As Mama Bear’s front paws gripped the barbell again, everyone felt a momentary tightening of their hearts. Even though it wasn't their own hands holding the weight, their little hearts pounded uncontrollably. They feared both that Mama Bear could lift it and that she couldn't. Amidst this conflicting emotion, Mama Bear finally began to exert her strength. Almost visibly, the barbell, claimed to be the same model used in the Olympics, started to deform. When Mama Bear lifted it to its peak, it was already close to an 'n' shape, as if it might snap the next second.
Those responsible for procuring the equipment were equally terrified. They were more afraid than anyone that the Olympic-grade barbell would break mid-competition. If it did, they wouldn't be able to explain themselves, no matter how many mouths they had. Just as everyone's nerves were on edge, the barbell plates, which had been sinking, finally showed signs of lifting off the ground. Under the wide-eyed gaze of a group of Olympic champions, the plates slowly rose by one centimeter. The camera then zoomed in on this seemingly insignificant inch.
Instantly, all sound vanished. Even the sound of breathing seemed to cease, as if time had stopped. The only thing moving was the slowly ascending barbell plates. Two centimeters, five centimeters, ten centimeters, until Mama Bear gradually lifted it to her chest. Seeing this, a primal urge to roar welled up in everyone. This was a terrifying 1200 pounds, yet Mama Bear could lift it to her chest. It was a miracle of life. Even if Mama Bear didn't successfully complete the lift, this moment would be etched in countless memories forever.
However, it was at this precise moment that Mama Bear made a jerking motion. The 1200 pounds of weight seemed to vanish in her grip. In a single movement, the fully loaded barbell was lifted high above her head by her front paws. This unbelievable sight plunged the already silent arena into an even deeper hush. After an indeterminate period, Mama Bear finally lowered the barbell. Her gaze once again turned to Yang Lin beside her, seemingly wondering why there was no cheering, perhaps thinking she had failed the challenge. She seemed oblivious to the historic feat she had just accomplished.
Yang Lin merely patted her shoulder reassuringly. The little bear cub at the side seemed to sense that its mother had finished the competition, immediately wriggling free from Papa Bear's embrace and trotting towards Mama Bear. As it approached, it launched into a cute bear pounce. Mama Bear, who could just lift a 1200-pound barbell, was immediately knocked to the ground by this flying leap. The mother and cub then began to playfully tumble on the competition floor.
It was only then that the audience truly reacted. In an instant, a downpour of thunderous applause erupted throughout the arena. All the spectators watched Mama Bear, who was playfully wrestling with the cub, with excited eyes. Even the Olympic champions were no exception. Seeing the little cub, they were reminded that this incredible strongwoman, who had just lifted an immense weight, was also a mother who had recently given birth.
The little cub, who had been playing with its mother, suddenly seemed to sense a threat from the applause. It quickly imitated its mother, standing up on its hind legs. It began to pat its chest towards the audience, all the while emitting soft "aoo-woo" sounds. This sight made the audience laugh even harder. The cub, confused by this reaction, then held up its small paws and ran towards the nearest referee. It leaped up and swiped at the referee's knee, nearly sending the official to the ground.
“Laughing so hard, it’s already learned to hit the referee at such a young age. What will it be like when it grows up?”
“I can’t take it anymore, really. Let this little bear hit me.”
“Yes, Auntie isn’t afraid, come hit Auntie.”
“This is what you call a real little terror!”
“What a good child, knowing to protect its mother from such a young age.”
“But it probably doesn’t know that the most powerful one here is its mother.”
“Exactly, I bet none of us here could withstand a single swipe from Mama Bear.”
“Mama Bear is truly out of this world. Is this truly the power biological creatures can exert? It’s comparable to a forklift.”
“Jun Shen broke a sports record, but Mama Bear today has likely broken a biological record!”
“I dare say, apart from marine creatures and a few land animals, Mama Bear’s strength is at the ceiling level.”
“I used to think that even if Mama Bear was stronger than an ordinary person, it wouldn’t be by much. Now I see I was too naive.”
“Indeed, the Creator is fair.”
At this moment, all the spectators showered Mama Bear with unreserved praise. The Olympic champions, meanwhile, looked on in amazement at the barbell, now fully loaded with weights, on the floor. After a brief attempt to test it, they all shook their heads with bitter smiles. It was clear that under the terrifying 1200-pound weight, they were no different from ordinary people. Forget about lifting it, they couldn't even budge it.
This ultimate contest of strength thus concluded. Mama Bear, with her absolute dominance, secured first place in the competition. When it was time for the awards ceremony, the four Olympic champions, looking like devoted fans, surrounded Mama Bear. The little cub was held high above their heads by Jun Shen. As the photographer’s shutter clicked, the moment was forever captured.
Just as the four Olympic champions were about to leave, Yang Lin rushed over with a bag. “Wait a moment, Mama Bear asked me to prepare a special gift for you. I wonder if you’ll like it.” As he spoke, Yang Lin took out four t-shirts from the bag. When he unfolded them, the images were clearly displayed before the four Olympic champions. Upon closer inspection, they were indeed photos of Mama Bear's family of three, along with their personal paw prints. Seeing these gifts, the faces of the four Olympic champions lit up with immense joy. Such a gift was akin to receiving a signed poster from their most admired idol, a mark of honor and recognition.
The four Olympic champions immediately put them on. Seeing this, the crowd felt a pang of envy, especially the contestants who had finished earlier. “What a miscalculation, if only I had asked Director Yang for souvenirs myself. These are limited editions!”