Published: Wednesday, 13th January, 2010 1:00pm

Vegas bet paid off for powerlifter

STRONGMAN: Andy

POWERLIFTER Andy Cairney has a challenge on his hulk-like hands to top the year he has just had.

When he looked at his calendar this time last year the amateur weightlifter, from Scotstoun, made a deal with girlfriend - if he qualified for the World Powerlifting Championships in Las Vegas, they would get married there.

Not only did the 22-stone giant qualify, he won the European Powerlifting Championship title in July, came second in the Worlds despite an injury, and then wed his sweetheart Selina in the gambling mecca's Little White Chapel.

Not content with the amazing year, Andy now aims to win the World Championship in November 2010 and go on to become "the strongest Scotsman who has ever walked the planet".

Andy, who has six meals a day starting with 12 pieces of Weetabix, a litre of milk and a chicken breast, spoke to the Post about his incredible last 12 months.

The 29-year-old said: "I had a wee bet with my girlfriend - I looked at the calendar at the start of the year and noticed the World Championship was in Las Vegas - I asked if I qualified would she like to get married there.

"I made it and we did.

"I was just happy to qualify for the Worlds - you need to try and put it into perspective, it was my first shot at it.

"I was such a novice, my equipment was so amateur compared to the rest and I was just relying on brute power."

"I'm not one to sit on my laurels, and I'm now set on winning the Worlds."

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