Glenn Ross
Glenn Ross (born 27 May 1971) known by his nickname "The Daddy", is a Northern Ireland former international strongman and powerlifter who has represented Northern Ireland and the UK in several World's Strongest Man competitions and various World Grand Prix and European Team competitions. Ross is the founder of the UK Strength Council and Scotland Strength Association and the creator of the UK's Strongest Man competition, as well as several regional and national qualifying events.[2]
Strongman career
Ross is a 5-time winner of UK's Strongest Man in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010[1] and a 3-time winner of Britain's Strongest Man in 1999, 2000, 2001.[1]
In 2003, Ross lifted three cars with the rear wheels completely off the ground, the combined weight including the frames of the three Citroën Saxos was almost 3 tonnes.[1] However, in the hands of the lifter, this weight is actually more like 400 kg because the lifter is not lifting the raw weight of the car due to its lever system.
Ross also competed in the World's Strongest Man competition on five occasions.[1]
Arnold Strongman Classic
In 2005, Ross was in his peak physical condition, and was invited to Columbus, Ohio to compete in the Arnold Strongman Classic, the heaviest strongman competition in the world. In the first event, he shocked audience members and judges by strict-pressing the 166 kg (366 lb) Apollon's Axle three times. He took first place in the 15-inch Hummer tire deadlift, setting a world record of 443 kg (977 lb). In the Inch dumbbell press, Ross was tied for first alongside Hugo Girard and Brian Siders by strict-pressing the 78 kg (172 lb) dumbbell 10 times. Ross placed third behind Vasyl Virastyuk and champion Žydrūnas Savickas.
Ross competed in the 2006 Arnold Strongman Classic, but injuries to his patella tendons severely affected his performance. Ross lost his world record in the Hummer tire deadlift to Brian Siders in 2006.
Ross's usual catchphrase during strongman competitions is "Who's the Daddy?".
Personal records
Powerlifting
- Squat (Raw with wraps) – 400 kg (882 lb) (During training)[3]
- Bench press (Raw) – 295 kg (650 lb) (During training)[3]
- Deadlift (Raw) – 380 kg (838 lb)
- Total – 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) (380 + 240 + 380 kg (838 + 529 + 838 lb)) (2004 Irish Senior Powerlifting Championship)[3]
Strongman
- Equipped Deadlift (with straps) – 430 kg (948 lb) (2006 UK's Strongest Man)[1]
- Raw Deadlift (with straps) – 400 kg (882 lb)[3]
- Hummer Tire Deadlift (15 in) – 443 kg (977 lb) without a belt (former World Record)
- → Ross has also performed numerous other leverage deadlift variations[note 1] such as deadlifting 3 Citroën Saxos from the rear below the knees at a combined weight of 2,750 kg (6,063 lb)[1] and deadlift static holding a 1,200 kg (2,646 lb) Citroën Berlingo from the rear for 2 minutes and 56 seconds[1]
- Standing Military press – 195 kg (430 lb)[1]
- Steel Log Press (300 mm diameter) – 175 kg (386 lb)[1]
- Apollon's Axle Press – 166 kg (366 lb) x 3 reps (continental cleans and strict presses with no leg drive)
- Viking Press (Giant Log) – 115 kg (254 lb) x 19 reps[1]
- Inch dumbbell press – 78 kg (172 lb) x 10 reps
- Brick lift – 25 British bricks held between arms[4]
Size
Ross's strongman prime bodyweight of 200–215 kg (441–474 lb) makes him one of the heaviest strongmen in history. His neck measured 24 inches (61 cm), arms 24.5 inches (62 cm), chest 63 inches (160 cm), waist 50 inches (130 cm) and thighs 35 inches (89 cm). He downsized to 184 kg (406 lb) in 2009/10 but due to the lack of physical activity, his bodyweight ballooned to over 227 kg (500 lb). As of 2025, his bodyweight is around 190 kg (419 lb).
Personal life
Ross has appeared on several TV shows, including Kelly Show, They Think It's All Over, The John Daley Show, Harry Hill's TV Burp, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Celebrity Big Brother's Big Mouth, Ask Rhod Gilbert and Hole in the Wall.
Ross works as a bouncer in County Down when he is not training.[5] He is married with two children.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Profile at irishstrongman.com Archived 24 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ UK's Strongest Man#UK.27s Strongest Man
- ^ a b c d "Vikingr : Strong Wear from the Frozen North: STRENGTH ICONS - GLEN ROSS". 11 June 2012. Archived from the original on 18 July 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
- ^ Glen Ross-Brick Lift World Record.mov, archived from the original on 5 November 2021, retrieved 5 November 2021
- ^ a b Strongman Glenn just a gentle giant[dead link] (article excerpt from The News Letter, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 29 August 2000)
Notes:
- ^ In car-lifting events of the sort mentioned below, the full mass of the vehicle is not lifted. Instead, a system of levers is used to raise one set of wheels off the ground. The load at the competitor's hands is therefore of the order of 4000 newtons (i.e. would feel like lifting a 400 kg (881 lb) barbell). The exact load depends not only on the vehicle mass, but the distribution of that mass, which axle (front/rear) is lifted and also the geometry (i.e. lengths etc.) of the lever arrangements. This means that performances from one competition to another cannot be reliably compared.