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 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.
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 the televisation of strongman competitions began with Britain's Strongest Man first being televised 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 emerged, with these three in particular going on to win the World's Strongest Man title. The modern era sees the tradition continue with Terry Hollands, Mark Felix and Jimmy Marku being regular faces at World's Strongest Man and its associated Super Series. Almost inevitably, more than one interested party has seen the commercial advantages of such competitions and there have been rival competitions over the years since inception, with the IFSA and United Kingdom Strength Council setting up events separate from Britain's Strongest Man.
Alongside the modern interpretation still exists the traditional such as the Highland Games, which although exported around the world 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.
Pan-British Isles
Britain's Strongest Man
British Championships (IFSA)
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 |  Mark Felix |
Oli Thompson |
Andrew 'Stumpy' Raynes |
 TBC
|
UK Strongest Man
Others
UK Championship (IFSA)
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 |  Glenn Ross |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 1998 | TBC |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 1997 |  Stuart Murray |
Steve Brooks |
Russ Bradley |
TBC
|
Britain's Most Powerful Man
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Jay Hughes |
Adam Townsend |
Paul Wood |
TBC
|
| 1986 |  Peter Tancred |
Peter Davis |
Joe Walker |
TBC
|
British Muscle Power Championship
| 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
|
Team Competitions
- UK Team Champs
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
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Jimmy Marku |
Dave McAneney |
Spencer Hyland |
TBC
|
| 2007 | Jimmy Marku |
Jay Hughes |
Rob Frampton |
TBC
|
| 2006 | Jimmy Marku |
Dave Meer |
Simon R Flint |
TBC
|
| 2005 | Adam Townsend |
Terry Hollands |
Simon Morton |
TBC
|
| 2004 | Eddy Elwood |
Andrew 'Stumpy' Raynes |
Mark Felix |
TBC
|
| 2003 | Eddy Elwood |
Bill Pittuck |
Richard Gosling |
TBC
|
| 2002 | Bill Pittuck |
Mick Gosling |
Ade Rollinson |
TBC
|
| 2001 | Bill Pittuck |
Steve Brooks |
Andrew 'Stumpy' Raynes |
TBC
|
| 2000 | TBC |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 1999 | TBC |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 1998 | TBC |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 1997 | Jamie Reeves |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 1996 | Jamie Reeves |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 1995 | Jamie Reeves |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 1994 | Jamie Reeves |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 1993 | Jamie Reeves |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 1992 | Jamie Reeves |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 1991 | Bill Pittuck |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 1990 | Adrian Smith |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 1989 | Jamie Reeves |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 1988 | Jamie Reeves |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 1987 | Jamie Reeves |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
IFSA England's Strongest Man
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Eddy Elwood |
Mark Felix |
Oli Thompson |
TBC
|
Scotland's Strongest Man
| 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
|
Wales' Strongest Man
| 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 | Christian Clay |
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 |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 1991 | Gary Taylor |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 1990 | Gary Taylor |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 1989 | Gary Taylor |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
All Ireland Strongest Man
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Dave Warner |
Gary Mckelvey |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 2007 | Dave Warner |
Gary Mckelvey |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 2006 | Dave Warner |
Gary Mckelvey |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 2005 | Brian Irwin |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 2004 | Brian Irwin |
 Martin Campbell |
Stephen Gracey |
TBC
|
| 2003 | Martin Campbell |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 2002 | Phil Porter |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 2001 | Andrew Sheehan |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 2000 | Martin Campbell |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
Northern Ireland (Ulster) Strongest Man/Ulster's Strongest Man
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Francis Kirby |
Gary Mckelvey |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 2007 | Dave Warner |
Gary Mckelvey |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 2006 | Francis Kirby |
Dave Warner |
Gary McKelvey |
TBC
|
| 2005 | Brian Irwin |
Francis Kirby |
Gary McKelvey |
TBC
|
| 2004 | Brian Irwin |
Stephen Gracey |
Martin Tweedle |
TBC
|
| 2003 | Francis Kirby |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 2002 | Francis Kirby |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 2001 | Pat Dreary |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
| 2002 | Kevin Murray |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC
|
Orkney\Shetland's Strongest Man
Other Regional
- CNP Professional Strongman Premier League
- Midland's Strongest Man
- Mighty Midlander
- Corby Great Strength Eccleston
- East Britain Strongest Man
- North of England Strongest Man
- Yorkshire’s Strongest Man