Crowds gathered at Holyrood Academy in Chard across the two days to watch men and women from across the country take part in a series of strength challenges.

The events this year included deadlifts, dumbbell medley, axel press, atlas stones and the sled pull.

Being a strongman

Mike Bishop has won World’s Strongest Disabled Man three times.

Mike completing a deadlift
Copyright of Aspect Images Photography

Coming in first in the Mens Seated Class 1, he told us:

Being a strongman feels very self-empowering. It gives me direction and goals to work towards.

The constant daily effort over the years has given me the ability to be a strong man. The strength hasn’t always been there. With my disability ataxia, I’ve had issues with balance, coordination and movement but the strength work has really paid off.

I always have to manage the ataxia but disabled strongman has given me a platform and a place to thrive.

Mike’s advice to others is:

For anyone out there that wants to become a strongman or strongwoman, I’d suggest to contact the organisers of the different competitions and also create relationships with the current athletes to get pointers on how to train, what to train, when to train and specifically how to adapt and overcome any condition or disability.

Four-time World’s Strongest Disabled Woman Alfie Wright was also competing this year.

She won first place in the Women’s Seated Class:

I absolutely love being a strongman – it keeps me sane when things are bad.

Alfie lifting 24 kilograms as part of the dumbbell medley
Copyright of Aspect Images Photography

Her advice for others looking to get into the sport:

Always do what you want and never let anyone tell you that it’s not achievable.

Meet junior lifter Phoebe

There was also a demonstration from 12-year-old Phoebe Ames. Phoebe lifted a whopping 65 kilograms on the Saturday, setting a new personal best.

Phoebe has a rare neuromuscular condition called Friedreich’s Ataxia.

She’s only been weightlifting for a year but in that time she won best junior lifter at the IAWA Welsh Open Disability Competition, setting three British records and one world record for her age.

Phoebe said:

I used to hate the stretches and exercises that I had to do for my disability, but now I love them because they really help with my weightlifting. 

Phoebe setting a new personal best in the deadlift
Copyright of Aspect Images Photography

Despite it being fiercely competitive, Phoebe explained how the athletes at Britain’s Disabled Strongman are really supportive of one another – shouting encouragement and praise from the stands and assisting each other on and off the equipment:

Britain’s Disabled Strongman 2021 was my very first competition and it was the best. They are the best community and they have really supported me.

They’ve helped me find competitions and given me so much advice and I owe so much to them.

Phoebe credits her success to Physical and Mental Wellbeing Coach Brydie Bruce – who she says is ‘so supportive’ and ‘the best coach ever’.

She added:

My advice to someone who wants to do weightlifting is to go for it.

If anyone says you can’t, then they are ridiculous. Always do what you feel like doing and never let anyone hold you back.

Putting on a show

United Response support worker Gary Clarke founded the British competition after having competed in World’s Strongest Disabled Man.

He said:

These are world class athletes who grow in strength every year.

It gives me great pleasure to provide a platform for them to showcase their unique abilities, and to help broaden people’s horizons to what is possible.

This was the first year that United Response have officially sponsored the competition.

Gary said:

I’m very grateful for United Response’s involvement. Together with our local sponsors, you help us to give them the platform they deserve and put on a good show for everybody.

Gary Clarke, Britain’s first Disabled Strongman and founder of the competition

This year’s winners

The winners for each category were:

  • Michael Bishop (Men’s Standing Class 1)
  • Mark Tonner (Men’s Standing Class 2)
  • Martin Tye (Men’s Seated Class 1) 
  • Rick Long (Men’s Seated Class 2)
  • Alfie Wright (Women’s Seated Class)
  • Rebecca Slater (Women’s Standing Class)

Britain’s Disabled Strongman will return in 2023.
Follow the competition’s Facebook page for more information.

  • Jenna Lloyd is Senior Content Officer for United Response.