image source, Tom Stoltman
- author, Tyrone Smith
- role, bbc scottish sport
Tom Stoltman believes he is “on the same level as the greats” after becoming the first Briton to win the World's Strongest Man title three times, but the Scot says he is “on the same level as the greats”. I don’t want to stop.”
The 29-year-old from Invergordon won the South Carolina state championship over the weekend. This is the third time in four years that the 6-foot-8 powerhouse has won the prestigious title.
His victory moved him onto the list of all-time winners of World's Strongest Man, surpassing fellow Brit Geoff Capes, who won the award twice.
Last year's runner-up Stoltmann said: “It's a big thing for a Scottish athlete to achieve that once, but to have done it three times and to be the only British athlete to do it as well, it's a huge feat now. I think I'm getting there.” Some of the greatest strongmen of all time.
“It's a 'pinch' moment when you look back and think you've done this so many times. It's something that many strong people dream of, but I've done it three times already.
“I lost the title last year, so I changed a lot of what I do in and out of the gym because I wanted to get it back, but I’m really glad I was able to get the job done.
“I stayed calm and collected and focused on myself and no one else. I knew if I did what I had to do I could win the title, and I did that.”
Poland's Mariusz Pudzianowski has won this tournament five times and is at the top of the list.
Stoltmann, who dreams of becoming the greatest player of all time, hopes to surpass this record.
“If I touch the tree and don’t get injured and can continue competing at my current pace, yes, 100%.” [I can do it]' he told BBC Scottish Sport.
“he [Mariusz] I've done it five times, but it's partly because of my age. Let's do six, let's do seven, let's be the greatest. I don't want it to end at 3 o'clock.
“I am hungry, motivated and determined to remain the strongest man in the world and retain this title for as long as possible.
“No matter where I go, I'm the strongest man in the world. That's a special title for me. I'm very proud to bring it home again.”
