Powerhouse Bren muscling up for a Strongman repeat on TV

Bren Powers, the only Fylde resident to reach the televised finals of the UK’s Strongest Man championship, is bidding to repeat the feat eight years later.

Norbreck-based electrician Bren will contest the UK Strongest Masters tournament in County Durham on Sunday, the winner of which will compete in the televised world final.

Powers has also qualified for the Scotland’s Strongest Man championship in Stirling in October, when the top three qualify for UK’s Strongest Man.

Bren still has vivid memories of that championship in 2012 and told The Gazette: “Strongman has really grown greatly as a sport since I last competed.

“I’m still the only person from this area to have reached the UK’s Strongest Man finals and I’be been itching to have another go.

“I took a few years off when my daughter Isabelle was born.

“Isabelle is seven now and I am making a comeback.”

The herculean feats Bren must perform include throwing sand-filled sacks, deadlifts of 280kg and carrying 300kg metal frame.

Bren was able to train hard during the lockdown period and feels ready to compete.

He added: “I’ve got the gym at home, so was able to maintain a reasonable amount of fitness.

“Back in the day when I last reached finals I trained all by myself at home, but it’s moved on now and you need to follow a programme and have a coach. Yoga and pilates are a big part of my training now as well.”

Bren’s coach at the Defiance Gym in Poulton is Dean Finegan, who has himself featured in these pages as a successful strongman competitor.

Power added: “Dean owns the gym, coaches me and is letting me use his facilities. I want to do well for the whole of the Fylde coast but also to say thanks to him.”