Life
Paddy is a World’s Strongest Man finalist and runner-up at Europe’s Strongest Man. He is one of a new crop of English strongmen who has managed to break through at the very highest level of international competition. As one of the more normally sized competitors on the Giants Live circuit, his strengths are in his speed and athleticism, making him very hard to beat in loading and carrying events.
The Dark Horse is a farmer from Oxfordshire, and was a former long-distance runner who has completed several marathons and even an ultra-marathon before transitioning to strength sports. Aside from his deadlifting prowess, Paddy is well known for his grip strength which he attributes to the “cheat code” of growing up on a farm and spending most of his time lifting and moving heavy and awkward objects. An interesting fact about Paddy is that he has a degree in forensic accounting from Portsmouth University.
Career
Throughout school and university Paddy was obsessed with running, but as his 6-foot, 3-inch frame began to become less “skinny” he began to venture into the gym with his housemates. With an obvious talent he soon began to realise that strength sports might be a better outlet for his competitive energy.
He began Strongman at 23, having spent four years building a base of strength and size. Still only 100kg in bodyweight, it was his athleticism and ability to use his body in a functional way that set him apart. His powerful grip offered him a further competitive option – one that he has pursued throughout his Strongman career.
Paddy made his first impression on the Giants Live stage at the 2023 England’s Strongest Man in Doncaster, where he would make the podium with a 3rd place finish. Later that year, at London’s Excel, he would finish 4th at the 2023 Official Strongman European Championships, taking first place finishes in the final two events.
He made his full Giants Live debut at Britain’s Strongest Man in January the following year, taking 10th place overall. Later that season he would get an invite to the Strongman Open in Birmingham, where in a stacked line-up he finished 10th once again. He produced a superb performance in the Axel Deadlift, where his 7-reps with the 350kg implement was bettered only by Mitchell Hooper!
In 2025 he improved to 4th place at Britain’s Strongest Man, having looked capable of winning. His challenge faltered in the Log Lift, but any disappointment at missing out on the podium was short-lived following the best performance of his career at Europe’s Strongest Man a few months later. Taking second behind Luke Richardson, he out-performed a line-up of Europe’s best and booked his ticket for World’s Strongest Man.
In his debut at World’s Paddy placed second in his heat behind pre-event favourite, Mitchell Hooper. With his qualification for the final secured he was able to continue his run of form with a brilliant 5th place finish. His best event result came in the Hercules Hold where he placed 3rd behind winner Eddie Williams and eventual champion, Rayno Nel.
Best Title
Yet to win a major title, arguably his most impressive performance to date came at the 2025 Britain’s Strongest Man contest in Sheffield. Making only his second appearance at Britain’s, Paddy won two of the five event and was leading the contest after three events. Besting the twelve-man field by 8-seconds in a particularly gruelling Sandbag Steeplechase, Haynes also won the Castle Stones. Taking zero points in the Log Lift for Reps, Paddy would certainly have made the podium had he managed a single repetition with the 160kg implement. A top three finish would have earned him an automatic invite to World’s Strongest Man.
Competition Results
2025 World’s Strongest Man: 5th place
2025 Europe’s Strongest Man: runner-up
Britain’s Strongest Man: 2025 – 4th place, 2024 – 10th place
Giants Live Strongman Open: 10th place
England’s Strongest Man: 2024 & 2023 – 3rd place
2023 Official Strongman European Championships: 4th place
Best Lifts
Deadlift: 400kg/882lb
18-inch Deadlift: 465kg/1,025lb
Axle Deadlift for Reps: 350kg/772lb x 7-reps
Deadlift Ladder: 5 in 41.27 sec (300kg, 320kg, 340kg, 360kg, 380kg)
Atlas Stones: 5 in 25.33 sec (120kg, 140kg, 160kg, 180kg, 200kg)
Max Atlas Stone: 250kg/551lb
Wrecking Ball Hold: 101.12 sec (242kg/534lb)
Media
Paddy is active on social media and can be found on Instagram under @paddy_strongman where he keeps his followers entertained with competition results and training. On YouTube his channel is: Paddy Haynes and features extensive footage of his training, grip strength activities and competing. Paddy’s performance at Britain’s and Europe’s Strongest Man will be aired on Channel 5 at Christmas and will be available on demand at My5.
