Vegan strongman takes second world title

Vegan strongman Tom Butts defended his world title at the World Natural Strongman Championships against the world’s best.  The championship includes different weight categories (Tom competed in the sub 90 kg category) and is strictly for athletes who do not use steroids or another PEDs.

• The British strength coach started off with an overhead log ladder and lifted a 120 kg log, finishing a disappointing 7th.
• Next he carried a 280 kg frame in an event he doesn’t like, and took 6th.
• Husafell Carry was next, and this is an event he’s never lost.  He carried a 140 kg shield 74 metres to take the win.
• Power Stairs was the next event – a first time for Tom.  He carried weights weighing 170, 190 and 210 kg up three large steps in 30 seconds – eight seconds ahead of second place.
• He finished joint second in the deadlift with 4 reps of 275 kg.
• Tom won the Bag Toss, throwing weights from 16-24 kg over a high bar.
• Event 7 was another win – 300kg Yoke into a 115kg Axle overhead.  He hadn’t expected to win this one!
• Last was keg loading with beer kegs from 100 to 130 kg.  He’d never trained with a keg above 110 kg, although Tom finished second and secured the win.

Thrilled to retain his title for a second year, Tom put the success down to “not making a lot of mistakes and being able to get a fair amount of comp specific training in the month prior to the event”.

“I didn’t doubt I could win after the first two events. If anything I had more faith that I could” Tom told Great Vegan Athletes. “I was able to see how strong my opposition was, after not knowing a lot about the international athletes. I knew they were beatable after the first two events, and I had good ones coming up that day and a better second day for me.”

Vegan Power!

Tom’s been vegan since 2020, a decision entirely related to “animal ethics and not wanting to contribute to animal agriculture.”

Strongman competitors typically burn through the calories, and of course need to keep the protein intake high.

“Typically I’ll have an oat shake for breakfast before training. This includes soya milk, peanut butter, oats and a bit of protein powder.”

“I also love a red lentil balti curry at the moment with spinach, basmati rice and “chicken style” soya strips.”