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 practiced in modern strongman competitions, such as World's Strongest Man and IFSA sponsored events. However, the traditional events still are popularly contested events today. In the more modern phenomena that is the World's Strongest Man and its associated competitions, the United Kingdom and Ireland remain well represented, with regular appearances at world finals, and three men having won the coveted title of World's Strongest Man.
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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 Braemar Highland Games.[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 Inch Dumbbell, 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 W.A. Pullum. Others emerged in the twentieth century as well. Notably, David Prowse was initially famous in 1964 for his lifting the famed 785 pound 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 Jimmy Marku 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.
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.
| Year | Britain's Strongest Man | British Muscle Power Championship | UK Strongest Man | Britain's Most Powerful Man | UK Championship (IFSA) | British Championships (IFSA) | UK Strongman Docklands Challenge | WSM invitees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Not held | Not held | Glenn Ross | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Laurence Shahlaei Terry Hollands Mark Felix Mark Westaby Darren Sadler Reserve: Rob Frampton |
| 2009 | Not held | Not held | Jimmy Marku | Paul Carter | Not held | Not held | Not held | Laurence Shahlaei Terry Hollands Mark Felix Jimmy Marku Darren Sadler |
| 2008 | Jimmy Marku | Not held | Glenn Ross | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Laurence Shahlaei Terry Hollands Mark Felix Jimmy Marku Oli Thompson |
| 2007 | Terry Hollands | Not held | Glenn Ross | Jay Hughes | Not held | Not held | Not held | Darren Sadler Terry Hollands Mark Felix Jimmy Marku Mark Westaby |
| 2006 | Oli Thompson | Not held | Glenn Ross | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Darren Sadler Terry Hollands Mark Felix |
| 2005 | Mick Gosling | Not held | Terry Hollands | Not held | Not held | Mark Felix | Not held | Brian Irwin Terry Hollands Mick Gosling Carl Waitoa (rep. NZL) |
| 2004 | Rich Gosling | Not held | Glenn Ross | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Adrian Rollinson |
| 2003 | Rich Gosling | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Adrian Rollinson Eddy Ellwood Carl Broomfield Glenn Ross Richard Gosling |
| 2002 | Marc Iliffe | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Stuart Murray Gregor Edmunds Marc Illiffe David Warner Mick Gosling |
| 2001 | Glenn Ross | Not held | Steve Brooks | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Glenn Ross Rob Dixon Marc Illiffe Adrian Rollinson Andrew Raynes |
| 2000 | Glenn Ross | Not held | Richard Gosling | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Glenn Ross Rob Dixon Brian Bell Adrian Rollinson |
| 1999 | Glenn Ross | Not held | Richard Gosling | Not held | Not held | Not held | Bill Pittuck | Glenn Ross Bill Pittuck Steve Brooks Lee Bowers Jamie Barr |
| 1998 | Jamie Reeves | Russ Bradley | Adrian Smith | Not held | Not held | Not held | Russ Bradley | Glenn Ross Russ Bradley Frazer Tranter Lee Bowers Jamie Barr |
| 1997 | Rob Dixon | Russ Bradley | Adrian Smith | Not held | Stuart Murray | Not held | Adam Waldron | Robert Weir Russ Bradley Brian Bell |
| 1996 | Russ Bradley | Jamie Reeves | Graham Mullins | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Brian Bell Bill Pittuck Forbes Cowan |
| 1995 | Bill Pittuck/ Forbes Cowan | Gary Taylor | Dave Miles | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Gary Taylor Bill Pittuck Forbes Cowan |
| 1994 | Bill Pittuck | Jamie Reeves | Tommy Smith | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Forbes Cowan Gary Taylor |
| 1993 | Forbes Cowan | Forbes Cowan | Bill Pittuck | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Gary Taylor |
| 1992 | Jamie Reeves | Mark Higgins | Adrian Smith | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Gary Taylor Jamie Reeves |
| 1991 | Gary Taylor | Mark Higgins | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Gary Taylor |
| 1990 | Adrian Smith | Mark Higgins | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Adrian Smith |
| 1989 | Jamie Reeves | Tom Hawk | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Jamie Reeves |
| 1988 | Jamie Reeves John Smith's Trial of Strength |
Mark Higgins | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Jamie Reeves |
| 1987 | Not held | Geoff Capes | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | No WSM – Geoff Capes in Pure Strength |
| 1986 | Not held | Geoff Capes | Not held | Peter Tancred | Not held | Not held | Not held | Geoff Capes |
| 1985 | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Geoff Capes |
| 1984 | Alan Crossley | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Geoff Capes |
| 1983 | Geoff Capes | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Geoff Capes |
| 1982 | Richard Slaney | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Geoff Capes |
| 1981 | Geoff Capes | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Geoff Capes |
| 1980 | Richard Slaney | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Geoff Capes |
| 1979 | Geoff Capes | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Geoff Capes |
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Mark Felix | Oli Thompson | Andrew 'Stumpy' Raynes | TBC |
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Stuart Murray | Steve Brooks | Russ Bradley | TBC |
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Paul Carter | Chris Gearing | Paul Wood | TBC |
| 2007 | Jay Hughes | Adam Townsend | Paul Wood | TBC |
| 1986 | Peter Tancred | Peter Davis | Joe Walker | TBC |
| 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 | Adam Waldron | Steve Winter | Frazer Tranter | Peacock Gym, Canning Town, London |
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Russ Bradley | Lee Bowers | Regin Vagadal | TBC |
| 1997 | Russ Bradley | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1996 | Jamie Reeves | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1995 | Gary Taylor | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1994 | Jamie Reeves | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1993 | Forbes Cowan | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1992 | Mark Higgins | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1991 | Mark Higgins | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1990 | Mark Higgins | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1989 | Tom Hawk | Adrian Smith | Ian Murray | TBC |
| 1988 | Mark Higgins | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1987 | Geoff Capes | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1986 | Geoff Capes | TBC | TBC | TBC |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Eddy Hall | Jay Hughes | Paul Amor | Billingham, Teeside[7] | Elite |
| 2010 | Dean Slater | Gary Gardener | Rob Frampton | UKSC | |
| 2009 | Laurence Shahlaei | Mark Westaby | Alex Culletto | Lichfield[7] | Elite/UKSC |
| 2009[8] | Terry Hollands | Mark Felix | Darren Sadler | Doncaster Dome | Colin Bryce/WSM qualifier |
| 2008 | Jimmy Marku | Dave McAneney | Spencer Hyland | Lichfield[7] | Elite/UKSC |
| 2007 | Jimmy Marku | Jay Hughes | Rob Frampton | Lichfield[7] | Elite/UKSC |
| 2006 | Jimmy Marku | Dave Meer | Simon R Flint | Stoke-on-Trent[7] | Elite/UKSC |
| 2005 | Adam Townsend | Terry Hollands | Simon Morton | Stoke-on-Trent[7] | Elite/UKSC |
| 2005 | Eddy Ellwood | Mark Felix | Oli Thompson | Sheffield Stadium | IFSA |
| 2004 | Eddy Ellwood | Andrew 'Stumpy' Raynes | 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 | Steve Brooks | Andrew 'Stumpy' Raynes | 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 |
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Chris Innes | Andy Cairney | Louis McLean | TBC |
| 2006 | Jamie Barr | Andy Cairney | Raymond Christie | TBC |
| 2005 | Brian Turner | Jamie Barr | Stuart Murray | TBC |
| 2004 | Paul Porteous | Brian Turner | Stuart Murray | TBC |
| 2003 | Forbes Cowan | Paul Porteous | Gregor Edmunds | TBC |
| 2002 | Gregor Edmunds | Forbes Cowan | Brian Bell | TBC |
| 2001 | Jamie Barr | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 2000 | Jamie Barr | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1999 | Jamie Barr | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1998 | Brian Bell | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1997 | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1996 | Forbes Cowan | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1995 | Forbes Cowan | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1994 | Jamie Barr | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1993 | Forbes Cowan | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1992 | Forbes Cowan | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1991 | Brian Bell/ Stuart Murray | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1990 | Forbes Cowan | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1989 | Brian Bell | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1988 | Stuart Murray | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1987 | Ian Murray | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Jamie Redwood | Mike Williams | Ross Stone | TBC |
| 2006 | Dale Norris | Ross Stone | Mike Williams | TBC |
| 2005 | Dale Norris | Michael Williams | Walid El Hind | TBC |
| 2004 | Dean Bolt | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 2003 | Christian Clay | TBC | Dean Bolt | TBC |
| 2002 | Christian Clay | Dean Bolt | TBC | TBC |
| 2001 | Christian Clay | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 2000 | Christian Clay | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1999 | Christian Clay | 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[9] | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1991 | Gary Taylor | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1990 | Gary Taylor | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1989 | Gary Taylor | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Nigel Troy | Letterkenny, Ireland |
| 2005 | Brian Irwin | Paul Roberts | Pat McNamara | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| 2004 | Brian Irwin | Martin Campbell | Stephen Gracey | Bangor, Northern Ireland |
| 2003 | Martin Campbell | Rodney Fullerton | Stephen Gracey | County Wicklow, Ireland |
| 2002 | Phil Porter | Martin Campbell | Francis Kirby | Ballymoney, Northern Ireland |
| 2001 | Andrew Sheehan | Tom Mullholland | Martin Campbell | County Wicklow, Ireland |
| 2000 | Martin Campbell | Mark Yates | Frances Kirby | Glenarm, Northern Ireland |
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Dave Warner | Bertie Clark | Jonathan Kelly | Castlederg |
| 2008 | Francis Kirby | Gary Mckelvey | Brian McMullan | Holywood |
| 2007 | Dave Warner | Gary Mckelvey | TBC | Holywood |
| 2006 | Francis Kirby | Dave Warner | Gary McKelvey | Craigavon |
| 2005 | Brian Irwin | Francis Kirby | Gary McKelvey | Carrickfergus |
| 2004 | Brian Irwin | Stephen Gracey | Martin Tweedle | Carrickfergus |
| 2003 | Francis Kirby | Rodney Fulerton | Martin Campbell | Carrickfergus |
| 2002 | Francis Kirby | Phil Porter | Martin Campbell | Portrush |
| 2001 | Pat Dreary | Sean Keeley | 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 |
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Jason Reilly | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 2006 | Jason Reilly | Pat McNamara | Daniel Troy | TBC |
| 2005 | Carl Waitoa | Paul Roberts | Christopher Bowe | TBC |
| 2004 | Paul Roberts | Carl Waitoa | Jason Reilly | TBC |
| 2003 | Ray O'Dwyer | Kevin Murray | Pat McNamara | TBC |
| 2002 | Kevin Murray | Paul Roberts | Pat McNamara | TBC |
| 2001 | Andrew Sheehan | Ray O'Dwyer | Martin Keogh | TBC |