A FORMER Stroud muscleman has been crowned Europe’s Strongest Man 2016.

Laurence ‘Big Loz’ Shahlaei, 33, received the coveted trophy in front of a record crowd of 10,000 strongman fans at the Leeds First Direct Arena on Saturday, July 9.

An elated Laurence said: “I’m absolutely over the moon. It feels like I’m in a little bubble at the moment – I don’t think it has fully sunk in.

“It was a huge event and the atmosphere was incredible. I was really lucky because it all just seemed to come together for me on the day.

“I’m still in shock and my phone literally has not stopped ringing all weekend.”

Father of two Laurence becomes the first Englishman to win the title in 27 years with the last successful English athlete being Jamie Reeves in 1989.

He even beat the previous title holder, Game of Thrones star Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, who plays a character named ‘The Mountain’ in the popular TV series.

Laurence, who stands at 6ft 2.5 inches and weighs 25 stone, said: “I always knew I had a good chance of doing well but there were so many really good strongmen in this year’s competition and I knew it would be tough.”

During the show, which was filmed for Channel Five to be televised around Christmas time, Laurence broke his own world record in the ‘car walk’ by carrying more than 1000lb over a 20 metre course in just 11 seconds.

“I just need to try to recover now, I’m a bit sore at the moment,” said Laurence, who in four weeks’ time will be limbering up to take part in the World’s Strongest Man 2016 in Botswana.

“I’m really looking forward to the next big challenge. But my focus this year was always Europe’s Strongest Man.”

“I was thinking of retiring last year after a few injuries set me back but with the support of my family I have kept going and it has all been worth it.”

The competition saw many different challenges for the strongmen, such as running with cars, tossing kegs, lifting giant logs and tackling the legendary Atlas Stones.

It also featured the World Deadlift Championships in which 28-year-old Eddie Hall lifted an incredible 500kg, which caused him to pass out after blood vessels burst in his head.

Laurence’s fiancé Liz Mason, 29, said: “I can't begin to describe how incredibly proud I am of Laurence.

“He's had so many setbacks with various injuries these last few years and was close to giving it up completely in 2015.

“He's a perfect example of how hard work and determination can achieve greatness, in any walk of life, no matter what your passion.

“Life with a strongman can be pretty challenging. It's very hard to watch someone you love put their body through so much as an athlete and when he's on stage competing I'm a nervous wreck.

“But he's an amazing man and I'm lucky to be by his side.”