Scots hulk Tom Stoltman has revealed the secret of his amazing feat of becoming the world’s strongest man – his big feet.
For Tom’s huge size 17s gave him a huge advantage in some of the events, he claims.
Tom, known as The Albatross, became the first Scot to win the title on Sunday, fulfilling a promise he made to his mum before she died.
And his brother Luke came seventh in the final in the US.
Tom says his huge feet gave him the edge in certain mobility events such as The Giant Medley, where competitors carry a 970-pound Super Yoke 10 metres.
The men then had to hoist a 772-pound Frame Carry 15 metres to the finish line, an event Tom won. “One of my steps is like four steps of most people’s,” said Tom.
“It does help in the moving events – the carrying events. I can cover more distance and quicker. I have had size 17s since I was 16 or 17 years old.
“I need special shoes which I have made or get from the internet in the USA. Luke has just size 13 or 14 feet – he’s way behind.”
Tom, 27, has had offers flooding in since his win including from WWE professional wrestling.
“It would only be a one-off entertainment thing. Strongman is my life,” said Tom.
“I have also had offers of film work and I was name-checked by Tyson Fury (the world heavyweight boxing champion) and to be named by him was mental.
“But I want to be the greatest strongman of all time.”
That record is held by Pole Mariusz Pudzianowski, who has won the title five times.
With Tom new to the mantle of world’s strongest man, he is getting used to the responsibilities the role entails, such as protecting the trophy.
However, he broke the cup in transit and had to get it fixed in Inverness.
Tom says he will earn a good living from the spin-offs but “nowhere near” that of a Premier League footballer.
He said: “My life is strongman and you don’t reach your peak till your mid-30s. I am just trying to soak in what I’ve achieved
and I have had congratulations from across the world. It has been amazing.”
Tom is planning to have some downtime with his wife, Sinead, 26, before hitting the gym again.
His triumph represents the fulfilment of a promise he made to mum Sheila before she died five years ago, aged 56.
“I told one of the guys a few years ago that in a few years’ time I was going to win World’s Strongest Man for my mum. Three years later, I’ve done that, and it just feels surreal,” he said.
“I just used the adrenaline, and her and my family back home as well. I just put it all up into one big ball and use that to help me get over the [finish] line.”
Tom, who is 6ft 8in tall and weighs 180kg, beat four-time world strongest man Brian Shaw.
Tom and Luke, 37, from Invergordon in Easter Ross, qualified with eight others including fellow Brit Adam Bishop.
Tom credits Luke, The Highland Oak, for introducing him to the sport.
“If I didn’t have Luke, I wouldn’t be sitting here as World’s Strongest Man,” he said of the five-time winner of Scotland’s Strongest Man. “He is the one that keeps my head up when I’m performing not the best, and he helps me get through to the finish, which is exactly what he did.”
