Strength athletics in the United Kingdom and Ireland

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 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 regular appearances at world finals, and with three men having won the title of World's Strongest Man, as well as Terry Hollands 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 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 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

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
2012 Laurence Shahlaei Not held Ed Hall Not held Not held Not held Laurence Shahlaei
(injured - withdrew)
Terry Hollands
Jack McIntosh
Ed Hall
Chris Gearing
Graham Hicks
2011 Not held Not held Ed Hall Not held Not held Not held Laurence Shahlaei
Terry Hollands
Mark Felix
Jack McIntosh
Rob Frampton
2010 Not held Not held Glenn Ross 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 Laurence Shahlaei
Terry Hollands
Mark Felix
Jimmy Marku
Darren Sadler
2008 Jimmy Marku Not held Glenn Ross 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 Darren Sadler
Terry Hollands
Mark Felix
Jimmy Marku
Mark Westaby
2006 Oli Thompson Not held Glenn Ross Not held Not held Not held Darren Sadler
Terry Hollands
Mark Felix
2005 Mick Gosling Not held Terry Hollands 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 Adrian Rollinson
2003 Rich Gosling 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 Stuart Murray
Gregor Edmunds
Marc Illiffe
David Warner
Mick Gosling
2001 Glenn Ross Not held Steve Brooks 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 Glenn Ross
Rob Dixon
Brian Bell
Adrian Rollinson
1999 Glenn Ross Not held Richard Gosling 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 Russ Bradley Glenn Ross
Russ Bradley
Frazer Tranter
Lee Bowers
Jamie Barr
1997 Rob Dixon Russ Bradley Adrian Smith Not held Stuart Murray Adam Waldron Robert Weir
Russ Bradley
Brian Bell
1996 Russ Bradley Jamie Reeves Graham Mullins 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 Gary Taylor
Bill Pittuck
Forbes Cowan
1994 Bill Pittuck Jamie Reeves Tommy Smith Not held Not held Not held Forbes Cowan
Gary Taylor
1993 Forbes Cowan Forbes Cowan Bill Pittuck Not held Not held Not held Gary Taylor
1992 Jamie Reeves Mark Higgins Adrian Smith Not held Not held Not held Gary Taylor
Jamie Reeves
1991 Gary Taylor Mark Higgins Not held Not held Not held Not held Gary Taylor
1990 Adrian Smith Mark Higgins Not held Not held Not held Not held Adrian Smith
1989 Jamie Reeves Tom Hawk 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 Jamie Reeves
1987 Not held Geoff Capes Not held Not held Not held Not held No WSM –
Geoff Capes in Pure Strength
1986 Not held Geoff Capes Not held Pete Tancred Not held Not held Geoff Capes
1985 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 Geoff Capes
1983 Geoff Capes 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 Geoff Capes
1981 Geoff Capes 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 Geoff Capes
1979 Geoff Capes Not held Not held Not held Not held Not held Geoff Capes

Pan-British Isles

Britain's Strongest Man

British Championships (IFSA)

Year Champion Runner-Up 3rd Place Location
2005 England Mark Felix England Oli Thompson England Andrew 'Stumpy' Raynes TBC

Others

UK Championship (IFSA)
Year Champion Runner-Up 3rd Place Location
1997 Scotland Stuart Murray England Steve Brooks England Russ Bradley TBC
Britain's Most Powerful Man
Year Champion Runner-Up 3rd Place Location
2009 England Paul Carter England Chris Gearing England Paul Wood TBC
2007 England Jay Hughes England Adam Townsend England Paul Wood TBC
1986 Jersey Pete Tancred England Peter Davis England Joe Walker TBC
UK Strongman Docklands Challenge
Year Champion Runner-Up 3rd Place Location
1999 England Bill Pittuck England Andy Bolton Northern Ireland Glenn Ross England Peacock Gym, Canning Town, London
1998 England Russ Bradley England Frazer Tranter England TBC England Peacock Gym, Canning Town, London
1997 England Adam Waldron England Steve Winter England Frazer Tranter England Peacock Gym, Canning Town, London
British Muscle Power Championship
Year Champion Runner-Up 3rd Place Location
1998 England Russ Bradley England Lee Bowers Faroe Islands Regin Vagadal TBC
1997 England Russ Bradley TBC TBC TBC
1996 Wales Gary Taylor TBC TBC TBC
1995 Wales Gary Taylor TBC TBC TBC
1994 Austria Manfred Hoeberl (Guest) Scotland Jamie Barr Scotland Forbes Cowan TBC
1993 Scotland Forbes Cowan TBC TBC TBC
1992 England Jamie Reeves TBC TBC TBC
1991 England Jamie Reeves TBC TBC TBC
1990 England Jamie Reeves TBC TBC TBC
1989 England Mark Higgins England Adrian Smith Scotland Ian Murray TBC
1988 England Mark Higgins TBC TBC TBC
1987 England Geoff Capes England Jamie Reeves England Mark Higgins Scotland Scotland
1986 England Geoff Capes TBC TBC TBC

Team Competitions

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

Truck Pulling

National and Regional

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 EnglandBen Kelsey EnglandAdam Bishop EnglandChris GearingEngland Northwood Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent UKSC
2013 EnglandEddy Hall EnglandBen Kelsey EnglandTom Shaw England Reading, Berkshire UKSC
2012 EnglandPaul Carter EnglandMike Woods EnglandAdam Bishop England Long Marston, Stratford-upon-Avon Elite
2012 EnglandChris Gearing EnglandGary Gardener EnglandMark Lawson England Aylesford, Kent UKSC
2011 EnglandLloyd Renals EnglandMike Woods EnglandMark Lawson England Billingham, Teesside Elite
2011 EnglandEddy Hall EnglandTom Shaw EnglandRob Drennan England Colchester, Essex UKSC
2010 EnglandEddy Hall EnglandJay Hughes EnglandPaul Amor England Billingham, Teesside[7] Elite
2010 EnglandDean Slater EnglandGary Gardener EnglandRob Frampton England UKSC
2009 England Laurence Shahlaei England Mark Westaby England Alex Culletto England Lichfield[7] Elite/UKSC
2009[8] England Terry Hollands England Mark Felix England Darren Sadler England Doncaster Dome Colin Bryce/WSM qualifier
2008 England Jimmy Marku England Dave McAneney England Spencer Hyland Lichfield[7] Elite/UKSC
2007 England Jimmy Marku England Jay Hughes England Rob Frampton Lichfield[7] Elite/UKSC
2006 England Jimmy Marku England Dave Meer England Simon R Flint Stoke-on-Trent[7] Elite/UKSC
2005 England Adam Townsend England Terry Hollands England Simon Morton Stoke-on-Trent[7] Elite/UKSC
2005 England Eddy Ellwood England Mark Felix England Oli Thompson Sheffield Stadium IFSA
2004 England Eddy Ellwood England Andrew 'Stumpy' Raynes England Mark Felix TBC TBC
2003 England Eddy Ellwood England Bill Pittuck England Richard Gosling TBC TBC
2002 England Bill Pittuck England Mick Gosling England Ade Rollinson TBC TBC
2001 England Bill Pittuck England Steve Brooks England Andrew 'Stumpy' Raynes TBC TBC
2000 TBC TBC TBC TBC TBC
1999 TBC TBC TBC TBC TBC
1998 TBC TBC TBC TBC TBC
1997 England Jamie Reeves TBC TBC TBC TBC
1996 England Jamie Reeves TBC TBC TBC TBC
1995 England Jamie Reeves TBC TBC TBC TBC
1994 England Jamie Reeves TBC TBC TBC TBC
1993 England Jamie Reeves TBC TBC TBC TBC
1992 England Jamie Reeves TBC TBC TBC TBC
1991 England Bill Pittuck TBC TBC TBC TBC
1990 England Adrian Smith TBC TBC TBC TBC
1989 England Jamie Reeves TBC TBC TBC TBC
1988 England Jamie Reeves TBC TBC TBC TBC
1987 England Jamie Reeves TBC TBC TBC TBC

Scotland's Strongest Man

Year Champion Runner-Up 3rd Place Location
2007 Scotland Chris Innes Scotland Andy Cairney Scotland Louis McLean TBC
2006 Scotland Jamie Barr Scotland Andy Cairney Scotland Raymond Christie TBC
2005 Scotland Brian Turner Scotland Jamie Barr Scotland Stuart Murray TBC
2004 Scotland Paul Porteous Scotland Brian Turner Scotland Stuart Murray TBC
2003 Scotland Forbes Cowan Scotland Paul Porteous Scotland Gregor Edmunds TBC
2002 Scotland Gregor Edmunds Scotland Forbes Cowan Scotland Brian Bell TBC
2001 Scotland Jamie Barr TBC TBC TBC
2000 Scotland Jamie Barr TBC TBC TBC
1999 Scotland Jamie Barr TBC TBC TBC
1998 Scotland Brian Bell TBC TBC TBC
1997 TBC TBC TBC TBC
1996 Scotland Forbes Cowan TBC TBC TBC
1995 Scotland Forbes Cowan TBC TBC TBC
1994 Scotland Jamie Barr TBC TBC TBC
1993 Scotland Forbes Cowan TBC TBC TBC
1992 Scotland Forbes Cowan TBC TBC TBC
1991 Scotland Iain MurrayScotland TBC TBC TBC
1990 Scotland Brian Bell TBC TBC TBC
1989 Scotland Iain Murray TBC TBC TBC
1988 Scotland Iain Murray TBC TBC TBC
1987 Scotland Iain Murray 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
2013 Wales Simon Johnston Wales Owen Lewis Wales Nathan Llewellyn Prestatyn
2012 Wales Simon Johnston Wales Kelvin Gardner Wales Rob Bush TBC
2011 Wales Richard Smith Wales Martin Jones Wales Emil Hodzivic Cardiff
2010 Wales Dale Norris Wales Richard Smith Wales Owen Lewis Cardiff
2007 Wales Jamie Redwood Wales Mike Williams Wales Ross Stone TBC
2006 Wales Dale Norris Wales Ross Stone Wales Mike Williams TBC
2005 Wales Dale Norris Wales Michael Williams Wales Walid El Hind TBC
2004 Wales Dean Bolt TBC TBC TBC
2003 Wales Christian Clay TBC Wales Dean Bolt TBC
2002 Wales Christian Clay Wales Dean Bolt TBC TBC
2001 Wales Christian Clay TBC TBC TBC
2000 Wales Christian Clay TBC TBC TBC
1999 Wales Christian Clay TBC TBC TBC
1998 TBC TBC TBC TBC
1997 Wales Gary Taylor TBC TBC TBC
1996 Wales Gary Taylor TBC TBC TBC
1995 Wales Gary Taylor TBC TBC TBC
1994 Wales Gary Taylor TBC TBC TBC
1993 Wales Gary Taylor TBC TBC TBC
1992 Wales Robin McBryde[11] TBC TBC TBC
1991 Wales Gary Taylor TBC TBC TBC
1990 Wales Gary Taylor TBC TBC TBC
1989 Wales Gary Taylor TBC TBC TBC

Ireland's Strongest Man

Year Champion Runner-Up 3rd Place Location
2012 Republic of Ireland James Fennelly Template:Country data TBC TBC Template:Country data TBC TBC Republic of Ireland Kilmore Quay, Ireland
2011 Northern Ireland Jonathan Kelly Republic of Ireland Paul Roberts Republic of Ireland Richard Looney Northern Ireland Derry City, Northern Ireland
2010 Republic of Ireland James Fennelly Northern Ireland Jonathan Kelly Republic of Ireland Eoin Shanahan Isle of Man The Isle of Man
2009 Northern Ireland Dave Warner Republic of Ireland James Fennelly Republic of Ireland Eoin Shanahan Northern Ireland Lisburn, Northern Ireland
2008 Northern Ireland Dave Warner Northern Ireland Gary Mckelvey Republic of Ireland James Fennelly Republic of Ireland Drogheda, Ireland
2007 Northern Ireland Dave Warner Northern Ireland Gary Mckelvey Northern Ireland Brian McMullan Northern Ireland Armagh, Northern Ireland
2006 Northern Ireland Dave Warner Northern Ireland Gary Mckelvey Northern Ireland Nigel Troy Republic of Ireland Letterkenny, Ireland
2005 Northern Ireland Brian Irwin Republic of Ireland Paul Roberts Republic of Ireland Pat McNamara Northern Ireland Belfast, Northern Ireland
2004 Northern Ireland Brian Irwin Republic of Ireland Martin Campbell Northern Ireland Stephen Gracey Northern Ireland Bangor, Northern Ireland
2003 Republic of Ireland Martin Campbell Republic of Ireland Rodney Fullerton Republic of Ireland Stephen Gracey Republic of Ireland County Wicklow, Ireland
2002 Republic of Ireland Phil Porter Republic of Ireland Martin Campbell Republic of Ireland Francis Kirby Northern Ireland Ballymoney, Northern Ireland
2001 Republic of Ireland Andrew Sheehan Republic of Ireland Tom Mullholland Republic of Ireland Martin Campbell Republic of Ireland County Wicklow, Ireland
2000 Republic of Ireland Martin Campbell Republic of Ireland Mark Yates Republic of Ireland Frances Kirby Northern Ireland Glenarm, Northern Ireland

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

Year Champion Runner-Up 3rd Place Location
2009 Northern Ireland Dave Warner Northern Ireland Bertie Clark Northern Ireland Jonathan Kelly Northern Ireland Castlederg
2008 Northern Ireland Francis Kirby Northern Ireland Gary Mckelvey Northern Ireland Brian McMullan Holywood
2007 Northern Ireland Dave Warner Northern Ireland Gary Mckelvey TBC Northern Ireland Holywood
2006 Northern Ireland Francis Kirby Northern Ireland Dave Warner Northern Ireland Gary McKelvey Northern Ireland Craigavon
2005 Northern Ireland Brian Irwin Northern Ireland Francis Kirby Northern Ireland Gary McKelvey Northern Ireland Carrickfergus
2004 Northern Ireland Brian Irwin Northern Ireland Stephen Gracey Northern Ireland Martin Tweedle Northern Ireland Carrickfergus
2003 Northern Ireland Francis Kirby Northern Ireland Rodney Fulerton Northern Ireland Martin Campbell Northern Ireland Carrickfergus
2002 Northern Ireland Francis Kirby Northern Ireland Phil Porter Northern Ireland Martin Campbell Northern Ireland Portrush
2001 Northern Ireland Pat Dreary Northern Ireland Sean Keeley Northern Ireland Francis Kirby Northern Ireland Bangor
2000 Northern Ireland Glenn Ross TBC TBC TBC
1999 Northern Ireland Glenn Ross TBC TBC TBC
1998 Northern Ireland Glenn Ross TBC TBC TBC
1997 Northern Ireland Glenn Ross TBC TBC TBC
1996 Northern Ireland Glenn Ross TBC TBC TBC
1995 Northern Ireland Glenn Ross TBC TBC TBC

Republic of Ireland's Strongest Man

Year Champion Runner-Up 3rd Place Location
2012 Republic of Ireland James Fennelly Paul Roberts Nicky Whelan TBC
2011 Republic of Ireland James Fennelly Keith Maher Nicky Whelan TBC
2010 Republic of Ireland James Fennelly Martin Gallen Eoin Shanahan Republic of Ireland Cork
2009 Republic of Ireland James Fennelly Daniel Gannon Eoin Shanahan TBC
2008 Republic of Ireland Jason Reilly Daniel Gannon Ross Tweedy TBC
2007 Republic of Ireland Jason Reilly TBC TBC TBC
2006 Republic of Ireland Jason Reilly Republic of Ireland Pat McNamara Republic of Ireland Daniel Troy TBC
2005 Republic of Ireland Carl Waitoa Republic of Ireland Paul Roberts Republic of Ireland Christopher Bowe TBC
2004 Republic of Ireland Paul Roberts Republic of Ireland Carl Waitoa Republic of Ireland Jason Reilly TBC
2003 Republic of Ireland Ray O'Dwyer Republic of Ireland Kevin Murray Republic of Ireland Pat McNamara TBC
2002 Republic of Ireland Kevin Murray Republic of Ireland Paul Roberts Republic of Ireland Pat McNamara TBC
2001 Republic of Ireland Andrew Sheehan Republic of Ireland Ray O'Dwyer Republic of Ireland Martin Keogh TBC

Other Regional

See also

References