Macgregor wants to take on the world after latest John O’Groats Strongest Man victory
Kevin Macgregor's latest success in the John O’Groats Strongest Man competition has taken him another step closer to his ultimate goal of being a world-beater.
The powerfully-built local hero saw off a determined challenge from Halkirk's Jamie Gunn to secure the title at the weekend in a socially distanced event that was not open to the public.
“I want to go all the way," Macgregor declared as he clutched his trophy at the end of the contest. "Within two years I’m going to do the Scotland’s Strongest Man qualifiers – maybe next year, depending on how the winter training goes, but certainly within two years.
“My ambition is to be the world’s strongest man. That’s what I am dedicating my life to, even if it takes five or seven years. That’s my plan."
Sunday's success completed a hat-trick for the fisherman/bouncer. He won the inaugural John O’Groats Strongest Man in 2018 and remained unbeaten in the open weight category last year, when an under 105kg section was won by Kevin Doig of Inverness.
This time Macgregor had to come from behind after Gunn set the early pace, winning the first two of the seven disciplines. Also competing were Orkney visitors Calum Elder and Paul Suggitt.
“Jamie pushed me," 21-stone Macgregor admitted. "I had to win the last events to beat him. It was down to the wire, so that was exciting. I felt I had earned it.
“It would have been even harder had Will Holliday from Stirling been able to come – he won England’s strongest under-21 two years ago but pulled his hamstring three weeks ago. He’s a very strong guy. And then Kev Doig from Inverness pulled out.
“But I’m glad that Jamie Gunn did it. When I started, there were two guys in the county that I wanted to face for the strongest overall – Jamie Gunn and Ryan Macintosh. But then Macintosh retired – he did refereeing the first year. So it was Jamie this year and that was perfect as it gives credibility to the winner.
“There were seven events, so overall you can’t argue with who is the strongest.”
Macgregor hopes the competition can return to being a public event in 2021.
“It’s called John O’Groats Strongest Man but anybody from all over Scotland or elsewhere can take part," he said. "Hopefully next year we can come back with sponsorship and I want to get more than £1000 in prize money for the winner to entice more people to come.”
Tom McGee and Michael MacGregor were in charge of the running times, scorekeeping and refereeing.
McGee said: "The event ran very well and a massive well done needs to go to those who helped in piecing it all together. Credit to all the four competitors for pushing their limits and hitting some personal best lifts and times.
"The competition had a fantastic finale, going down to the wire in the very last event, which is what you want in terms of pushing the competitors to their absolute limits under pressure.
"This is an event which is growing year on year, and the goal is to progress the competition to new heights in 2021."
Results – Event 1, 300kg timber frame carry: 1 Jamie Gunn; 2 Calum Elder; 3 Kevin Macgregor; 4 Paul Suggitt.
Event 2, 115kg axle overhead press: 1 J Gunn; 2 C Elder; 3 K Macgregor.
Event 3, Truck pull: 1 K Macgregor; 2 J Gunn; 3 C Elder; 4 P Suggitt.
Event 4, 350kg yoke carry: 1 K Macgregor; 2 J Gunn; 3 C Elder; 4 P Suggitt.
Event 5, Deadlift: 1 K Macgregor; 2 J Gunn; 3 P Suggitt; 4 C Elder.
Event 6, Keg throw: 1 K Macgregor; 2 J Gunn; 3 P Suggitt; 4 C Elder.
Event 7, Atlas Stones: 1 K Macgregor; 2 J Gunn; 3 C Elder; 4 P Suggitt.
Final standings after seven events: 1 Kevin Macgregor, 24 points; 2 Jamie Gunn, 23; 3 Calum Elder, 14; 4 Paul Suggitt, 8.