Vegan Strongman wins UK & Ireland comp – with time to spare!

Tom Butts (pictured, centre) competes in natural (drug free) and untested events, and returned to natural strongman with a win that showed him head and shoulders above the field.

As one of 18 competitors in the 90 kg category, Tom secured the win with an event remaining after completing some tough events with devastating strength.

• The first event was squatting 210 kg – over double bodyweight – for reps.  He completed 13 to take the win.
• Next was Husafell bag carry (120 kg) for distance.  He managed 124.9 metres to edge another win.
• In the 115 kg overhead log for reps, nobody could match Tom’s five.
• Fourth event was rubber stones to shoulder, ranging from 80-120 kg.  He was one of only two strongmen to complete them all, and took second.
• Event five was bag toss over a high bar – 14-22 kg in 13.5 seconds.  The fastest time across all weight categories gave him the win and an unassailable lead.  He just completed one rep on the last event as he had the win.

Vegan Power

Tom has been vegan since 2020 and has developed as a strongman since.  He’s since won the Natural Strongman World title twice and competed successfully against untested athletes too, winning his first untested competition this year.

“I have four meals a day and roughly 3,700kcal” he says. “Meals vary in size, but usually have around 50g protein and are just shy of 1,000 kcal.”

“Typically I’ll have an oat shake for breakfast before training. This includes soya milk, peanut butter, oats and a bit of protein powder.

“I also love a red lentil balti curry at the moment with spinach, basmati rice and ‘chicken style’ soya strips.”

He was full of enthusiasm regarding this last win as he looks forward.

“I loved being part of this competition” he says. “The quality of competition and personality amongst the u90kg lads always helps with that too.”

Tom also revealed that he was not the only vegan tasting success. Ben Gillespie finished 4th in Tom’s category, and is also vegan.  So is James Hamilton  – who Tom coaches – who came second in the 72 kg category

The next challenge for him allows no time for rest as he faces the best in Britain in probably the largest federation at the Official Strongman British Championships.

Tom will be hoping to continue his vegan power as his hectic season continues!