A HAMPSHIRE strongman has powered onto the world stage after winning a podium finish a global power lifting competition.

But Tom Hibbert is now pledging to go back and finish the job next year – after tying the knot with the love of his life.

Tom from Southampton already holds the enviable title of England’s Strongest Man and the second in Britain.

Now he has gone from strength to strength after impressively clinching second place in the 90KG World’s Strongest Man contest.

But he is insisting he can go one step further and clinch the title next year as part of a quadruple challenge - just months after marrying fiancee Katie Osborne.

Tom, who runs Winning Health Solutions personal training in Shirley – where the couple met – was taking part in what is a sister competition of the World’s Strongest Man.

The event is aimed at contestants weighing under 90KG, The challenge involved 18 of the world’s strongest men in that weight category being put through their paces in six gruelling events.

The contest included a Hummer Tyre Deadlift – with Tom lifting a 318KG tyre weighing more than three times his bodyweight and the equivalent of a female polar bear, or the combined weight of six women.

There was also the load medley, press medley, carry and drag and power stairs – rounded off with the Atlas Stones challenge where the men lifted a series of giant stones onto platforms.

The contest was run by Core Fitness Club and afterwards Tom, 30, said: “I am delighted by the my performance, this was the pinnacle of the year for me and what I had been training for.

“It is testing your body to the upper limits – it’s really fun and there’s great camaraderie with the other lads.

Now he is setting his sights on preparing for next year when he wants to win the competition along with titles for England, Britain and Europe - a contest he was forced to pull out of this year due to injury.

He added: “I am looking now to how I can improve. I want to return next year and come first. I want to win all four titles.”

He met Katie after striking up a close bond with her after she joined his gym.

They eventually started dating after a year and are tying the knot at a ceremony in Southampton next March after nearly three years together.

Katie, also 30, watched his heroics on a live internet video stream while back in Southampton.

The owner of Beauty at Yours, said: “I was the proudest fiancee in the world.

“I was shouting at him through the screen and willing him to do it. He’s worked so hard for this.

“I am really excited and can’t wait for the wedding and I will feel so proud to call him my husband.”