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2003
Cannock man is Britain's strongest | |
|  | | The national champ |
| | Richard Gosling has proved he is better than the rest by being crowned Britain's Strongest Man 2003.
He had to compete in a televised series of tough challenges - including pulling a bus... |
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| | Richard Gosling, from Cannock, beat off stiff competition from 10 other finalists.
The achievement of the 29-year-old is more remarkable as two years ago he suffered serious injuries when he was attacked while working as a doorman at a local nightclub, Silks.
Panting for success!
Richard competed in seven gruelling tasks during the final - which included pulling a bus, carrying two motorbikes on a pole over his shoulders, lifting several beer barrels, turning over three gigantic tyres and pulling a massive anchor!
 After the first two events he was in first place before dropping back down to second, but he was back on top after the fourth event, and remained there for the rest of the competition.
After the sixth event, which was filmed in Scarborough earlier this year, Richard had an uncatchable lead and celebrations began before he went on to finish 11 points clear of his closest rival.
Celebrating afterwards, he warned that the nation would be seeing more of him. "I will be back with vengeance next year training even harder".
Runs in the family
His brother Mick, a finalist in the World's Strongest Man last year, said he thought Richard would only get into the top five. "He has stamped his authority on it" he said.
Richard was seriously injured in August 2001 when he was working as a doorman at Silks nightclub, Mill Street, Cannock.
 It means everything. The strongest man is the ultimate title to hold. 
Richard Gosling |
He was slashed across the neck and needed a transfusion of four pints of blood. His attacker was last year given a lifesentence for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
But his win doesn't stop there... Richard is now entering a world competition in Zambia, in two weeks time.
He says he's won the UK title twice before but this win is special, because it's the first time he's taken part in the competition when it took place in Britain. | | | |
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