A WORLD powerlifting champion shocked spectators at the Peopleton Autumn Show when he showed of his strength to win the tug-of-war event.
Gary Phillips smashed the world record in deadlifting in Telford recently to become the World Powerlifting Champion.
The 45-year-old – who lifted 275k, the equivalent to 43st to be crowned world champion – decided to swap the gym for the village fair on Saturday September, 5, to show off his incredible strength for his local pub’s tug-of-war team.
A regular at the Coventry Arms Pub in Upton Snodsbury, Mr Phillips joined his drinking buddies to create a team of six men weighing a combined 120st, to ease to victory.
Even his wife Steph pulled her team to victory in the woman’s event.
Pub landlord, Claire Gormley said: “We entered a pub team in the show’s tug-of-war event to compete with three other teams.
“We had won last year and were eager to defend the cup.
“Both the mens and womans team eased to victory in the tournament and Gary made it look very easy.”