SHANE Flowers feels he can “fly under the radar” as World’s Strongest Man qualifying begins in Sacramento, California, tomorrow.
Weymouth strongman Flowers has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top of the sport and is preparing for his World’s Strongest Man debut.
It follows a fifth-placed finish at Europe’s Strongest Man and fourth spot at Britain’s Strongest Man this season.
Flowers is regarded as one of the rising stars of strongman but he must first get through three qualifying days to reach the final.
If he achieves that feat, he will be given a day’s rest followed by two final days across a week of brutal competition.
READ MORE: Shane Flowers claims fifth at Europe's Strongest Man
Scotland’s Tom Stoltman will bid to retain his title.
Speaking to Echosport, Flowers said: “I’m obviously excited but I’m thinking more long-term.
“I’m going to go there and gain as much experience as I can, put in a decent performance and upset a few names.
“Realistically, I’m not going to be rivalling for the podium this year or next. I will get there eventually.
“I’m not under any pressure, either. I’m still a relatively unknown quantity at the moment.
“Not many people, unless you’re British, know about me so I can fly under the radar.
“Considering the live audience at the Worlds isn’t going to be anywhere near as much as Europes, maybe a couple of hundred people, I’m not feeling the pressure of the cameras or audience.
“I actually feel pretty confident, to be fair.”
All the competitors have been given a vague idea of the events, meaning Flowers has been training as much as possible to cover every eventuality.
After nearly rupturing a bicep at Europe’s Strongest Man, he is now fully recovered and able to work on his weaknesses – including the log press.
He said: “The log press has come on quite a bit. We think it’s 150 kilos and as many repetitions as possible within an allocated time frame, give or take 10 kilos.
“Whatever it is, I’m fairly confident I can get at least four or five reps with 160. It’s come on leaps and bounds and the bicep’s not really been a problem.”
Flowers is most excited about the deadlift ladder, in which he has developed a secret technique.
He said: “The deadlift ladder has been going really well. I’ve not been posting anything about my deadlift (on social media) recently.
“I’ve figured something out and I don’t want anyone else to copy me. I’ve kept that one under wraps.
“Day two is damage limitation, that’s the car walk. I’m expecting the car to be my worst event and then the log press to be improved but not up there with the top boys.
“On the third day you do a grip test. All we know is it’s called a wrecking ball hold. It’s a grip test. Coming from powerlifting I’ve got quite a strong grip.”
Five groups of six strongmen will compete in qualifying, with the top athlete in each pool automatically qualifying for the final.
Second and third place in each group will then face a play-off in the famous Atlas stones, creating a ten-man final.
Flowers will contest Group Four, along with fellow Briton Gavin Bilton, American Martins Licis, Canada's Maxime Boudreault, Ukraine's Pavlo Kordiyaka and Bosnia's Nedzmin Ambeskovic.
Flowers said: “The line-up this year is ridiculous. It’s the most competitive year ever.
“Historically in strongman you’d have one or two really good athletes. This year, although they’ve not announced the groups, any single guy could go through or be eliminated.
“I think there’s going to be quite a lot of upsets.”
Flowers will be supported by his father, but his fiancée will stay in the UK to run her business. Flowers’ older brother Mitchal is prepping for England’s Strongest Man and will not attend.
Flowers said: “I wouldn’t want them to sabotage their own aspirations.
“My old man is coming out but he’s flying out after me. He’ll arrive (today) and then we fly home together.”
Coverage of World’s Strongest Man is notoriously secretive, with broadcasting taking place at Christmas time.
Dedicated viewers can follow the competition via updates on the World's Strongest Man YouTube channel, although every athlete is obliged to remain silent on results until after the TV show airs in December.
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