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
Comments
Post a Comment