The World’s Strongest Man Arena Tour Events were freshly announced by Giants Live. First up on the circuit is Britain’s Strongest Man competition, held on February 26th, 2022, in Utilita Arena in Sheffield, UK.
First up: Britain’s Strongest Man Lineup
Here’s a look at the 11-man roster in alphabetical order:
- Gavin Bilton
- Adam Bishop
- Andy Black
- Mark Felix
- Shane Flowers
- Desmond Gahan
- Graham Hicks- *Withdrew from event
- Pa O’Dwyer
- Paul Smith
- Luke Stoltman
- Tom Stoltman
Gavin Bilton
Bilton is one to look for at the event as he scooped up first place in U.K.’s Strongest Man’s competition the past two years. This giant stands at 6’6” but is quick on his feet. Besides his accolades in Strongman competitions over the past few years, Bilton has served on 2 tours to Afghanistan as part of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guard. He also played rugby for the Welsh premiership; talk about a jack of all trades!
Adam Bishop
Bishop placed second in last year’s Britain’s Strongest Man after winning the title the prior year in 2020. He often refers to himself as “one of the little guys” at 6’3” 320lbs in Strongman competitions; Bishop is looking to regain this title once again. Similarly to Bilton, he had a background in rugby and only recently left his job as the strength and conditioning coach at Harlequin F.C., a professional rugby team based out of London. Look out for Bishop as he continues to make waves in the sport.
Andy Black
Black is a relative newcomer to the world of Strongmen. Going from an overweight couch potato to 2x Scotland’s Strongest Man (2020-2021) within the span of a few years, sounds like a David Goggins success story. Black said he was sick of being fat, so he joined a gym and started eating healthy; since then, he hasn’t looked back. We’re excited to see where this lad’s journey takes him.
Mark Felix
Felix has a long career in Strongman after starting in the sport back in 2003, an impressive almost 20-year run. At 55-year-old, Felix is still going strong as he qualified for World’s Strongest Man last year. Although Felix has his work cut out for him with this lineup, we still can’t help but be amazed at the consistency demonstrated by this man.
Shane Flowers
Flowers is also fresh to the Strongman world, but he did pick up the title of England’s Strongest Man (Ultimate Strongman) in his 2021 debut. Even though he’s new to the sport, he said he had been powerlifting for the past 8 years or so. It will be interesting to see how Flowers fares against these other monsters in February.
Desmond Gahan
Gahan hasn’t been in the Strongman circuit for long. He placed 10th in 2021 Britain’s Strongest Man contest. His career highlight so far is placing second at the Wales Strongest Man competition. He has his work cut out for him; we wish him well!
Graham Hicks
Hicks is looking for redemption after having to withdraw from both the 2020 and 2021 World’s Strongest Man due to last-minute injuries. Hicks is known for his pressing prowess, especially the log lift. In 2019 Hicks won BSM; think he can do it again?
UPDATE: Hicks withdrew from the event due to a groin injury.
Pa O’Dwyer
The 5x Ireland’s Strongest Man, AKA “Limerick Lion,” competed at the World’s Strongest Man in 2020. Perhaps his most impressive win was at the 2018 U.K.’s Strongest Man competition. We love watching him compete; he has a personality bigger than his stature.
Paul Smith
At only 27 years old, Smith has won England’s Strongest Man 2 times (Ultimate Strongman) and competed in the World’s Strongest Man in 2018. Smith isn’t one of the bigger guys out there at 5’11 300lbs, so he tends to favor competitions that use more athletic-style events. He says his dream is to win Britain’s Strongest Man; let’s see how he does.
Luke Stoltman
One half of the Stoltman juggernaut, Luke won 2021 Europe’s Strongest Man competition and the Giants Live World Tour Finals. He’s coming in hot and wants to win this competition as the highest he placed is 3rd. The Highland Oak will be battling it out with his brother Tom "The Albatross"to see which one can place higher on that podium.
Tom Stoltman
The younger brother always has something to prove, and boy did he do that by winning the World’s Strongest Man and Britain’s Strongest Man in 2021. Tom was the first Scotsman to win WSM and has been vocal about how he uses his autism as fuel during these insane displays of strength. Tom is the favorite to win this one, but you should never count your chickens before the eggs hatch in the sport of Strongman.
World’s Strongest Man Arena Tour 2022
- Britain’s Strongest Man: February 26th, 2022 at Utilita Arena in Sheffield
- Europe’s Strongest Man: April 2nd, 2022 at First Direct Arena in Leeds
- The Strongman Classic: July 9th, 2022, at Royal Albert Hall in London
- Giants Live World Open: August 6th, 2022, at Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff
- Arnold’s Sports Festival: U.K. September 24th, 2022 at the NEC in Birmingham
- World Tour Finals: October 8th, 2022, at Ovo Hydro in Glasgow
- World’s Strongest Nation: November 26th, 2022 at M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool
Note: Giants Live hosts the official tour that qualifies strongmen to compete at the annual World’s Strongest Man competition.
This should be a good one; who do you think will place 1st, 2nd, 3rd?
Kiel DiGiovanni
Author