Openly gay pro strongman Rob Kearney and his new husband Joey Aleixo have married in Melbourne, a day after Kearney won first prize at Arnold Schwarzenegger’s sports festival.
Kearney and Aleixo tied the knot beside Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne on Sunday, after Kearney’s win the previous day at the Arnold Australia Pro Strongman festival.
After the nuptials, the self-proclaimed “World’s Strongest Gay” posted a photo to Instagram of he and Aleixo at the picturesque Half Moon Bay Beach in Victoria.
“We didn’t tell many people, but on March 17, 2019 @worlds_gayest_strongman and I got MARRIED!!” he wrote.
“To call this man my husband is a dream come true and he is and always will be my soulmate.
“I am so excited to start this new journey as a married couple and my heart has never been so full of love.”
Schwarzenegger also celebrated with the happy couple after the wedding, and the former bodybuilder took to Twitter to share a photo with the newlyweds.
“I think this is a first: winning the @arnoldsports Strongman and getting married in the same weekend. Congratulations guys. I was honored to celebrate with you,” he wrote.
When not competing professionally, Kearney is head athletic trainer at a Massachusetts high school and he came out five years ago on social media, announcing his relationship with Aleixo.
Kearney told the Herald Sun he hopes his win in the competition sends a positive message.
“Ever since I came out in 2014, I was very transparent with my relationship with Joey, and my sexuality,” he said.
“There are a lot of stigmas around gay men, especially in alpha-male sports, like strongmen. There’s a stereotype gay men aren’t masculine and can’t be strong.
“That’s been my goal ever since I came out: to completely change that conversation, and show everyone that gay doesn’t look one certain way.”
I think this is a first: winning the @arnoldsports Strongman and getting married in the same weekend. Congratulations guys. I was honored to celebrate with you. pic.twitter.com/hrj2ruxxlY
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) March 17, 2019
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