Gavin Bilton (born 23 October 1988) is a strongman from Wales and a two-time winner of the UK's Strongest Man competition.
Gavin Bilton (born 23 October 1988) is a strongman from Wales and a two-time winner of the UK's Strongest Man competition.
Bilton grew up in Caerphilly and attended Bedwas Infants School, Bedwas Junior School and Bedwas High School. [1] Before becoming a professional strongman, 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, Gavin has set up his own gym in Caerphilly, called "Area 51". [2]
In October 2020, Bilton won 2021 UK's Strongest Man competition at the grounds of the Crumlin Road Jail in Belfast. [3] He would go on to retain the title in 2021. [4]
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.
A former rugby union player, Bilton had spells at Welsh Premiership sides Bridgend, Swansea, Newport, and Bedwas. Bilton played for Caerphilly RFC in the WRU National Bowl final at the Principality Stadium in 2017. [5]