A STRONGMAN from Tullibody tested his pure power against some of the best in the world at two competitions this month.

Wee County man Chris Beetham went head to head with the best in the country at this year’s Scotland’s Strongest Man finals at the SECC in Glasgow at the beginning of the month, before flying over to Finland at the weekend.

In the city of Hämeenlinna some 100km inland from the Finnish capital Helsinki, Chris weighed in for the World Heavy Events Association’s event to how well he does against the strongest naturals on the globe.

Back at the Scottish competition, the local man knew he would have to play catch up as it kicked off with some of his poorest events: the log press and deadlift.

Pulling a pick up truck with four passengers, 250kg in the boot and four clicks on the handbrake was more his cup of tea as he beat the reigning champion.

His best performance came in the atlas stone event with sixth place, his signature event which sees athletes lift huge globe-shaped stones onto a platform.

Chris said: “Going against the best was a surreal experience, I have watched these guys for five years now in various competitions and on television and now I stood amongst them.

“The crowd seemed to get behind me from the start, maybe because I was an underdog but it really helped me push on especially after a poor first two events.

“In your head you feel like you don't belong there but after reminding myself that I did qualify and deserved to be there.

“Once I started taking some points back off them I grew in confidence after each event.”

In the warm up area, Chris also got two meet, whilst putting his socks on, two heroes Big Z and Eddie Hall who are regarded as two of the strongest in the world with six world titles between them.

Fast-forward a week to Finland, Chris earned fourth place at the world’s strongest natural man competition, which he entered in open weight class.

Some of his highlights including matching his old personal best on the log press, came second in the Conan’s walk, also know as Conan’s wheel, event which includes a heavy weight pivoting around a fixed point and was first when it came to tackling the power stairs.

And while he has proven he belongs among the best, Chris could not help but feel disappointed with fourth place.

On social media he said: “I want to say I'm happy but honestly I'm not. I tried my best in everything but came up short.”

That marked the end of competitions for 2018 with the Tullibody father-of-one adding: “Looking back it hasn't been a bad 12 months after all.

“Thank you to everyone that made this happen, disappointed I couldn't bring it home for you.”

Thanks go to everyone who made his trip possible: Highland Apparel, Birds & Bees Restaurant, HPS Fitness, Dixie Doodles, Hector & Co, Black & Comrie Photography, Roy & McIntyre Funeral Services, Collier Garden Solutions, W McEwan & Sons, D McCulloch Contractors and The Repair Room.