Dan Benson

Dan Benson's journey into the world of strength sports began with a childhood fascination that turned into a lifelong passion. Growing up, he was captivated by watching the World’s Strongest Man (WSM) competitions during Christmas—a family ritual that introduced him to legendary figures like Brian Shaw, Magnus Samuelsson, and Mariusz Pudzianowski. The awe of seeing these giants lift extraordinary weights inspired him, planting the seeds for what would become his own remarkable career in strength athletics.

Dan qualified as a Strength Coach in 2015 and began competing in weight categorized Strongman a year later, in 2016. His hard work and dedication paid off in 2020 when he won his first England’s Strongest Man title, marking the start of his rise to prominence in the sport.

In 2022, Dan made history by setting a Deadlift World Record with a lift of 382.6 kg. That same year, he competed in the Official Strongman Games (OSG) World’s Strongest Man, where he placed an impressive 6th. However, 2023 was a landmark year for him. He shattered his previous Deadlift World Record, becoming the first lightweight athlete to pull over 400 kg with a lift of 401.55 kg. That year, Dan also secured victories at the inaugural Kaos Classic and was crowned Europe’s Strongest Man.

Dan’s success continued into 2024, a banner year where he won both England’s Strongest Man and Britain’s Strongest Man, establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with in the strongman world. He also placed 2nd in Europe’s Strongest Man 2024 and is preparing for the OSG World’s Strongest Man later this year.

Beyond his own achievements, Dan has built a successful career as a coach, guiding clients to national championships and seeing several qualify for the OSG World Finals in consecutive years. His passion for strength training, cultivated from his childhood days of watching WSM, now drives his mission to inspire and coach others to reach their full potential.

Dan’s story is one of perseverance, dedication, and a deep-rooted love for the sport that has defined his life. He continues to push boundaries both as a competitor and a coach, leaving a lasting impact on the strength community.