World-class competitors from the Strongman circuit, including Game of Thrones star Thor Bjornsson, prepared for yesterday’s ‘Europe’s Strongest Man’ competition with the help of leading commercial nursery business Johnsons of Whixley.

Bjornsson, who rose to fame after appearing as ‘The Mountain’ in the hit fantasy drama, and who is also a two-time Europe’s Strongest Man winner, was joined by former World Deadlift Champion Benedikt Magnusson and ex-World Champion Bill Kazmeier.

Bjornsson and Magnusson trained for the Car Lift event on site at Johnsons’ North Yorkshire base, while Kazmeier, who is now a part of the broadcasting team for the competition, conducted interviews with the pair as part of the build-up to the event, which took place at Leeds’ First Direct Arena on Saturday (1 April).

Johnsons offered to host the session, having provided storage and training facilities for the ‘Giants Live’ Strongman circuit for more than five years.

The business’s directors are keen followers of the sport and group managing director Graham Richardson says it was a pleasure to host the athletes.  “Thor and Benny are elite athletes who compete on the global stage,” he said. “It’s always a privilege to witness their incredible displays of strength at such close quarters, and often, visitors to the site are far more interested in the plethora of Strongman equipment on display.

Former World’s Strongest Man competitor and Giants Live director Darren Sadler said: “The site at Johnsons provides the perfect environment for training sessions, and we are grateful to Graham for hosting us in the lead-up to this event.

“While they were here, the guys enjoyed gaining an insight into the work Johnsons does, and the sheer scale of the operation here. It’s a wonderful setting and we were all made to feel at home during our stay.”

A short video of the day’s activities can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/uIF0ouhHi8s