A strongman from Bala has qualified for the World’s Strongest Man competition, the first Welsh athlete to do so since 1995.
Ben ‘Badger’ Brunning, a three-times winner of the Wales Strongest Man competition, who was crowned European Champion at the Official Strongman Games in August, earned himself a place in the World’s Strongest Man competition on Saturday.
Speaking to the Cambrian News about the competition, 31-year-old Ben said: “The competition in Manchester was called Giants Live World’s Strongest Man Arena Tour.
“I was invited last minute and I wanted to just test myself against the big boys; turns out I came second.
“This competition is huge as it’s up against the world’s very best and a qualifier for World’s Strongest Man.
“As I came second I qualified for World’s Strongest Man, the most prestigious competition there is, and there hasn’t been a Welsh athlete in the competition since 1995.”
The 6ft 1, 300lb athlete took part in five events in the competition, including a 350kg axle deadlift, a giant Mad Max-style 100kg dumbbell made from steel and stone, the 450kg Car Walk and the legendary Pillars of Hercules.
Mateusz Kieliszkowski took the top spot with Ben in second and Oleskii Novikov third.
The location and date of the World’s Strongest Man competition have yet to be released, but Bala’s Ben will be training hard for the event, which usually takes place in May.
And he has The Official Strongman Games World Championships to take part in before then.
His victory at the European championships in Rotherham last month booked him a place in the competition which takes place in Florida from 1 to 3 November.