A FORMER Ardrossan Academy pupil has proved his mettle on the biggest stage by winning a global strongman competition.

Greg Watt finished top of the under-85kg class at the World's Natural Strongest Man 2022 event in Finland in September, having earned second place at the British Natural Strongman Federation event.

The 27-year-old trains for three to four hours a day, six days a week in his friend's garage and excelled in what was his first major international competition last month.

Delighted dad, Mark, told the Herald: "Greg funds all of this himself and he watches what he eats very carefully.

"It's no different to any other strongman competitions. They pull cars, throw sandbags over heights, lift atlas stones and log lifts to name a few.

"He trains in local gyms with friends who enter competitions too. Their training includes mastering their techniques, improving their weights and speed.

"His first competition was six years ago in Fort William, where he placed 11th out of 12 competitors.

"He has steadily improved and has slowly climbed the ranks to his recent achievement."

Greg, who stays in Ardrossan and works as plant mechanic for QTS, exceeded his own expectations with his recent competition win - and made his family proud too.

Mark added: "I don't think he expected to win but had a steely determination to do his absolute best.

"He was obviously delighted to win in Finland, and pleased that all his hard work had paid off.

"We are all very proud of him."