Gavin Bilton

Gavin Quintus Bilton (born 23 October 1988) is a Welsh professional strongman competitor from Caerphilly, known by his nickname "The Bull" for his imposing physique and powerful performances.^[1] Standing at 1.98 meters (6 ft 6 in) tall and weighing around 205 kg (452 lbs), Bilton transitioned from a career in rugby and military service to strongman, where he has established himself as one of the United Kingdom's top athletes.^[1] Before entering strongman around 2018, Bilton served 13 years in the Welsh Guards, including two operational tours in Afghanistan and duties as a Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.^[2] He also played rugby union as a second-row forward in the Welsh Premiership for clubs including Bridgend, Swansea, Newport, Bedwas, and Caerphilly, reaching the WRU National Bowl final in 2017.^[2] Bilton exploded onto the strongman scene with a second-place finish at Wales's Strongest Man in 2018, qualifying him for the UK's Strongest Man final that year.^[3] Bilton's major achievements include four wins at Wales's Strongest Man in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025, making him a dominant force in his home country.^[1]^[4] He captured back-to-back UK's Strongest Man titles in 2020 and 2021, becoming the first Welshman to do so, and won the Strongman Champions League event in Serbia in 2023.^[5] Internationally, he has competed at the World's Strongest Man five times, with his best finish being third in his heat in 2023, and achieved runner-up positions at Britain's Strongest Man in 2023 and 2024, followed by a sixth-place result in 2025.^[5] Bilton holds the Welsh national deadlift record at 440 kg (970 lbs), set in 2025, and continues to compete at high-level events like Giants Live tours.^[6]

Early life and background

Early years

Gavin Bilton was born on October 23, 1988, in Caerphilly, South Wales, United Kingdom. He grew up in the town, attending Bedwas Infants School, Bedwas Junior School, and Bedwas High School. His family background included an older brother who served in the military, which later influenced Bilton's career path.^[7]^[8] From an early age, Bilton showed an interest in physical strength and sports, shaped by the strong rugby culture in Wales. He played rugby union during his youth, reaching a weight of around 120 kg during his major playing days, which highlighted his natural build at a height of 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in). This early exposure to contact sports like rugby helped develop his foundational physicality amid local influences that emphasized toughness and athleticism.^[9]^[1] After leaving school, Bilton transitioned into manual labor, working as a bricklayer, a role that further built his strength through demanding physical work. This civilian occupation provided the rigorous training ground for his imposing physique before he followed in his brother's footsteps by enlisting in the army.^[7]^[8]^[1]

Military service

Gavin Bilton enlisted in the British Army in 2008 as an infantryman with the Welsh Guards, following in his brother's footsteps after working as a bricklayer. He served for 13 years, during which the rigorous demands of infantry life, including carrying heavy equipment and loads during training and operations, built his exceptional physical strength and endurance.^[8]^[1] Bilton completed two operational tours in Afghanistan, the first in 2009 where he experienced intense combat including an hour under heavy fire, and a second tour during which he was on active duty. These deployments honed his mental resilience, providing him with the discipline and toughness that later informed his approach to high-pressure competitions. He also served as a Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, representing the regiment in ceremonial duties.^[10]^[7]^[11] Bilton was honorably discharged in 2020, marking the end of his military career and allowing him to transition to civilian pursuits. The physical and psychological foundations laid during his service proved instrumental in developing the resilience required for his subsequent athletic endeavors.^[8]

Strongman career

Debut and national rise

Gavin Bilton entered the strongman scene in March 2018 by competing in his first event, Wales' Strongest Man, where he secured second place and earned qualification for the UK's Strongest Man final later that year.^[3] This debut performance marked a rapid entry into competitive strongman for Bilton, who had previously transitioned from a background in professional rugby and military service to specialized strength training.^[1] His military experience in the Welsh Guards, including two tours in Afghanistan, provided the discipline necessary for the rigorous demands of strongman preparation, allowing him to adapt quickly to event-specific conditioning like truck pulls and stone loading at local Welsh venues.^[12] Building on his initial success, Bilton finished fourth at the 2019 UK's Strongest Man before claiming victory in the 2020 edition, becoming the first Welshman to win the title.^[1] He defended his crown in 2021 with another dominant performance, solidifying his status as a leading UK competitor in the open weight class.^[1] During this period, Bilton also won Wales' Strongest Man in 2021, 2022, and 2023 after runner-up finishes in 2018 and 2019, demonstrating consistent excellence on the national stage.^[1] Bilton's ascent continued with third place at the 2022 UK's Strongest Man, followed by runner-up finishes at Britain's Strongest Man in both 2023 and 2024, where he trailed only Scotland's Tom Stoltman in the latter.^[1] Known as "The Bull" for his imposing physique and aggressive approach in events, Bilton competed at a peak bodyweight of 205 kg (452 lbs) during these years, emphasizing raw power in open weight divisions.^[1] His training evolved from rugby-focused sessions—where he played at around 120 kg (264 lbs)—to strongman-centric routines, incorporating heavy yoke walks and deadlifts tailored to UK competition formats.^[13]

International competitions

Gavin Bilton made his international strongman debut at the 2020 Europe's Strongest Man, where he finished in 8th place overall out of 12 competitors in Sheffield, England.^[14] This performance marked his entry onto the European stage, following his domestic successes. Bilton qualified for the World's Strongest Man through his victories at the UK's Strongest Man in 2020 and 2021, earning invitations to the prestigious global event for five consecutive years from 2020 to 2024. In the 2020 edition, held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, he placed 5th in Heat 3.^[15] His 2021 appearance saw him finish 4th in his qualifying heat, notably as the heaviest competitor in WSM history at 215 kg (474 lb).^[16] Bilton achieved 4th place in his heat again in 2022, followed by a career-best 3rd in his 2023 heat, advancing to the stone-off stage before elimination.^[17] In 2024, he secured 6th in his heat on Day 1 but withdrew on Day 2 due to medical advice regarding an injury.^[18] Beyond the World's Strongest Man, Bilton claimed his first international title at the 2023 Strongman Champions League Serbia in Zrenjanin, defeating competitors including Fatih Karaca and Kelvin de Ruiter with a total of 56 points across five events.^[19] Later that year, he earned 2nd place at The Strongman Open in Cardiff, Wales, scoring 37 points in a field that included Shane Flowers and Rob Kearney.^[20] In 2025, Bilton competed at Britain's Strongest Man in Sheffield, England, finishing 6th overall as a key qualifier event bridging to further international opportunities.^[21] Throughout these global contests, Bilton has navigated logistical hurdles, including adapting his training to event-specific implements and managing his body weight for international travel demands.^[7]

Achievements and records

Gavin Bilton has established himself as one of the premier strongmen in the United Kingdom, securing multiple national titles and consistent high placements in international competitions. He is a four-time winner of Wales' Strongest Man, triumphing in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025.^[22] Additionally, Bilton claimed victory at the UK's Strongest Man competition in both 2020 and 2021, becoming the first athlete to win consecutive titles in the event's modern history. His performances at Britain's Strongest Man have been particularly notable, where he finished as runner-up in 2023 with 50 points behind champion Adam Bishop and again in 2024 with 47.5 points, trailing winner Tom Stoltman. Bilton holds the Welsh national deadlift record of 440 kg, set at the 2025 World Deadlift Championships.^[5] His personal best in the Hummer Tyre Deadlift stands at 431 kg, achieved during the 2023 Strongest Man on Earth competition. These lifts underscore his exceptional lower-body strength, particularly in deadlift variations that are staples of strongman events. Throughout his career, Bilton has demonstrated remarkable longevity and consistency on the international stage, qualifying as a five-time competitor at the World's Strongest Man (WSM). He has earned multiple top-10 finishes in elite events, including 8th place at the 2021 and 2022 Strongman Classics. At his peak, Bilton weighed 205 kg (452 lb), making him the heaviest competitor in WSM history. This combination of size, endurance, and record-breaking power has positioned him among the elite heavyweights in the sport, with over 30 international contest appearances since 2019.

Other activities

Rugby career

Gavin Bilton played rugby union as a second row forward, a position that leveraged his height and strength in the forward pack.^[1]^[9] During his playing years, he weighed approximately 120 kg (19 stone), which was relatively slender for a lock but allowed him to excel in agility and power on the field.^[1]^[9] His rugby career spanned the 2000s and 2010s, overlapping with his military service in the Welsh Guards, during which he represented the Army in matches.^[9] Bilton competed for several clubs, including hometown side Caerphilly RFC, Newbridge, Bridgend, Swansea RFC, Newport RFC, Bedwas, and London Irish A.^[9]^[1] He spent three years in the Welsh Premiership, with his final appearances for Newport seeing him bulk up to 170 kg to handle the demands of higher-level play.^[1]^[9] A notable highlight was his participation in the 2017 WRU National Bowl final for Caerphilly against Amman United at Principality Stadium, where his team lost 43-31 despite a competitive effort.^[9]^[23] Bilton retired from rugby around 2018 to pursue strongman competitions full-time, citing the need to dedicate all efforts to the new discipline while also leaving the Army after nearly 13 years of service.^[9] The physical foundation built through years of forward play, including scrummaging and lineout work, directly contributed to his early success in strongman events, where he could channel that strength into lifting heavier loads.^[1]^[9]

Sponsorships and media

Gavin Bilton has secured several major sponsorships that support his strongman career and recovery needs. He is an athlete ambassador for SBD Apparel, a UK-based company specializing in strength training gear, which he frequently promotes through training content and competition wear.^[24] Additionally, Bilton partners with The Treatment Room, a Dubai-based physiotherapy and sports massage provider, for ongoing maintenance and injury prevention services, including sessions at their clinics in the UAE and UK.^[25] Bilton maintains an active social media presence to share training insights and connect with fans, leveraging his strongman profile to build a dedicated following. His Instagram account (@gavin_the_bull_bilton) boasts over 61,000 followers as of late 2025, where he posts workout videos, sponsor shoutouts, and personal updates.^[24] He operates a YouTube channel under "Gavin The Bull Bilton," featuring training vlogs, sponsor visits like those to The Treatment Room, and preparation footage for events. On Facebook, his page "Gavin 'The Bull' Bilton" has more than 12,000 likes, serving as a platform for event announcements and community engagement.^[26] In media, Bilton has appeared in several interviews and podcasts discussing his training regimen and career motivations. For instance, in a March 2024 YouTube episode of "Talking Strongman With Gavin Bilton," he detailed his preparation strategies for upcoming competitions.^[27] He has also guested on podcasts such as the October 2023 "Strongman Secrets Never Shared" episode of Flex Lewis's Straight Outta The Lair, where he shared insights on mental resilience in strongman.^[28] His strongman achievements have notably amplified his online reach, turning social platforms into key tools for fan interaction. As of November 2025, Bilton uses his social channels to announce and document preparations for Britain's Strongest Man 2026, including recent training milestones like heavy deadlift sessions shared on Instagram.^[24]