Strongman aiming for world
A BARWELL athlete has his sights set on competing at the World’s Strongest Man competition.
Dean Evans, 28, who boasts an impressive 370kg - or 58 stone - deadlift, finished second in the Bloodstock Strongest Man competition last weekend.
The result means he will go up against some of the UK’s strongest men in Scottish Open Giants Live Qualifier on Sunday.
If he wins the event he will compete at the international Giants Live in Sweden next year - a qualifying round of the renowned World’s Strongest Man competition.
Dean, who trains at Iron Generation Gym in Barwell, said: “I’m not going to lie, I’ve been dreaming of this since I was a kid.
“I’m feeling very happy that I’ve got the chance to test myself against some of the strongest people in the world.
“And if I have a good day, it could be the start of a great journey to the world championships.”
The latest competition included a max deadlift round, a tug of war, an overhead log press and a lifting circuit involving more than 400kgs of weight.
Dean won the deadlift round and the tug of war, but finished fourth in the log press after losing his balance.
It was his first event since tearing his bicep muscle while flipping 400kg tyres last July.
He said: “Overall it was a really good day and I’m buzzing with the result.
“Some of these guys were 40 or 50kgs heavier than me so it’s great to be able to compete with them.
“I would like to thank Iron Generation Gym for their help and support during my recovery, I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Dean, who weighs nearly 23 stone, said he hopes to increase his deadlift to 400kg to be in for a chance of competing at the world finals.
He also boasts a 310kg squat and a 220kg bench press.