Bodybuilding Magazine, Muscle mag

Oli Thompson - The big man from the South - Strongman

Interview by Scott Reid

Still only 25 years of age Oli Thompson the big man from the south of England talks to ProMuscleMag.com about training, diet and his future impact in the world of strongman competitions.

OLI THOMPSON'S PERSONAL BEST LIFTS:

Log Lift  175KG
Back Squat  340KG
Front Squat  260KG
Dead Lift  382.5KG

note. All these lifts were performed raw without the use of a power suit. Only a belt and wrist straps were used.

Scott: Hi Oli how's it going?

Oli: Yes mate, training is going well, but I'm looking forward to next year as I have not been happy with things this year.
As of next year I am a free agent and will be competing against everybody all over the world, so I'm looking forward to doing some damage and making up for this year.

Scott: I've been training with you for a while now and you are improving all the time, why do you think this is?

Oli: Yes I'm improving all the time, I'm still only 25 years of age, young in strongman terms, and I think in strongman you can go on until late 30's early 40's, I'm defiantly looking forward to improving a lot over the next few years, I'm still just a baby and only just getting started.

Scott: From what you've told me you competed In football and rugby at a high level as a youngster, so why strongman, it's a bit distant from football and rugby?

Oli: That's right. I used to play football and rugby for the county, but I don't think it is that different from strongman. Rugby gave me good base and foundation of physical strength , so that the first time I went in the gym I was pulling good lifts.

Scott: In 2005 you were given a pro contract with iffsa, how has this affected your training and life in general?

Oli: My pro contract with IFSA started in 2005, and all was good to start with. But as you know I have terminated my contract now , by my own choice. I did this because as a free agent I will be able to compete against the best in the world no matter what organisation they belong to. For example there are titles for Britain's strongest man, I want to win all of these next year not just one.

Scott: Do you think that competing at this high level, against the best in the world has sped up you advancement in strongman? What do you think you have gained from it?

Oli: Competing at international level against the best in the world has defiantly sped up my improvement, it gives you something to aim for. You are competing at a much higher level than you are used to on the British scene.
I have learned so much this year and last, just being around guys like Mariusz Pudzianowski, Zydrunas Savickas, and Vasyl Virastyuk can do you nothing but good.

Scott: What's your favourite thing about strong man?

Oli: My favourite thing about strong man is competing it's self. I love competing and trying to win, I hate losing.
I have lost a few times this year, which I hate. So next year is revenge time, I'm going to enjoy beating everyone that has beaten me this year.

Scott: What's your least favourite thing about strongman?

Oli: The thing I hate most about strongman is losing to people I know I shouldn't be losing to. It happened a few times this year, but it will not be happening again!

Scott: What are your short and long term goals in strongman?

Oli: My short term goals are to win all three British titles next year, I would also like to make more of an impact on the international scene! Long term, I would like to retain the British titles for a good many years, after winning them. I would also like to rise to the top of the international rankings and do well or win worlds strongest man.

Scott: What are your views on the use of power suits in strongman, ie squat & dead lift suits?

Oli: I don't believe in the use of power suits in strongman. The sport is called strong man, not strong suit. If you are not strong enough then don't lift it. Power lifting has been totally ruined by the use of power suits, lets not let strongman slip down that road.

Scott: Where do you train?

Oli: I train at physiques gym in Bexhill on sea. The gym is run by Jon Bowles. I train there because it is the best gym in the area to suit my needs, Jon also helps me a lot and gets in any kit I need for my training.

Scott: What does your weeks training consist of? I'm sure our readers would be interested to know how one of the worlds strongest men trains.

Oli: My weeks training consists of four days in the gym and two days event training.
In the gym I do a lot of power training, ie clean and press, power cleans, dead lifts, front and back squats. I also do your standard shaping exercises, to keep in good shape, but my training revolves around building power and not shape!
When it comes to event training, I like to keep on top of all the events I might come across, so I am always ready for anything.

Scott: How do you eat, are you strict with your diet?

Oli: If I'm honest with you this is a real weak point for me. I eat healthily but I don't eat anywhere near enough, so one of my goals now is to address this and get the quality calories I need. I have got to a good standard with no real dietary structure, so imagine what I could do with a solid diet in place.

Scott: Where would you like to be in a years time, ie, who would you like to beat?

Oli: As I said earlier, I would like to be British champion and also be kicking ass on the international scene.
As to whom I would like to compete against and beat, it would be the British guys that I have been unable to this year due to my contract. Glen Ross springs to mind. I am a different athlete to when we last met, as long as it wasn't just a bench press and squat competition, I think I would win.
On the International front, Mikhail Koklyaev would be a nice scalp to take!

Cheers for the above Oli, see you at training next week.