"[5] However, when the IFSA showcased a light division class for strongmen in the mid-2000s, Sadler rose to eminence in the field.

[6][8] Such was his ability that despite his weight and height, in a sport where men of 6' 1" have been described as "short",[9] he was invited to compete in the main division and began to rise up the rankings against the very best in the world.

In 2006, Sadler secured an invite to the World's Strongest Man (WSM), the premier strength athletics event.

"[10] In 2007, he came third in the Britain's Strongest Man finals after Terry Hollands and Mark Felix, who had both been in the top four athletes in the world at one stage.

[4] In 2008, at the Britain's Strongest Man finals where Sadler was hoping to improve on his third-place finish in 2007, he tore a hamstring.