Local Man Wins The Most Prestigious Title in Strongman Competition [VIDEO]

Northern Colorado has produced a few notable athletes over the years. Names like Shawn Chacon, Shane Carwin, Reed Doughty, Jason Smith, and Jeremy Bloom come to mind, but I can almost guarantee you that of all the athletes hailing from this great area, none are stronger than Brian Shaw. The Fort Lupton resident recently won the most sought after title in his sport of strongman competition, The World's Strongest Man.

The 27 year old has always been a gym rat, but wasn't always known for his strength, rather his skills on the court. Shaw was an honorable mention all-state basketball player at Fort Lupton High School. Four years later, he was up to 240 pounds, 20 above his high school weight, and winding down his hoops career at Black Hills (S.D.) State. 5 years and 150 pounds later 6-foot-8 Brian Shaw traded in the basketball for stones weighing up to 425 pounds each.

Along with lifting those stones called atlas stones, competitors in The World's Strongest Man competition also pull a truck typically weighing 50,000 to 60,000 pounds. In another event called the Super Yoke competitors balance a 30 meter long bar on their shoulders with each side holding 400 plus pound weights while walking a course. Other competitions are also held, and after all the events have been completed scores from all the events are added up, with the top scorer receiving the "RV Trophy" and the title of World's Strongest Man.

After winning Denver's Strongest man in 2005, Shaw never looked back. Winning national and world strongman competitions ever since, the Worlds Strongest Man seemed to be all that eluded him. In 2009 Shaw finished 3rd, then was a close second last year, before finally bring home the title this year.

You can find ESPN full broadcast schedule of the 2011 World's Strongest Man here.