Meet the ‘world’s strongest brothers’ who are inspiring each other’s success

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    There's brotherly love, and there's inspiring each other towards a shared goal of becoming the strongest man on the planet.

    Luke and Tom Stoltman seamlessly combine the two. Regarded as the strongest siblings in the world, the track record is there for all to see. Tom, 28, has won the prestigious World's Strongest Man event for the past two years, to supplement a string of other accolades. Luke, 38, is yet to take that global title – but five Scotland’s Strongest Man titles and the 2021 Europe’s Strongest Man honour signify a stellar career as well.

    The pair recently delved into something new when the took part in a rugby union session with Premiership side Harlequins. The experience was eye-opening and enjoyable, but perhaps not enough to draw them into team sports full-time: "Tom and I have that unique bonus of training and competing together," Luke told the Daily Star.

    READ NOW: World's Strongest Man Tom Stoltman's net worth as he celebrates historic second title

    "We’re brothers and have an unconditional love for each other so it’s almost like we are a mini team when we go to events. So we can vibe off each other and harness positive energy, and just really kind of explode in competition."

    The Strongman scene can be close knit, with friends often rivals. But rarely has there been a bond between two competitors like this one: “That’s the uniqueness of Tom and I," added Luke. "There’s never before been two brothers winning these shows. The fact we can do that together – and I know I don’t want to let Tom down. I know if I’m hitting big and heavy weights then he will get motivation and inspiration, and then follow suit. And vice versa. I have the privilege of training with the two-time worlds strongest man and it never gets old.”

    As for Tom, despite dabbling in football as a youngster, added further insight into why the two giants won't be taking up the oval anytime soon: “Training individually is much better for me mentally," he added. "You can set your own goals and if you fail you’ve only got yourself to blame. And when you succeed, you’re at your highest point and you’ve done it yourself."

    How would the Stoltman brothers fare in the front row? Let us know in the comments section.

    Their goals for 2023, unsurprisingly, are similar ones. Podium finishes at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic in Ohio in March, followed by a similar outcome a month later at the World's Strongest Man in South Carolina. Luke has also planned an attempt at a 230 kilograms log press lift, which would represent a new world record.

    But whilst their rugby involvement won't delve beyond watching Scotland in the Six Nations and the World Cup, that's not say they didn't enjoy their session with the likes of Danny Care, Joe Marler and co. The explosive work in the gym was something they could resonate with – but the on-field work? Not so much.

    "The session was fun," said Tom. "These guys are big boys. We put them to the test (in the gym) and then the other way round afterwards, they put us to the test. Trying the scrum machines, trying the kicking and all that, it was brutal. A few of the boys were stronger than I thought, and very explosive as well. They are like us, mini version of strongmen.”

    There was scrummaging work and then core exercises which Luke readily admits left him in awe: "We were doing a crawl on hands and feet, with guys sitting on top of us. Your core was just on fire. I had a new found level of respect then, it was amazing to see these guys do it. They were walking with Tom hanging on and he’s like 200 kilograms. Big appreciation for that."

    The levels of skill on-show also left a mark, none more so than when the pair joined England No 10 Marcus Smith for a place kicking session that fair to say, the duo didn't grasp quite so quickly: "Incredible to see him pop it between the posts – and here’s Tom and me hitting the opposite end of the pitch."

    Tom even took the liberty of inviting the Quins stars to a session in their own sport, albeit with a caveat: “The rugby boys are welcome back. Door is open. But they can make the trip up north to Scotland this time.”

    So the Stoltman brothers appearing in a front row together is unlikely to come to fruition anytime soon. But in the meantime, their unique relationship teamwork will continue to seem them dine at the top table of their sport. For this likeable pair – family time, is strongman time.

    The Stoltman Brothers and Harlequins are sponsored by Reign Total Body Fuel, a zero-sugar performance energy drink. For more information, please visit http://reignbodyfuel.com/en-gb #MadeItReign

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