Man muscles his way to Chorley's Strongest Man title

The 31-year-old was crowned the winner of Chorley’s Strongest Man Opens 2016. He competed against dozens of strong men from around the country at the grounds of Pasquills Gym, Friday Street, at the first ever Chorley’s Strongest Man competition.

Tom, from Great Harwood, said he was still feeling sore after lifting an 80kg dumbell, rolling a car over in less than 75 seconds, deadlifting, loading heavy items into a wheelbarrow and lifting Atlas stones of up to 180kg.

The dad-of-two said: “It’s quite a brutal sport and there were some really great competitors, so it was a nice surprise to win. Out of all the tasks, flipping the car was probably the hardest because I had never done it before. But once I had flipped it, it was a great feeling to know I could do it.”

Along with hundreds of other spectators, Tom was also being cheered on by his parents, his two children and his wife.

Ricky Allen, 18, won the novice competition, after lifting a 60kg dumbbell press, 300kg tyre flips, 180kg deadlifts, skip wheelbarrow and lifting a 100kg Atlas stone at a set height in 60 seconds.

Power lifting legend David Beatie, who holds world records, was also the guest referee for both contests.

It was organised by Mike Bromilow and Damian Fairbrother, both from Chorley.

Mike said: “With the turnout, the competitors and the lovely weather, everything came together just perfectly.

“I just hope events like this open the people of Chorley’s eyes to things like this – and it might get a few people interested in joining in.”