Ireland’s Strongest Man finishes 3rd in UK Strongest Man 2017
With a tough battle through 13 grueling events over 3 days Ireland’s Strongest Man Pa O’Dwyer of Co.Limerick fought off extreme competition to achieve his goal of placing on the UK Podium. Pa was the only Irishman who managed to reach the UK final with David Loughman, Co. Dublin going out on Day 1 and Gavin Redmond, Co.Wexford going out in Day 2. This meant that Pa was against the favourite and Ultimate Strongman World Champion Laurence Shahlaei, Tom Stoltman and England’s Strongest Man Phil Roberts. The first event was the dumbbell for reps and Pa done a respectful 6 reps to get joint 3rd. The second event was the silver dollar deadlift were Pa placed joint first with a lift of 425KG. The third event was the duck walk and and Anchor Carry. This proved to be a tough event for Pa as he struggled to move the anchor and finished 7th overall. The fourth event was the back to back harness and rope wrestling test. This was a new event for most of the competitors but Pa had a number of tough heats which meant that he placed 6th overall in the event. It all come down to the last event and there were only a few points splitting 3 men fighting for the podium, Paul Smith of England, Pa O’Dwyer of Ireland and Phil Roberts of England. However, it was Pa O’Dwyer who put all of the flags up in the fastest time to secure his first podium finish at the UK Strongest Man. Well Done to Tom Stoltman on second place and the NEW UK STRONGEST MAN IS LAURENCE SHAHLAEI OF ENGLAND!