In 2000, she weighed 40 kg and could lift 220 pounds (100 kg). She has been in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Akulova, while living with her parents, Yuriy Akulov and Larisa Akulova, in Kryvyi Rih, performed in an acrobatic act with them in a circus.
Her father Uri, who says that by the age of 12 his daughter was stronger then him, thinks his side of the family have a rare strength gene that few others have.
Varya's great-grandfather managed the astonishing feat of carrying 2,600lbs (1,200kg) on his back in 1910 and her mother Larisa is also stronger than most women.
Born in the Ukrainian mining town of Krivoy Rog,
Varya Akulova showed remarkable physical abilities from a very young age. When she was just one year old, Varya could do a handstand, at one and a half she did flips, at three years of age she started performing acrobatic routines with her parents, and by age four she was already doing power lifting exercises with massive weights. When Varya’s mother, Larisa, became pregnant, her father, Yuri, started making plans about performing in the circus with his yet-unborn strong son, but when his wife gave birth to a girl, he knew his dreams would never materialize. But as the days went by, Yuri began to realize that with the right training, his daughter could become as strong as a man.
Her father Uri, who says that by the age of 12 his daughter was stronger then him, thinks his side of the family have a rare strength gene that few others have.
Varya's great-grandfather managed the astonishing feat of carrying 2,600lbs (1,200kg) on his back in 1910 and her mother Larisa is also stronger than most women.
Born in the Ukrainian mining town of Krivoy Rog,
Varya Akulova showed remarkable physical abilities from a very young age. When she was just one year old, Varya could do a handstand, at one and a half she did flips, at three years of age she started performing acrobatic routines with her parents, and by age four she was already doing power lifting exercises with massive weights. When Varya’s mother, Larisa, became pregnant, her father, Yuri, started making plans about performing in the circus with his yet-unborn strong son, but when his wife gave birth to a girl, he knew his dreams would never materialize. But as the days went by, Yuri began to realize that with the right training, his daughter could become as strong as a man.
The girl had stronger arms and legs than most babies her age, and soon he became certain Varya had inherited the Akulovs’ legendary strength. Historically, his ancestors served at the court of Catherine II and became known for their amazing abilities and toughness during the Russian – Turkish wars. And as the years passed, it became clear Varya was truly an Akulov, able to lift massive weights when other girls her age were busy playing with dolls.
Although Yuri’s training methods sparked concerns about Varya’s normal growth and bone development, the doctors who performed a series of tests when she was five years old found she was in great physical shape and had an increased immunity.
