Life
Adam “Bish” Bishop is a 36-year-old, professional strongman who is originally from Sawbridgeworth in Hertfordshire. Having played professional rugby at Saracens and dabbled in skeleton Bobsleigh, Bishop has achieved great success in his chosen sport, having twice won Britain’s Strongest Man and reached three World’s Strongest Man Finals.
At 6’ 3” (1.91m) tall and around 145kg (320lb), Adam is actually one of the smaller men in the world’s strongman elite. He has steadily increased his size each year after rising from the U105kg ranks in 2012 to establish himself as one of the best strength athletes in the world.
Bish has spent the majority of his career working as a strength and conditioning coach for Harlequins Rugby and only turned professional as a strongman in early 2021. As a competitor, Adam is best known for his speed and athleticism, but also his tremendous deadlifting ability, despite his relative lack of body mass.
Career
Bish’s strongman journey began during a free weekend at Loughborough University in 2010, where he was studying sports science. He was persuaded to give strongman a go by a local athlete and began in the U105kg class. Adam set himself the goal of competing at World’s Strongest Man within five years, a feat he duly accomplished in 2015, after a few years winning various domestic titles in the U105’s and transitioning into the open class.
In 2014, Bishop made his debut for Giants Live, at the Scandinavian Open, which was his first opportunity to pit himself against the world’s best strength athletes. The following year he made his WSM debut in Putrajaya, Malaysia, coming 5th in his heat. The following year he narrowly missed the WSM final, placing 3rd in his heat. That same year he came 4th at Britain’s Strongest Man and was beginning to establish himself as a legitimate contender.
In 2017 Bishop sustained a biceps injury which derailed his season, but he returned the following year to claim his first podium finish at Giants Live, at the World Tour Finals. At World’s in Manila, he again missed the final by one place in his heat, but successfully qualified a year later, in Bradenton, Florida, finishing 9th. At Britain’s Strongest Man he made the podium for the first time, finishing 2nd behind Graham Hicks.
2020 was a big year for Adam: he won his first British title in Sheffield, defeating Tom Stoltman and achieved his best finish at WSM to date: 6th place in the grand final. At Europe’s Strongest Man he was pipped at the post by Luke Richardson after slipping in the Atlas Stones and had to settle for 2nd. He made the WSM final again in 2021, placing 8th but lost his British title to 2021 World’s Strongest Man, Tom Stoltman.
Adam has competed sparingly over the last few years, and has had many injuries to deal with, including triceps and Achilles tendon ruptures. Not progressing beyond the heats at WSM, he was 3rd at the 2022 Britain’s and claimed his second British title the following year. A 5th place showing at the 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man has been the highlight of his competitive performances since then.
Best Title
In 2023, Bishop won his second Britain’s strongest Man title, holding off the challenges of Gavin Bilton and Graham Hicks to take a 3.5-point victory. The winning margin seemed modest considering Adam won four of the five events. Storming into the lead in his favourite event, Deadlift Ladder, he made it two wins from two in the Car Walk. A comparatively disappointing Viking Press did little to deter the Englishman who sealed his triumph with event wins in the Loading Race and Power Stairs.
Competition Results
World’s Strongest Man:
2020 – 6th place, 2021 – 8th place, 2019 – 9th place, 2022, 2018 & 2016 – 3rd in heat, 2024 & 2023 – 4th in heat, 2015 – 5th in heat
Europe’s Strongest Man:
2020 – runner-up, 2023 – 5th place, 2019 – 8th place, 2016 – 8th place, 2021 – 10th place, 2017 – 11th place
Britain’s Strongest Man:
2020 & 2023 – winner, 2019 & 2021 – runner-up, 2022 – 3rd place, 2018 & 2016 – 4th place, 2015 – 5th place, 2024 – 6th place, 2025 – 8th place, 2017 – 9th place,
Giants Live:
World Tour Finals: 2018 – 3rd place, 2021 – 5th place, 2019 – 7th place
Strongman Classic: 2021 – 4th place
2021 World Open: runner-up
2019 Wembley: 7th place
Scandinavian Open: 2014 – 4th place, 2017 – 6th place, 2015 – 10th place
Shaw Classic:
2020 – 6th place, 2021 – 7th place, 2023 – 14th place
2021 WUS Strength Island: 10th place
2011 UK’s Strongest U105kg: winner
Best Lifts
Deadlift: 453.5kg/1,000lb
Hummer tyre deadlift: 524kg/1,155lb
18-inch deadlift: 509kg/1,122lb
Log lift: 181kg/399lb
Axle press: 180kg/397lb
Present Day
Adam’s recovery from his Achilles rupture has been a long process, but if his social media output is any guide, he appears to be back in excellent condition. In February 2025 he will attempt to win his third British title and add his name to an illustrious list of British strongmen to have won three or more titles.
Media
Adam can be found on Instagram where he posts details of his training and competitions. @adambishopstrongman has attracted 105k followers and he is also active on YouTube under the channel name: Adam Bishop Strongman.
UK’s Channel 5 televised the 2024 season during the Christmas period, including the World’s Strongest Man heats, and the Giants Live World’s Strongest Man Arena Tour events, featuring Bishop’s performance at Britain’s Strongest Man. These are available to watch on My5.
