Gary Taylor (strongman)

A former weightlifter, powerlifter, and bodybuilder, Taylor competed at 6" (183 cm) and approximately 295 lbs (134 kg) during his strongman career.[1] He competed in weightlifting at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, taking second in the snatch in the 110 kg class.[2]

Gary is best known for winning the 1993 World's Strongest Man contest in Orange, France.[1] He also finished 3rd in 1991, 5th in 1992, and 6th in 1995.[1]

Taylor was extraordinarily strong on the Behind-The-Neck push press. At Brian Batcheldor's Strength Seminar in Birmingham in 1995, he performed an incredible Behind-The-Neck push press of 272.5 kg (600.75 lb) (judged by David Webster, the organizer of the World's Strongest Man competitions).

Gary suffered a career-ending knee injury during the tire flip event at the 1997 Europe's Strongest Man contest. The injury was so severe that it forced Gary to retire from strongman competition permanently.

• Bench Press - 235 kg (518 lb) raw.
• Squat - 405 kg (892 lb)
• Deadlift - 357 kg (786 lb) raw, no wrist straps.
• Behind-the-Neck Push Press - 210 kg (462 lb) winning lift at 1995 World's Strongest Man Final
• Behind-the-Neck Push Press - 267.5 kg 1994

Taylor, now retired from competition, worked for the Control & Restraint team with Aylesbury Young Offenders Institute, a prison for Category A (highest and most considered dangerous), as well as being the Senior Gym Officer and rugby coach for Ampthill youth rugby team. He moved to Littlehey Prison Cat-C/YOI as a Security Governor. Gary currently does commentating and event organizing for the annual UK's Strongest Man contest.

• 1991 World's Strongest Man - 3rd
• 1992 World's Strongest Man - 5th
• 1993 World's Strongest Man - Winner
• 1994 World's Strongest Man - did not qualify for finals
• 1995 World's Strongest Man - 6th