A WEE COUNTY powerlifter is hoping to prove himself on the world stage this year after showing beyond doubt he is one of the strongest in Scotland.

Tullibody’s Chris Beetham, who last year lifted the legendary 352kg Dinnie Stones, is eyeing up the Britain’s Natural Strongest Man title, having won the Scottish event two weeks ago.

It comes with the chance to progress to a place at the international event to be held in Finland this year.

Chris narrowly missed out a few years ago and is determined to prove he has what it takes to power himself to glory.

He told the Advertiser: “This will be the competition I really will push hard for.

“The top three qualify for the world championships in Finland later in the year and after missing out a few years ago I’d love to prove myself on the world stage.

“I firmly believe I will be close to achieving a top three finish at the British [event] if I can be at my best on the day.”

The UK competition will also take place in July at Worcester and Chris is also heading to the British Powerlifting Championships in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.

The 30-year-old also qualified for a separate event on home soil and will take part in Scotland’s Strongest Man competition at the SECC in Glasgow in October.

For now, it’s all about training for the Clacks man, who told the Advertiser: “Going into the Scottish Finals will be very tough as everyone will ramp up their training and recovery between now and then, but I feel depending on the events I can still do myself justice.

“Personally for me it’s just a massive achievement to even make the final so I’ll be sure to soak up the atmosphere and try to put on a show at the first time of asking.”

As the Advertiser reported last summer, Chris became one of the few in the world to lift the Dinnie Stones in Aberdeenshire.

The two giant granite boulders weigh a total of 52 stones and putting air beneath them is one of the ultimate tests of strength.

Chris is hoping to head back to Potarch Bridge for a Dinnie gathering, but will have a busy schedule if he can take his powerlifting to international level.

For now, training takes up the majority of his free time – gym three times a week and practice for specific strongman events once a week.

The father-of-one explained: “I build up to heavy weights over a period of four-six weeks then drop them down again – to ensure I don’t burn out.

“Training so heavily tightens your body up and reduces mobility which can lead to injury so I spend a few hours stretching each week and when the bank balance allows try to have a sports massage or some physiotherapy treatment once a month.”

Chris has built up a following on social media and his hoping companies will get behind him with sponsorship.

Anyone willing to back the Clacks strongman can get in touch by emailing chris@elitesportingperformance.com or by calling 07808 820297.