Gavin "The Bull" Bilton (born 23 October 1988) is a professional strongman from Wales and a two-time winner of the UK's Strongest Man competition.

Gavin Bilton
Born (1988-10-23) 23 October 1988 (age 36)
Caerphilly, Wales
Other namesThe Bull
OccupationStrongman
Height1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
Competition record
Strongman
Representing  Great Britain
World's Strongest Man
Qualified 2020 World's Strongest Man
Qualified 2021 World's Strongest Man
Qualified 2022 World's Strongest Man
Qualified 2023 World's Strongest Man
Qualified 2024 World's Strongest Man
Europe's Strongest Man
8th 2020 Europe's Strongest Man
8th 2021 Europe's Strongest Man
11th 2022 Europe's Strongest Man
11th 2023 Europe's Strongest Man
10th 2024 Europe's Strongest Man
Shaw Classic
11th 2023 Strongest Man on Earth
Giants Live
8th 2021 Strongman Classic
6th 2021 World Open
10th 2021 World Tour Finals
8th 2022 Strongman Classic
5th 2022 World Open
2nd 2023 World Open
6th 2023 World Tour Finals
11th 2024 Strongman Classic
11th 2024 World Open
Arnold Pro Strongman World Series
5th 2022 UK
7th 2024 UK
Representing Wales Wales
Britain's Strongest Man
2nd 2023 Britain's Strongest Man
2nd 2024 Britain's Strongest Man
UK's Strongest Man
1st 2020 UK's Strongest Man
1st 2021 UK's Strongest Man
3rd 2022 UK's Strongest Man
Wales' Strongest Man
2nd 2018 Wales' Strongest Man
2nd 2019 Wales' Strongest Man
1st 2021 Wales' Strongest Man
1st 2023 Wales' Strongest Man

Background

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Bilton grew up in Caerphilly and attended Bedwas Infants School, Bedwas Junior School and Bedwas High School.[1] Before becoming a professional strongman, Bilton served for 13 years in the Welsh Guards, completing two tours in Afghanistan and acting as a Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace. Since leaving the army, Gavin has set up his own gym in Caerphilly, called "Area 51".[2]

Career

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In October 2020, Bilton won 2021 UK's Strongest Man competition at the grounds of the Crumlin Road Jail in Belfast.[3] He would go on to retain the title in 2021.[4]

Bilton was invited for at the 2020 World's Strongest Man competition in Bradenton, Florida, US, where he finished 5th in his heat after sustaining a rib injury during the squat lift, failing to make it to the finals. He got invited for 4 more years for the World's Strongest Man, but failed to make it to the finals in any of them.

His career best win is the first place at 2023 SCL Serbia.

Other ventures

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A former rugby union player, Bilton had spells at Welsh Premiership sides Bridgend, Swansea, Newport, and Bedwas. Bilton played for Caerphilly RFC in the WRU National Bowl final at the Principality Stadium in 2017.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Williams, Rhys (18 December 2020). "The man looking to become the world's strongest". Caerphilly Observer. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Guardsman Gavin Bilton - Wales's Strongest Man?". welshguardscharity.co.uk. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  3. ^ "Getting to know the UK's Strongest Man 2020 – Gavin 'The Bull' Bilton". jungleofiron.co.uk/. 27 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  4. ^ Phil, Blechman (June 2021). "Gavin Bilton Wins 2021 UK's Strongest Man". barbend.com. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  5. ^ Brooke, Boucher. "Gavin Bilton from Caerphilly wins UK's Strongest Man event". southwalesargus.co.uk/. Retrieved 5 January 2022.