the whiff of strongman is in the air and off
we go with another festive season of fearsome physiques with the Giants live world Strongest
Man Arena tour step one today it's the strongman classic and it comes from the Royal Albert
Hall yeah the venerable venue is hosting its first strongman competition in 120 years we've
got five events for you we've got Lawrence Shahlaei another British Landmark bringing
the curtain down on his incredible career and we've also got one of the newer faces
in the sport Iron Biby taking on an incredible world record Axle press Colin's with Bill Kazmaier now. So our first
event is the Axle press World Championships and we're going to start heavy around about
170 kilograms that's really heavy now Bill the World Record is 216 kilos Eddie Hall's
do you see that going tonight I mean this is all about maximum weight, well a little
bit of strategy going on here because there's going to be a lot of guys going 190 and then
out but big Iron BiBy, he's the man with the shot for the big one I, I think a lot of people would agree withyou that's for sure in fact we measured his biceps yesterday and they are two inches bigger
than the World Record in Guinness has in the gold record book unbelievable is
looking massive I think he'll do it tonight [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] foreign [Applause] [Applause] and we're on to round two Evan Singleton getting
a little encouragement from well a lot of encouragement from Adam Bishop this is 190
kilos 420 pounds, 30 Stone watch it up to the shoulders. Has he got any energy left Danny ¡oh my goodness!
that went over his head oh doesn't get the call from Magnus Ver Magnuson it's a fail
is he gonna do it again [Applause] is like in out of energy so ¡uh! yeah that's bad news you've
got to drop it forward. So that won't count Luke Stoltman will have been watching that
with great interest five times Scotland's strongest man it's one of the best presses
on the planet huge shoulder power this guy's got wild shoulder power if he and
his brother in great shape at the moment but this is proving to be hard to the chest, sticky
shirt helping him something's not quite right here for Stoltman he's beaten I think he just spent too long
just trying to get up over the power belly and onto the to the shoulder, some issue it seems with his left arm. Yeah maybe it's very hard on the biceps this. so will his little tiny brother do any better
Tom Stoltman. Taking on 190 kilos. Wrenches it off the ground, but these long arms of his you know he's called
the albatross for a reason, very stable very controlled, looks almost confused at the ease
with which he did it. what a stage to do it on great tricep pressing power there with those
long arms of his there's ¡uh! there's plenty more there I think 190 who will join him as we move forward Novikov next to take on this huge way Colin yeah there's just two men left now Novikov
an Iron Biby to follow and Biby he made light work of 117, Novikov what can he do here
at round two. Shaking away well there it is always with those bursts
of power not a giant to look at Colin he's such an athlete isn't he so explosive I really
thought he was going to fail that when it was shaking away on his chest but not a bit
of it. On then to Iron Biby from Burkina Faso. and made round one looked like nothing. Chest
measures in it just under 80 inches round so getting it up to the chest is half the
battle here, to make it through of course he will he's Iron Biby. no problem at all, so three men left now and of course is Tom Stoltman, Novikov and this man the mighty Iron Biby. He leans back sofar doesn't he and then just presses it off his chest almost onto round three then, two five kilos, what's that in pounds
452 pounds Danny around about ¡uh! almost 33 Stone just under and then Shillings a lot
well look at this from Novikov that explosive power again starting to slightly struggle though isn't he ¡oh yeah! the powerbelly's getting crushed now. well Novikov does not manage it a little he
was getting slightly crushed by it as well. That's part of the problem he doesn't really have
a power belly, he's in such good shape. good effort, on then to Tom Stoltman also in his tacky vest doubles up later on it's a wonderful outfit with the strongman Disco it certainly serves a purpose as you can see
sticking to his chest that bar on the way up here we go, ¡oh! that was so close and he
knew it. don't think he had on his test long enough to really pause and hit it hard enough, good effort though. and so very much the star of this
event so far Iron Biby, who makes the take on 205 kilos has made everything look so simple
so far easing the most impressive of power bellies, but if he does this down he's going
to go for the World Record is don't it of course does not seem to have taken anything out of
him really right here right now he's saying bring it
on, saying let's do this right now that 216 World Record of Eddie Halls I'm sure you remember
what a night that was he looks like he could have it in him if he can get into his chest Danny he's got to get it to his chest that's the hard bit for him We all know he has the pressing power. 217 going on the bar ¡here we go! this is enormous weight, What an enormous man! It looked like assault but was actually encouragement from his brother. and somewhere Eddie Hall is watching praying that Iron Biby does not take his World Record away from him. I dunno you know. Eddie's a big fan of Iron Biby, everybody is!
He deserves this he's been close to it before he's attempted it before
it's up to his chest ¡oh no! no it isn't ah a slight buckling from Iron Biby but hewants to go again Magnus Ver Magnuson the referee has the decision as to whether he gets more attempts or not if he's safe and he's obviously happy to us miss that clean gotta pop it a bit more with the legs get it cleanly up to the shoulders with energy dripping with sweat ¿how much more has he got left in the tank? Up to the chest ¿is he beaten? well I think that's it for Iron Biby what an athlete though really went both times full guns. I'm totally heartbroken
here Danny I really thought of he had got that to his chest, he'd of pressed it he definitely
would have pressed it, he's got the power. the crowd want it again! the poor guy he's tried twice don't do this
to him oh no he wants this so badly doesn't he he's
gonna do it, he's gonna go again good on it on him ¡come on! Biby it's now and never I don't think he's got a fourth attempt in him he's got to hit this, no headbutt this
time maybe that will help. but look at this determination you know he
doesn't have one of these bars back in Burkina Faso maybe it's learning on the job here, pouring with sweat my goodness here we go for what must surely be his final attempt
it's up ¡come on! ¡heads up! he's been giving it 217 kilos he beats Eddie Hall's record! well that is a World Record for Iron Biby at the Royal Albert Hall look at them all up on their feet my goodness
me they've seen some history here surely Colin the ghosts of 120 year old Victorian strong
men ghosts will be applauding too. Biby an amazing effort what were you thinking
about at that moment? you know I missed this world record back in 2018 and I had in my head that I cannot
go back home without this and I'm really happy that the crowd helped me to give me another
chance so you know it's all the crowd in a positive energy that helped me today, I've got to say I don't think I've ever heard of noise like that at a strongman competition, the crowd loved it, congratulations
for an amazing effort and New World Record. thank you so much Right event two and emotions are running High, Darren Sadler our head referee along with Magnus that was a pretty wild star obviously
but this could get bigger here now we've got the Hercules Hold Mark Felix and some other
got big grips here as well how do you see this going down? I think that was the most
impressive start to assure I've ever seen and there's still more to come. Mark Felix he's
done it like five times in a row and Mark's sort of single-handedly made this an
iconic event. there you go anyway let's see how they get on. He's an absolute giant of a man 25 inch arms
stands about two meters tall nearly six foot six. Still see how enormous these Hercules
hold pillars are and when they released the chain he takes all of the pressure it's pulling
him apart now one minute two seconds is what he's chasing by Aivars Smaukstelis, Latvia's number one. Tough guy the Baltic Smaukstelis. he's won many a Latvian title and it is really
hard, hard man tough grip so if Singleton gets anywhere near that Minute mark we're doing
very well indeed it shows you just how difficult this is as he moves past the 30-second marks
and it goes ahead of Pa O'Dwyer, Tom Stoltman well he did 38.34. Luke 46 seconds Luke Stoltman.
to move into second place he's got to go past Gavin Bilton the Welshman 200 kilo man 52
seconds he's done that and now Smaukstelis is one minute and two ¡goodness me! the former professional wrestler is the real deal that's for sure and he's gone sailing past Smaukstelis this is tremendous stuff absolutely psyched could he do the World Record just
over 90 seconds remember is what he wants and that no Mark Felix's record today anyway
is not up for grabs at least not yet we still have Mark Felix to come of course Iron Biby, Laurence Shahlaei some men with mighty mitts but ¡uh! ripped out but in the lead. as we move on to our next contender swindon's
finest Laurence Shahlaei, took a bit of a hit with the axle earlier on, former Europe's
Strongest man Laurence has been there and done it fourth at World's Strongest Man we're
tired after a lot of injuries a couple of years ago but he's back for one night only
as he said Danny and he's got a good grip as well Loz, no doubt about it but one minute
14 of Evan Singleton is ¡uh! well it's only just over 10 seconds away from the World Record that's a tough time to beat a minute is a good one, yeah, a very tall order thrown down
by Singleton. Shahlaei looking very steady yeah, when you start to see the shake that's
when you start to worry and he's still looking pretty calm at the moment, keep pulling in
the oxygen as these 200 kilo pillars pull you apart. Yes which is a terrible way to go,
concentration here, especially I guess in a venue like this The Royal Albert Hall will probably mean more to Shahlaei
than many of the others he looks in some pain ¡oh! so close to Smaukstelis's. 102 but 55.15 seconds puts him in third place currently left hand started opening up didn't it he
knew it his right hand was Rock Solid perhaps he's had an injury there into iron Biby then. The lead overall so far riding a wave at the moment, there's Mark Felix the World Record holder he's broken at the record three different occasions, the Iron Biby, I tell you what he's got some mighty mitts on him enormous big hands, he's had a good start
to this session he's wearing the Burkina Faso traditional outfit Danny. as am I! what progress now, it's concentration that's sweat again pouring down his face sort of shy of 30 seconds
a little headphones in his ears there trying to block out the noise or he's got some music
playing, get him into the zone ¡hey! it's working, working well. Face shifting to one of real determination now, he's gone for a really wide stance to try and get his arms as flat as
possible less pressure, he's really fighting now bearing down on Smaukstelis's time
of one minute two seconds ¡oh! he's gonna beat that isn't he. ¡yes! now Singleton's time of one minute 14 to beat can he hold on it's doing really well here screaming it out now
he's gonna do it he's asking for the time from his brother, well that was incredibly
close he's done it though 1,15. and Mark Felix realizing he's got a real Contender now.
Doesn't he just my goodness me Felix he's gonna have to fight tonight, he's got his kilt on as ever ¡oh! what a battle he just had that time and broke it I think if Singleton
hadn't done that he wouldn't have gone as long but he was chasing a Target there and
then remember the time is when they hit the pad as it falls, well the World Record holder takes to the stage at the Royal Albert Hall knowing he's really I mean maybe for
one of the first times he's going to feel under intense pressure here. he's got to
start by pulling them in as hard as he can just as Biby did he looks a little bit loose
there but then again he takes the weight and not
even a grimace. I've tried these Danny when that weight comes on it, it shocks you your eyeballs pop out your head with the pain. Strong and steady. Mark Felix three men so far have over one minute this is a man who wants the World Record. Looks so calm doesn't he. he's been training for this has had
a little bit of a hamstring injury recently but ¡uh! it shouldn't affect his grip.
55 years old as well Danny we've got to say it no one said it yet unbelievable.
we'll make sure to say it a few more times today but 55. 45 years off 100% Danny! well
this is a very very strong measured performance from Mark Felix. He's past Loz and he's passing
Smaukstelis ¡oh no! Mark felix, it I don't know what went wrong there? I mean I do he drops it but I don't know why! it is really heavy and I guess
his shirt is Mark Felix is ¡uh! he's mortal well we never thought we'd say that Mark Felix is mortal and Iron Biby is with Terry right now. Biby two wins out of two what a fantastic
start did you expect to be in this position after two events. yes because I've been really
training this hard and like I said it's just my injury that is bugging me. We join the action
Adam Bishop he will be going head to head against Novikov also a great deadlifter, actually sets a new 18-inch deadlift for Max World Record in 2020 a little strapping on here really thick bar
makes it very hard to grip so ¡uh! these straps allow them just to relax and pull it all the
better and Bishop wasting no time at all three reps to beat surely he's gonna blow past that.
well he is one of the most if not the most technically gifted deadlifters on the planet
already up to four reps. look how narrow his feet are that's a perfect position to pull
from Novikov a little wide a little inefficient here but we've seen him pull some big deadlifts
Danny never count him out. well look at this up to seven remember the World Record is eight thanks to Martins Licis. and Bishop you're knocking on the door of that with 20 seconds to go.
how many more can Novikov grind out like that that was brutal well I spoke way too soon
Adam Bishop's had enough but he's done enough seven Reps for Bishop, Novikov also beaten
managed six the leads with the Axle Deadlift Bishop with Novikov in second. that's really
taken out of them hasn't it let's have a look at Bishop's face here that was the first one
that flew up 360 kilos. Now we move on to ¡uh! Laurence Shahlaei he's another great deadlifter. Or was
it'll be interesting to see how big Loz gets on. that's especially up against one of the
tallest athletes Gavin Bilton former soldier looks like an 80s New York cop. there's a magnificent
moustache no doubt about it heaviest man to ever compete at World's Strongest Man and
he debut in 2020. ¡oh! Laurence Shahlaei struggling at the knees he said this was the hardest thing to get back in shape for just pure heavyweight off the floor. Big Shake of the legs there from Shahlaei. ¡oh! he'll be happy with that, that's a face-saving three. believe
it or not he was once the deadlift World Record holder. Over a decade ago now. big Gavs run
out of puff I think. has he got time for one more he has. Knows he can do it if he hurries. Shahlaei may well have worked the clock here perfectly if you can squeeze one out! crowd
will go nuts ¡wow! look at that, what a triumph from Shahlaei! ¡oh! well that has taken it out of him just when we thought it was Bilton that
was going to do that Shahlaei pulls it off that's the experience right there he got his
timing just right with each rep that's just enough in the tank or it didn't really actually
he really I don't know where he got the energy to pull that last one from well that was an extraordinary performance
because that smile or pain? so hard to tell! so Loz you did really well there I, I assume obviously coming back from the injury you're soaking up the atmosphere really enjoying
being in front of a crowd again, it's absolutely amazing I mean you and me know what we started
out with Strong Man in Leisure centers car parks to be at the Royal Albert Hall in front
of so many awesome fans it's just a dream come true for me, yeah, regardless of the result I'm just loving every minute. also loving every minute at the minute is
Iron Biby! On epic form this evening first in the Axle press, first in Hercules hold will it
be a hat-trick. We're looking to stop him T-Rex Evan Singleton his trademark dinosaur roar. The former WWE
wrestler ¡oh my goodness! now Singleton is not known
as a dead lifter that's shocking he's put in his homework. He has all he doesn't know
he's not supposed to be good at this look how wide Biby's grip is just because of his
enormous hip girdle and shoulders and chest he's almost at the end of the bar. Neck and
neck at the moment four reps each the shake of the camera those weights hit the ground. ¡oh yeah! Singleton for five, Biby to match! slides
it up the thighs and gets it just. just he's up there he's had enough at five well this
is a moment to Singleton this is our final pair here the seven reps from Bishop are gonna
hold. well he's happy enough with that Iron Biby there's his third equal with five reps as
does of course Evan Singleton well neither man's really known as a great deadlifter and both men doing five reps there on good form tonight that's for sure Singleton's loving it. As is this man, both men take third then Iron Biby the great grandson of a
king! we join the
action with Evan Singleton currently second place overall T-Rex. This is T-rex yoga! and he will be up against of course Iron Biby. Do not judge him by his size this mas is deceptively fast . is need just, indeed this event in Manchester my goodness me he was quick a few years ago, he can shift for a big fella. Darren Sadler gets them underway and look at this a mistake
from Biby early and Singleton is capitalizing he's quick, he's screaming at Bishop the record
holder well look at that from Singleton hugely impressive and after a stumble at the start
a great recovery from Iron BiBy this was Singleton's to win. 11.32 seconds actually he's nowhere
near the record and he's behind Stoltman too an Iron Biby 12.29 seconds he if he hadn't stumbled
who knows what he could have done. Screaming a Bishop there and he says I've done it but he hasn't not even close I'm afraid. Biby's acceleration was impressive though. to the reigning champ the reigning World's Strongest man - Novikov. taking on Britain's Adam Bishop the current World Record holder in this event Battle of Giants and Novikov always
with that incredible speed and everything he does, unbelievable and he smokes the World record holder. ¡Wow!
That was an incredible performance from Novikov. 8.74 a little steam train that's what he was
there unbelievable and Bishop has really just beaten to the start I think 9.46 he can't complain
about that that's even quicker than Singleton well Novikov always leaps into action so quickly just plowed ahead with that one. Very upright. safety reason having injured his bicep. What a shame. I'm one of the iron biby fans and everyones an Iron Biby fan in this audience now. is Aivars Smaukstelis and Pa O'Dwyer get ready to go head-to-head in the Castle Stones. 5000 watch on. Smaukstelis the man on the left, Pa O'Dwyer, Ireland's Strongest man some 5 times on the right hand side. and it's the Irishman a little shorter, and he may well struggle when he gets to the
really heavy stones at the end he'll just get heavier and heavier this last one 180
kilograms it's huge the circumference is enormous and after a tired night. Smaukstelis finishes
off but I'm not sure but Pa O'Dwyer will five in 25 seconds he's still got time on
the clock, 25 seconds to be exact. good effort ¡oh! O'Dwyer great stuff does all five and 42.11
seconds. disappointed no doubt he was in the lead there Smaukstelis at the end finished
off. The lightest and the heaviest almost the same to him but Pa O'Dwyer struggled a bit
but finished it in the end. So Adam Bishop is our next man out and there is no Iron Biby to go up against him so ¡uh! he has to go on his own 25.3 seconds the time to
be set by Smaukstelis the Latvian and this is really quick my goodness the first three
are up in just over 10 seconds and that's 14 for four surely he can beat Smaukstelis. and
listen to this crowd, ¡oh my goodness! 21.58 man he looks almost a little disappointed
I don't know why it's a brilliant time and there we are Bishop clearing the height easily
in the end on that fifth Stone gets his hands off as quick as possible to get his time 21
and a half seconds that leads, and on to the Giants Tom Stoltman and he's even bigger next
to him that's against Gavin Bilton these are some tall men Colin. absolute Giants, six foot
eight up against six foot six exactly swimwear models but these guys are at fit for purpose both well over 400 pounds look at this absolutely manhandling these
the Scotsman on the stones so quick. well look at this. he will beat the time. he has beaten
the time Tom Stoltman takes the lead in the Castle Stones 16.97 seconds. Bilton, I think it's fair to say a slowed down. that's outrageous Big Gav's I think starting to feel the pace going into
that fourth event he was very high up the leaderboard, in 5th position being offered a little
bit of tacky glue there from his coach. well he's done that and now the heaviest Stone
180 kilos this. I don't see it going up he's tired fatigued, very hot in here. what a great
attempt from Gavin Bilton takes him to fifth place currently in the Castle Stones this
guy is just Unstoppable. It's just crazy the way he lifts these stones, almost a one motion on the last one, so what is this then could it be the final event in Shahlaie's career
here sharing it of course with Luke Stoltman There's a man is having a well this must be the Twilight of his career his ¡uh! best form he's looking really strong Stoltman of course Laurence
Shahlaei one of the greats of all time he never won a World's Strongest Man title but has won Europe's but it's Luke Stoltman who is firing ahead here all those years on the oil rigs finally decided to ¡uh! come on land and become a professional Sportsman 18 months
ago and it's paid off! but here we go what's going through his head right now Laurence
Shahlaei will this be his final Stone lift in the final event his career ¡come on Laurence! finish off in style! ¡Oh yes! what a great athlete but a lovely man with
a great career Laurence Shahlaei and it is all five just over 40 seconds here at the Royal
Albert Hal. well do you think he's retired for sure he said it would be. if it is it's
a glorious swan song from Shahlaei something he deserves a lot of praise for it was hard
to get in shape to compete with these guys sport keeps getting better and better and
now Singleton. WWE moment for sure to whack him over the head of the plastic chair Singleton
getting hyped up. Novikov , he's having none of it! Icey cold as ever. don't be ridiculous! here we go then much shorter man Novikov and his first couple will be that little bit harder for him but ¡my goodness! he's explosive. this is a fast start from both men and really the title is up for grabs with Biby injured nice
comeback from T-Rex there he's in the lead for sure and this could grab him the title right here if he gets it up, Novikov catching! ¡Wow! ¡what a finish! both men making
their way as quickly as possible to Magnus Ver Magnusson to see ¿who was first? now that of course was the moment Singleton took his hands off, Novikov just behind and Singleton takes second place with 20.22 just behind him was Novikov Oleksii, what an amazing performance tonight, how do you feel to be the winner? Thank you very much, im very happy, this is first win at Giants Live and qualification for World's Strongest Man, so I really happy. I know the crowd will have really loved you being here. I've really enjoyed watching you compete, I think you've been absolutely fantastic all night. Congratulations. well congratulations to Oleksii get well soon to Iron Biby and best of luck for the future too Big Loz. Now next time out we're going to be in Manchester for the world open sounds good doesn't it we've got another All-Star lineup competing and we've also got another colossal World Record attempt as well in the deadlift make sure you join us for that next time on Giants live.
