Britain's Strongest Man
Encyclopedia
Britain's Strongest Man (or "BSM") is an annual strongman event held in the United Kingdom
. Competitors qualify for the final through regional heats and the winner is awarded the title of "Britain's Strongest Man". The competition is produced by TWI and serves as a qualifying event for the World's Strongest Man
("WSM") competition, also a TWI production.
In a history that has close parallels with that of the World's Strongest Man
competition, the BSM competition has had a number of sponsors and has had to vie with rival competitions at different times, that also claim to produce the strongest man in Britain as their champion. The inaugural competition was in 1979 and was organised by TWI, and covered by the BBC. The final contest involved the field athletes Geoff Capes
and Jim Whitehead, weightlifter Andy Drzewiecki
, powerlifter Ray Nobile, Highland Games specialists, Bill Anderson
and Grant Anderson
, wrestler Big Pat Roach
, and Tosher Killingback and was won by Geoff Capes
. The contestants were there by invitation. The format continued until 1984. There was then a break of three years from 1985 through 1988 before the competition returned in 1989. In 1986 there was a "Britain's Most Powerful Man" and in 1988 a competition was organised by Geoff Capes
and David Webster
to find a successor to Geoff Capes, called the John Smith's Trial of Strength. The results of these competitions are often deemed to be equivalent to Britain's Strongest Man given the lack of a competition in those years. The IFSA
, after its creation in the mid-nineties, managed the event but parted company with TW1 after the completion of the 2004 event. TW1 have managed to have the event televised since the BBC opted out in 2004, with Sky One
covering in 2005, and Five in 2007 and 2008. The competition is currently sponsored by Met-Rx
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Competitors qualify for the final through regional heats and the winner is awarded the title of "Britain's Strongest Man". The competition is produced by TWI and serves as a qualifying event for the World's Strongest Man
World's Strongest Man
The World's Strongest Man is a well recognised event in strength athletics and has been described by a number of highly respected authorities in the sport as the premier event in strongman. Organized by TWI, an IMG Media company, it is broadcast around the end of December each year...
("WSM") competition, also a TWI production.
History
See Also: Strength Athletics in the United Kingdom and IrelandStrength 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...
In a history that has close parallels with that of the World's Strongest Man
World's Strongest Man
The World's Strongest Man is a well recognised event in strength athletics and has been described by a number of highly respected authorities in the sport as the premier event in strongman. Organized by TWI, an IMG Media company, it is broadcast around the end of December each year...
competition, the BSM competition has had a number of sponsors and has had to vie with rival competitions at different times, that also claim to produce the strongest man in Britain as their champion. The inaugural competition was in 1979 and was organised by TWI, and covered by the BBC. The final contest involved the field athletes Geoff Capes
Geoff Capes
Geoffrey Lewis Capes is a former athlete, strongman and professional Highland Games competitor...
and Jim Whitehead, weightlifter Andy Drzewiecki
Andy Drzewiecki
Andy Drzewiecki is a former athlete, weightlifter and strongman from England. He won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in 1978 in the heavyweight class of the weightlifting. He also competed at the 1980 Summer Olympic Games in Moscow...
, powerlifter Ray Nobile, Highland Games specialists, Bill Anderson
Bill Anderson (Highland games)
Bill Anderson is a Scottish heavyweight sportsman. He won the World Highland Games Championships in 1981 and the Scottish Highland Games Championships 16 times. He has also held every possible Scottish record in Highland Games.-Biography:Bill was born on Greenferns Farm, Bucksburn, close to...
and Grant Anderson
Grant Anderson (Highland games)
Grant Anderson is a former weightlifter and Highland Games competitor from Scotland. He won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in 1970 in the heavyweight class of the weightlifting but was more prominent as a Highland Games competitor, in which capacity he won the inaugural World Highland...
, wrestler Big Pat Roach
Pat Roach
Francis Patrick "Pat" Roach was an English actor, wrestler and author, from Birmingham. His most famous role is that of West Country bricklayer Brian "Bomber" Busbridge in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. He also played a memorable role as General Kael in Willow...
, and Tosher Killingback and was won by Geoff Capes
Geoff Capes
Geoffrey Lewis Capes is a former athlete, strongman and professional Highland Games competitor...
. The contestants were there by invitation. The format continued until 1984. There was then a break of three years from 1985 through 1988 before the competition returned in 1989. In 1986 there was a "Britain's Most Powerful Man" and in 1988 a competition was organised by Geoff Capes
Geoff Capes
Geoffrey Lewis Capes is a former athlete, strongman and professional Highland Games competitor...
and David Webster
David Webster
David Webster may refer to:* David Webster * David Webster , Chairman of InterContinental Hotels Group* David Webster , Australian TV producer for Ambence Entertainment, creator and writer for Erky Perky* David L...
to find a successor to Geoff Capes, called the John Smith's Trial of Strength. The results of these competitions are often deemed to be equivalent to Britain's Strongest Man given the lack of a competition in those years. The IFSA
IFSA
IFSA can refer to the following:* International Federation of Strength Athletes* International Financial Services Authority* International Forestry Students' Association* International Free Skiers Association* International Freestyle Skater Association...
, after its creation in the mid-nineties, managed the event but parted company with TW1 after the completion of the 2004 event. TW1 have managed to have the event televised since the BBC opted out in 2004, with Sky One
Sky One
Sky1 is the flagship BSkyB entertainment channel available in the United Kingdom and Ireland.The channel first launched on 26 April 1982 as Satellite Television, and is the fourth-oldest TV channel in the United Kingdom, behind BBC One , ITV and BBC Two...
covering in 2005, and Five in 2007 and 2008. The competition is currently sponsored by Met-Rx
Met-Rx
MET-Rx is a brand name of nutritional supplements, originally produced by Met-Rx, Inc., a California company started by A. Scott Connelly, and sold several times since....
.
Rival and Parallel Competitions
- In 2005 the 'IFSA Strongman British Championship' (or "British Championships (IFSA)") was held in direct competition with the BSM. However, this was short lived, lasting just one year, with the more established BSM gaining better sponsorship (from Met-RxMet-RxMET-Rx is a brand name of nutritional supplements, originally produced by Met-Rx, Inc., a California company started by A. Scott Connelly, and sold several times since....
) and television coverage (Sky OneSky OneSky1 is the flagship BSkyB entertainment channel available in the United Kingdom and Ireland.The channel first launched on 26 April 1982 as Satellite Television, and is the fourth-oldest TV channel in the United Kingdom, behind BBC One , ITV and BBC Two...
) largely due to its longeivity, its quaifying status for World's Strongest ManWorld's Strongest ManThe World's Strongest Man is a well recognised event in strength athletics and has been described by a number of highly respected authorities in the sport as the premier event in strongman. Organized by TWI, an IMG Media company, it is broadcast around the end of December each year...
and also its perception amongst the strongman community as the chief competition. The winner of this breakaway competition, Mark FelixMark FelixMark Felix is a strongman competitor and regular entrant to the World's Strongest Man competition...
, has since put his energies into competing in the BSM. - A more enduring rival competition is the UK Strongest Man 'Ultimate Strength Challenge', which began in 1992 and still continues today. However, competing in the BSM and the UKSC is not mutually exclusive and competitors are free to compete in both. This event is run by the UKSC - the UK Strength Council, and focuses more on pure strength rather than strength and speed.
- Other rival or parallel competitions that should not be confused with the BSM are:
- "UK Championship (IFSA)" which only ran for one year in 1997
- "Britain's Most Powerful Man", which although a "rival" in 2007, was last run in 1986, when there was no BSM and its winners are counted in the same list as the winners of the BSM.
- "British Muscle Power Championship" - this ran from 1986 to 1998 and included some of the biggest names of British strength athletics, including Geoff CapesGeoff CapesGeoffrey Lewis Capes is a former athlete, strongman and professional Highland Games competitor...
, Jamie ReevesJamie ReevesJamie Reeves is a former coal miner, strongman and professional wrestler. As a strongman, he won the 1989 World's Strongest Man, was World Muscle Power champion, and also had numerous other titles including Europe's Strongest Man and Britain's Strongest Man...
, Mark HigginsMark Higgins (athlete)Mark Higgins was one of the world's leading strongman competitors, having won the World Strongman Challenge on two occasions, and was the British Muscle Power Champion on four occasions...
, Forbes CowanForbes CowanForbes Cowan is a former leading Scottish strongman competitor and multiple entrant to the World's Strongest Man...
, Gary TaylorGary Taylor (strongman)Gary Taylor is a former strongman competitor, Olympic Weightlifter, powerlifter and bodybuilder from Wales.-Strength sports:...
and Russ Bradley. However, it was not so much a rival of BSM as an extra competition.
List of champions
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Not Held | |||
| 2009 | Not Held | |||
| 2008 |  Jimmy MarkuJimmy Marku Jimmy Marku is an Albanian-born British strongman competitor.-Early life:Jimmy Marku was born 27 August 1974 in Albania... Note 1 |
Terry Hollands Terry Hollands Terry Hollands , is one of the world's leading strongman competitors and was Britain's Strongest Man .-Early life:... |
Mark Felix Mark Felix Mark Felix is a strongman competitor and regular entrant to the World's Strongest Man competition... Note 2 |
Minehead Minehead Minehead is a coastal town and civil parish in Somerset, England. It lies on the south bank of the Bristol Channel, north-west of the county town of Taunton, from the border with the county of Devon and in proximity of the Exmoor National Park... |
| 2007 | Terry Hollands Terry Hollands Terry Hollands , is one of the world's leading strongman competitors and was Britain's Strongest Man .-Early life:... |
Mark Felix Mark Felix Mark Felix is a strongman competitor and regular entrant to the World's Strongest Man competition... Note 2 |
Darren Sadler Darren Sadler Darren Sadler was a British strongman competitor, winner of the World Strongman Challenge in the under 105 kg category, and notable for being a repeat competitor at the World's Strongest Man despite his comparatively small stature.-Early life:Darren Sadler was born on 22 March 1980 in... |
Minehead Minehead Minehead is a coastal town and civil parish in Somerset, England. It lies on the south bank of the Bristol Channel, north-west of the county town of Taunton, from the border with the county of Devon and in proximity of the Exmoor National Park... |
| 2006 | Oli Thompson Oli Thompson Oli Thompson made his MMA debut on 3 Feb 2009, defeating Ashley Pollard by a second round arm triangle choke. He has continued to fight since then, On 26 March 2011, after amassing a record of 7-2-0, with his only losses coming to future UFC heavyweight Rob Broughton and former UFC fighter Joe... |
Mark Felix Mark Felix Mark Felix is a strongman competitor and regular entrant to the World's Strongest Man competition... Note 2 |
Terry Hollands Terry Hollands Terry Hollands , is one of the world's leading strongman competitors and was Britain's Strongest Man .-Early life:... |
Isle of Man Isle of Man The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is... |
| 2005 | Mick Gosling Mick Gosling Mick Gosling is famous for being the winner of Britain's Strongest Man contest in 2005. He is the brother of fellow strongman and former holder of the title "Britain's Strongest Man", Richard Gosling.... |
Carl Waitoa | Ade Rollinson |
Dudley Castle Dudley Castle Dudley Castle is a ruined castle in the town of Dudley, West Midlands, England. Dudley Zoo is located in its grounds. The location, Castle Hill, is an outcrop of Wenlock Group limestone that was extensively quarried during the Industrial Revolution, and which now along with Wren's Nest Hill is a... |
| 2004 | Rich Gosling |
Ade Rollinson |
Oli Thompson Oli Thompson Oli Thompson made his MMA debut on 3 Feb 2009, defeating Ashley Pollard by a second round arm triangle choke. He has continued to fight since then, On 26 March 2011, after amassing a record of 7-2-0, with his only losses coming to future UFC heavyweight Rob Broughton and former UFC fighter Joe... |
Minehead Minehead Minehead is a coastal town and civil parish in Somerset, England. It lies on the south bank of the Bristol Channel, north-west of the county town of Taunton, from the border with the county of Devon and in proximity of the Exmoor National Park... |
| 2003 | Rich Gosling |
 Gregor EdmundsGregor Edmunds Gregor Edmunds is a Scottish Highland Games competitor and strongman. Gregor is a winner of the World Highland Games Championships, Highlander Challenge, and Scotland's Strongest Man.... |
 Glenn RossGlenn Ross Glenn Ross known by his nickname "Big Daddy", is a Northern Irish International Strongman and Powerlifter who has represented Ireland and the UK in several World's Strongest Man competitions and various World Grand Prix and European Team competitions... |
Scarborough |
| 2002 | Marc Iliffe Marc Iliffe Marc Iliffe was a British strongman famous for being the winner of Britain's Strongest Man contest in 2002.-Career:Iliffe was acknowledged as being extremely dedicated to the sport of strength athletics... |
Gregor Edmunds Gregor Edmunds Gregor Edmunds is a Scottish Highland Games competitor and strongman. Gregor is a winner of the World Highland Games Championships, Highlander Challenge, and Scotland's Strongest Man.... |
Bill Pittuck Bill Pittuck Bill Pittuck is a British strongman competitor, notable for having won both major British titles and having been a repeat competitor at the World's Strongest Man, as well as achieving a high standing in the World Muscle Power Classic.- Biography :Bill Pittuck rose to prominence in the early 1990s... |
Haven Holiday Park and Criccieth Castle Criccieth Castle Criccieth Castle is a native Welsh castle situated on the headland between two beaches in Criccieth, Gwynedd, in North Wales, on a rocky peninsula overlooking Tremadog Bay... |
| 2001 | Glenn Ross Glenn Ross Glenn Ross known by his nickname "Big Daddy", is a Northern Irish International Strongman and Powerlifter who has represented Ireland and the UK in several World's Strongest Man competitions and various World Grand Prix and European Team competitions... |
Rob Dixon |
Adrian Rollinson Adrian Rollinson Adrian Rollinson is a British strongman competitor, notable for being a repeat competitor at the World's Strongest Man.- Biography :... |
Minehead Minehead Minehead is a coastal town and civil parish in Somerset, England. It lies on the south bank of the Bristol Channel, north-west of the county town of Taunton, from the border with the county of Devon and in proximity of the Exmoor National Park... |
| 2000 | Glenn Ross Glenn Ross Glenn Ross known by his nickname "Big Daddy", is a Northern Irish International Strongman and Powerlifter who has represented Ireland and the UK in several World's Strongest Man competitions and various World Grand Prix and European Team competitions... |
Steve Brooks |
Brian Bell |
Alton Towers Alton Towers Alton Towers is a theme park and resort located in Staffordshire, England. It attracts around 2.7 million visitors per year making it the most visited theme park in the United Kingdom. Alton Towers is also the 9th most visited theme park in Europe... |
| 1999 | Glenn Ross Glenn Ross Glenn Ross known by his nickname "Big Daddy", is a Northern Irish International Strongman and Powerlifter who has represented Ireland and the UK in several World's Strongest Man competitions and various World Grand Prix and European Team competitions... |
Steve Brooks |
Jamie Barr |
Alton Towers Alton Towers Alton Towers is a theme park and resort located in Staffordshire, England. It attracts around 2.7 million visitors per year making it the most visited theme park in the United Kingdom. Alton Towers is also the 9th most visited theme park in Europe... |
| 1998 | Jamie Reeves Jamie Reeves Jamie Reeves is a former coal miner, strongman and professional wrestler. As a strongman, he won the 1989 World's Strongest Man, was World Muscle Power champion, and also had numerous other titles including Europe's Strongest Man and Britain's Strongest Man... |
TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1997 | Rob Dixon |
TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1996 | Russ Bradley |
TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1995 | Bill Pittuck Bill Pittuck Bill Pittuck is a British strongman competitor, notable for having won both major British titles and having been a repeat competitor at the World's Strongest Man, as well as achieving a high standing in the World Muscle Power Classic.- Biography :Bill Pittuck rose to prominence in the early 1990s... / Forbes CowanForbes Cowan Forbes Cowan is a former leading Scottish strongman competitor and multiple entrant to the World's Strongest Man... |
TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1994 | Bill Pittuck Bill Pittuck Bill Pittuck is a British strongman competitor, notable for having won both major British titles and having been a repeat competitor at the World's Strongest Man, as well as achieving a high standing in the World Muscle Power Classic.- Biography :Bill Pittuck rose to prominence in the early 1990s... |
TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1993 | Forbes Cowan Forbes Cowan Forbes Cowan is a former leading Scottish strongman competitor and multiple entrant to the World's Strongest Man... |
 Gary TaylorGary Taylor (strongman) Gary Taylor is a former strongman competitor, Olympic Weightlifter, powerlifter and bodybuilder from Wales.-Strength sports:... ? |
TBC | TBC |
| 1992 | Jamie Reeves Jamie Reeves Jamie Reeves is a former coal miner, strongman and professional wrestler. As a strongman, he won the 1989 World's Strongest Man, was World Muscle Power champion, and also had numerous other titles including Europe's Strongest Man and Britain's Strongest Man... |
TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1991 | Gary Taylor Gary Taylor (strongman) Gary Taylor is a former strongman competitor, Olympic Weightlifter, powerlifter and bodybuilder from Wales.-Strength sports:... |
TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1990 | Adrian Smith Adrian Smith (strongman) Adrian Smith is a former strongman competitor from Great Britain. Adrian started his strength career in bodybuilding before switching over to strongman. He was trained by the legendary Geoff Capes for the 1990 World's Strongest Man competition, his only appearance in WSM, finishing in 5th place... |
Gary Taylor Gary Taylor (strongman) Gary Taylor is a former strongman competitor, Olympic Weightlifter, powerlifter and bodybuilder from Wales.-Strength sports:... |
TBC | TBC |
| 1989 | Jamie Reeves Jamie Reeves Jamie Reeves is a former coal miner, strongman and professional wrestler. As a strongman, he won the 1989 World's Strongest Man, was World Muscle Power champion, and also had numerous other titles including Europe's Strongest Man and Britain's Strongest Man... |
TBC | TBC | TBC |
| 1988 John Smith's Trial of Strength |
Jamie Reeves Jamie Reeves Jamie Reeves is a former coal miner, strongman and professional wrestler. As a strongman, he won the 1989 World's Strongest Man, was World Muscle Power champion, and also had numerous other titles including Europe's Strongest Man and Britain's Strongest Man... |
Mark Higgins |
 Peter TregloanPeter Tregloan Peter Tregloan is a former strongman and Powerlifter from Jersey. He has won a number of titles including nine world championships in powerlifting and is the current world record holder in Squat, Deadlift and Total weight for the Masters age class.-Early life:Peter Tregloan was born in 1957 in... |
TBC |
| 1987 | Not Held | |||
| 1986 Britain's Most Powerful Man |
Peter Tancred Peter Tancred Peter Arthur Tancred is a former athlete, and professional strongman from England. He competed at the 1976 Montreal Olympics in the discus and came sixth at the 1978 Commonwealth Games... Note 2 |
Peter Davis | Joe Walker | TBC |
| 1985 | Not Held | |||
| 1984 | Alan Crossley Alan Crossley Alan Crossley is a former English cricketer. Crossley was a right-handed batsman who fielded as a wicket-keeper. He was born in Oldham, Lancashire.... |
Peter Tancred Peter Tancred Peter Arthur Tancred is a former athlete, and professional strongman from England. He competed at the 1976 Montreal Olympics in the discus and came sixth at the 1978 Commonwealth Games... & Peter Welch |
TBC | TBC |
| 1983 | Geoff Capes Geoff Capes Geoffrey Lewis Capes is a former athlete, strongman and professional Highland Games competitor... |
Jack Hynd |
John Burns |
TBC |
| 1982 | Richard Slaney Richard Slaney Richard Charles Slaney is a British discus thrower who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics and strongman competitor, notable for being a repeat winner of the Britain's Strongest Man title.-Biography:... |
Hamish Davidson |
Andy Drzewiecki Andy Drzewiecki Andy Drzewiecki is a former athlete, weightlifter and strongman from England. He won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in 1978 in the heavyweight class of the weightlifting. He also competed at the 1980 Summer Olympic Games in Moscow... & Errol Carnegie & Peter Welch |
TBC |
| 1981 | Geoff Capes Geoff Capes Geoffrey Lewis Capes is a former athlete, strongman and professional Highland Games competitor... |
Hamish Davidson |
Richard Slaney Richard Slaney Richard Charles Slaney is a British discus thrower who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics and strongman competitor, notable for being a repeat winner of the Britain's Strongest Man title.-Biography:... |
TBC |
| 1980 | Richard Slaney Richard Slaney Richard Charles Slaney is a British discus thrower who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics and strongman competitor, notable for being a repeat winner of the Britain's Strongest Man title.-Biography:... |
Jack Hynd |
Steve Zetolofsky |
TBC |
| 1979 | Geoff Capes Geoff Capes Geoffrey Lewis Capes is a former athlete, strongman and professional Highland Games competitor... |
Bill Anderson Bill Anderson (Highland games) Bill Anderson is a Scottish heavyweight sportsman. He won the World Highland Games Championships in 1981 and the Scottish Highland Games Championships 16 times. He has also held every possible Scottish record in Highland Games.-Biography:Bill was born on Greenferns Farm, Bucksburn, close to... |
TBC | TBC |
Championships by country
| Country | Titles |
|---|---|
| 21 | |
| 4 | |
| 2 | |
| 2 | |
Repeat champions
| Champion | Times |
|---|---|
| Jamie Reeves Jamie Reeves Jamie Reeves is a former coal miner, strongman and professional wrestler. As a strongman, he won the 1989 World's Strongest Man, was World Muscle Power champion, and also had numerous other titles including Europe's Strongest Man and Britain's Strongest Man... |
4 |
| Geoff Capes Geoff Capes Geoffrey Lewis Capes is a former athlete, strongman and professional Highland Games competitor... |
3 |
| Glenn Ross Glenn Ross Glenn Ross known by his nickname "Big Daddy", is a Northern Irish International Strongman and Powerlifter who has represented Ireland and the UK in several World's Strongest Man competitions and various World Grand Prix and European Team competitions... |
3 |
| Richard Slaney Richard Slaney Richard Charles Slaney is a British discus thrower who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics and strongman competitor, notable for being a repeat winner of the Britain's Strongest Man title.-Biography:... |
2 |
| Gary Taylor Gary Taylor (strongman) Gary Taylor is a former strongman competitor, Olympic Weightlifter, powerlifter and bodybuilder from Wales.-Strength sports:... |
2 |
| Forbes Cowan Forbes Cowan Forbes Cowan is a former leading Scottish strongman competitor and multiple entrant to the World's Strongest Man... |
2 |
| Rich Gosling |
2 |