Bishop is, once again, the strongest man in the Kingdom.
The 2023 edition of the Britain’s Strongest Man (BSM) contest saw veteran Adam Bishop capture his second career BSM title. Bishop’s first BSM win occurred in 2020 when he overcame the now two-time reigning World’s Strongest Man (WSM), Tom Stoltman, and Stoltman’s brother Luke. According to Strongman Archives, that was also Bishop’s last professional strongman win, with his 2023 Giants Live-organized victory ending an approximate three-year drought. Joining Bishop on the podium at the 2023 iteration of the BSM were Gavin Bilton (second place) and 2019 BSM champion Graham Hicks (third).
Here’s an overview of the final standings from the 2023 BSM competition, which took place in Sheffield, England, on Jan. 28, 2023:
2023 Britain’s Strongest Man Final Standings
- Adam Bishop — 53.5 points | Champion
- Gavin Bilton — 50 points
- Graham Hicks — 48 points
- Paul Smith — 43 points
- Kane Francis — 36 points
- Andy Black — 35.5 points
- Mark Felix — 32 points
- Ryan Bennett — 29 points
- Louis Jack — 23.5 points
- Zake Muluzi —17.5 points
- Cilléin Groom — 17 points
- Shane Flowers — One point (did not finish — withdrew)
The single-day BSM contest featured five events for the respective competitors to work through: the Deadlift Ladder, Car Walk, Viking Press for Reps, Loading Race, and Power Stairs. In an all-around dominant performance, Bishop won four of the five events save for the Viking Press for Reps, where he finished in seventh place.
Given the context of Bishop finally getting off the schneid to stand on top of a podium again, he was understandably quite satisfied with his performance in the aftermath. Bishop had finished in third place during the 2022 BSM, and that disappointing shortcoming seemed to inspire him to return stronger than ever.
In reaction, the experienced strongman shared a thorough, appreciative reflection on his second BSM title and his first win in over three years.
“Back at the top once again, two times as the Britain’s Strongest Man,” Bishop started. “Amazing night with [Giants Live]. It’s always my favourite show of the year with the ever-awesome Sheffield crowd. After the disappointment of last year, it felt great to put in a strong performance and get that trophy back in my hands. A big thank you to all of the crowd, [the Giants Live] crew, and my fellow competitors for putting on such a spectacle of strength.
It was a pleasure sharing the podium with my friends, Gavin Bilton and Graham Hicks. The 2023 season has got off to the perfect start. Let’s keep this thing rolling.”
The 2023 competitive year arguably couldn’t have gotten off to a better start for Bishop. The athlete will now likely turn his attention to notching a place in the 2023 WSM on Apr. 19-23, 2023, in Myrtle Beach, SC. His best career result during that contest was a sixth-place finish in 2020. Chances are, Bishop could parlay being a two-time BSM champion into a benchmark performance at strongman’s biggest competition.
Featured image: @adambishopstrongman on Instagram