Gavin Bilton

Bilton grew up in Caerphilly and attended Bedwas Infants School, Bedwas Junior School and Bedwas High School.{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Rhys |title=The man looking to become the world's strongest |url=https://caerphilly.observer/news/997138/the-man-looking-to-become-the-worlds-strongest/ |website=Caerphilly Observer |date=18 December 2020 |access-date=4 January 2022}} Before becoming a professional strongman, Bilton served for 13 years in the Welsh Guards, completing two tours in Afghanistan and acting as a Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace. Since leaving the army, Gavin has set up his own gym in Caerphilly, called "Area 51".{{cite web |title=Guardsman Gavin Bilton - Wales's Strongest Man? |url=https://www.welshguardscharity.co.uk/news-post/guardsman-gavin-bilton-waless-strongest-man |access-date=5 January 2022 |website=welshguardscharity.co.uk}}

In October 2020, Bilton won 2021 UK's Strongest Man competition at the grounds of the Crumlin Road Jail in Belfast.{{cite web |title=Getting to know the UK's Strongest Man 2020 – Gavin 'The Bull' Bilton |url=https://jungleofiron.co.uk/2021/01/27/getting-to-know-the-uks-strongest-man-2020-gavin-the-bull-bilton/ |website=jungleofiron.co.uk/ |date=27 January 2021 |access-date=7 January 2022}} He would go on to retain the title in 2021.{{cite web |last1=Phil |first1=Blechman |title=Gavin Bilton Wins 2021 UK's Strongest Man |url=https://barbend.com/gavin-bilton-wins-2021-uks-strongest-man/ |website=barbend.com |date=June 2021 |access-date=5 January 2022}}

Bilton was invited for at the 2020 World's Strongest Man competition in Bradenton, Florida, US, where he finished 5th in his heat after sustaining a rib injury during the squat lift, failing to make it to the finals. He got invited for 4 more years for the World's Strongest Man, but failed to make it to the finals in any of them.

His career best win is the first place at 2023 SCL Serbia, defeating the likes of Kelvin de Ruiter and Fatih Karaca.

A former rugby union player, Bilton had spells at Welsh Premiership sides Bridgend, Swansea, Newport, and Bedwas. Bilton played for Caerphilly RFC in the WRU National Bowl final at the Principality Stadium in 2017.{{cite web |last1=Brooke |first1=Boucher |title=Gavin Bilton from Caerphilly wins UK's Strongest Man event |url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/18785903.gavin-bilton-caerphilly-wins-uks-strongest-man-event/ |website=southwalesargus.co.uk/ |access-date=5 January 2022}}

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Category:1988 births

Category:Living people

Category:Welsh strength athletes

Category:Welsh male weightlifters

Category:21st-century British sportsmen