Jack Shanks (born 1936) is a strongman from Belfast, Northern Ireland.[1] He is best known for natural stone lifting.[2][3]

Jack Shanks
Personal information
Born1936
Northern Ireland Belfast, Northern Ireland
OccupationStrongman
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight73 kg (161 lb)

Dinnie Stones edit

Shanks is the first man to lift the Scottish Dinnie Stones of Aberdeenshire, unassisted after Donald Dinnie did so in 1860.[4][5] He achieved this feat (which is also known as putting the wind under the stones) five times in the summer of 1972.[1]

On 3 June 1973, Shanks also became the first man after 113 years to replicate Donald Dinnie's historical feat of walking the stones over the landmark distance of 17 ft 1+12 in (5.22 m) across the width of the Potarch bridge.[6] A large group of spectators and press were gathered to witness the event. The feat was performed on the top of a flatbed lorry for the crowd to have a better viewing experience.[1] Strength historian and sports promoter David P. Webster gifted Shanks a prize of £250 for the achievement.[7]

The leather lifting belt and tank top Shanks wore during the feats are now in display at the H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports.[8]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "The Dinnie Stones - the ultimate challenge". Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  2. ^ Rogue Fitness (16 December 2016). "STONELAND - a documentary by Rogue Fitness". Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  3. ^ US All-Round Weightlifting Association (6 December 2021). "JACK SHANKS AND HIS STONES". Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Listed below are the names and details of lifters who have put the wind under the stones unassisted before the turn of the new Millennium". Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  5. ^ "IRISHMAN JACK SHANKS AND THE DINNIE STONES C. 1970S". Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  6. ^ "Listed below are the names and details of lifters who have carried the stones unassisted". Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  7. ^ Liftingstones.org (26 May 2018). "The Dinnie stones". Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  8. ^ H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports (2 March 2022). "Jack Shanks' Lifting Belt and Vest Donated To The Stark Center". Retrieved 28 April 2023.