Millions of television viewers saw York strongman Rob Dixon muscle in on a place in a world final last night.
The 36-year-old qualified for the final of the World's Strongest Man competition, screened by BBC 1 after a sizzling show of strength in the heat of the Sun City entertainment complex outside Johannesburg in South Africa.
"It's brilliant. A Yorkie boy in the final. I'm chuffed," he told presenter John Inverdale after six gruelling events.
He finished second behind Canada's Hugo Girard, the world log lifting champion, and edged out flamboyant Australian Derek Boyer, who is of Fijiian descent and was one of the pre-competition favourites.
The competition, the first of five heats, took place in August but was screened last night and Dixon recorded victories in two events to finish a point behind the giant Canadian.
Dixon, who owns the Samson and Delilah Fitness centres in Haxby and Pocklington, qualified for Sun City after finishing fourth in the British Strongest Man competition in August.
The final will also be staged at Sun City and televised on New Year's Day.
He is only the sixth Briton in 20 years to reach the final.
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