Gavin Bilton
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Gavin Quintus Bilton (born 23 October 1988) is a strongman competitor from Wales.
Early life
[edit | edit source]Bilton grew up in Caerphilly and attended Bedwas Infants School, Bedwas Junior School and Bedwas High School.[1]
A former rugby union player, Bilton had spells at Welsh Premiership sides Bridgend, Swansea, Newport, and Bedwas. He played for Caerphilly RFC in the WRU National Bowl final at the Principality Stadium in 2017.[2]
Also before becoming a strongman athlete, Bilton served for 13 years in the Welsh Guards, completing two tours in Afghanistan and acting as a Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace. Since leaving the army, he set up his own gym in Caerphilly, called 'Area 51'.[3]
Career
[edit | edit source]Bilton started his strongman career with placing second at the 2018 Wales' Strongest Man competition. He again placed second the next year and placed fourth at 2019 UK's Strongest Man competition. Then he placed eighth at the 2020 Europe's Strongest Man competition. In October 2020, Bilton won 2021 UK's Strongest Man competition at the grounds of the Crumlin Road Jail in Belfast.[4] He would go on to retain the title in 2021.[5] In 2021 he won Wales' Strongest Man competition.
Bilton was invited for at the 2020 World's Strongest Man competition in Bradenton, Florida, US, where he finished 5th in his heat after sustaining a rib injury during the squat lift, failing to make it to the finals. He got invited for 4 more years for the World's Strongest Man, but failed to make it to the finals in any of them.
His career best win is the first place at 2023 SCL Serbia, defeating the likes of Kelvin de Ruiter and Fatih Karaca. He has secured a total of five career international podiums in strongman competitions.
Personal records
[edit | edit source]- Deadlift (with multi-ply suit and straps) – 440 kg (970 lb) (2025 World Deadlift Championships and Strongman Open)
- Log press – 180 kg (397 lb) (2025 Giants Live World Tour Finals)
- Axle press – 170 kg (375 lb) (2021 Giants Live Strongman Classic)
References
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