Giants Live
Tournament
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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
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
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
| Year | Event | Type | Date | Champion | Runner-up | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Mohegan Sun Casino Arena, Uncasville |
Indoor | Sunday, 17 May 2009 | |||
Kongeparken, Stavanger |
Indoor | Saturday, 6 June 2009 | ||||
Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork, Malbork |
Outdoor | Saturday, 1 August 2009 | ||||
| 2010 | Expo Centre Johannesburg, Johannesburg |
Indoor | Sunday, 10 April 2010 | |||
People's Friendship Arch, Kyiv |
Outdoor | Sunday, 30 May 2010 | ||||
Wembley Arena, London |
Indoor | Saturday, 19 June 2010 | ||||
MotoArena Toruń, Toruń |
Indoor | Sunday, 8 August 2010 | ||||
KüçükÇiftlik Park, Istanbul |
Outdoor | Sunday, 24 October 2010 | ||||
| 2011 | ExCeL London, London |
Indoor | Saturday, 19 March 2011 | |||
Pori |
Outdoor | Friday, 13 May 2011 | ||||
Masku |
Outdoor | Saturday, 21 May 2011 | ||||
Jyväskylä |
Outdoor | Saturday, 28 May 2011 | ||||
Oulu |
Outdoor | Saturday, 28 May 2011 | ||||
Plac, Stróże |
Outdoor | Saturday, 6 August 2011 | ||||
Power Park, Vaasa |
Outdoor | Saturday, 13 August 2011 | ||||
Poltava |
Outdoor | Wednesday, 24 August 2011 | ||||
| 2012 | Melbourne Centre, Melbourne |
Indoor | Sunday, 18 March 2012 | |||
Ideapark, Lempäälä |
Indoor | Sunday, 10 June 2012 | ||||
Aquaworld Resort Budapest, Budapest |
Outdoor | Sunday, 17 June 2012 | ||||
Elland Road, Leeds |
Outdoor | Saturday, 23 June 2012 | ||||
Kartuzy |
Outdoor | Saturday, 21 July 2012 | ||||
| 2013 | Melbourne Centre, Melbourne |
Indoor | Sunday, 10 March 2013 | |||
Aquaworld Resort Budapest, Budapest |
Outdoor | Saturday, 22 June 2013 | ||||
Elland Road, Leeds |
Outdoor | Saturday, 29 June 2013 | ||||
Gol |
Indoor | Saturday, 6 July 2013 | ||||
Pol'and'Rock Festival Grounds, Kostrzyn nad Odrą |
Outdoor | Saturday, 3 August 2013 | ||||
Gateshead International Stadium, Gateshead |
Outdoor | Sunday, 4 August 2013 | ||||
| 2014 | Melbourne Centre, Melbourne |
Indoor | Saturday, 8 March 2014 | |||
The Dome Leisure Centre, Doncaster |
Indoor | Sunday, 16 March 2014 | ||||
Fefor Høifjellshotell, Vinstra |
Outdoor | Saturday, 5 April 2014 | ||||
Dolina Charlotty |
Outdoor | Friday, 2 May 2014 | ||||
Aquaworld Resort Budapest, Budapest |
Outdoor | Saturday, 21 June 2014 | ||||
Headingley Stadium, Leeds |
Outdoor | Saturday, 9 August 2014 | ||||
Stadium Arena, Norrköping |
Indoor | Saturday, 29 November 2014 | ||||
| 2015 | ||||||
The Dome Leisure Centre, Doncaster |
Indoor | Saturday, 14 February 2015 | ||||
Grindavík |
Outdoor | Sunday, 7 June 2015 | ||||
Headingley Stadium, Leeds |
Outdoor | Saturday, 11 July 2015 | ||||
Stadium Arena, Norrköping |
Indoor | Saturday, 28 November 2015 | ||||
| 2016 | ||||||
The Dome Leisure Centre, Doncaster |
Indoor | Saturday, 30 January 2016 | ||||
Town Square, Martinsville |
Outdoor | Saturday, 26 June 2016 | ||||
First Direct Arena, Leeds |
Indoor | Saturday, 9 July 2016 | ||||
Stadium Arena, Norrköping |
Indoor | Saturday, 12 November 2016 | ||||
| 2017 | ||||||
The Dome Leisure Centre, Doncaster |
Indoor | Saturday, 28 January 2017 | ||||
First Direct Arena, Leeds |
Indoor | Saturday, 1 April 2017 | ||||
Town Square, Martinsville |
Outdoor | Saturday, 29 July 2017 | ||||
Manchester Arena, Manchester |
Indoor | Saturday, 29 September 2017 | ||||
Stadium Arena, Norrköping |
Indoor | Saturday, 11 November 2017 | ||||
| 2018 | ||||||
FlyDSA Arena, Sheffield |
Indoor | Saturday, 27 January 2018 | ||||
First Direct Arena, Leeds |
Indoor | Saturday, 7 April 2018 | ||||
Town Square, Martinsville |
Outdoor | Sunday, 10 June 2018 | ||||
Manchester Arena, Manchester |
Indoor | Saturday, 15 September 2018 | ||||
| 2019 | ||||||
FlyDSA Arena, Sheffield |
Indoor | Saturday, 19 January 2019 | ||||
First Direct Arena, Leeds |
Indoor | Saturday, 6 April 2019 | ||||
Wembley Arena, London |
Indoor | Saturday, 6 July 2019 | ||||
Town Square, Martinsville |
Outdoor | Saturday, 10 August 2019 | ||||
Manchester Arena, Manchester |
Indoor | Saturday, 7 September 2019 | ||||
Ocean Center, Daytona Beach |
Indoor | Sunday, 3 November 2019 | ||||
| 2020 | ||||||
FlyDSA Arena, Sheffield |
Indoor | Saturday, 18 January 2020 | ||||
Allerton Castle, Harrogate |
Outdoor | Sunday, 6 September 2020 | ||||
| 2021 | ||||||
Royal Albert Hall, London |
Indoor | Saturday, 24 July 2021 | ||||
AO Arena, Manchester |
Indoor | Saturday, 14 August 2021 | ||||
First Direct Arena, Leeds |
Indoor | Saturday, 4 September 2021 | ||||
SSE Hydro, Glasgow |
Indoor | Saturday, 18 September 2021 | ||||
The NEC, Birmingham |
Indoor | Sunday, 3 October 2021 | ||||
FlyDSA Arena, Sheffield |
Indoor | Saturday, 23 October 2021 | ||||
Ocean Center, Daytona Beach |
Indoor | Friday, 12 November 2021 | ||||
| 2022 | ||||||
FlyDSA Arena, Sheffield |
Indoor | Saturday, 26 February 2022 | ||||
First Direct Arena, Leeds |
Indoor | Saturday, 2 April 2022 | ||||
Royal Albert Hall, London |
Indoor | Saturday, 9 July 2022 | ||||
Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff |
Indoor | Saturday, 6 August 2022 | ||||
OVO Hydro, Glasgow |
Indoor | Saturday, 8 October 2022 | ||||
M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool |
Indoor | Saturday, 26 November 2022 | ||||
| 2023 | ||||||
FlyDSA Arena, Sheffield |
Indoor | Saturday, 28 January 2023 | ||||
First Direct Arena, Leeds |
Indoor | Saturday, 1 April 2023 | ||||
Royal Albert Hall, London |
Indoor | Saturday, 8 July 2023 | ||||
Cardiff International Arena, Cardiff |
Indoor | Saturday, 2 September 2023 | ||||
Doncaster Dome, Doncaster |
Indoor | Saturday, 30 September 2023 | ||||
Doncaster Dome, Doncaster |
Indoor | Sunday, 1 October 2023 | ||||
OVO Hydro, Glasgow |
Indoor | Saturday, 21 October 2023 | ||||
M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool |
Indoor | Saturday, 18 November 2023 | ||||
| 2024 | ||||||
FlyDSA Arena, Sheffield |
Indoor | Saturday, 27 January 2024 | ||||
First Direct Arena, Leeds |
Indoor | Saturday, 13 April 2024 | ||||
York Barbican, York |
Indoor | Saturday, 22 June 2024 | ||||
York Barbican, York |
Indoor | Saturday, 22 June 2024 | ||||
Royal Albert Hall, London |
Indoor | Saturday, 13 July 2024 | ||||
Barbican Theatre, York |
Indoor | Saturday/Sunday, 17/18 August 2024 | ||||
Utilita Arena, Birmingham |
Indoor | Saturday, 7 September 2024 | ||||
Orleans Arena, Las Vegas |
Indoor | Saturday, 28 September 2024 | ||||
OVO Hydro, Glasgow |
Indoor | Saturday, 19 October 2024 | ||||
| 2025 | ||||||
FlyDSA Arena, Sheffield |
Indoor | Saturday, 1 February 2025 | ||||
First Direct Arena, Leeds |
Indoor | Saturday, 5 April 2025 | ||||
Royal Albert Hall, London |
Indoor | Saturday, 5 July 2025 | ||||
York Barbican, York |
Indoor | Saturday, 19 July 2025 | ||||
York Barbican, York |
Indoor | Sunday, 20 July 2025 | ||||
Barbican Theatre, York |
Indoor | Saturday, 2 August 2025 | ||||
Utilita Arena, Birmingham |
Indoor | Saturday, 6 September 2025 | ||||
OVO Hydro, Glasgow |
Indoor | Saturday, 18 October 2025 | ||||
| 2026 | ||||||
FlyDSA Arena, Sheffield |
Indoor | Saturday, 7 February 2026 | ||||
First Direct Arena, Leeds |
Indoor | Saturday, 11 April 2026 | ||||
Royal Albert Hall, London |
Indoor | Saturday, 4 July 2026 | ||||
York Barbican, York |
Indoor | Saturday, 25 July 2026 | ||||
York Barbican, York |
Indoor | Sunday, 26 July 2026 | ||||
Utilita Arena, Birmingham |
Indoor | Saturday, 5 September 2026 | ||||
OVO Hydro, Glasgow |
Indoor | Saturday, 17 October 2026 |
Most wins
| Rank | Champion | Country | Wins | Win breakdown | Podiums |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson | 10 | 10 internationals | 11 | |
| 2 | Evan Singleton | 6 | 6 internationals | 9 | |
| 3 | Žydrūnas Savickas | 6 | 6 internationals | 7 | |
| 4 | Mitchell Hooper | 5 | 5 internationals | 9 | |
| 5 | Luke Richardson | 5 | 4 internationals and 1 national | 7 | |
| 6 | Tom Stoltman | 5 | 1 international and 4 nationals | 10 | |
| 7 | Eddie Hall | 5 | 5 nationals | 8 | |
| 8 | Laurence Shahlaei | 4 | 3 internationals and 1 national | 10 | |
| 9 | Luke Stoltman | 4 | 3 internationals and 1 national | 7 | |
| 10 | Juha-Matti Järvi | 4 | 4 nationals | 5 | |
| 11 | Oleksii Novikov | 3 | 3 internationals | 10 | |
| 12 | Johannes Årsjö | 3 | 3 internationals | 9 | |
| 13 | Mateusz Kieliszkowski | 3 | 3 internationals | 6 | |
| 14 | Brian Shaw | 3 | 3 internationals | 5 | |
| 15 | Derek Poundstone | 3 | 3 internationals | 3 |