Darren Sadler
Encyclopedia
Darren Sadler (born 22 March 1980) was a British
strongman
competitor, winner of the World Strongman Challenge in the under 105 kg category, and notable for being a repeat competitor at the World's Strongest Man
despite his comparatively small stature.
and attended Boroughbridge High School
.
, that he began to compete in strongman competitions. In 2009 he said that "At first I was the youngest and the lightest person, but I did work at it. Now I come in the top few in the country every year." However, when the IFSA
showcased a light division class for strongmen in the mid 2000s, Sadler rose to eminence in the field. In 2005 he not only won the English under 105 kg championships, but went on to place second in the world championships. The next year, still in the light division, he won the IFSA World Strongman Challenge. Such was his ability that despite his weight and height, in a sport where men of 6' 1" have been described as "short", he was invited to compete in the main division and began to rise up the rankings against the very best in the world. In 2006, he secured an invite to the World's Strongest Man
("WSM"), the premier strength athletics event. Here, he was noted for prducing "unbelievable performances for a guy his size." The next year he came third in the Britain's Strongest Man finals after Terry Hollands
and Mark Felix
who had both been in the top four athletes in the world at one stage. He was again invited to the WSM and was just short of making it into the top ten finalists. He has been quoted as saying his greatest achievement in strongman is to have been invited to, and attend Being at WSM 06,07 & 09. In 2008, at the Britain's Strongest Man
finals where he was hoping to improve on his third place finish in 2007, he tore a ham-string. This led to a self-imposed absence in 2008, in which time he concentrated on setting up a business. However, a third invite to WSM was secured with a third place finish in the WSM qualifying version of England's Strongest Man, which replaced the Britain's Strongest Man
competition in 2009 as a WSM qualifier, the latter not being held.
Sadler's favoutite event is the Conan's wheel, with his least favourite being the Deadlift hold. Additionally, his height hinders his performance in the Atlas stones. Sadler has said that of former greats he most admires Jon Pall Sigmarsson
, and Mariusz Pudzianowski
as the current athlete for whom he has most admiration, along with Derek Poundstone
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
strongman
Strongman (strength athlete)
In the 19th century, the term strongman referred to an exhibitor of strength or circus performers of similar ilk who displayed feats of strength such as the bent press , supporting large amounts of...
competitor, winner of the World Strongman Challenge in the under 105 kg category, and notable for being a repeat competitor at the World's Strongest Man
World's Strongest Man
The World's Strongest Man is a well recognised event in strength athletics and has been described by a number of highly respected authorities in the sport as the premier event in strongman. Organized by TWI, an IMG Media company, it is broadcast around the end of December each year...
despite his comparatively small stature.
Early life
Darren Sadler was born on 22 March 1980 in BoroughbridgeBoroughbridge
Boroughbridge is a small town and civil parish in the Harrogate district of North Yorkshire, England. It is situated northwest of York. Until its bypass was built, it was on the main A1 road from London to Edinburgh...
and attended Boroughbridge High School
Boroughbridge High School
Boroughbridge High School is a mixed, nonselective, state secondary. The school was awarded specialist status for performing arts in September 2003. specialist performing arts college located in Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, England...
.
Strongman career
Sadler began training in the gym at the age of seventeen but it was not until he was twenty when he was approached by former World's Strongest Man competitor, Dave WarnerDave Warner (strongman)
Dave Warner is a strongman competitor from Ballymoney, Northern Ireland. Dave has also competed in Highland Games and Armwrestling. Dave is a 4 time winner of Ireland's Strongest Man, and a 2 time winner of Northern Ireland/Ulster's Strongest Man. Dave is a member of the Irish Strength Association...
, that he began to compete in strongman competitions. In 2009 he said that "At first I was the youngest and the lightest person, but I did work at it. Now I come in the top few in the country every year." However, when the IFSA
International Federation of Strength Athletes
The International Federation of Strength Athletes was an international governing body for strongman competition...
showcased a light division class for strongmen in the mid 2000s, Sadler rose to eminence in the field. In 2005 he not only won the English under 105 kg championships, but went on to place second in the world championships. The next year, still in the light division, he won the IFSA World Strongman Challenge. Such was his ability that despite his weight and height, in a sport where men of 6' 1" have been described as "short", he was invited to compete in the main division and began to rise up the rankings against the very best in the world. In 2006, he secured an invite to the World's Strongest Man
World's Strongest Man
The World's Strongest Man is a well recognised event in strength athletics and has been described by a number of highly respected authorities in the sport as the premier event in strongman. Organized by TWI, an IMG Media company, it is broadcast around the end of December each year...
("WSM"), the premier strength athletics event. Here, he was noted for prducing "unbelievable performances for a guy his size." The next year he came third in the Britain's Strongest Man finals after Terry Hollands
Terry Hollands
Terry Hollands , is one of the world's leading strongman competitors and was Britain's Strongest Man .-Early life:...
and Mark Felix
Mark Felix
Mark Felix is a strongman competitor and regular entrant to the World's Strongest Man competition...
who had both been in the top four athletes in the world at one stage. He was again invited to the WSM and was just short of making it into the top ten finalists. He has been quoted as saying his greatest achievement in strongman is to have been invited to, and attend Being at WSM 06,07 & 09. In 2008, at the Britain's Strongest Man
Britain's Strongest Man
Britain's Strongest Man is an annual strongman event held in the United Kingdom. Competitors qualify for the final through regional heats and the winner is awarded the title of "Britain's Strongest Man"...
finals where he was hoping to improve on his third place finish in 2007, he tore a ham-string. This led to a self-imposed absence in 2008, in which time he concentrated on setting up a business. However, a third invite to WSM was secured with a third place finish in the WSM qualifying version of England's Strongest Man, which replaced the Britain's Strongest Man
Britain's Strongest Man
Britain's Strongest Man is an annual strongman event held in the United Kingdom. Competitors qualify for the final through regional heats and the winner is awarded the title of "Britain's Strongest Man"...
competition in 2009 as a WSM qualifier, the latter not being held.
Sadler's favoutite event is the Conan's wheel, with his least favourite being the Deadlift hold. Additionally, his height hinders his performance in the Atlas stones. Sadler has said that of former greats he most admires Jon Pall Sigmarsson
Jón Páll Sigmarsson
Jón Páll Sigmarsson was a strongman, a powerlifter , and a bodybuilder from Iceland who won the World's Strongest Man Competition four times . In 1984 Jón won the Icelandic bodybuilding title in the +90 kg. class...
, and Mariusz Pudzianowski
Mariusz Pudzianowski
Mariusz Zbigniew Pudzianowski is a Polish former strongman and current mixed martial artist...
as the current athlete for whom he has most admiration, along with Derek Poundstone
Derek Poundstone
Derek Poundstone Derek Poundstone Derek Poundstone (born on September 28, 1981, 6'1" (1,85m), 341 lb is an American professional strongman athlete from Waterbury, Connecticut....
.