Record-breaking strongman Dhanni triumphs on home soil

THERE was local success at a Scottish strongman competition held in Lerwick on Saturday as Dhanni Moar won gold.

Fellow home entrant Jonni Manson also came third at the Scotland’s Strongest Man u105kg event at the Clickimin Leisure Complex.

Moar managed to break two Scottish records in the process by lifting 420kg in the silver dollar deadlift event and reaching 90kg in the dumbbell overhead category, 12kg greater than the previous record which had stood since 2013.

The strongman won every section except for the loading medley event, which saw Manson come out top.

A total of six competitors took part on the day, with Highland hopeful Stuart Whyte coming second overall.

Dhanni told BBC Radio Shetland he was delighted to have won on home soil.

“The crowd wasn’t quiet the whole day, that really got me,” he said. “Quite emotional as well, winning at home in the Clickimin, but very, very happy.”

After adding 10kg to the silver dollar deadlift record he “actually asked to do more – I asked for 450 kilos – but [fellow strongman] Andy Cairney told me to stop being a diva!”

The upshot of Saturday’s performance is that Dhanni is now eligible to compete in a host of prestigious strongman events.

“That qualifies me for the European Championships in Belfast in July, two federations of British championship and three different world championships, which would be in America, Finland and Dubai,” he added.