Rebecca Lorch

Rebecca Anne Lorch (February 20, 1990 – December 18, 2022) was an American competitive weightlifter and strongwoman. She was a nutritionist and became interested in strength competitions after surviving a serious motorcycle accident. She would go on to win the lightweight classes of the 2019 and 2020 editions of America's Strongest Women competition. Lorch died of suicide at age 32.

Biography Lorch was born in Dallas to Susan Steiner and Leonard Lorch. She grew up in Mesquite, Texas, with an elder brother, Jeremy. As a weightlifter, her personal bests in competition were 297.6 (squat), 192.9 (bench) and 347.2 (deadlift).

After recovery, Lorch won the lightweight class of America's Strongest Woman in 2019 and 2020. The Strongest Woman event includes six different disciplines over the course of two days: Circus bell press reps, Sandbag toss, Basket deadlift, Arm over Arm Truck pull, Husafell Carry, and Sandbag Carry.

2021-2022 seasons At the start of the 2021 season, she was named one of the top 10 strong women athletes to watch. While training for the World's Strongest Woman competition, she suffered a bicep tear in training which derailed her competition season.

After recovery, she returned to competition. In March 2022, she placed tenth at the Arnold Strongwoman Classic. In April 2022, she placed sixth at the 2022 Strengthlete Collective Clash on the Coast in the under 82 kg division.

Death and legacy Lorch died by suicide on December 18, 2022, in Connecticut. After her death, members of the strongman community spoke out in support of Lorch, starting the #JusticeForRebecca campaign, against harassment and sexual misconduct in strength competitions.