Mark Felix
Encyclopedia
Mark Felix (born April 17, 1966 in Grenada
) is a strongman
competitor and regular entrant to the World's Strongest Man
competition. In winning the Rolling Thunder World Championships in 2008 and 2009, as well as holding the world record in the event, he is regarded as having a powerful grip.
. At the age of 23 he moved to Great Harwood
, Lancashire
, England
. He was a dedicated body builder and turned his attention to strongman competitions in 2003 at the age of 37, comparatively late in relation to other strength athletes.
in which he competed in the "World" team as a representative of Grenada
. The team was placed third. From 2006, Felix turned his attention towards the more established strongman competitions that could lead to the World's Strongest Man
("WSM"), from which IFSA had parted company in 2004. In 2006 he placed second in the Britain's Strongest Man
competition and this led to a place in the World's Strongest Man
in which he came a highly respected fourth. In 2007 he repeated his second place finish in Britain's Strongest Man but was disappointed with his seventh place finish in the 2007 WSM. In the same year he also finished third in the Mohegan Sun Grand Prix of the World's Strongest Man Super Series. In 2008 he came fourth in Europe's Strongest Man
and went on to finish third in Britain's Strongest Man, qualifying him for a third successive WSM final. Felix has said "Every year I gain more experience and learn more about what I am capable of."
In June 2009 Felix successfully defended his Rolling Thunder world championship title. He had previously won the championship in 2008 by breaking the world record for the event lifting a weight of 302 lb.
Recently, Felix won the 2011 Vice Grip Viking Challenge and placed third at the All-American Strongman Challenge
both taking place on Jan. 29, 30th 2011 at the LA Fitexpo.
with his wife Denny and three children.
Grenada
Grenada is an island country and Commonwealth Realm consisting of the island of Grenada and six smaller islands at the southern end of the Grenadines in the southeastern Caribbean Sea...
) is a strongman
Strongman (strength athlete)
In the 19th century, the term strongman referred to an exhibitor of strength or circus performers of similar ilk who displayed feats of strength such as the bent press , supporting large amounts of...
competitor and regular entrant to the World's Strongest Man
World's Strongest Man
The World's Strongest Man is a well recognised event in strength athletics and has been described by a number of highly respected authorities in the sport as the premier event in strongman. Organized by TWI, an IMG Media company, it is broadcast around the end of December each year...
competition. In winning the Rolling Thunder World Championships in 2008 and 2009, as well as holding the world record in the event, he is regarded as having a powerful grip.
Early life
Mark Felix was born in 1966 in GrenadaGrenada
Grenada is an island country and Commonwealth Realm consisting of the island of Grenada and six smaller islands at the southern end of the Grenadines in the southeastern Caribbean Sea...
. At the age of 23 he moved to Great Harwood
Great Harwood
Great Harwood is a small town in the Hyndburn district of Lancashire, England, north-east of Blackburn.-History:Great Harwood is a town with a industrial heritage. The Mercer Hall Leisure Centre in Queen Street and the town clock pay tribute to John Mercer , the 'father' of Great Harwood, who...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. He was a dedicated body builder and turned his attention to strongman competitions in 2003 at the age of 37, comparatively late in relation to other strength athletes.
Strongman career
Having turned his attention to strength athletics, Mark Felix turned pro within a year when the IFSA Strongman professional team was launched in 2004. He had come third in England's Strongest Man in 2004, and in 2005 he went on to come second to Eddy Elwood in the IFSA version of England's Strongest Man (England's Strongest Man (IFSA)). This led him to the IFSA British Championships which he won in 2005. Of the five events, Felix won three (Deadlift, Farmer’s Walk and Atlas Stones). Aftwerwards Felix credited his victory to "Big hands, big heart" Felix was invited to the IFSA World Team ChampionshipsIFSA
IFSA can refer to the following:* International Federation of Strength Athletes* International Financial Services Authority* International Forestry Students' Association* International Free Skiers Association* International Freestyle Skater Association...
in which he competed in the "World" team as a representative of Grenada
Grenada
Grenada is an island country and Commonwealth Realm consisting of the island of Grenada and six smaller islands at the southern end of the Grenadines in the southeastern Caribbean Sea...
. The team was placed third. From 2006, Felix turned his attention towards the more established strongman competitions that could lead to the World's Strongest Man
World's Strongest Man
The World's Strongest Man is a well recognised event in strength athletics and has been described by a number of highly respected authorities in the sport as the premier event in strongman. Organized by TWI, an IMG Media company, it is broadcast around the end of December each year...
("WSM"), from which IFSA had parted company in 2004. In 2006 he placed second in the Britain's Strongest Man
Britain's Strongest Man
Britain's Strongest Man is an annual strongman event held in the United Kingdom. Competitors qualify for the final through regional heats and the winner is awarded the title of "Britain's Strongest Man"...
competition and this led to a place in the World's Strongest Man
World's Strongest Man
The World's Strongest Man is a well recognised event in strength athletics and has been described by a number of highly respected authorities in the sport as the premier event in strongman. Organized by TWI, an IMG Media company, it is broadcast around the end of December each year...
in which he came a highly respected fourth. In 2007 he repeated his second place finish in Britain's Strongest Man but was disappointed with his seventh place finish in the 2007 WSM. In the same year he also finished third in the Mohegan Sun Grand Prix of the World's Strongest Man Super Series. In 2008 he came fourth in Europe's Strongest Man
Europe's Strongest Man
Europe's Strongest Man is an annual strength athletics competition which began in 1980. The event is held in various locations throughout Europe, and features exclusively European strongman competitors. Mariusz Pudzianowski currently holds the record for most wins with 6 titles...
and went on to finish third in Britain's Strongest Man, qualifying him for a third successive WSM final. Felix has said "Every year I gain more experience and learn more about what I am capable of."
In June 2009 Felix successfully defended his Rolling Thunder world championship title. He had previously won the championship in 2008 by breaking the world record for the event lifting a weight of 302 lb.
Recently, Felix won the 2011 Vice Grip Viking Challenge and placed third at the All-American Strongman Challenge
All-American Strongman Challenge
The All-American Strongman Challenge is a leading competition in strength athletics that takes place within the annual Californian FitExpo. Although North America has a number of prestigious strongman events determining the "Strongest Man in America", the "Strongest Man in Canada" and the...
both taking place on Jan. 29, 30th 2011 at the LA Fitexpo.
Personal life
Felix continues to work as a self-employed plasterer out of season. He lives in Great HarwoodGreat Harwood
Great Harwood is a small town in the Hyndburn district of Lancashire, England, north-east of Blackburn.-History:Great Harwood is a town with a industrial heritage. The Mercer Hall Leisure Centre in Queen Street and the town clock pay tribute to John Mercer , the 'father' of Great Harwood, who...
with his wife Denny and three children.