Bill Anderson

William Smith Anderson (6 October 1937 - 2 August 2019

Biography Anderson was born on Greenferns Farm, Bucksburn, close to Aberdeen in Scotland. He began competing as an 18-year-old at Alford in 1956 and went on to compete at the top of his sport, excelling at caber tossing and Hammer throwing.

Highland games Anderson dominated the heavy events for three decades, winning 16 Scottish championship titles as well as British, European, American, Canadian and World championships.

Anderson claimed his first Scottish title in 1959 and he became the first man to hurl the light Scottish hammer 150 feet in 1969 at the Lochearnhead Games. His distance of remained unbeaten for 28 years.

His heavy Scottish hammer record with the wooden shaft thrown from a standing position, at 1969 Crieff Games which measured stood for 14 years.

Strongman Anderson competed in the 1979 World's Strongest Man contest at the age of 42, but withdrew early in the competition due to an injury.

Anderson died on 12 August 2019.

Accomplishments 1981 World Highland Games Championships Champion Four times World Caber Tossing Champion Winner of 16 Scottish Highland Games Championships Five times USA Highland Games Champion 1976–1980 Canadian Highland Games Champion 1977

Personal records Weight over bar – over (1977) (Former World Record) Weight throw (lightweight) – for (1966) (Former World Record) Weight throw (heavyweight) – for (1969) (Former World Record) Scottish hammer throw (lightweight) – for (1969) (Former World Record) Scottish hammer throw (heavyweight) – for (1969) (Former World Record)

Awards and honours He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1977 New Year Honours by Queen Elizabeth II, for services to Highland Games.

Anderson was inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.