Flynn Flies High to Take English Crown!

Andrew Flynn soared to his first England’s Strongest Man victory in front of a packed York Barbican crowd on Sunday afternoon. Winning two of the contest’s five disciplines, the man who has twice finished runner-up finally claimed the trophy he has previously come so close to winning. Rounding off the second instalment of Giants Live’s Weekend of Strength, the English Championship provided thrilling entertainment and breakthrough performances from both Joe Oliver and Ben Glasscock, who claimed their first Giants Live podiums and a few major scalps on the way!

Denied victory by just half a point last year, after heading the field going into the final event, Flynn left nothing in doubt as he established a commanding lead through the first four disciplines. The anticipated showdown between him and defending champion, Paddy Haynes, failed to materialise after the Dark Horse was forced to withdraw having sustained a back injury in Event 2: Frame Carry. But with the likes of Luke Richardson, a two-time Europe’s Strongest Man winner, and WSM competitor Ben Glasscock in attendance, there was no shortage of talent on display to battle it out for the title.

It was The Lionheart, Luke Richardson, who got off to the best start, after completing all five implements of the Dumbbell Medley in 48.12 seconds. Joe Oliver, who placed a modest 8^th last year, was the only other man to complete the ladder, with Flynn opening his account with a solid 5^th place. Haynes’ 7^th place finish would leave him with ground to make up, but with good events to come from the reigning champ, there was still plenty of time for him to recoup the loss of points.

Paul Smith showed his class, yet again, in the second event as he swept all before him in the 400kg Frame Carry. Racing in the second heat, his time of 12.18 seconds stood up against the best efforts of the proceeding four pairs, with Joe Oliver coming closest to continue his outstanding start to the contest. Flynn took third, ahead of Richardson to keep himself in touch with Joe and Luke, whist Paddy’s day would come to a premature end as he exasperated a back injury rushing to re-lift his frame.

In Event 3: Trump Deadlift, Flynn began to turn the screw on his competitors as he recorded his first victory of the day, with an impressive 3-reps on the 400kg bar, to equal Tom Place’s effort and then eclipse it with a crucial single repetition on the lighter 360kg implement. Place finished down in 12^th in last year’s overall standings but won the English qualifying event and many had predicted him to step up in this contest and make his mark. He didn’t disappoint as his 3-reps at 400kg was enough to beat his own coach, Ben Glascock, into third, and help him to a tremendous 6^th place overall finish. Dean Mason also achieved his best performance of the night with 3-reps at the heavier weight, but a single rep less on the lighter bar than Glasscock had scored. Despite this excellent performance he would foot the final standings with 12^th overall.

Oliver’s double rep at 400kg was enough to see him share the lead with Flynn going into Event 4: Stone to Shoulder. The Laurence Shahlaei coached athlete was enjoying the contest of his life, and he and Andrew were 3-points clear of Richardson in 3^rd and 6-points ahead of Glasscock in 4^th. With the luxury of going in the final pairing, Flynn delivered what would be the killing blow in his bid for a first English title. The UK’s Strongest Man winner seized the opportunity to separate himself from a 4-man group who had achieved four reps on the 160kg Atlas Stone, by completing a winning 5^th rep within the 60-second time limit. Gaining 6-points on Oliver and 2.5-points over both Richardson and Glasscock, he would hold an almost unassailable 5.5-point lead over Richardson, who was just a half point ahead of Oliver in third.

Ben Glasscock, who was down in 4^th going into the Sandbag Steeplechase, posted the fastest time of the event in his pairing with Joe Oliver. His 33.94 second run with the two 150kg bags proved pivotal in the podium placings as Richardson and Flynn prepared to round off the event and contest in the final heat. Barring a disaster, Flynn was home and dry and his 34.81 second run secured victory and second place in the event itself. Richardson, however, could only manage 39.46 seconds, which was good enough for 6^th, meaning he would slide out of the medal places allowing Oliver to take second and a jubilant Glasscock to earn his first Giants Live podium.

As the medallists took to the podium, Giants Live principal, Darren Sadler, confirmed that Oliver had earnt his Britain’s Strongest Man debut invitation for next season, and on the evidence of this performance in York, he could well acquit himself with huge credit. Ben Glasscock’s first England’s Strongest Man podium has seemed like only a matter of time, and he continues to impress with his steady improvements. Having debuted at WSM earlier this year and won the Shaw Classic Open division last year, future podium placings look assured!

Finishing 4^th overall, a comfortable 7-points clear of 5^th placed Paul Smith, a somewhat deflated Luke Richardson acknowledged that he is back on the road to regaining his best form and more Giants Live podiums will undoubtedly come his way, should he do so.

Just 2.5-points back from Smith and Tom Place, was Zack Hill, a relative newcomer, who impressed with his efforts in taking 8^th overall. His best event result came in the Sandbag Steeplechase, where he placed 4^th. The Deadlift proved his undoing, and with some development in that discipline he will quickly climb the leaderboard.

Flynn’s victory in York was a highly popular one with both spectators and competitors alike. He has been on the verge of a domestic Giants victory for some time and at World’s earlier this year he was Britain’s best performer and only marginally missed out on a place in the final after narrowly losing to Trey Mitchell and Pavlo Kordiyaka in his heat. After being pipped last year in such dramatic fashion, this win will have tasted extra sweet, and the prospect of further victories, as well as more memorable showdowns, looks a certainty!

England’s Strongest Man 2025 will still be available to stream through www.officialstrongman.com

Event 1: COMMA Dumbbell Medley

Dumbbell weights: 80kg, 90kg, 100kg, 110kg, 120kg, 75-seconds time limit

Event 2: SBD Frame Carry

Implement weight: 400kg, 20m course, 60-second time limit

Event 3: IRONRHINO Trump Bar Deadlift

Barbell weights: 360kg and 400kg, 75-second time limit

Event 4: CASTLE WATER Stone to Shoulder

Stone weight: 160kg, 60-second time limit

Event 5: MIRAFIT Sandbag Steeplechase

Sandbag weights: 2 x 150kg. 20m course, 1.2m hurdle at 10m, 60-second time limit