Graham Hicks

Graham Hicks (born 15 November 1985 in Morecambe, Lancashire)[2] is an English strongman competitor who placed second in the 2014 and 2018 Britain's Strongest Man competitions. Hicks is the 2019 Britain's Strongest man.

Graham Hicks
Personal information
Nickname(s)Hixxi
Born (1985-11-15) 15 November 1985
Morecambe, Lancashire, England
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Weight163 kg (359 lb)
Sport
SportStrongman
Competition record
Strongman
Representing  United Kingdom
World's Strongest Man
Qualified 2012 World's Strongest Man
Qualified 2013 World's Strongest Man
Qualified 2014 World's Strongest Man
Qualified 2015 World's Strongest Man
Qualified 2018 World's Strongest Man
10th 2020 World's Strongest Man
Representing  England
Europe's Strongest Man
3rd 2014 Europe's Strongest Man
5th 2018 Europe's Strongest Man
4th 2020 Europe's Strongest Man
Britain's Strongest Man
4th Britain's Strongest Man 2012
6th Britain's Strongest Man 2013
2nd Britain's Strongest Man 2014
2nd Britain's Strongest Man 2018
1st Britain's Strongest Man 2019
Other Competitions
7th 2010 North England's strongest man u105kg
3rd 2010 England's strongest man u105kg
6th UK's strongest man u105kg
1st 2011 North Qualifier for Britain Strongest man u105kg
5th 2011 Opens qualifier for UK's strongest man
1st 2011 North England's strongest man u105kg
2nd 2011 Bodypower Open
1st 2011 England's strongest man u105kg
1st 2011 Britain's Strongest man u105kg
1st 2011 Open Team Competition
1st 2012 Champion of Champions u105kg
4th 2012 Opens Euro Qualifier (For ESM)
1st 2012 Elite Northern Open Qualifier (For ESM)
6th 2012 Lithuanian Competition in Marajampoli
4th 2013 Opens Euro Qualifier (For ESM)
1st 2013 Yorkshire's Strongest Man
Powerlifting
Representing  United Kingdom
2nd Big Dogs 4

Personal life

Graham Hicks was born in 1985 in Morecambe, Lancashire.[2] He was a keen sportsman in his childhood and teens although his main interest was football. He started training in the gym as a bodybuilder and at the age of 25, a friend asked him to try strongman training with him. He caught the strength bug, altered his training to accommodate this, and has since been exceedingly successful.

He has a full-time job working as a design support engineer for BAE Systems, starting as an apprentice.

Strongman career

Hicks' career as a strongman began in 2010 as an under 105 kg competitor. He came 7th at the 2010 Northern England u105kg Qualifier and third at the 2010 England's Strongest Man u105 contests.

In 2011, he dominated the u105kg scene and made his first foray into the Open weight scene beating people over 20 kg heavier than himself.

In 2012, he committed himself to the Open weight category and made an impressive start to his open career, coming in 4th at the qualifier for Europe's Strongest Man. Whilst this didn't earn him a spot at Europe's, he did get an invitation to Britain's Strongest Man where he made an astonishing impact and gained 4th place. This placing gave him an invitation to the ultimate strength competition, World's Strongest Man, held in LA. He managed a very respectable 4th place in his group and even won his first event (loading race), his lack of top level experience being his major downfall.

His key strength has been his pressing power. He was the first person in the UK to lift a 200 kg log and has since gone on to press a 211 kg log in World Log Lifting Championships in 2015 along with Eddie Hall. Hicks and Hall both held the British Log Lift record at 211 kg. Hicks also attempted 220 kg but failed.[3]

In September 2020, Hicks competed at the 2020 Europe's Strongest Man competition and achieved a new British record in the Log Lift, lifting 220 kg (490 lb). He placed 4th in the overall competition.[4] In November 2020, Hicks competed at the 2020 World's Strongest Man competition and qualified for his first final. However, he had to withdraw from the competition due to a bicep tear.[5]

Personal Records

Either done in official competition or in the gym

  • Strongman Deadlift – 410 kg (900 lb) x2 using figure-8 straps.
  • Log Lift – 220 kg (490 lb)[4]
  • Squat – 440 kg (970 lb)
  • Bench Press – 270 kg (600 lb)

References
  1. "Graham Hicks". World's Strongest Man. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  2. "Graham Hicks Strongman - Home". Grahamhicks.co.uk. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  3. "World Log Lifting Championships 2015". Strongman.org. 14 February 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  4. "The Future Is NOW! Europe's Strongest Man 2020 RESULTS". Giants Live. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  5. Gutman, Andrew (15 November 2020). "Novikov Secures 2020 World's Strongest Man Victory (Updated)". BarBend. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
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