Strength athletics in the United Kingdom and Ireland

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Strength athletics in the United Kingdom and Ireland has a long history going back many centuries before the televisation of strongman competitions in the 1970s. The ancient heritage of the sport in the United Kingdom and Ireland lies in a number of traditional events, the most famous of which is arguably the traditional Highland Games, which itself is a source of many events now practised in modern strongman competitions, such as World's Strongest Man and International Federation of Strength Athletes (IFSA) sponsored events. However, the traditional events still are popularly contested events today. In the more modern phenomenon that is the World's Strongest Man and its associated competitions, the United Kingdom and Ireland remain well represented with Eddie Hall, Terry Hollands, and former competitor Glenn Ross and John Ryan Cappalahan respectively with regular appearances at world finals, and with three men having won the title of World's Strongest Man, as well as Shane Davis Cappalahan appearing in eight final events.

History[]

See also Highland games and Britain's Strongest Man for more details

The origin of strength athletics in the UK and Ireland lies in the realms of pre-history, but the within the British Isles records many centuries old record more formally the existence of organised events. Formalisation and annual Highland gatherings began around 1820 when Sir Walter Scott encouraged the revival of Highland Culture. By 1848, such was the status of such games that Queen Victoria attended the .^[1]

The strongmen of the world of weightlifting and circus acts were also active in the UK and Ireland in the Victorian age. A number of famous names emerged at the turn of the nineteenth century. Thomas Inch, Britain's Strongest Youth at 16, and the first official Britain's Strongest Man was active at this time and is still remembered today for his Grip Strength. and his Challenge Dumbbell, known as the , that "has defied thousands of strong men over the last hundred years...Many a strength athlete tried but failed to break it off the ground.".^[2] Other notable names in this genre were Bert Assirati, Launceston Elliot, Edward Aston, and William Pullum. Others emerged in the twentieth century as well. Notably, David Prowse was initially famous in 1964 for his lifting the famed 785 pounds (356 kg) Dinnie Stones, the first man to do so since Donald Dinnie himself a century earlier.^[3] Prowse later became more famous still for playing Darth Vader in Star Wars.

In the late 1970s, televised strongman competitions began with Britain's Strongest Man (BSM) first being shown in 1979 by the BBC. A new generation emerged, with the events attracting individuals from many disciplines such as field athletics, weightlifting and powerlifting. These competitions fed other international competitions such as Europe's Strongest Man and World's Strongest Man. Household names, such as Geoff Capes, Jamie Reeves and Gary Taylor dominated, with these three in particular going on to win World's Strongest Man titles. The modern era has seen this trend continue with Terry Hollands, Mark Felix and Laurence Shahlaei being regular faces at World's Strongest Man and its associated Super Series. Featured events in these contests have been tailored to emphasize a more well-rounded athlete, to reflect that viewpoint on strongman as a whole, and in the interests of increased popularity and marketability among the masses. Almost inevitably, more than one interested party has seen the benefits of strength competitions. Alternative organizations have formed in recent years, comprising a new wave of influence in the field, with the United Kingdom Strength Council (UKSC) founded by Britain's Strongest Man multi-year champion Glenn Ross setting up events separate from BSM, as has the IFSA. Ross and his UK Strongest Man competitions hold a philosophical difference in approach with the World's Strongest Man related venues, including more brute strength events similar to traditional strongman and powerlifting, with less emphasis on field athleticism and endurance.

Alongside these current interpretations still exists the traditional, such as the Highland Games. Although exported around the world they remain inextricably linked with the heritage of both Scotland and the British Isles as a whole.

Competitions[]

Across the UK and Ireland there are and have been many competitions testing individuals strength, ranging from local to regional to national to pan-British Isles.

List of Champions[]

2010s[]

Year	Britain's Strongest Man	UK Strongest Man	WSM invitees
2019	Graham Hicks		Adam Bishop Mark Felix Laurence Shahlaei Luke Stoltman Tom Stoltman
2018	Eddie Hall (5)		Adam Bishop Mark Felix Graham Hicks Terry Hollands Laurence Shahlaei Luke Stoltman
2017	Eddie Hall (4)	Laurence Shahlaei	Mark Felix Eddie Hall Terry Hollands Laurence Shahlaei Luke Stoltman Tom Stoltman
2016	Eddie Hall (3)	Eddie Hall (6)	Adam Bishop Mark Felix Charlie Gough Eddie Hall Terry Hollands Laurence Shahlaei Luke Stoltman
2015	Eddie Hall (2)	Eddie Hall (5)	Adam Bishop Mark Felix Eddie Hall Graham Hicks Laurence Shahlaei
2014	Eddie Hall	Eddie Hall (4)	Eddie Hall Graham Hicks Ben Kelsey Terry Hollands Laurence Shahlaei
2013	Laurence Shahlaei (2)	Eddie Hall (3)	Mark Felix Eddie Hall Graham Hicks Terry Hollands Laurence Shahlaei
2012	Laurence Shahlaei	Eddie Hall (2)	Chris Gearing Eddie Hall Graham Hicks Terry Hollands Jack McIntosh Laurence Shahlaei (injured - withdrew)
2011	Not held	Eddie Hall	Mark Felix Terry Hollands Jack McIntosh Laurence Shahlaei
2010	Not held	Glenn Ross (5)	Mark Felix Terry Hollands Darren Sadler Laurence Shahlaei Mark Westaby Reserve:

2000s[]

Year	Britain's Strongest Man	UK Strongest Man	Britain's Most Powerful Man	UK Championship (IFSA)/ British Championships (IFSA)	WSM invitees
2009	Not held	Jimmy Marku		Not held	Laurence Shahlaei Terry Hollands Mark Felix Jimmy Marku Darren Sadler
2008	Jimmy Marku	Glenn Ross (4)	Not held	Not held	Laurence Shahlaei Terry Hollands Mark Felix Jimmy Marku Oli Thompson
2007	Terry Hollands	Glenn Ross (3)		Not held	Darren Sadler Terry Hollands Mark Felix Jimmy Marku Mark Westaby
2006	Oli Thompson	Glenn Ross (2)	Not held	Not held	Darren Sadler Terry Hollands Mark Felix
2005	Mick Gosling	Terry Hollands	Not held	Mark Felix	Terry Hollands Mick Gosling (rep. NZL)
2004	Richard Gosling (2)	Glenn Ross	Not held	Not held	Adrian Rollinson
2003	Richard Gosling	Not held	Not held	Not held	Adrian Rollinson Eddy Ellwood Glenn Ross Richard Gosling
2002	Marc Iliffe	Not held	Not held	Not held	Gregor Edmunds Marc Illiffe David Warner Mick Gosling
2001	Glenn Ross (3)		Not held	Not held	Glenn Ross Rob Dixon Marc Illiffe Adrian Rollinson Andrew Raynes
2000	Glenn Ross (2)	Richard Gosling (2)	Not held	Not held	Glenn Ross Rob Dixon Adrian Rollinson

1990s[]

Year	Britain's Strongest Man	British Muscle Power Championship	UK Strongest Man	UK Championship (IFSA)/ British Championships (IFSA)	UK Strongman Docklands Challenge	WSM invitees
1999	Glenn Ross	Not held	Richard Gosling	Not held	Bill Pittuck	Glenn Ross Bill Pittuck
1998	Jamie Reeves (4)	Russ Bradley (2)	Adrian Smith (3)	Not held	Russ Bradley	Glenn Ross Russ Bradley Frazer Tranter
1997	Rob Dixon	Russ Bradley	Adrian Smith (2)			Robert Weir Russ Bradley
1996	Russ Bradley	Jamie Reeves (2)		Not held	Not held	Bill Pittuck Forbes Cowan
1995	Forbes Cowan (2)	Gary Taylor		Not held	Not held	Gary Taylor Bill Pittuck Forbes Cowan
1994	Bill Pittuck	Jamie Reeves		Not held	Not held	Forbes Cowan Gary Taylor
1993	Forbes Cowan	Forbes Cowan	Bill Pittuck	Not held	Not held	Gary Taylor
1992	Jamie Reeves	Mark Higgins (4)	Adrian Smith	Not held	Not held	Gary Taylor Jamie Reeves
1991	Gary Taylor	Mark Higgins (3)	Not held	Not held	Not held	Gary Taylor
1990	Adrian Smith	Mark Higgins (2)	Not held	Not held	Not held	Adrian Smith

1979 and 1980s[]

Year	Britain's Strongest Man	British Muscle Power Championship	Britain's Most Powerful Man	WSM invitees
1989	Jamie Reeves (2)	Tom Hawk	Not held	Jamie Reeves
1988	Jamie Reeves John Smith's Trial of Strength	Mark Higgins	Not held	Jamie Reeves
1987	Not held	Geoff Capes (2)	Not held	No WSM
1986	Not held	Geoff Capes	Pete Tancred	Geoff Capes
1985	Not held	Not held	Not held	Geoff Capes
1984	Allan Crossley	Not held	Not held	Geoff Capes
1983	Geoff Capes (3)	Not held	Not held	Geoff Capes
1982	Richard Slaney (2)	Not held	Not held	Geoff Capes
1981	Geoff Capes (2)	Not held	Not held	Geoff Capes
1980	Richard Slaney	Not held	Not held	Geoff Capes
1979	Geoff Capes	Not held	Not held	Geoff Capes

Pan-British Isles[]

• Britain's Strongest Man
• British Championships (IFSA)
• UK Strongest Man

Britain's Strongest Man[]

British Championships (IFSA)[]

Year	Champion	Runner-Up	3rd Place	Location
2005	Mark Felix	Oli Thompson		TBC

UK Strongest Man[]

Others[]

UK Championship (IFSA)[]

Year	Champion	Runner-Up	3rd Place	Location
1997			Russ Bradley	TBC

Britain's Most Powerful Man[]

Year	Champion	Runner-Up	3rd Place	Location
2009		Chris Gearing		TBC
2007				TBC
1986	Pete Tancred			TBC

UK Strongman Docklands Challenge[]

Year	Champion	Runner-Up	3rd Place	Location
1999	Bill Pittuck	Andy Bolton	Glenn Ross	Peacock Gym, Canning Town, London
1998	Russ Bradley	Frazer Tranter	TBC	Peacock Gym, Canning Town, London
1997		Steve Winter	Frazer Tranter	Peacock Gym, Canning Town, London

British Muscle Power Championship[]

Year	Champion	Runner-Up	3rd Place	Location
1998	Russ Bradley		Regin Vagadal	TBC
1997	Russ Bradley	TBC	TBC	TBC
1996	Gary Taylor	TBC	TBC	TBC
1995	Gary Taylor	TBC	TBC	TBC
1994	Manfred Hoeberl (Guest)		Forbes Cowan	TBC
1993	Forbes Cowan	TBC	TBC	TBC
1992	Jamie Reeves	TBC	TBC	TBC
1991		TBC	TBC	TBC
1990	Jamie Reeves	TBC	TBC	TBC
1989	Mark Higgins	Adrian Smith		TBC
1988	Mark Higgins	TBC	TBC	TBC
1987	Geoff Capes	Jamie Reeves	Mark Higgins	Scotland
1986	Geoff Capes	TBC	TBC	TBC

Team Competitions[]

Year	Champions	Runners-Up	3rd Place	Location
2007	Shawn Kenny & Martin Jones	Lee Bowers & Paul Cater	Paul Amor & Keith Garrett
2008	Laurence Shahlaei &	Paul Cater & Rich Gorvin	Dale Norris & Martin Jones
2009	Enzo Martino & Jay	Jay Hughes & Chris Gearing	Lee Bowers & Liam O'Sullivan
2011	Graham Hicks & James Wilmot	Ashley Smith & Freddy Hick	Phill Wooton and Will Egan	Swindon

Truck Pulling[]

• UK Truck Pulling Championships – (Mercedes Benz)
• National Truck Pulling Championships – (ASA/Bristol Street Motors)
• British Truck Pulling Championships – (Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC)

National and Regional[]

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England's Strongest Man[]

There have been a number of competitions laying claim to be able to confer this title. The UKSC version, which acts as a qualifier for the UK Strongest Man competition, is generally regarded as the official version.^[4] For this reason, the UKSC results since they took over the running of the competition are presented below simply as a continuation of the former year's official event. In 2005, the IFSA introduced their own version of the championships which only lasted for one year. In 2009, with the apparent demise of Britain's Strongest Man, a traditional qualifier for World's Strongest Man, Colin Bryce promoted a competition held at the Doncaster Dome that also acted as a WSM qualifier. The latter saw Terry Hollands, Darren Sadler and Mark Felix compete thus reinforcing its credentials. The UKSC did have every other recognised athlete including BSM 2008 champion Jimmy Marku. There were athletes that competed in both, such as Mark Westaby. Until 2010, Bob Daglish's Elite strongman promotions was inextricably associated with the UKSC and the UKSC version of England's Strongest Man was also the Elite Strongman Promotions event. However, it was announced in March 2010 that "In view of recent events and also some personal differences, Elite Strongman Promotions are hereby separating all affiliations with Big G promotions, the UK Strength Council and the UK strongest man competition." Elite Strongman promotions continued to run a version of the England's strongest man final, whilst a separate competition run by UKSC was also run in 2010.^[5][6]

Year	Champion	Runner-Up	3rd Place	Location	Promoter
2014	Ben Kelsey		Chris Gearing	Northwood Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent	UKSC
2013	Eddie Hall	Ben Kelsey		Reading, Berkshire	UKSC
2012		Mike Woods		Long Marston, Stratford-upon-Avon	Elite
2012	Chris Gearing			Aylesford, Kent	UKSC
2011		Mike Woods		Billingham, Teesside	Elite
2011	Eddie Hall	Tom Shaw		Colchester, Essex	UKSC
2010	Eddie Hall			Billingham, Teesside[7]	Elite
2010	Dean Slater				UKSC
2009	Laurence Shahlaei	Mark Westaby		Lichfield[7]	Elite/UKSC
2009[8]	Terry Hollands	Mark Felix	Darren Sadler	Doncaster Dome	Colin Bryce/WSM qualifier
2008	Jimmy Marku			Lichfield[7]	Elite/UKSC
2007	Jimmy Marku			Lichfield[7]	Elite/UKSC
2006	Jimmy Marku			Stoke-on-Trent[7]	Elite/UKSC
2005		Terry Hollands		Stoke-on-Trent[7]	Elite/UKSC
2005	Eddy Ellwood	Mark Felix	Oli Thompson		IFSA
2004	Eddy Ellwood		Mark Felix	TBC	TBC
2003	Eddy Ellwood	Bill Pittuck	Richard Gosling	TBC	TBC
2002	Bill Pittuck	Mick Gosling	Ade Rollinson	TBC	TBC
2001	Bill Pittuck			TBC	TBC
2000	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC
1999	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC
1998	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC
1997	Jamie Reeves	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC
1996	Jamie Reeves	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC
1995	Jamie Reeves	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC
1994	Jamie Reeves	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC
1993	Jamie Reeves	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC
1992	Jamie Reeves	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC
1991	Bill Pittuck	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC
1990	Adrian Smith	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC
1989	Jamie Reeves	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC
1988	Jamie Reeves	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC
1987	Jamie Reeves	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC

Scotland's Strongest Man[]

Year	Champion	Runner-Up	3rd Place	Location
2021			Zake Muluzi	TBC
2020	No Contest	No Contest	No Contest	No Contest due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2019	Tom Stoltman	Luke Stoltman	John Pollock	SEC Centre, Glasgow
2018	Tom Stoltman	Luke Stoltman	Zake Muluzi	SEC Centre, Glasgow
2017	Luke Stoltman	Tom Stoltman	Paul Benton	David Keswick athletic centre, Dumfries
2016	Luke Stoltman	Tom Stoltman	Paul Benton	David Keswick athletic centre, Dumfries
2015	Luke Stoltman	Tom Stoltman	Zake Muluzi	TBC
2014	Luke Stoltman	Stephen Cherrie	Thomas Parkes	TBC
2013	Luke Stoltman	John Hutton	Mark Hunter	TBC
2012	Ken Nowicki	Stephen Cherrie	TBC	TBC
2011	Stephen Cherrie	John Hutton	Ewan Cameron	TBC
2010		Stephen Cherrie	Stuart Murray	TBC
2009		TBC	TBC	TBC
2008		TBC	TBC	TBC
2007				TBC
2006				TBC
2005			Stuart Murray	TBC
2004			Stuart Murray	TBC
2003	Forbes Cowan		Gregor Edmunds	TBC
2002	Gregor Edmunds	Forbes Cowan		TBC
2001		TBC	TBC	TBC
2000		TBC	TBC	TBC
1999		TBC	TBC	TBC
1998		TBC	TBC	TBC
1997	No Contest	No Contest	No Contest	No Contest
1996	Forbes Cowan	TBC	TBC	TBC
1995	Forbes Cowan	TBC	TBC	TBC
1994		TBC	TBC	TBC
1993	Forbes Cowan	TBC	TBC	TBC
1992	Forbes Cowan	TBC	TBC	TBC
1991		TBC	TBC	TBC
1990		TBC	TBC	TBC
1989		TBC	TBC	TBC
1988		TBC	TBC	TBC
1987		TBC	TBC	TBC

Wales' Strongest Man[]

2013 saw the first ever televised event for Wales' Strongest Man taken place at Haven Prestahaven Sands in Prestatyn North Wales as detailed here .^[9] Unlike other Wales' Strongest Man events promoter Richard Foster from STROM and sponsors First Protein, Ultimate Strongman Glenn Ross creator of UK's Strongest Man, British Strongman a forum run for the strongman community, worked together top bring Wales' Strongest Man into the public eye. Supported by the VXG Strongman Team with Ricky Perkins refereeing the event alongside Les Wiltshire representing Superior Strongman. This years prizes included USN Supplements, Landrover Driving experience and off course recognition for SImon Johnston^[10] in retaining the title for a second year along with the top 3 finishers awarded a place at the UK's Strongest Man Masters tour.

Year	Champion	Runner-Up	3rd Place	Location
2021				Llanelli, Wales
2020	No Contest	No Contest	No Contest	No Contest due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2019				TBC
2018				TBC
2017		TBC	TBC	TBC
2016	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC
2015	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC
2014	Simon Johnston	TBC	TBC	TBC
2013	Simon Johnston	Owen Lewis	Nathan Llewellyn	Prestatyn, Wales
2012	Simon Johnston	Kelvin Gardner	Rob Bush	TBC
2011	Richard Smith	Martin Jones	Emil Hodzivic	Cardiff, Wales
2010	Dale Norris	Richard Smith	Owen Lewis	Cardiff, Wales
2007			Ross Stone	TBC
2006		Ross Stone		TBC
2005				TBC
2004			TBC	TBC
2003				TBC
2002				TBC
2001		TBC	TBC	TBC
2000		TBC	TBC	TBC
1999		TBC	TBC	TBC
1998	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC
1997	Gary Taylor	TBC	TBC	TBC
1996	Gary Taylor	TBC	TBC	TBC
1995	Gary Taylor	TBC	TBC	TBC
1994	Gary Taylor	TBC	TBC	TBC
1993	Gary Taylor	TBC	TBC	TBC
1992	Robin McBryde[11]	TBC	TBC	TBC
1991	Gary Taylor	TBC	TBC	TBC
1990	Gary Taylor	TBC	TBC	TBC
1989	Gary Taylor	TBC	TBC	TBC

Ireland's Strongest Man[]

Year	Champion	Runner-Up	3rd Place	Location
2021				Bangor, Northern Ireland
2020				TBC
2019		Jonathan Kelly		TBC
2018				Bangor, Northern Ireland
2017				Armagh, Northern Ireland
2016	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC
2015	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC
2014	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC
2013	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC
2012	James Fennelly	TBC	TBC	Kilmore Quay, Ireland
2011			Richard Looney	Derry City, Northern Ireland
2010	James Fennelly		Eoin Shanahan	Isle of Man
2009	Dave Warner	James Fennelly	Eoin Shanahan	Lisburn, Northern Ireland
2008	Dave Warner	Gary Mckelvey	James Fennelly	Drogheda, Ireland
2007	Dave Warner	Gary Mckelvey	Brian McMullan	Armagh, Northern Ireland
2006	Dave Warner	Gary Mckelvey		Letterkenny, Ireland
2005		Paul Roberts	Pat McNamara	Belfast, Northern Ireland
2004				Bangor, Northern Ireland
2003		Rodney Fullerton	Stephen Gracey	County Wicklow, Ireland
2002	Phil Porter	Martin Campbell	Francis Kirby	Ballymoney, Northern Ireland
2001				County Wicklow, Ireland
2000				Glenarm, Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland (Ulster) Strongest Man/Ulster's Strongest Man[]

Year	Champion	Runner-Up	3rd Place	Location
2009	Dave Warner			Castlederg
2008	Francis Kirby		Brian McMullan	Holywood
2007	Dave Warner		TBC	Holywood
2006	Francis Kirby	Dave Warner		Craigavon
2005		Francis Kirby		Carrickfergus
2004				Carrickfergus
2003	Francis Kirby			Carrickfergus
2002	Francis Kirby	Phil Porter		Portrush
2001			Francis Kirby	Bangor
2000	Glenn Ross	TBC	TBC	TBC
1999	Glenn Ross	TBC	TBC	TBC
1998	Glenn Ross	TBC	TBC	TBC
1997	Glenn Ross	TBC	TBC	TBC
1996	Glenn Ross	TBC	TBC	TBC
1995	Glenn Ross	TBC	TBC	TBC

Republic of Ireland's Strongest Man[]

Year	Champion	Runner-Up	3rd Place	Location
2012	James Fennelly	Paul Roberts	Nicky Whelan	TBC
2011	James Fennelly	Keith Maher	Nicky Whelan	TBC
2010	James Fennelly	Martin Gallen	Eoin Shanahan	Cork
2009	James Fennelly			TBC
2008				TBC
2007		TBC	TBC	TBC
2006				TBC
2005				TBC
2004				TBC
2003				TBC
2002				TBC
2001				TBC

Other Regional[]

• CNP Professional Strongman Premier League
• Midland's Strongest Man
• Mighty Midlander
• Mighty Midlander
• Corby Great Strength Eccleston
• East Britain Strongest Man
• North of England Strongest Man
• Yorkshire's Strongest Man

See also[]

• Strength athletics

References[]