Life
Strongman, Luke Stoltman is the eldest of the Stoltman brothers, strongman’s most powerful siblings. Born in Invergordon in the Scottish Highlands, in 1984, Luke is also known as the “Highland Oak.” One of five siblings, Luke’s younger brother, Tom, was the 2021 World’s Strongest Man. Youngest brother, Harry, is also making his way in the sport and could be one to watch for the future.
At 6’ 3” or 1.91m and 160kg/353lb, Luke is by no means the largest of his brothers, but h e is the possessor of huge static strength, particularly in overhead pressing events. Married to Kushi Stoltman since 2016, Luke worked for much of his strongman career as a dimensional surveyor on oil rigs, but in recent times has become a full-time athlete.
Luke, along with younger brother, Tom, are widely regarded as the strongest brothers in history and are the only ones to both qualify for the World’s Strongest Man finals; a feat they managed in 2019 and again in 2021.
Career
Luke began competing in strongman in 2013, contesting that year’s Britain’s Strongest Man in Gateshead, where he placed 9th out of 12 competitors. He also secured his first of 5 consecutive Scotland’s Strongest Man titles from 2013 – 2017. The following year he improved to 7th at BSM, in Doncaster and placed 6th in 2015.
A debut at World’s Strongest Man came for Stoltman in 2016, after a solid performance at Europe’s Strongest Man the previous year. Failing to qualify for the final after a 4th place finish in his heat, Luke gained invaluable experience and was able to place 4th at Britain’s Strongest Man in 2017. At World’s that year Luke was 3rd in his heat and would narrowly miss out on the final.
During this time in Stoltman’s career, although he was steadily improving his strength, it was not reflected in his contest results. In 2018 he again missed out on a World’s Strongest Man Final qualification and placed a disappointing 6th at BSM. Due to his offshore work, Luke was often unable to train properly for two-week blocks and this was hampering his development.
2019, and a move towards full-time training yielded a significant breakthrough for The Highland Oak as he successfully qualified for the WSM final, finishing 7th, in Bradenton, Florida, alongside his brother, Tom, who placed 5th. The pair were the first brothers to ever reach the final at WSM. At Britain’s that year, a contest where Luke has often struggled, he equalled his best placing of 4th.
2020 brought Luke’s first podium finish at BSM. He placed 3rd, behind brother, Tom and winner Adam Bishop (ENG). Disappointment at World’s was short-lived, however as 2021 proved to be Luke’s breakthrough year, despite being 36. Wins at Europe’s Strongest Man and the Giants Live World Tour Finals, in front of a Scottish crowd in Glasgow, were backed-up by another 7th place in the World’s Strongest Man final, whilst Tom lifted the winner’s trophy.
That same year, Luke established a British record in the log press, successfully completing a 221kg/487lb lift at WUS’s “Feats of Strength” showcase.
Best Title
In 2021, at Leeds First Direct Arena, Luke won Europe’s Strongest Man, which is the best win of his career to date. He defeated World’s Strongest Man, Oleksii Novikov (UKR), and England’s Graham Hicks.
In 2019, Luke and brother Tom became the first brothers to ever compete in the World’s Strongest Man final. Luke finished 7th, whilst Tom placed 5th. They repeated the feat in 2021, in Sacramento, California.
Competition Results
Personal Best Lifts
Competition Lifts
Training lifts
Present Day
Luke is at the height of his powers and poses a significant threat in every contest he now enters. He is currently training hard in preparation for World’s Strongest Man and seems buoyed by his 2021 season victories.
The Stoltman brothers have enjoyed increased media attention and have an ever-growing social media presence. The duo are currently athlete ambassadors for home fitness equipment brand, Mirafit.
Media
Luke and his 240k of Instagram followers can be found on @luke.stoltman. Both Luke and Tom have also attracted close to 200k subscribers on YouTube under the name of Stoltman Brothers. Their channel is hugely entertaining and follows their competition and training exploits, among other activities. On Facebook, Luke Stoltman – The Highland Oak is where fans can catch up with Luke.
Luke’s Giants Live World’s Strongest Man Arena Tour events and his performances at World’s Strongest Man were televised on Channel 5 last Christmas and will be shown again this year.
