Community hub
0 subscribers7 pages, 0 posts
Recent from talks
All channels
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Welcome to the community hub built to collect knowledge and have discussions related to Giants Live.
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Giants Live
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
 The official logo of Giants Live | |
| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Various |
| Established | 2009 |
| Format | Multi-event competition |
| Purse | varies |
Giants Live is a professional strongman tour which was originated in the United Kingdom. It hosts several prominent competitions each year, including national competitions such as Britain's Strongest Man, international competitions such as Europe's Strongest Man and single-lift competitions such as The World Deadlift Championships and The World Log Lift Championships. Since its beginning in 2009, each Giants Live show has served as a qualifier for the next year's World's Strongest Man, with the podium finishers from each show earning a spot in the competition.
With 10 wins, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson holds the most Giants Live wins in history.[1] Evan Singleton and Žydrūnas Savickas share second place with 6 wins each.[2]
History
[edit]On 27 April 2009, Giants Live was named the official World's Strongest Man Qualifying Tour for 2009–2011, replacing the Strongman Super Series. Giants Live was licensed the exclusive rights by IMG Sports Media, the creator and owner of the World's Strongest Man competition. The IFSA Strongman Super Series and later the World's Strongest Man Super Series had served as the official qualifying tour from 2001 to 2008.
Significantly, Giants Live offered an opportunity for strongmen who had previously been affiliated with the IFSA to return to World's Strongest Man. IFSA athletes were banned from competing in World's Strongest Man from 2004 until its dissolution in 2007; this meant that notable athletes such as Zydrunas Savickas and Mikhail Koklyaev were unable to compete during this time. With the dissolution of the IFSA and the beginning of Strongman Champions League, many previously IFSA-affiliated athletes returned to competition at World's Strongest Man..[3]
The first 2009 qualifying event took place on 17 May at the Mohegan Sun Casino Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.[4]
Producers and key staff
[edit]Giants Live is a collaboration between IMG Media and Power Productions UK owned. Notable staff include:
Colin Bryce – an ex-Strongman competitor and Olympic bobsleigher, Bryce is currently a long-term producer of World Strongest Man through his company Power Productions and formerly the head referee and commentator on strongman events such as World's Strongest Man, Britain's Strongest Man, Strongman Super Series and World Strongman Cup.
Darren Sadler – an ex-Strongman competitor and former world champion in the U105 category, Sadler is currently a co-producer of World Strongest Man alongside Colin Bryce and formerly the head referee on for Giants Live competitions.
Magnús Ver Magnússon – an ex-Strongman competitor and four-time holder of World's Strongest Man, Magnússon is currently the head referee for Giants Live and World's Strongest Man competitions.
Bill Kazmaier – an ex-Strongman competitor and three-time holder of World's Strongest Man, Kazmaier is currently one of three main commentators for Giants Live competitions, alongside Neil Pickup and Radzi Chinyanganya.- Dave Warner – Ex strongman competitor and multiple time UK strongest man competitor. One of the head judges. Judged Eddie's 500kg deadlift
- Neil Pickup – formerly a professional arm wrestler, Pickup is currently one of three main commentators for Giants Live competitions, alongside Bill Kazmaier and Radzi Chinyanganya. Pickup is also the MC for these events.
- Radzi Chinyanganya – Radzi is currently one of three main commentators for Giants Live competitions, alongside Neil Pickup and Bill Kazmaier.
- Will Clough – Live Stream Director
- Lindsi Baldwin – Event Co-Ordinator
- Nev & Neo – Team behind the live feed
Event results
[edit]
Most wins
[edit]| Rank | Champion | Country | Wins | Win breakdown | Podiums |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson |  Iceland |
10 | 10 internationals | 11 |
| 2 | Evan Singleton |  United States |
6 | 6 internationals | 9 |
| 3 | Žydrūnas Savickas |  Lithuania |
6 | 6 internationals | 7 |
| 4 | Mitchell Hooper |  Canada |
5 | 5 internationals | 9 |
| 5 | Luke Richardson |  England |
5 | 4 internationals and 1 national | 7 |
| 6 | Eddie Hall | England |
5 | 5 nationals | 8 |
| 7 | Laurence Shahlaei | England |
4 | 3 internationals and 1 national | 10 |
| 8 | Luke Stoltman |  Scotland |
4 | 3 internationals and 1 national | 7 |
| 9 | Tom Stoltman | Scotland |
4 | 1 international and 3 nationals | 9 |
| 10 | Juha-Matti Järvi |  Finland |
4 | 4 nationals | 5 |
| 11 | Oleksii Novikov |  Ukraine |
3 | 3 internationals | 10 |
| 12 | Johannes Årsjö |  Sweden |
3 | 3 internationals | 9 |
| 13 | Mateusz Kieliszkowski |  Poland |
3 | 3 internationals | 6 |
| 14 | Brian Shaw | United States |
3 | 3 internationals | 5 |
| 15 | Derek Poundstone | United States |
3 | 3 internationals | 3 |
References
[edit]- ^ ""With 9 wins Hafþór is the greatest Giants Live champion of all-time. What he achieved is immense and celebrating that is what this video is all about." -Colin Bryce". Giants Live STRONGMAN - Hafthor BJORNSSON Greatest Feats of STRENGTH (Colin Bryce replies to the question from @in2an3ppg42). 22 December 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
- ^ Laurence Shahlaei - Big Loz Official (YouTube.com). "Giants Lives Most Successful Strongmen". YouTube. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
- ^ Strossen, Randall J. (23 April 2009). "Strongman Champions League: Season Starting at FIBO ... Feeding into WSM". IronMind. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ "GIANTS LIVE NAMED OFFICIAL QUALIFYING TOUR FOR WORLD'S STRONGEST MAN COMPETITION". Archived from the original on 24 July 2009. Retrieved 24 August 2009.
- ^ "Official Results". Archived from the original on 24 July 2009. Retrieved 24 August 2009.
- ^ Strossen, Randall J. (7 June 2009). "Travis Ortmayer Wins Giants Live - Viking Power Challenge". IronMind. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ Strossen, Randall J. (6 August 2009). "Dymek, Felix and Petursson: Looking Good at Giants Live ... Ready for WSM". IronMind. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ Strossen, Randall J. (13 April 2010). "Brian Shaw Wins Giants Live-World's Strongest Man Qualifier in South Africa". IronMind. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ Strossen, Randall J. (31 May 2010). "Giant Live-Kiev: Derek Poundstone, Laurence Shahlaei and Johnannes Arsjo Qualify for World's Strongest Man 2010". IronMind. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ Strossen, Randall J. (9 August 2010). "Vitautas Lalas Wins Giant Live - Poland, Qualifies for World's Strongest Man". IronMind. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ Strossen, Randall J. (22 October 2010). "Giants Live: Savickas and Shahlaei Attack the Apollon's Axle". IronMind. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ Strossen, Randall J. (20 March 2011). "Giant Live - London: Brian "The Evolution" Shaw Wins the Title, WSM Invitation". IronMind. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ Strossen, Randall J. (16 May 2011). "Juha Matti Jarvi Wins First Finnish Strongman Qualifier". IronMind. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ Strossen, Randall J. (23 May 2011). "Juha Matti Jarvi Wins Again in Finland". IronMind. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ Strossen, Randall J. (29 May 2011). "Juha Matti Jarvi: Three Contests, Three Wins". IronMind. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ Strossen, Randall J. (14 June 2011). "Juha Matti Jarvi Wins Fourth Giants Live Finnish National Qualifier". IronMind. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ Strossen, Randall J. (7 August 2011). "Radzikowski Wins Giants Live Poland, Jenkins is Second". IronMind. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ Strossen, Randall J. (17 August 2011). "Martin Wildauer Wins Giants Live Finland". IronMind. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ Strossen, Randall J. (27 August 2011). "Sergii Romanchuk Wins Giants Live–Ukraine". IronMind. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ Strossen, Randall J. (19 March 2012). "Mike Jenkins Wins Giants Live–FitX Melbourne 2012". IronMind. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ Strossen, Randall J. (10 June 2012). "Laurence Shahlaei Wins Giants Live–Finland". IronMind. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ Strossen, Randall J. (18 June 2012). "Akos Nagy Wins Giants Live–Hungary". IronMind. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ Strossen, Randall J. (23 June 2012). "Zydrunas Savickas Wins Europe's Strongest Man". IronMind. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ Strossen, Randall J. (23 July 2012). "Polish Sweep at Giants Live, WSM Update". IronMind. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ Strossen, Randall J. (12 March 2013). "Giants Live–Melbourne FitX: Poundstone Wins with One Arm". IronMind. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ Strossen, Randall J. (27 June 2013). "Giants Live-Budapest: Burke, Hall and Solvang Qualify for WSM". IronMind. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ "The Worlds Strongest Man Qualifying Tour". Archived from the original on 10 July 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
- ^ Giants Live – Poland
- ^ Giants battle it out in Gateshead to be crowned World’s Strongest Man
- ^ World’s Strongest Man 2014 – Giants Live Qualifier 1
- ^ World’s Strongest Man 2014 – Giants Live Qualifier 4
- ^ World’s Strongest Man 2014 – Giants Live Qualifier 3
- ^ World’s Strongest Man 2014 – Giants Live Qualifier 5
- ^ Strossen, Randall J. (27 January 2015). "Giants Live-Sweden: Top 3 to World's Strongest Man 2015". IronMind. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ Strossen, Randall J. (10 June 2015). "Bjornsson, Felix and Licis Qualify for World's Strongest Man 2016". IronMind. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ Europe's Strongest Man + World Deadlift Championships 2015 Results
- ^ World’s Strongest Man 2016 – Giants Live 1
- ^ World’s Strongest Man 2016 – Giants Live 2
- ^ World’s Strongest Man 2016 – Giants Live 3
- ^ World’s Strongest Man 2016 – Giants Live 5
- ^ World’s Strongest Man 2017 – Giants Live 1
- ^ World’s Strongest Man 2017 – Giants Live 2
- ^ World’s Strongest Man 2017 – Giants Live 3
- ^ World’s Strongest Man 2017 – Giants Live 4
- ^ World’s Strongest Man 2017 – Giants Live 5
- ^ World’s Strongest Man 2018 – Giants Live 2
- ^ "Eddie Hall secures 5th consecutive Britain's Strongest Man Title". Giants Live. 25 June 2018. Archived from the original on 18 August 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- ^ World’s Strongest Man 2018 – Giants Live 3
- ^ 2018 Giants Live North America Results
- ^ World’s Strongest Man Tour Finals 2018
- ^ A New Britain’s Strongest Man is Crowned – Britain’s Strongest Man 2019 Results
- ^ Europe’s Strongest Man 2019 results and event round up
- ^ Giants Live Wembley 2019 – full results and show round up
- ^ Giants Live North America 2019 Results
- ^ A strong finish! World Tour Finals 2019 full results and round-up
- ^ OSG 2019 Results after Day 3
- ^ Sunderland, Tom. "Adam Bishop wins 2020 Britain's Strongest Man". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ "Luke Richardson Wins Europe's Strongest Man 2020". Fitness Volt. 6 September 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
- ^ Lockridge, Roger (26 July 2021). "Oleksii Novikov Wins The 2021 Strongman Classic". BarBend. Archived from the original on 13 August 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- ^ Hall, Derek (26 July 2021). "Oleksii Novikov Wins 2021 Giants Live Strongman Classic". Fitness Volt. Archived from the original on 26 July 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- ^ Lockridge, Roger (15 August 2021). "Evan Singleton Wins 2021 Giants Live Strongman World Open". BarBend. Archived from the original on 15 August 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- ^ Patuto, Greg (16 August 2021). "Evan Singleton Wins 2021 World Open Championship". Generation Iron. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- ^ "Europe's Strongest Man 2021". Giants Live. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ Blechman, Phil (20 September 2021). "A Brothers' Bash — Luke Stoltman Wins 2021 Giants Live World Tour Finals, Tom Stoltman Claims Silver". BarBend. Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- ^ Hall, Derek (20 September 2021). "2021 Giants Live World Tour Finals Results: Luke Stotlman Win, Tom Stoltman Takes Silver". Fitness Volt. Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- ^ Lockridge, Roger. "Oleksii Novikov wins 2022 Europe's Strongest Man". BarBend. Archived from the original on 18 May 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ Lockridge, Roger (10 July 2022). "Oleksii Novikov Wins 2022 Giants Live Strongman Classic". BarBend. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
- ^ Lockridge, Roger (30 January 2023). "2023 Britain's Strongest Man Results — Adam Bishop Reclaims The Throne". BarBend. Archived from the original on 4 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "Europe's Strongest Man 2023". Giants Live. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ Blechman, Phil (8 July 2023). "2023 Strongman Classic Results — Evan Singleton Ascends the Throne". BarBend. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "The Strongman Open & World Deadlift Championship 2023". Giants Live. 2 September 2023. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Blechman, Phil (3 October 2023). "Rebecca Roberts Wins The 2023 Britain's Strongest Woman Contest". BarBend. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "Comeback King Richardson Crowned England's Strongest Man". Giants Live. 2 October 2023. Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Blechman, Phil (23 October 2023). "2023 Giants Live World Tour Finals Results — Tom Stoltman Ascends the Throne". BarBend. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Blechman, Phil (21 November 2023). "Team USA Wins 2023 World's Strongest Nation". BarBend. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023.
External links
[edit]- Giants Live official website
- www.colinbryce.com Archived 29 November 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- Europe's Strongest Man official website
Giants Live
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
History
Establishment and Early Development
Giants Live was founded in 2009 through a partnership between IMG Media and Power Productions UK, aimed at revitalizing professional strongman competitions following the bankruptcy and disbandment of the International Federation of Strength Athletes (IFSA) at the end of 2007. This collaboration addressed the void left by the IFSA's Strongman Super Series, which had concluded after the 2008 season, and positioned Giants Live as the official qualifying tour for the World's Strongest Man (WSM) competition. The initiative enabled former IFSA athletes, such as Brian Shaw, to return to the mainstream strongman circuit previously restricted by organizational rivalries.[2][7] The inaugural event, the Mohegan Sun Grand Prix, took place on May 17, 2009, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, USA, where American strongman Derek Poundstone emerged victorious by dominating five out of six events. This debut marked the beginning of a structured tour format, with top performers earning spots in the WSM finals. Subsequent early contests included the Viking Power Challenge on June 6, 2009, in Stavanger, Norway, won by Travis Ortmayer, and Giants Live Poland on August 1, 2009, in Malbork, Poland, secured by local favorite Jarek Dymek. These 2009 events established Giants Live as a key platform for international competition, drawing crowds to showcase feats like log presses and atlas stone lifts.[8][9][10] From 2010 to 2012, Giants Live expanded its calendar while facing initial limitations in venue availability, primarily concentrating on Europe and select international locations before venturing further afield. Key milestones included the Giants Live South Africa event in April 2010 at the Expo Centre in Johannesburg, won by Brian Shaw, representing the tour's first foray into Africa. In Europe, Žydrūnas Savickas claimed victory at the 2010 Europe's Strongest Man in Leeds, England, highlighting the tour's growing prestige. Other notable 2010 wins featured Derek Poundstone at Giants Live Ukraine in Kyiv and Savickas again at the Turkey event in Istanbul. By 2012, the series had solidified its role in WSM qualification, with events like the London show won by Shaw underscoring the tour's evolution into a global qualifier. Early challenges involved securing diverse venues beyond the UK and Europe, but the 2010 South African expansion demonstrated potential for broader reach.[11][12][13][14][15]| Year | Event | Location | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Mohegan Sun Grand Prix | Uncasville, Connecticut, USA | Derek Poundstone |
| 2009 | Viking Power Challenge | Stavanger, Norway | Travis Ortmayer |
| 2009 | Giants Live Poland | Malbork, Poland | Jarek Dymek |
| 2010 | Giants Live South Africa | Johannesburg, South Africa | Brian Shaw |
| 2010 | Giants Live Ukraine | Kyiv, Ukraine | Derek Poundstone |
| 2010 | Europe's Strongest Man | Leeds, England | Žydrūnas Savickas |
| 2010 | Giants Live Turkey | Istanbul, Turkey | Žydrūnas Savickas |
Expansion and Recent Milestones
In 2013, Giants Live expanded its international footprint with the introduction of events such as Giants Live Hungary in Budapest on June 22, marking a key step in broadening its European presence beyond the UK.[16] That same year, the tour incorporated the Nordic Championships in Gol, Norway, on July 6, further solidifying its Nordic outreach and integrating regional competitions into the official qualifying series for the World's Strongest Man.[17] Additionally, Britain's Strongest Man was integrated into the Giants Live framework, enhancing its role as a flagship domestic event within the tour's growing portfolio.[18] Between 2014 and 2016, Giants Live ventured into new markets, debuting in Australia with the Giants Live FitX Melbourne event on March 8, 2014, which drew significant crowds and highlighted the tour's appeal in the Asia-Pacific region.[19] The series also expanded to Sweden with the Scandinavian Open in Norrköping in 2014, contributing to a surge in European participation. During this period, Icelandic strongman Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson emerged as a dominant figure, securing multiple victories including the Giants Live FitX Melbourne and the World's Strongest Viking in Norway, alongside his win at Europe's Strongest Man 2014 in Leeds.[20][21] From 2017 to 2020, Giants Live introduced the Finals as an annual season-ending championship, with the inaugural event held on September 30, 2017, in Manchester, where Žydrūnas Savickas claimed victory after a dramatic Atlas Stones finale.[22] Streaming partnerships with Official Strongman enabled global broadcasts, increasing accessibility for international audiences. The COVID-19 pandemic led to adaptations in 2020, including postponed events and a modified schedule that saw Europe's Strongest Man relocated to a private venue in September, allowing the tour to resume safely while maintaining its qualifying status.[23][24] Post-2020, Giants Live resumed full operations with expanded World Tour events, including the North American Open in the USA starting from 2017 and continuing annually, such as the 2021 edition in Martinsville, Indiana, to bolster its transatlantic presence.[25] By 2025, the tour featured milestone events like The Strongman Classic at London's Royal Albert Hall on July 5, drawing elite athletes for a high-profile showcase, and the World Tour Finals on October 18 in Glasgow, Scotland, which included the World Log Lift Challenge.[26][27] Sponsorship from SBD Apparel supported these developments, providing official apparel and event-specific backing, such as for deadlift challenges.[28] By 2025, Giants Live had hosted over 50 events across the UK, Europe, the USA, Australia, and Iceland, establishing itself as a premier platform for strongman competition and playing a pivotal role in promoting emerging talents like Scotland's Tom Stoltman, who qualified through the tour en route to multiple World's Strongest Man titles.[1]Organization and Production
Producers and Key Personnel
Giants Live is produced through a long-standing collaboration between IMG Media, which manages global sports rights, production, and international broadcasting, and Power Productions UK, responsible for event logistics and strongman-specific expertise, initiated in 2009. This partnership has enabled the tour to expand from initial arena events to a premier qualifying series for the World's Strongest Man competition.[29][30] Key personnel include co-founders Colin Bryce and Darren Sadler, both former strongman competitors who have shaped the tour's direction since its inception. Bryce, a Scottish ex-athlete and Olympian in bobsleigh, serves as co-owner, tournament director for related events, commentator, and coordinator for athlete selection and broadcasting, leveraging his experience to ensure high-quality production and competitor standards. Sadler, a four-time World's Strongest Man participant from England, acts as co-founder, director, and production manager, contributing his historical knowledge of the sport to event planning and operations.[3][4][15] IMG's contributions extend to securing international TV rights and sponsorships, including broadcasts on Eurosport across Europe and ESPN in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, alongside deals with Channel 5 in the UK, which have broadened the tour's global audience. Sponsorships, such as those with Jeep for specific challenges, further support production through branded events and funding.[31][29] By the 2020s, the team evolved to incorporate digital streaming capabilities, with additions like Phil Williams as event and safety production manager to handle logistics for live online broadcasts, and Stephen Naylor as strategic communications specialist to manage global outreach and media relations. Despite orchestrating events worldwide, the core team remains small and dedicated, typically under 20 members focused on all aspects from equipment to refereeing.[32][33][34]Event Format and Rules
Giants Live competitions follow a standardized format designed to showcase elite strongman athletes in a series of high-intensity challenges, typically consisting of 5 to 7 events completed over a single evening lasting 2 to 3 hours. Each event features 10 to 14 competitors who vie for placement in disciplines that test strength, endurance, and technique, with the overall winner determined by cumulative points across all events.[35][1] Scoring is based on event placements, where the first-place finisher earns 10 points, decreasing by one point each to 1 point for the last-place athlete, allowing for a clear ranking of overall performance. This system emphasizes consistency across multiple disciplines, rewarding athletes who excel in a balanced manner rather than dominating a single event. Ties are resolved by comparing placements in reverse order of events.[36] The core disciplines in Giants Live events include a mix of overhead pressing, carrying, static holds, and loading challenges, with variations depending on the specific show—such as Viking-themed events in the World's Strongest Viking series. Representative events are the Max Log Press, where athletes attempt maximum weight overhead with a log bar; the Car Walk, involving pushing or pulling a vehicle over distance; the Frame Carry, requiring competitors to transport heavy frames for speed; and the Hercules Hold, a static endurance test of gripping massive pillars. Other common events feature Atlas Stones, deadlifts for reps, and medleys combining multiple implements, all calibrated to professional weights exceeding 100 kg per item.[37][38] Qualification for Giants Live events is primarily invitation-based for elite athletes, with open qualifiers available for national competitions like Britain's Strongest Man, while top performers advance to the flagship World's Strongest Man contest. Specifically, the top three finishers from each of the 4 to 8 annual Giants Live tour events earn automatic qualification to the World's Strongest Man group stage, providing a direct pathway for 12 to 24 spots annually. Past champions may receive wild-card invitations to maintain competitive depth.[35] Competitions operate in open weight classes for heavyweight divisions, with under-105 kg categories featured in select events to promote accessibility and variety. Rules enforce strict safety protocols, including referee oversight for lift validations, equipment inspections, and mandatory pauses between attempts to prevent injury; failed lifts due to form violations, such as incomplete lockouts or drops, result in no-credit outcomes. Post-2020, events have incorporated enhanced live-streaming guidelines for global audiences and rigorous anti-doping measures under IMG and World Strongman oversight, including random testing aligned with international standards to ensure fair play.[39][40]Events and Competitions
Types of Events
Giants Live organizes a diverse array of strongman competitions, categorized primarily by scope and focus, including national championships, continental series, the global World Tour with its culminating finals, and specialized or themed events. These events serve multiple purposes, such as crowning regional champions, providing qualifiers for the World's Strongest Man (WSM) competition, or delivering standalone spectacles that highlight elite athletic feats. By 2025, Giants Live has hosted numerous events worldwide, typically staging 8–10 annually across various formats.[1] National events under Giants Live emphasize domestic talent and serve as key qualifiers for international competitions like WSM. Britain's Strongest Man, an annual UK-focused competition, has been produced by Giants Live since 2013 and attracts top British athletes to determine the nation's strongest competitor; the 2025 edition took place at Utilita Arena in Sheffield. Similarly, regional series like Finland's Strongest Man operated from 2011 to 2012, showcasing Scandinavian powerhouses in a national championship format that also fed into broader tour qualifications. These events prioritize local pride while adhering to Giants Live's standardized rules for fair, high-stakes contests.[18][41] Continental events expand the scope to multi-nation audiences, fostering rivalry across borders and often acting as major WSM qualifiers. Europe's Strongest Man, launched in 2010, rotates through European venues such as Leeds' First Direct Arena in the UK and has featured in locations like Latvia, drawing elite competitors from the continent to compete in grueling tests of strength. The North American Open, introduced in 2016, targets athletes from the USA and Canada, with events held in sites like Martinsville, Indiana, emphasizing regional dominance and providing pathways to global stages. These competitions highlight cultural and geographic rivalries, typically featuring 10–12 athletes in five core disciplines.[42][43] The Giants Live World Tour forms the backbone of the organization's international calendar, consisting of 4–8 global qualifier events per year that span continents from Australia to Iceland, with regular stops in the UK and USA. These tour stops, such as those in London or Birmingham, award top-three finishers automatic spots in WSM and serve as high-profile spectacles broadcast on platforms like Channel 5. The tour culminates in the World Tour Finals, an annual season-ender introduced in 2017, which brings the tour's top performers to venues like Glasgow's OVO Hydro—as seen in the October 2025 edition—for a decisive showdown. Complementing this is The Strongman Classic, a prestige event held annually at London's Royal Albert Hall since 2013, known for its theatrical presentation and invitation-only field of world-class strongmen, often incorporating unique challenges like the Vice Grip Viking event.[1][44][26] Special events add variety and thematic flair to the Giants Live portfolio, targeting niche audiences or unique locations while maintaining the core emphasis on extreme strength. Giants Live FitX, launched in Australia in 2012, integrates strongman with fitness expos in Melbourne, attracting international stars and serving as an early-season qualifier. The Viking Challenge, a themed 2015 event, evoked Norse heritage through specialized implements like the Viking Press, held as a one-off spectacle that underscored Giants Live's ability to innovate beyond standard formats. These events, while fewer in number, enhance the organization's global reach and appeal as standalone entertainment.[45][46]Results and Standings
Giants Live events have produced a series of dominant performances by elite strongmen since the series' inception, with outcomes determining qualifiers for the World's Strongest Man competition and crowning annual tour champions through accumulated points across the season. The series typically features 3-6 events per year, culminating in the World Tour Finals, where top point earners compete for the overall title. Winners are determined by total points across 5-7 events per show, emphasizing all-around strength rather than single feats. The following table summarizes select Giants Live international tour events from 2009 to 2025, including dates, locations, and top three finishers where available. Data is compiled from verified competition records.| Year | Event | Date | Location | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Giants Live Mohegan Sun | May 17 | Uncasville, CT, USA | Derek Poundstone (USA) | Travis Ortmayer (USA) | Brian Shaw (USA) |
| 2009 | Viking Power Challenge | June 6 | Stavanger, Norway | Travis Ortmayer (USA) | Richard Skog (NOR) | Mikhail Koklyaev (RUS) |
| 2009 | Giants Live Poland | August 1 | Malbork, Poland | Jarosław Dymek (POL) | Mark Felix (GBR) | Stefán Sölvi Pétursson (ISL) |
| 2010 | Giants Live South Africa | April 10 | Johannesburg, South Africa | Brian Shaw (USA) | Mikhail Koklyaev (RUS) | Terry Hollands (GBR) |
| 2010 | Giants Live Ukraine | May 30 | Kyiv, Ukraine | Derek Poundstone (USA) | Laurence Shahlaei (GBR) | Johannes Årsjö (SWE) |
| 2010 | Giants Live Poland | August 8 | Toruń, Poland | Vytautas Lalas (LTU) | Robert Szczepański (POL) | Janusz Kułaga (POL) |
| 2010 | Giants Live Turkey | October 24 | Istanbul, Turkey | Žydrūnas Savickas (LTU) | Brian Shaw (USA) | Stefán Sölvi Pétursson (ISL) |
| 2011 | Giants Live London | March 19 | London, England | Brian Shaw (USA) | Laurence Shahlaei (GBR) | Vytautas Lalas (LTU) |
| 2011 | Giants Live Poland | August 6 | Stróże, Poland | Krzysztof Radzikowski (POL) | Mike Jenkins (USA) | Mateusz Baron (POL) |
| 2011 | Giants Live Finland | August 13 | Vaasa, Finland | Martin Wildauer (AUT) | Vidas Blekaitis (LTU) | Rauno Heinla (EST) |
| 2011 | Giants Live Ukraine | August 24 | Poltava, Ukraine | Sergii Romanchuk (UKR) | Mark Felix (GBR) | Josh Thigpen (USA) |
| 2012 | Giants Live FitX Melbourne | March 18 | Melbourne, Australia | Mike Jenkins (USA) | Nick Best (USA) | Mike Burke (USA) |
| 2012 | Giants Live Finland | June 10 | Lempäälä, Finland | Laurence Shahlaei (GBR) | Johannes Årsjö (SWE) | Lauri Nämi (EST) |
| 2012 | Giants Live Hungary | June 17 | Budapest, Hungary | Ákos Nagy (HUN) | Jack McIntosh (GBR) | Josh Thigpen (USA) |
| 2012 | Giants Live Poland | July 21 | Kartuzy, Poland | Krzysztof Radzikowski (POL) | Mateusz Baron (POL) | Sebastian Kurek (POL) |
| 2013 | Giants Live FitX Melbourne | March 10 | Melbourne, Australia | Derek Poundstone (USA) | Nick Best (USA) | Frankie Scheun (RSA) |
| 2013 | Giants Live Hungary | June 22 | Budapest, Hungary | Mike Burke (USA) | Eddie Hall (GBR) | Bjørn Andre Solvang (NOR) |
| 2013 | Giants Live Norway | July 6 | Gol, Norway | Johannes Årsjö (SWE) | Ole Martin Hansen (NOR) | Juha-Matti Järvi (FIN) |
| 2013 | Giants Live Poland | August 3 | Kostrzyn nad Odrą, Poland | Vytautas Lalas (LTU) | Krzysztof Radzikowski (POL) | Lauri Nämi (EST) |
| 2014 | Giants Live FitX Melbourne | March 8 | Melbourne, Australia | Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (ISL) | Warrick Brant (AUS) | Frankie Scheun (RSA) |
| 2014 | Giants Live Norway | April 5 | Vinstra, Norway | Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (ISL) | David Nyström (SWE) | Terry Hollands (GBR) |
| 2014 | Giants Live Poland | May 2 | Dolina Charlotty, Poland | Žydrūnas Savickas (LTU) | Mateusz Baron (POL) | Rafał Kobylarz (POL) |
| 2014 | Giants Live Hungary | June 21 | Budapest, Hungary | Jason Bergmann (USA) | Matjaž Belšak (SLO) | Eddie Hall (GBR) |
| 2014 | Giants Live Scandinavian Open | November 29 | Norrköping, Sweden | Brian Shaw (USA) | Johannes Årsjö (SWE) | Martin Forsmark (SWE) |
| 2015 | Giants Live Viking Challenge | June 7 | Grindavík, Iceland | Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (ISL) | Mark Felix (GBR) | Martins Licis (USA) |
| 2015 | Giants Live Scandinavian Open | November 28 | Norrköping, Sweden | Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (ISL) | Johannes Årsjö (SWE) | Mark Felix (GBR) |
| 2016 | Giants Live North American Open | June 26 | Martinsville, IN, USA | Nick Best (USA) | Mark Felix (GBR) | Derek DeVaughan (USA) |
| 2016 | Giants Live Scandinavian Open | November 12 | Norrköping, Sweden | Johannes Årsjö (SWE) | Martin Forsmark (SWE) | Mark Felix (GBR) |
| 2017 | Giants Live North American Open | July 29 | Martinsville, IN, USA | Rob Kearney (USA) | Nick Best (USA) | Adam Derks (USA) |
| 2017 | Giants Live World Tour Finals | September 30 | Manchester, England | Žydrūnas Savickas (LTU) | Konstantine Janashia (GEO) | Jean-François Caron (CAN) |
| 2017 | Giants Live Scandinavian Open | November 11 | Norrköping, Sweden | Johannes Årsjö (SWE) | Johnny Hansson (SWE) | Žydrūnas Savickas (LTU) |
| 2018 | Giants Live North American Open | June 9 | Martinsville, IN, USA | Laurence Shahlaei (GBR) | Trey Mitchell (USA) | Kevin Faires (USA) |
| 2018 | Giants Live World Tour Finals | September 15 | Manchester, England | Mateusz Kieliszkowski (POL) | Martins Licis (USA) | Adam Bishop (GBR) |
| 2019 | Giants Live Wembley | July 6 | London, England | Mateusz Kieliszkowski (POL) | Jerry Pritchett (USA) | Martins Licis (USA) |
| 2019 | Giants Live North American Open | August 10 | Martinsville, IN, USA | Evan Singleton (USA) | Kevin Faires (USA) | Mark Felix (GBR) |
| 2019 | Giants Live World Tour Finals | September 7 | Manchester, England | Mateusz Kieliszkowski (POL) | Ben Brunning (GBR) | Oleksii Novikov (UKR) |
| 2021 | Giants Live Strongman Classic | July 24 | London, England | Oleksii Novikov (UKR) | Evan Singleton (USA) | Cheick Sanou (BUR) |
| 2021 | Giants Live World Open | August 14 | Manchester, England | Evan Singleton (USA) | Adam Bishop (GBR) | Oleksii Novikov (UKR) |
| 2022 | Giants Live Strongman Classic | July 9 | London, England | Oleksii Novikov (UKR) | Tom Stoltman (GBR) | Mitchell Hooper (CAN) |
| 2022 | Giants Live World Open | July 30 | Cardiff, Wales | Pavlo Nakonechnyy (UKR) | Evan Singleton (USA) | Maxime Boudreault (CAN) |
| 2022 | Giants Live World Tour Finals | October 8 | Glasgow, Scotland | Mitchell Hooper (CAN) | Aivars Šmaukstelis (LAT) | Kevin Faires (USA) |
| 2023 | Giants Live Strongman Classic | July 8 | London, England | Evan Singleton (USA) | Tom Stoltman (GBR) | Mitchell Hooper (CAN) |
| 2023 | Giants Live World Open | July 29 | Manchester, England | Evan Singleton (USA) | Oleksii Novikov (UKR) | Mitchell Hooper (CAN) |
| 2023 | Giants Live World Tour Finals | October 21 | Glasgow, Scotland | Tom Stoltman (GBR) | Mathew Ragg (NZL) | Mitchell Hooper (CAN) |
| 2024 | Giants Live Strongman Classic | July 6 | London, England | Mitchell Hooper (CAN) | Tom Stoltman (GBR) | Pavlo Kordiyaka (UKR) |
| 2024 | Giants Live Strongman Open | September 7 | Sheffield, England | Mitchell Hooper (CAN) | Iron Biby (FRA) | Luke Richardson (GBR) |
| 2024 | Giants Live USA Strongman Championships | September 28 | Las Vegas, NV, USA | Mitchell Hooper (CAN) | Trey Mitchell (USA) | Spencer Golab (USA) |
| 2024 | Giants Live World Tour Finals | October 19 | Glasgow, Scotland | Mitchell Hooper (CAN) | Trey Mitchell (USA) | Luke Richardson (GBR) |
| 2025 | Giants Live Strongman Classic | July 5 | London, England | Evan Singleton (USA) | Jaco Schoonwinkel (RSA) | Paddy Haynes (GBR) |
| 2025 | Giants Live Strongman Open & World Deadlift Championships | September 6 | Birmingham, England | Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (ISL) | Bryce Johnson (USA) | Mathew Ragg (NZL) |
| 2025 | Giants Live World Tour Finals | October 18 | Glasgow, Scotland | Luke Richardson (GBR) | Ondrej Fojtu (CZE) | Andrew Flynn (IRL) |