Forbes Cowan
Encyclopedia
Forbes Cowan (born 16 October 1964, Kilwinning
, North Ayrshire
, Scotland
) is a former leading Scottish strongman
competitor and multiple entrant to the World's Strongest Man
. Although he never captured the World's Strongest Man title, during the 1990s he was the World Muscle Power champion, Europe's Strongest Man
and Britain's Strongest Man
, as well as being consistently in the top five in major international competitions.
, a title he held with World's Strongest Man
winner Gary Taylor
. In 1993 he won the British Muscle Power Championship and Britain's Strongest Man
and was selected as the competition tester and British reserve for the 1993 World's Strongest Man
competition in Orange, France.
Forbes Cowan came fourth in the World Muscle Power championship of 1993 and 1994, and in 1995 progressed to second spot, winning this prestigious title in 1996. He took the European Muscle Power title in 1995 in a field that included the great Magnus Ver Magnusson
.
Four years into his professional career he was invited to his first World's Strongest Man
in 1994 in South Africa where he won his heat, which included the current title holder, competition held in South Africa in 1994, he created a sensation when he won his heat against tough opposition, including the then current title holder Gary Taylor
. In the final, he beat the eventual champion Magnus Ver Magnusson
in the pole push but sustained a rib injury. He continued through the pain to finish fifth overall. He repeated this finish in 1995, again after sustaining an injury, this time to his back.
His career peaked in 1996, when he won the World Muscle Power title. Far from being a spent force, he continued to compete but not at the very top international flight.
In addition to strength athletics
he also was a renowned Highland Games
competitor execelling in caber tossing and throwing 56 lb in weight or height. His throws of 16' 6" in the latter assured is place in the world rankings.
Kilwinning
Kilwinning is a historic town in North Ayrshire, Scotland. It is known as The Crossroads of Ayrshire. The 2001 Census recorded it as having a population of 15,908.-History:...
, North Ayrshire
North Ayrshire
North Ayrshire is one of 32 council areas in Scotland with a population of roughly 136,000 people. It is located in the south-west region of Scotland, and borders the areas of Inverclyde to the north, Renfrewshire to the north-east and East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire to the East and South...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
) is a former leading Scottish strongman
Strongman (strength athlete)
In the 19th century, the term strongman referred to an exhibitor of strength or circus performers of similar ilk who displayed feats of strength such as the bent press , supporting large amounts of...
competitor and multiple entrant to 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...
. Although he never captured the World's Strongest Man title, during the 1990s he was the World Muscle Power champion, Europe's Strongest Man
Europe's Strongest Man
Europe's Strongest Man is an annual strength athletics competition which began in 1980. The event is held in various locations throughout Europe, and features exclusively European strongman competitors. Mariusz Pudzianowski currently holds the record for most wins with 6 titles...
and Britain's Strongest Man
Britain's Strongest Man
Britain's Strongest Man 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"...
, as well as being consistently in the top five in major international competitions.
Biography
Forbes Cowan began his strongman career in 1990 with a win in his inaugural competition as Cunninghame's Strongest Man in May 1990. Having repeated this feat in 1991 he quickly moved into the professional circuit and won Scotland's Strongest Man, the first of six such titles. In 1991, the meteoric career led him to become Europe's Strongest ManEurope's Strongest Man
Europe's Strongest Man is an annual strength athletics competition which began in 1980. The event is held in various locations throughout Europe, and features exclusively European strongman competitors. Mariusz Pudzianowski currently holds the record for most wins with 6 titles...
, a title he held with 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...
winner Gary Taylor
Gary Taylor (strongman)
Gary Taylor is a former strongman competitor, Olympic Weightlifter, powerlifter and bodybuilder from Wales.-Strength sports:...
. In 1993 he won the British Muscle Power Championship and Britain's Strongest Man
Britain's Strongest Man
Britain's Strongest Man 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"...
and was selected as the competition tester and British reserve for the 1993 World's Strongest Man
1993 World's Strongest Man
The 1993 World's Strongest Man was the 16th edition of World's Strongest Man and was won by Gary Taylor from United Kingdom. It was his first title after finishing fifth the previous year. 1991 winner Magnus Ver Magnusson from Iceland was runner up for the second year in a row, and Riku Kiri from...
competition in Orange, France.
Forbes Cowan came fourth in the World Muscle Power championship of 1993 and 1994, and in 1995 progressed to second spot, winning this prestigious title in 1996. He took the European Muscle Power title in 1995 in a field that included the great Magnus Ver Magnusson
Magnús Ver Magnússon
Magnús Ver Magnússon is a former powerlifter and strongman competitor from Egilsstaðir, Iceland. Magnus won the title of World's Strongest Man four times ....
.
Four years into his professional career he was invited to his first World's Strongest Man
1994 World's Strongest Man
The 1994 World's Strongest Man was the 17th edition of World's Strongest Man and was won by Magnus Ver Magnusson from Iceland. It was his second title after finishing second the previous 2 years in a row. Manfred Hoeberl from Austria finished second after finishing fourth the previous year, and...
in 1994 in South Africa where he won his heat, which included the current title holder, competition held in South Africa in 1994, he created a sensation when he won his heat against tough opposition, including the then current title holder Gary Taylor
Gary Taylor (strongman)
Gary Taylor is a former strongman competitor, Olympic Weightlifter, powerlifter and bodybuilder from Wales.-Strength sports:...
. In the final, he beat the eventual champion Magnus Ver Magnusson
Magnús Ver Magnússon
Magnús Ver Magnússon is a former powerlifter and strongman competitor from Egilsstaðir, Iceland. Magnus won the title of World's Strongest Man four times ....
in the pole push but sustained a rib injury. He continued through the pain to finish fifth overall. He repeated this finish in 1995, again after sustaining an injury, this time to his back.
His career peaked in 1996, when he won the World Muscle Power title. Far from being a spent force, he continued to compete but not at the very top international flight.
In addition to strength athletics
Strength athletics
Strength athletics, more generally known as strongman competitions, is a sport which tests competitors' strength in a variety of different ways. Some of the disciplines are similar to those in powerlifting and some powerlifters have also successfully competed in strongman competitions...
he also was a renowned Highland Games
Highland games
Highland games are events held throughout the &Highland games are events held throughout the &Highland games are events held throughout the &(-è_çà in Scotland and other countries as a way of celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage, especially that of the Scottish Highlands. Certain...
competitor execelling in caber tossing and throwing 56 lb in weight or height. His throws of 16' 6" in the latter assured is place in the world rankings.
Competition record
- 1991
- 1. - Europe's Strongest ManEurope's Strongest ManEurope's Strongest Man is an annual strength athletics competition which began in 1980. The event is held in various locations throughout Europe, and features exclusively European strongman competitors. Mariusz Pudzianowski currently holds the record for most wins with 6 titles...
- 1. - Europe's Strongest Man
- 1993
- 1. - Britain's Strongest ManBritain's Strongest ManBritain's Strongest Man 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"...
- 5. - Europe's Strongest ManEurope's Strongest ManEurope's Strongest Man is an annual strength athletics competition which began in 1980. The event is held in various locations throughout Europe, and features exclusively European strongman competitors. Mariusz Pudzianowski currently holds the record for most wins with 6 titles...
- 4. - World Muscle Power
- 1. - Britain's Strongest Man
- 1994
- 6. - Europe's Strongest ManEurope's Strongest ManEurope's Strongest Man is an annual strength athletics competition which began in 1980. The event is held in various locations throughout Europe, and features exclusively European strongman competitors. Mariusz Pudzianowski currently holds the record for most wins with 6 titles...
- 5. - 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...
- 4. - World Muscle Power
- 6. - Europe's Strongest Man
- 1995
- 1. - Britain's Strongest ManBritain's Strongest ManBritain's Strongest Man 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"...
- 11. - Europe's Strongest ManEurope's Strongest ManEurope's Strongest Man is an annual strength athletics competition which began in 1980. The event is held in various locations throughout Europe, and features exclusively European strongman competitors. Mariusz Pudzianowski currently holds the record for most wins with 6 titles...
- 1. - European Muscle Power
- 2. - World Muscle Power
- 1. - Britain's Strongest Man
- 1996
- 1. - World Muscle Power
- 12. - Europe's Strongest ManEurope's Strongest ManEurope's Strongest Man is an annual strength athletics competition which began in 1980. The event is held in various locations throughout Europe, and features exclusively European strongman competitors. Mariusz Pudzianowski currently holds the record for most wins with 6 titles...
(injured) - 5. - 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...