The Steel City bears the ‘weight’ of a Nation on its back



On the 27th January 2018 Giants live will be running the annual ‘Britain’s strongest man competition’ at the Fly DSA arena Sheffield. It will give fans the chance to meet the UK’s first World’s strongest man since Sheffield’s very own Jamie Reeves.

Eddie Hall, aka the Beast, tipping the scales at 31 stone will attempt to defend his title he has won 4 times. Mark Felix the popular 51 year old from Lancashire is coming back after injury alongside Terry Hollands – all World’s strongest man competitors seen on TV over Christmas.

Eddie Hall aka the Beast - World's Strongest Man

However Sheffield has its own part to play in this competition with a rich history in the sport of World strongmen. It isn’t called the City of steel for nothing. And steel is strong. No more so than its very own Paul Smith who has been invited to compete against the World’s elite at Britain’s strongest man 2018.

Paul Smith World's Strongest Junior

At only 23 years of age, the youngster has already amassed the title of Northern England’s strongest man, UK’s strongest Junior 2015, England’s strongest man 2016-17 (the youngest ever athlete to win it in its history), and is currently the World’s strongest Junior returning victorious from Canada last year.

So essentially how does the World’s strongest Junior compare to the World’s strongest man? Let’s take a closer look;

PAUL SMITH                                                   EDDIE HALL
Sheffield                                                            Stoke
Chest 56 inches                                                 Chest 65 inches
Biceps 21 inches                                               Biceps 24 inches
Height 5”11                                                       Height 6”3
Weight 140kg                                                    Weight 186kg

We know Eddie Hall is the king of the deadlift with his unprecedented 500kg lift at Europe’s strongest man in 2016 when compared to Paul Smiths 360 kg deadlift but it isn’t just about deadlifts.

Events can pay into an athletes favour with Paul been quite explosive and armed with a great log press which poses a real threat to the competitors. His training schedule as seen him already hit 160kg on the log.

Strongman training is like boxing in many ways, it is about timing as much as anything. If you peak in strength too soon, or go too heavy too quickly it spells injury, or worse going into a competition fatigued. Peak, then taper off before a competition is a crucial part of preparation. Paul is looking solid going into this competition after a hectic schedule last year.

The sport is seeing a resurgence with viewing figures going through the roof at Christmas time when Eddie Hall took the World’s strongest man title. Of course Jamie Reeves won this over 20 years ago giving Sheffield a mark on the sport.

And it doesn’t end there. The Yorkshire’s strongest man competition runs in South Yorkshire and has got more and more popular with contestants and fans alike. Simon Knowles, an imposing figure at 6 foot 5 inches tall and tipping the scales at around 26 stones is the current holder of the prestigious regional title. With a 58 inch chest, 21 inch biceps and a 365 kg deadlift Simon represents hard work does pay off improving year on year.



Simon Knowles Log Press

Simon who trains with Paul at Titanium strength gym in Sheffield hides another secret as a venue. That’s because retired policeman and England’s current strongest man Phil Roberts owns and trains at the gym. This makes the argument that Sheffield is the UK Capital of strongman sports with one gym hosting Regional, National and even international strongman talent.

So Sheffield, and in particular South Yorkshire, has a rich history of strength sports. Man Beast Strongman events operates in Doncaster and provides strongman roadshows; lifting cars for customers at the Doncaster Lakeside shopping outlet, Pulling vans and even hosting the Yorkshire strongman highland games.



One more claim for South Yorkshire is head referee for Man Beast Strongman events Mark Anglesea holds two Guinness World Records carrying cars and lifting them. Yorkshire is made up of strong stuff. Eddie Hall best watch out on this turf.


Mark Anglesea 8 tonne tractor pull

So to celebrate Sheffield’s strongmen we asked a few questions to Simon Knowles (Yorkshire’s strongest man) and Paul Smith (the World’s strongest Junior). What is their favourite and worst food for example and what they do day to day in between lifting cars and pulling buses. Here’s some of the answers.

Paul – Best and worst food? Steak is my favourite as long as it’s cooked, but rice pudding is my worst – it should be outlawed.

Simon – Best and worst food? Reds true BBQ is my favourite place to eat and I cannot stand cucumber.

Paul in his spare time is a personal trainer in strength and weight lifting as rehabilitation whilst Simon works at SIG in Sheffield and is studying a degree in classical studies.

Sheffield is the City of Steel and the current crop of Britain’s strongest men descending on the City may find holding it in Sheffield gives Paul Smith the extra strength powers backed by a home crowd!

And for Simon he has his sights firmly on England’s strongest man but for now he will take some beating defending his Yorkshire title.

ENDS
NOTES TO EDITOR
Main Contact: Andrew Picken
Details:
Superstrongman28@gmail.com
Tel: 07887400202
http://www.manbeast.co.uk
Sheffield. Founded in 2014
Twitter: @ManBeast28


Facebook: @ManBeast28

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