Stoltman’s desire strong to lift title in Belfast event

Motivation: Memory of late mother is driving on Invergordon athlete

Invergordon athlete Tom Stoltman will not be lacking in motivation weekend when he competes for the title of the UK’s strongest man in Belfast.

Stoltman is among the leading contenders to be crowned champion in the national strongman championship event, with holder Eddie Hall, of Staffordshire, who has won the title for six years in succession, sidelined with a back injury.

Stoltman finished second in Scotland’s strongest man competition and fourth in the ultimate world event within the last 12 months but has now set his sights on claiming the UK title, having finished third in the event in 2014.

He will pay tribute to the memory of his late mother, Sheila, who died last year, when he competes in Northern Ireland.

The 23-year-old, who was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome at the age of four, said: “I was 21 when I finished third and I want to go there this week and beat that.

“I am more than capable of coming first.

“I’m feeling better than ever and the support I’ve had from sponsors, family and the local community has been unbelievable. I couldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for them.

“A lot of people have been saying they expect me to finish first but I’m humble.

“If I’m the favourite, I’m the favourite. I don’t say I’m going to go and smash every single person because everyone is there for a reason.

“I feel confident in myself, I believe in myself. If I do everything right and I’ve got a plan, I know I can be top of the UK.”

Some of the challenges that could face Stoltman this weekend include a deadlift hold of a car up to 700kg, as well as a lift of a 450kg yoke frame on his back.

Stoltman combines training between the Silverback gym at Tain as well as a tailor-made strongman gym at his home near Invergordon. He hopes his preparation will pay off during the threeday event in Northern Ire- land, which concludes with Saturday’s final.

Stoltman added: “My gym training involves squats, deadlifts and benching. My gym at home has everything I need on my doorstep.

“I have to be strong as well as athletic, so it’s an allround game.

“There will be events there that people have never done and the organisers are trying to make it interesting for the crowd.

“There are mystery events. I have trained for some but once I get there we are all in the same playing field as I don’t know what to expect.”

Stoltman will carry the memory of his mother throughout the competition and added: “She followed me around the world at strongman events as far away as Ohio in America, but also in Scotland.

“I went to the UK event last year and did not perform. People were asking why, but I had to keep it a secret.

“Now it’s out there I feel like she’s on my shoulder.

“The strength I’ve got from that is unbelievable. It will mean more to her up there than it would to me.

“I want to win it for her and that’s why I’m competing this weekend.”

“I feel like she’s on my shoulder. The strength I’ve got from that is unbelievable”

Photograph by Sandy McCook DEDICATION: Tom Stoltman is competing to become the UK’s strongest man.