Review of 'Giants Live: The World Tour Finals 2025'

https://giants-live.com/shows/world-tour-finals-2025/

I am not a fan of boxing or wrestling but for some reason I find “Strongman” fascinating. Perhaps it the idea that is simply a competition of outright strength, not beating the heck out of one another. To see these big men, muscles bulging, faces grimacing as they attempt insane feats of strength is quite incredible. There are a not a lot of them and you get to know them as you watch the shows over the years. In the UK over the weeks ahead of Christmas they show highlights of the World Strongman tour on television from the previous year. We watch this every year, following the progress of our favourite Strongman. We had always thought it would be great to see one of the competitions live so, well, we did, booking tickets for one of the biggest events of the season: The World Tour Finals in Glasgow at the Ovo Hydro. For us, it was only “just up the road” (3.5 hours) so not too much of a stretch for a Saturday evening show.

We arrived for the show quite early as we were concerned about timing as we had never been before. Parking was a concern as well but it turned out to be no problem at all. We were at the front door at about 3:15 pm for a 5:00 pm start. Directed to the main doors we went through the normal security checks (bag search, and hand scanning in this case) before entering the arena concourse. We bought some expensive (but tasty) food, and stood eating before making our way up the escalator to our seats. We were located in section 205 in the third row which was the first balcony and just off to the side, probably some of the best seats in the house for the competition as it provided a great view of the floor which was already set up for the first few events. At £65 each the tickets were a bit of a bargain as well considering the show we were about to witness.

The show started just a few minutes after 5 pm to allow a few more people to clear security (very polite here) when they started off by explaining how the evening would play out: Five events with 14 strongmen taking part. Of course, the event was being filmed so throughout the evening we would see commentators on the floor talking to camera and athletes.

The first order of business was to introduce the athletes which, of course, involved lots of loud music, lights and pyrotechnics as the strongmen were introduced one at a time. They were: Gavin Bilton (Wales), Oleh Pylypiak (Ukraine), Mateusz Kieliszkowski (Poland), Jack Osborn (England who took part in the log lift event only) Evans Nana (Ghana, a real character who really jumped about and got the crowd going), Callum Crozier (Scotland), Andrew Flynn (England), Maxime Bourdreault (Canada), Ondrej Fojtu (Czech Republic), Luke Richardson (England), Tim Buck (USA), Ryan Bennett (England), Tom Stoltman (Scotland, three-time world strongman champion and a fan favourite along with his strongman brother Luke), and James Jeffers (Canada).

The first event was the signature event of the evening held at the back of the arena: The World Log Lift Challenge which saw the competitors lifting a rather awkward log above their heads. The weight was increased until they could lift no more. Two of the competitors were looking to beat strongman Iron Biby’s 231kg world record but it was not to be. Jack Osborn was the winner with a stunning 222kg lift that beat the British record by 1kg. Ondrej Fojtu lifted 220kg and improved on his own junior world record.

The second event took place at the front of the arena: “Load & Push” which consisted of three weights placed at different distances in a 20m lane on the floor - 120kg anvil (10m), 100kg tyre (15m) and 140kg sack (20m) that the competitors had to lift, then carry and load onto a giant wheelbarrow which then had to be pushed back along the length of the course. The fastest time won the event. Mateusz Kieliszkowski went out in this event when he injured his Achilles tendon, helped gingerly off the arena floor. Tim Buck also went out here with a strained hip flexor. Luke won this event with Andrew close behind and Evans coming in third.

“Carry & Drag” was the third event, another pulling/strength event which caused a lot of the athletes grief, sapping their strength early in the competition. This consisted of another 20m lane with weights having to be pulled to the end of the course - 240kg weight (10m), and massive 350kg (ship) chains & anchor (20m). Evans came out on top in this one.

In both of these pulling events it was fascinating to watch the large number of people it took to set up/reset the event between competitors. These were MASSIVE weights and it took a lot of effort to move them into position, with their often having to use wheeled trolleys or wheelbarrows to do so.

Event four was the “Wrecking Ball Hold” which really caused a lot of grief for the competitors. In this event they are at the top of a tower with a wrecking ball (270kg) attached to a chain that they have to hold for as long as possible. There were stagehands that met them in the tower after the event when the competitor would often take many minutes to recover from, slumped on the side of the apparatus, before being helped down the steps. Truly brutal. Andrew Flynn took this event, holding the ball for an amazing 91.75 seconds.

The final event, as always in a strongman competition was the “Castle Stones” or, as most know them, the “Atlas Stones” which consists of five massive concrete balls that have to be lifted in increasing weight onto pedestals - 120kg, 140kg, 160kg, 180kg and 200kg. Often the athletes will chose to remove their shirts as they find it makes the balls easier to lift. This is local favourite Tom Stoltman's favourite event and he easily won it with a stunning time of 23.52seconds but, sadly, it was not his day with the competition where Luke Richardson came out on top, with Ondrej Fojtu and Andrew Flynn in second and third.

The presentation of the winners was, of course, another big show with the podium set up in the corner of the arena floor and the competitors presented to lots of lights and fireworks.

It was amazing to see the show live and it was never boring with events following quickly on from one another (five events in just over four hours…even allowing for setup/take down of each event) and drama at every turn. The MC often talked to the competitors to see what they were thinking so it was also quite a personal event. They even brought out Tom's brother Luke to much approval to talk to the crowd. Generally the audience was quite appreciative of the whole thing and almost packed out the whole arena. I am sure they were disappointed that Stoltman did not win but they very much approved with the efforts of all of the athletes, even the American was politely accepted despite recent political issues between the countries.

We very much enjoyed the whole experience and will look at returning either here to the World Tour Finals or to one of the other events held elsewhere.

Rating: “I have absolutely no complaints”

Review Date: 2025-10-18

Location: Glasgow (Scotland)

Address: Exhibition Way, Stobcross Rd, Glasgow G3 8YW SCOTLAND

Telephone: +44 (0) 141 248 3000

URL: https://www.ovohydro.com/

The largest arena in Scotland (12,000+ seats) and consistently ranked among the top 10 arenas worldwide, the “Ovo Hydro” is located on the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow, slightly west of the city centre on the north bank of the River Clyde. It hosts a range of events including concerts, sporting events and entertainment shows. The arena space itself feels quite intimate and has great sight lines to the arena stage/floor. Even the worst tickets are not that high up with the designers instead opting for a more spread-out layout.

Transport options are excellent, being so close to the city centre and there is a large multi-story car park just across the street (accessed via a walkway) that offers “on the night” event parking at a reasonable rate (no pre-booking, but lots of spaces and it clears very quickly).

Dining options are not terribly varied and, as you would expect, quite expensive but the food is quite tasty and prepared with a bit of care. The staff are also on the whole quite friendly and relaxed.