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, Luke Stoltman and Tom Stoltman, with regular appearances at world finals, and with three men having won the title of World's Strongest Man.
History
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.
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.".www.oldtimestrongman.com 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 Dinnie Stones, the first man to do so since Donald Dinnie himself a century earlier. 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
2020s Year Britain's Strongest Man UK Strongest Man WSM invitees2026 Tom Stoltman (4) Andrew Flynn (2)2025 Luke Stoltman Andrew Flynn2024 Tom Stoltman (3) Paul Smith (3) 2023 Adam Bishop (2) Paul Smith (2) 2022 Tom Stoltman (2) Paul Smith Adam BishopMark FelixGavin BiltonLuke StoltmanAndy BlackShane Flowers 2021 Tom Stoltman Gavin Bilton (2) Adam BishopMark FelixGraham HicksTerry HollandsGavin BiltonLuke RichardsonLuke Stoltman 2020 Adam Bishop Gavin Bilton Luke RichardsonAdam BishopTerry HollandsMark FelixGraham HicksLuke StoltmanTom StoltmanPa O'Dwyer
2010s Year Britain's Strongest Man UK Strongest Man WSM invitees 2019 Graham Hicks Paul Benton Adam BishopMark FelixLaurence ShahlaeiLuke StoltmanTom StoltmanZake Muluzi 2018 Eddie Hall (5) Pa O'Dwyer Adam BishopMark FelixGraham HicksTerry HollandsLaurence ShahlaeiLuke StoltmanPaul Smith 2017 Eddie Hall (4) Laurence Shahlaei Mark FelixEddie HallTerry HollandsLaurence ShahlaeiLuke StoltmanTom Stoltman 2016 Eddie Hall (3) Eddie Hall (6) Adam BishopMark FelixCharlie GoughEddie HallTerry HollandsLaurence ShahlaeiLuke Stoltman 2015 Eddie Hall (2) Eddie Hall (5) Adam BishopMark FelixEddie HallGraham HicksLaurence Shahlaei 2014 Eddie Hall Eddie Hall (4) Eddie HallGraham HicksBen KelseyTerry HollandsLaurence Shahlaei 2013 Laurence Shahlaei (2) Eddie Hall (3) Mark FelixEddie HallGraham HicksTerry HollandsLaurence ShahlaeiLloyd Renals 2012 Laurence Shahlaei Eddie Hall (2) Chris GearingEddie HallGraham HicksTerry HollandsJack McIntoshLaurence Shahlaei(injured - withdrew) 2011 Eddie Hall Mark FelixTerry HollandsJack McIntoshLaurence ShahlaeiRob Frampton 2010 Glenn Ross (5) Mark FelixTerry HollandsDarren SadlerLaurence ShahlaeiMark WestabyReserve: Rob Frampton
2000s 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 ShahlaeiTerry HollandsMark FelixJimmy MarkuDarren Sadler 2008 Jimmy Marku Glenn Ross (4) Laurence ShahlaeiTerry HollandsMark FelixJimmy MarkuOli Thompson 2007 Terry Hollands Glenn Ross (3) Jay Hughes Darren SadlerTerry HollandsMark FelixJimmy MarkuMark Westaby 2006 Oli Thompson Glenn Ross (2) Darren SadlerTerry HollandsMark Felix 2005 Mick Gosling Terry Hollands Mark Felix Terry HollandsMick GoslingBrian IrwinCarl Waitoa (rep. NZL) 2004 Richard Gosling (2) Glenn Ross Adrian Rollinson 2003 Richard Gosling Adrian RollinsonEddy EllwoodGlenn RossRichard GoslingCarl Broomfield 2002 Marc Iliffe Gregor EdmundsMarc IlliffeDavid WarnerMick GoslingStuart Murray 2001 Glenn Ross (3) Steve Brooks Glenn RossRob DixonMarc IlliffeAdrian RollinsonAndrew Raynes 2000 Glenn Ross (2) Richard Gosling (2) Glenn RossRob DixonAdrian RollinsonBrian Bell
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 Richard Gosling Bill Pittuck Glenn RossBill PittuckSteve BrooksLee BowersJamie Barr 1998 Jamie Reeves (4) Russ Bradley (2) Adrian Smith (3) Russ Bradley Glenn RossRuss BradleyFrazer TranterLee BowersJamie Barr 1997 Rob Dixon Russ Bradley Adrian Smith (2) Stuart Murray Adam Waldron Robert WeirRuss BradleyBrian Bell 1996 Russ Bradley Jamie Reeves (2) Graham Mullins Bill PittuckForbes CowanBrian Bell 1995 Forbes Cowan (2) Gary Taylor Dave Miles Gary TaylorBill PittuckForbes Cowan 1994 Bill Pittuck Jamie Reeves Tommy Smith Forbes CowanGary Taylor 1993 Forbes Cowan Forbes Cowan Bill Pittuck Gary Taylor 1992 Jamie Reeves Mark Higgins (4) Adrian Smith Gary TaylorJamie Reeves 1991 Gary Taylor Mark Higgins (3) Gary Taylor 1990 Adrian Smith Mark Higgins (2) 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 Jamie Reeves 1988 Jamie ReevesJohn 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
Pan-British Isles Britain's Strongest Man British Championships (IFSA) UK Strongest Man
Britain's Strongest Man
British Championships (IFSA)
YearChampionRunner-up3rd PlaceLocation2005 Mark Felix Oli Thompson Andrew 'Stumpy' Raynes TBC
UK Strongest Man
Others
UK Championship (IFSA) YearChampionRunner-up3rd PlaceLocation1997 Stuart Murray Steve Brooks Russ Bradley TBC
Britain's Most Powerful Man YearChampionRunner-up3rd PlaceLocation2009 Paul Carter Chris Gearing Paul Wood TBC2007 Jay Hughes Adam Townsend Paul Wood TBC1986 Pete Tancred Peter Davis Joe Walker TBC
UK Strongman Docklands Challenge YearChampionRunner-up3rd PlaceLocation1999 Bill Pittuck Andy Bolton Glenn Ross Peacock Gym, Canning Town, London1998 Russ Bradley Frazer Tranter TBC Peacock Gym, Canning Town, London1997 Adam Waldron Steve Winter Frazer Tranter Peacock Gym, Canning Town, London
British Muscle Power Championship YearChampionRunner-up3rd PlaceLocation1998 Russ Bradley Lee Bowers Regin Vagadal TBC1997 Russ Bradley TBC TBC TBC1996 Gary Taylor TBC TBC TBC1995 Gary Taylor TBC TBC TBC1994 Manfred Hoeberl Jamie Barr Forbes Cowan TBC1993 Forbes Cowan TBC TBC TBC1992 Jamie Reeves TBC TBC TBC1991 Paul Lupton TBC TBC TBC1990 Jamie Reeves TBC TBC TBC1989 Mark Higgins Adrian Smith Ian Murray TBC1988 Mark Higgins TBC TBC TBC1987 Geoff Capes Jamie Reeves Mark Higgins Scotland1986 Geoff Capes TBC TBC TBC
Team Competitions YearChampionsRunners-up3rd PlaceLocation2007 Shawn Kenny & Martin Jones Lee Bowers & Paul Cater Paul Amor & Keith Garrett 2008 Laurence Shahlaei & Rob Frampton 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 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. 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.