year’s seventh-placed finish as they pitch themselves against the global elites of Australia (The 'Chopperoos'), New Zealand, USA and Canada.
"It's an honour and a privilege to be here and represent Team GB but we have all earned the right to be here so it's exciting times ahead," said Chatley, 39 ahead of the competition.
"It's in Stuttgart, the home of steel. The whole event is a big light show, it's like a rock concert in the arena and it is just a phenomenal show to be a part of."
Wood-chopping consists of several wood-chopping disciplines where participants use saws and axes. It’s an extreme, high-octane sport with a growing global audience.
"There is a huge amount of strength involved, of course there is but there is so much technique in it, it's not all brute force," he added.
"I have been chopping now for 26 years, so there is a lot of knowledge to come with the sport, it's not just about getting on a log and chopping it with an axe.
"It's an adrenaline sport and it's very physically demanding but you can be a giant of a man, or a slight fit-freak and be just as effective."
Chatley was the British Pro Champion way back in 2014 and he finished runner-up to in this year’s British Championship, but will this time be competing with his teammates in Stuttgart on the world stage.
As far as Team GB's chances goes: "We would have to have a really, really good time and those around us would have to do really quite bad for us to sneak into the medals!
"We might get one but we are up against the best guys in the world who have this sport in their DNA.
"I started chopping timber competitively when I was 13, whereas those from Canada, New Zealand, Australia have been doing it since about six so it's in their blood.
"We are a bit behind the top guys but saying that, there is no reason why we could not come out on top in Europe and be top three in Europe."
The World Championship is the most prestigious competition in Timbersports and UK viewers will be able to watch on the official STIHL Timbersports Facebook, YouTube or Twitch channels. The broadcast will begin at 6pm UK time on November 3.
For more information on the competition and how it all works, click here.
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