Giants Live
Giants Live is a professional strongman tour which was originated in the United Kingdom. It hosts several prominent competitions each year, including national competitions such as Britain's Strongest Man, international competitions such as Europe's Strongest Man and single-lift competitions such as The World Deadlift Championships and The World Log Lift Championships. Since its beginning in 2009, each Giants Live show has served as a qualifier for the next year's World's Strongest Man, with the podium finishers from each show earning a spot in the competition.
With 10 wins, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson holds the most Giants Live wins in history. Evan Singleton and Žydrūnas Savickas share second place with 6 wins each.
History
On 27 April 2009, Giants Live was named the official World's Strongest Man Qualifying Tour for 2009–2011, replacing the Strongman Super Series. Giants Live was licensed the exclusive rights by IMG Sports Media, the creator and owner of the World's Strongest Man competition. The IFSA Strongman Super Series and later the World's Strongest Man Super Series had served as the official qualifying tour from 2001 to 2008.Significantly, Giants Live offered an opportunity for strongmen who had previously been affiliated with the IFSA to return to World's Strongest Man. IFSA athletes were banned from competing in World's Strongest Man from 2004 until its dissolution in 2007; this meant that notable athletes such as Zydrunas Savickas and Mikhail Koklyaev were unable to compete during this time. With the dissolution of the IFSA and the beginning of Strongman Champions League, many previously IFSA-affiliated athletes returned to competition at World's Strongest Man..
The first 2009 qualifying event took place on 17 May at the Mohegan Sun Casino Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Producers and key staff
Giants Live is a collaboration between IMG Media and Power Productions UK owned. Notable staff include:- Colin Bryce – an ex-Strongman competitor and Olympic bobsleigher, Bryce is currently a long-term producer of World Strongest Man through his company Power Productions and formerly the head referee and commentator on strongman events such as World's Strongest Man, Britain's Strongest Man, Strongman Super Series and World Strongman Cup.
- Darren Sadler – an ex-Strongman competitor and former world champion in the U105 category, Sadler is currently a co-producer of World Strongest Man alongside Colin Bryce and formerly the head referee on for Giants Live competitions.
- Magnús Ver Magnússon – an ex-Strongman competitor and four-time holder of World's Strongest Man, Magnússon is currently the head referee for Giants Live and World's Strongest Man competitions.
- Bill Kazmaier – an ex-Strongman competitor and three-time holder of World's Strongest Man, Kazmaier is currently one of three main commentators for Giants Live competitions, alongside Neil Pickup and Radzi Chinyanganya.
- Dave Warner – Ex strongman competitor and multiple time UK strongest man competitor. One of the head judges. Judged Eddie's 500kg deadlift
- Neil Pickup – formerly a professional arm wrestler, Pickup is currently one of three main commentators for Giants Live competitions, alongside Bill Kazmaier and Radzi Chinyanganya. Pickup is also the MC for these events.
- Radzi Chinyanganya – Radzi is currently one of three main commentators for Giants Live competitions, alongside Neil Pickup and Bill Kazmaier.
- Will Clough – Live Stream Director
- Lindsi Baldwin – Event Co-Ordinator
- Nev & Neo – Team behind the live feed