Mearns man proves he is strongest in the land

Paul Benton is first Scotsman to win UK strongman competition, seeing off heavily-favoured rival to claim the crown

The power, strength and discipline of Mearns strongman Paul Benton has lifted him into the record books.

Paul Benton has become the first Scotsman to win the coveted UK’s Strongest Man competition, a gruelling three-day event held in St Albans, at the fourth time of asking.

In a nerve-wracking final he fought off a challenge from competition favourite Graham Hicks, the reigning Britain’s Strongest Man, who was nursing an injury.

Paul, 30, of Laurencekirk, had a podium place in his sights and stunned everyone as he stormed his way into first place.

He began the weekend as one of 16 finalists – three from Scotland and Wales, four from Ireland and six from England.

He qualified for the UK event after winning the UKSA Scotland’s Strongest Man competition at Jedburgh in June.

Paul, who runs The Asylum gym in Laurencekirk, had set the bar high over the first two days, being placed first in the car flip and truck pull events.

He said: “There are 13 events in total over the three days – the toughest in the world.

“I placed first in the car flip – where you have to flip a car weighing 700kg, twice – and was also first in the truck pull where you pull two articulated lorries.

“You pull one for three metres, the strap tightens and you then pull them both – 16 tonnes over 25 metres.”

Paul was lying half a point behind competition favourite “Hixxy” as the crowd cheered them on in the final event – the famous Atlas Stones.

He said: “This was my fourth time competing at this competition and I used my experience to keep myself right at the end.

“I was focused on getting my podium position. Whoever won the stones was going to win the title.”

Paul kept the crowd on the edge of their seats as he battled it out to lift the five giant stones – increasing in weight from 100 to 180kg – on to barrels.

“I put the third stone up and saw Graham hobble over the fourth stone, I wasn’t sure what was going on.

“I loaded my fourth stone, Graham collapsed on the ground with an injury.

“Because my fourth stone was up I didn’t feel I had to rub it in. I was concerned for him, he’s a really good guy.”