Strongman: McIntosh 'star of the future' after WSM debut (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Strongman: McIntosh 'star of the future' after WSM debut

8:00am Thursday 5th January 2012 in Sport By Patrick O'Kane, Senior News/Sport Reporter

SEDGWICK’s Jack McIntosh was touted as a star of the future after a superb debut at the World’s Strongest Man competition at Wingate University, North Carolina.

McIntosh, 23, finished third in his heat behind heavyweights Derek Poundstone and Stefan Solvi Peturrson, but he showed his potential with an event win and two second places.

At the of his heat, McIntosh was pipped to second by Petursson, who branded him as ‘the future of British strongmen’.

McIntosh said: “Stefan is a good friend and I have known him for a few years. I met him last year and that support he has shown can only give me more confidence for next year.”

The former Kirkby Stephen Grammar School student, who trains with former British strongman Mark Felix, got off to the perfect start with a second placed finish in his opening event as he completed the loading race in just 43.73 seconds. The event sees competitors carry four barrels - two weighing 115kg and two weighing 120kg - across sand and onto a platform.

And he remained in second spot despite coming fourth in the keg toss - which requires entrants to toss eight kegs, ranging in weight from 18-25kg, over a four metre high bar.

A disappointing car walk saw McIntosh drop to fifth place but he was back in the qualification mix after his fourth event as he destroyed the field with his deadlift hold.

The hold required 21 stone McIntosh to lift a 370kg car and with most of his competitors unable to last 60 seconds, he won the event by holding out for 1.29.49 to return to second place behind Poundstone.

The metal block press proved testing though as the children’s support worker attempted to lift four blocks, ranging in weight from 110-150kg, and he was placed fifth going into the final event of his heat - the atlas stones.

The five stones weigh between 120-180kg and must be lifted onto a podium in ascending weight order. McIntosh was a credible third in the event but Petursson edged the Sedgwick man to join Poundstone in the final, leaving McIntosh third in his heat.

Reflecting on his debut, McIntosh said: “I was quite nervous leading up to it but once you have met the other athletes it was a really friendly competition. I was a tester for the equipment the year before so I knew the format and I was really pleased with some of my performances.

“My deadlift is my strongest link and I could lift 400kg when I was 20. Unfortunately though I injured my knee in a contest in Finland and it affected my car walk. Some of the guys in my heat had 10 years experience on my and I was the youngest in the group by about eight years and its hard to overpower that.”

McIntosh said he aimed to return to the contest at the end of 2012 but would now turn his attention to the European strongman qualifiers in March.

Basic Diet (one day) - Protein shake with orange juice when getting up - 10-15 scrambled eggs mixed with peppers, onions and chilli - Bowl of oats or porridge - Chicken and rice/turkey and rice or steak for dinner - Selection of yoghurts, protein shakes and cottage cheese through the day