09
Apr
Harrogate strongman Luke Richardson aims for European hat-trick
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Harrogate strongman sensation Luke Richardson will look to complete a hat-trick of Europe’s Strongest Man titles this weekend.
Competing in front of thousands of fans at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on Saturday (April 11), Richardson will battle 11 other strongmen for a shot at the prize.
Europe’s Strongest Man dates back to 1980. Previous champions include Geoff Capes, Bill Kazmaier and Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson.
Richardson will join an elite band to have won the event at least three times if he repeats the success he had in 2020 and 2025.
Speaking to the Stray Ferret today (April 9), he said:
I’m feeling good, just resting up now. I’ve been walking my dogs, doing some light cardio and stretching this week, but no heavy lifting.
I definitely can [win the title]. I’ve not had ideal preparation – only about four weeks – so I’m probably not as strong as I could be. But I just need to be stronger than everyone else, and I think I am.
Luke Richardson won Europe's Strongest Man for the second time in 2025.
A tragic loss
Richardson, 28, was set to compete in Britain’s Strongest Man and the Arnold Classic in February and March, respectively.
But, he withdrew from both competitions after the death of his best friend and fellow strongman, Pa O’Dwyer.
O’Dwyer passed away at the age of 40 on January 3. In a social media post two weeks later, Richardson said his loss was “too much” for him to “brute force my way through this like I’ve done in the past”.
He told the Stray Ferret:
I didn’t cope very well. I still don’t want to do anything but forced myself because I can’t just sit on my arse doing nothing the whole time.
There’s still that pressure on me to be everything that people have come to expect of me, which is a lot of pressure to navigate while still dealing with the death of my best mate. If I win, I’m still not good; I’m just Europe’s Strongest Man on top of that.
Injuries, injuries and more injuries
Richardson, 28, exploded on to the strongman scene in 2020 by winning Europe's Strongest Man.
He was nicknamed The Future because of his sudden impact on the sport but a torn biceps derailed his career.
Knee problems followed, which required surgery, and over the next few years he tore the same biceps and a tendon in his back.
After four injury-ravaged years, he returned to win Europe's Strongest Man again last year only to suffer yet another injury at World's Strongest Man shortly afterwards.
Despite numerous injuries, Richardson has not let his setbacks define him.
He reflects:
The mental impact is massive. I don’t do things in halves, and every injury has required surgery. I’ve gone private for every one, and the financial cost has its own stress to it too.
Post-surgery is tough, too. Going from one of the strongest people on earth to not being able to do basic human tasks definitely affects you mentally.
Richardson's goal this year is to win Europe's Strongest Man, place in the top three in World's Strongest Man and then take some time off.
Should he win on Saturday, he will be halfway to equalling Mariusz Pudzianowski’s record of six titles.
For someone who’s been through so much, mentally and physically, his achievements already speak for themselves.
Europe’s Strongest Man will begin at 5pm on Saturday. You can stream it here.
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