Career
Forbes Cowan came fourth in the World Muscle Power championship of 1993 and 1994, and in 1995 progressed to second spot, winning this prestigious title in 1996. He took the European Muscle Power title in 1995 in a field that included the great Magnus Ver Magnusson. He continued through the pain to finish fifth overall.
He repeated this finish in 1995, again after sustaining an injury, this time to his back.
Far from being a spent force, he continued to compete but not at the very top international flight. In addition to strength athletics he was also a renowned Highland Games competitor excelling in caber tossing and throwing 56 lb in weight for height.
His throws of 16" 6" in the latter assured his place in the world rankings. In 2000, Forbes worked on the film Gladiator as a stuntman.