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 Glenn Ross, Terry Hollands, Eddie Hall and John Ryan Cappalahan, 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.
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 William Pullum. Others emerged in the twentieth century as well. Notably, David Prowse was initially famous in 1964 for his lifting the famed 785lb 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.
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 | UK Strongest Man | WSM invitees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Tom Stoltman (3) | Paul Smith (3) | ||
| 2023 | Adam Bishop (2) | Paul Smith (2) |
| |
| 2022 | Tom Stoltman (2) | Paul Smith | Adam Bishop Mark Felix Andy Black Gavin Bilton Luke Stoltman Shane Flowers | |
| 2021 | Tom Stoltman | Gavin Bilton (2) | Adam Bishop Mark Felix Graham Hicks Terry Hollands Gavin Bilton Luke Richardson Luke Stoltman | |
| 2020 | Adam Bishop | Gavin Bilton | Luke Richardson Adam Bishop Terry Hollands Pa O'Dwyer Mark Felix Graham Hicks Luke Stoltman Tom Stoltman |
| Year | Britain's Strongest Man | UK Strongest Man | Britain's Most Powerful Man | UK Championship (IFSA)/ British Championships (IFSA) | WSM invitees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Jimmy Marku | Paul Carter | Laurence Shahlaei Terry Hollands Mark Felix Jimmy Marku Darren Sadler | |||
| 2008 | Jimmy Marku | Glenn Ross (4) | Laurence Shahlaei Terry Hollands Mark Felix Jimmy Marku Oli Thompson | |||
| 2007 | Terry Hollands | Glenn Ross (3) | Jay Hughes | Darren Sadler Terry Hollands Mark Felix Jimmy Marku Mark Westaby | ||
| 2006 | Oli Thompson | Glenn Ross (2) | Darren Sadler Terry Hollands Mark Felix | |||
| 2005 | Mick Gosling | Terry Hollands | Mark Felix | Brian Irwin Terry Hollands Mick Gosling Carl Waitoa (rep. NZL) | ||
| 2004 | Richard Gosling (2) | Adrian Rollinson | ||||
| 2003 | Richard Gosling | Adrian Rollinson Eddy Ellwood Carl Broomfield Glenn Ross Richard Gosling | ||||
| 2002 | Marc Iliffe | Stuart Murray Gregor Edmunds Marc Illiffe David Warner Mick Gosling | ||||
| 2001 | Glenn Ross (3) | Steve Brooks | Glenn Ross Rob Dixon Marc Illiffe Adrian Rollinson Andrew Raynes | |||
| 2000 | Glenn Ross (2) | Richard Gosling (2) | Glenn Ross Rob Dixon Brian Bell Adrian Rollinson |
| 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 | Richard Gosling | Bill Pittuck | Glenn Ross Bill Pittuck Steve Brooks Lee Bowers Jamie Barr | |||
| 1998 | Jamie Reeves (4) | Russ Bradley (2) | Adrian Smith (3) | Russ Bradley | Glenn Ross Russ Bradley Frazer Tranter Lee Bowers Jamie Barr | ||
| 1997 | Rob Dixon | Russ Bradley | Adrian Smith (2) | Stuart Murray | Adam Waldron | Robert Weir Russ Bradley Brian Bell | |
| 1996 | Russ Bradley | Jamie Reeves (2) | Graham Mullins | Brian Bell Bill Pittuck Forbes Cowan | |||
| 1995 | Forbes Cowan (2) | Gary Taylor | Dave Miles | Gary Taylor Bill Pittuck Forbes Cowan | |||
| 1994 | Bill Pittuck | Jamie Reeves | Tommy Smith | Forbes Cowan Gary Taylor | |||
| 1993 | Forbes Cowan | Forbes Cowan | Bill Pittuck | Gary Taylor | |||
| 1992 | Jamie Reeves | Mark Higgins (4) | Adrian Smith | Gary Taylor Jamie Reeves | |||
| 1991 | Gary Taylor | Mark Higgins (3) | Gary Taylor | ||||
| 1990 | Adrian Smith | Mark Higgins (2) | Adrian Smith |
| Year | Britain's Strongest Man | British Muscle Power Championship | Britain's Most Powerful Man | WSM invitees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Jamie Reeves (2) | Tom Hawk | Jamie Reeves | ||
| 1988 | Jamie Reeves John Smith's Trial of Strength | Mark Higgins | Jamie Reeves | ||
| 1987 | Geoff Capes (2) | No WSM | |||
| 1986 | Geoff Capes | Pete Tancred | Geoff Capes | ||
| 1985 | Geoff Capes | ||||
| 1984 | Allan Crossley | Geoff Capes | |||
| 1983 | Geoff Capes (3) | Geoff Capes | |||
| 1982 | Richard Slaney (2) | Geoff Capes | |||
| 1981 | Geoff Capes (2) | Geoff Capes | |||
| 1980 | Richard Slaney | Geoff Capes | |||
| 1979 | Geoff Capes | Geoff Capes |
See main article: Britain's Strongest Man.
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | TBC | ||||
| 2007 | TBC | ||||
| 1986 | TBC |
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Peacock Gym, Canning Town, London | ||||
| 1998 | TBC | Peacock Gym, Canning Town, London | |||
| 1997 | Steve Winter | Peacock Gym, Canning Town, London |
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | TBC | ||||
| 1997 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1996 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1995 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1994 |  Manfred Hoeberl (Guest) | TBC | |||
| 1993 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1992 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1991 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1990 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1989 | TBC | ||||
| 1988 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1987 | Scotland | ||||
| 1986 | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Year | Champions | Runners-Up | 3rd Place | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Shawn Kenny & Martin Jones | Lee Bowers & Paul Cater | Paul Amor & Keith Garrett | ||
| 2008 | Paul Cater & Rich Gorvin | Dale Norris & Martin Jones | |||
| 2009 | Enzo Martino & Jay | Lee Bowers & Liam O'Sullivan | |||
| 2011 | Graham Hicks & James Wilmot | Ashley Smith & Freddy Hick | Phill Wooton and Will Egan | Swindon |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Kane Francis | Andrew Flynn | Paddy Haynes | York Barbican, York | Giants Live | |
| 2023 | Patrick Haynes | Andrew Flynn | Max Searby | The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington | UKSC | |
| 2023[7] | Luke Richardson | Patrick Haynes | The Dome, Doncaster | Giants Live | ||
| 2022 | Paul Smith | Lewis Packham | Haliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington | UKSC | ||
| 2022 | Ryan Bennet | Kane Francis | Liverpool Exhibition Center, Liverpool | Giants Live | ||
| 2021 | Paul Smith | Lewis Packham | Haliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington | UKSC | ||
| 2021 | Shane Flowers | Kevin Colis | Liverpool Exhibition Center, Liverpool | Giants Live | ||
| 2020 | Paul Smith | TBC | TBC | TBC | UKSC | |
| 2018 | Sean Logan | TBC | TBC | UKSC | ||
| 2017 | Phil Roberts | TBC | TBC | TBC | UKSC | |
| 2016 | Paul Smith | TBC | TBC | TBC | UKSC | |
| 2014 | Ben Kelsey | Chris Gearing | Northwood Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent | UKSC | ||
| 2013 | Eddie Hall | Reading, Berkshire | UKSC | |||
| 2012 | Paul Carter | Mike Woods | Long Marston, Stratford-upon-Avon | Elite | ||
| 2012 | Chris Gearing | Aylesford, Kent | UKSC | |||
| 2011 | Lloyd Renals | Mike Woods | Billingham, Teesside | Elite | ||
| 2011 | Eddie Hall | Tom Shaw | Colchester, Essex | UKSC | ||
| 2010 | Eddie Hall | Billingham, Teesside | Elite | |||
| 2010 | Dean Slater | UKSC | ||||
| 2009 | Lichfield | Elite/UKSC | ||||
| 2009[8] | Doncaster Dome | Colin Bryce/WSM qualifier | ||||
| 2008 | Lichfield | Elite/UKSC | ||||
| 2007 | Lichfield | Elite/UKSC | ||||
| 2006 | Stoke-on-Trent[9] | Elite/UKSC | ||||
| 2005 | Stoke-on-Trent | Elite/UKSC | ||||
| 2005 | Sheffield Stadium | IFSA | ||||
| 2004 | TBC | TBC | ||||
| 2003 | TBC | TBC | ||||
| 2002 | TBC | TBC | ||||
| 2001 | TBC | TBC | ||||
| 2000 | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | |
| 1999 | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | |
| 1998 | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | |
| 1997 | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1996 | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1995 | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1994 | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1993 | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1992 | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1991 | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1990 | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1989 | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1988 | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1987 | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Location | Promoter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Chris Beetham | Louis Jack | Scott Fraser | Grangemouth Stadium | UKSC |
| 2023 | Connor Curran | Callum Crozier | Chris Beetham | SEC Centre, Glasgow | Giants Live |
| 2023 | Louis Jack | Chris Beetham | Callum Crozier | Grangemouth Stadium | UKSC |
| 2022 | Connor Curran | SEC Centre, Glasgow | Giants Live | ||
| 2022 | Louis Jack (2) | Callum Crozier | Grangemouth Stadium | UKSC | |
| 2021 | Louis Jack (1) | Charlie Little | UKSC | ||
| 2021 | Zake Muluzi | SEC Centre, Glasgow | Giants Live | ||
| 2020 | No Contest | No Contest due to the COVID-19 pandemic | UKSC | ||
| 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 | Zake Muluzi | TBC | |||
| 2014 | Stephen Cherrie | Thomas Parkes | TBC | ||
| 2013 | 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 | Ewan Cameron | TBC | TBC | ||
| 2007 | TBC | ||||
| 2006 | TBC | ||||
| 2005 | Stuart Murray | TBC | |||
| 2004 | Stuart Murray | TBC | |||
| 2003 | TBC | ||||
| 2002 | 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 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1995 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1994 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1993 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1992 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1991 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1990 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1989 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1988 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1987 | TBC | TBC | TBC |
2013 saw the first ever televised event for Wales' Strongest Man taken place at Haven Prestahaven Sands in Prestatyn North Wales as detailed here .[10] 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, Land Rover Driving experience and off course recognition for SImon Johnston[11] 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 | Promoter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Jacob Brooke | Matt Dimond | Mark Jeanes | Cardiff, Wales | |
| 2023 | Mark Jeanes | Matt Dimond | Luke Sperduti | ||
| 2022 | Cardiff, Wales | ||||
| 2021 | Llanelli, Wales | ||||
| 2020 | No Contest | No Contest | No Contest | No Contest due to the COVID-19 pandemic | |
| 2019 | Mark Jeanes | Matt Dimond | TBC | ||
| 2018 | TBC | ||||
| 2017 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 2016 | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | |
| 2015 | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | |
| 2014 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 2013 | Owen Lewis | Nathan Llewellyn | Prestatyn, Wales | ||
| 2012 | 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 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1996 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1995 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1994 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1993 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1992 | Robin McBryde[12] | TBC | TBC | TBC | |
| 1991 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1990 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1989 | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Location | Promoter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Cillein Groom (2) | Gerard Buckley | Jamie McNamara | Crumlin Road Gaol, Northern Ireland | |
| 2023 | Cillein Groom | Ruiari O'Hagan | Shaun Diver | ||
| 2022 | Field Stadium, Limerick | ||||
| 2021 | Bangor, Northern Ireland | ||||
| 2020 | TBC | ||||
| 2019 | 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 | TBC | TBC | Kilmore Quay, Ireland | ||
| 2011 | Richard Looney | Derry City, Northern Ireland | |||
| 2010 | Eoin Shanahan | Isle of Man | |||
| 2009 | Eoin Shanahan | Lisburn, Northern Ireland | |||
| 2008 | Gary Mckelvey | Drogheda, Ireland | |||
| 2007 | Gary Mckelvey | Brian McMullan | Armagh, Northern Ireland | ||
| 2006 | 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 |
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Location | Promoter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Castlederg | ||||
| 2008 | Holywood | ||||
| 2007 | TBC | Holywood | |||
| 2006 | Craigavon | ||||
| 2005 | Carrickfergus | ||||
| 2004 | Carrickfergus | ||||
| 2003 | Carrickfergus | ||||
| 2002 | Portrush | ||||
| 2001 | Bangor | ||||
| 2000 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1999 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1998 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1997 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1996 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 1995 | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Location | Promoter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Paul Roberts | Nicky Whelan | TBC | ||
| 2011 | Keith Maher | Nicky Whelan | TBC | ||
| 2010 | Martin Gallen | Eoin Shanahan | Cork | ||
| 2009 | Daniel Gannon | TBC | |||
| 2008 | Daniel Gannon | TBC | |||
| 2007 | TBC | TBC | TBC | ||
| 2006 | TBC | ||||
| 2005 | TBC | ||||
| 2004 | TBC | ||||
| 2003 | TBC | ||||
| 2002 | TBC | ||||
| 2001 | TBC |
Pa O'Dwyer