Arnold Strongman Classic

Arnold Strongman Classic
2011

The official logo of the Arnold Sports Festival
Tournament information
Location Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio
Established 2002
Format Multi-event competition
Current champion
Brian Shaw

The Arnold Strongman Classic is one of the highest profile events featuring strength athletes in the world. Created by Dr. Terry Todd, it is an offshoot of the Arnold Sports Festival which takes place annually in Columbus, Ohio, USA.

Contents

History

The Arnold Strongman Classic (which has been variously referred to as the "Arnold Strongman", the "Arnold Classic Strongman", "Arnold's Strength Summit" and "Arnold's Strongest Man") is one of the many offshoots of the Arnold Classic. The Arnold Sports Festival, founded in 1989 as the Arnold Classic and named after Arnold Schwarzenegger, was originally a bodybuilding contest. It featured a competition for men (Arnold Classic) and for women (Ms. International). The bodybuilding contests have since expanded to include a Fitness International and Figure International competition for women. However, the event had also expanded to include other sports and events, one of which was Strongman, introduced in 2002. The Strongman event was created by world famous powerlifter Dr. Terry Todd at the request of Arnold Schwarzenegger.[1] The expansion of the programme led to the Classic becoming the Arnold Fitness Weekend and now the Arnold Sports Festival. According to the Arnold Sports Festival co-producer, Jim Lorimer: "The Arnold Strongman Classic has been growing in popularity every year, and we are very excited that the world's best strong men are returning." [2] January 29, 2008

The "Arnold" as it is colloquially referred to in strength athletics, is one of the few neutral events on the strongman calendar in that it is not affiliated to any of the major strong man associations or producers. Athletes affiliated with the now defunct IFSA Strongman organization were not allowed to compete in the World's Strongest Man ("WSM"), which is produced by TWI and thus neither the WSM and its associated WSM Super Series nor the IFSA circuit could claim to have a comprehensive field of the top athletes. At the Arnold athletes from both organizations were allowed to compete together.

In 2002, in addition to competing what were the four official events (there are now six), the competitors were given the opportunity to attempt to lift the Thomas Inch "unliftable" dumbbell, or Inch Bell. This dumbbell has a very thick handle and weighs 172 pounds. A prize of $1000 was awarded to the man who could pull it the highest in the air. Five men chose to try the Bell[3] with Mark Henry winning the $1000 by pulling it to the level of his chest. As an impromptu exhibition, Pfister took the Inch Bell to his chest with two hands and jerked it for which he received a standing ovation and was awarded by Jim Lorimer $1000.[4]

From 2003 to 2008 Žydrūnas Savickas of Lithuania has dominated over the international field. In 2008 he received a $40,000 check from Gerard Dente of MHP, an Audemars Piquet watch by Robert Ronan and the Louis Cyr trophy (after the legendary strongman, Louis Cyr) and congratulations from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. In the competition 12 world records were set with Savickas setting three of them. In the Tire Deadlift he lifted 1,027 lbs. In the Circus Dumbbell he tied with Derek Poundstone for the world record with nine lifts each, and in the Manhood Stones he lifted 525 lbs, three times.[2]

American Derek Poundstone won in 2009 & 2010. Derek took the vacant throne from Zydrunas when he took 2009 off from the competition. When Savickas returned in 2010, Derek retained his title by defeating Zydrunas.[2]

Just days before the 2011 contest, 2 time defending champion Derek Poundstone was forced to withdraw from the contest due to injury.[5] Brian Shaw came in and won the contest, and Mike Jenkins, the winner of the 2010 Arnold Strongman amateur event who was competing in his first ever professional strongman competition, shocked many and finished in second place ahead of 6 time champion Zydrunas Savickas who came in third.[6]

Past winners

Year Champion Runner-Up 3rd Place Location
2011Note 2 Brian Shaw Mike Jenkins Žydrūnas Savickas Columbus, Ohio
2010 Derek Poundstone Žydrūnas Savickas Travis Ortmayer Columbus, Ohio
2009Note 1 Derek Poundstone Mikhail Koklyaev Travis Ortmayer Columbus, Ohio
2008 Žydrūnas Savickas Derek Poundstone Mikhail Koklyaev Columbus, Ohio
2007 Žydrūnas Savickas Vasyl Virastyuk Andrus Murumets Columbus, Ohio
2006 Žydrūnas Savickas Vasyl Virastyuk Mikhail Koklyaev Columbus, Ohio
2005 Žydrūnas Savickas Vasyl Virastyuk Glenn Ross Columbus, Ohio
2004 Žydrūnas Savickas Svend Karlsen Raimonds Bergmanis Columbus, Ohio
2003 Žydrūnas Savickas Svend Karlsen Raimonds Bergmanis Columbus, Ohio
2002 Mark Henry Svend Karlsen Phil Pfister Columbus, Ohio

Notes

  1. Defending champion and six time winner, Žydrūnas Savickas, did not compete in the 2009 event.
  2. Two time defending champion Derek Poundstone withdrew prior to the contest due to injury in 2011.

Regular events

  1. Timber Lift - In this event, also known as the Farmer's Carry, contestants lift 865 lb (392.4 kg) barn timbers bolted together and have to travel, typically up a ramp, as a far as possible in 30 seconds.
  2. Manhood Stones - Contestants have to lift round stones weighing sometimes over 500 lb over a bar approximately 48 inches high.
  3. Apollon's Wheel - This is a unique barbell made famous by turn-of-the-century strongman Louis "Apollon" Uni. It resembles two train wheels welded to a thick bar and weighs in total 366 lb. Contestants must lift the wheels from the floor to overhead as many times as possible in two minutes.
  4. Tire Deadlift - Contestants are required to lift a specially designed long bar weighted with tires. The beginning weight was approx. 750 lb at the 2008 event.
  5. The Heavy Yoke - In 2008 contestants had to carry across their shoulders a bar/yoke weighing 1,116 pounds for approximately 36 feet (11 m) in a timed event.
  6. The Circus Dumbbell - This is the classic "Circus" dumbbell, used by professional Strongmen from the early 20th century. It weighs 202 lb and has a very big handle over 3 inches (76 mm) in diameter. The requirement in 2008 was to use one hand at a time and lift the dumbbell overhead as many times as possible in 90 s.[2]

Full results

2002: Arnold Classic Strongman Competition

Dates: 22, 23 February 2002[7][8]

Columbus, Ohio:[9]

Position Name Country Points Prize
1. Mark Henry 25 Hummer + $10,000
2. Svend Karlsen 22.5 $15,000
3. Phil Pfister 21.5 $10,000
4. Mark Philippi 20 $5000
5. Andy Bolton 16 $3500
5. Raimonds Bergmanis 16 $3500
7. Brad Gillingham 13 $2000
8. Brian Schoonveld 10 $1000

2003: Arnold's Strength Summit

Dates: 28 February, 1 March 2003

Columbus, Ohio:[10]

Position Name Country Points Prize
1. Žydrūnas Savickas 28,5 Hummer + $ 15 000
2. Svend Karlsen 26,5 $ 15 000
3. Raimonds Bergmanis 17,5 $ 10 000
4. Mariusz Pudzianowski 15,5 $ 5000
5. Steve Kirit 14,5 $ 4000
6. Phil Pfister 14 $ 2500
6. Zdeněk Sedmík 14 $ 2500
8. Brad Gillingham 13,5 $ 1000

2004: Arnold's Strongest Man

Dates: 5, 6 March 2004

Columbus, Ohio:[11]

Position Name Country Points Prize
1. Žydrūnas Savickas 43 Hummer H2 + $ 16 000
2. Svend Karlsen 39,5 $ 15 000
3. Raimonds Bergmanis 33,5 $ 12 000
4. Mark Philippi 33 $ 6000
5. Mariusz Pudzianowski 30 $ 5000
6. Vasyl Virastyuk 27 $ 4000
7. Brian Schoonveld 21 $ 3000
8. Anders Johansson 20,5 $ 2000
9. Steve Kirit 14,5 $ 1500
10. István Árvai 13,5 $ 1000

2005: Arnold's Strongest Man

Dates: 4, 5 March 2005

Columbus, Ohio:[12]

Position Name Country Points Prize
1. Žydrūnas Savickas 46 Hummer + $16,000
2. Vasyl Virastyuk 41 $15,000
3. Glenn Ross 39.5 $12,000
4. Mark Philippi 35 $6000
5. Brian Siders 34.5 $5000
6. Svend Karlsen 33.5 $4000
7. Van Hatfield 32 $3000
8. Karl Gillingham 28 $2000
9. Hugo Girard 23 $1500
10. Magnus Samuelsson 14.5 $1000

2006: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 3, 4 March 2006

Columbus, Ohio:[13]

Position Name Country Points Prize
1. Žydrūnas Savickas 53,5 Hummer
2. Vasyl Virastyuk 45  ?
3. Mikhail Koklyaev 38.5  ?
4. Phil Pfister 37.5  ?
5. Benedikt Magnússon 35.5  ?
6. Mariusz Pudzianowski 35  ?
7. Brian Siders 32.5  ?
8. Raimonds Bergmanis 23.5  ?
9. Dominic Filiou 15.5  ?
10. Glenn Ross 13.5  ?

2007: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 2–4 March 2007

Columbus, Ohio:[14]

Position Name Country Points Prize
1. Žydrūnas Savickas 52 Hummer
2. Vasyl Virastyuk 48  ?
3. Andrus Murumets 38.5  ?
4. Phil Pfister 36  ?
5. Mikhail Koklyaev 33  ?
5. Ołeksandr Pekanov 33  ?
7. Brian Siders 28.5  ?
8. Steve MacDonald 23  ?
9. Karl Gillingham 19  ?
10. Travis Ortmayer 17  ?

2008: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 29 February, 1 March 2008

Columbus, Ohio:[15]

Position Name Country Points Prize
1. Žydrūnas Savickas 50.5 $40,000
2. Derek Poundstone 41.5 $20,000
3. Mikhail Koklyaev 37 $15,000
4. Andrus Murumets 36.5 $10,000
5. Benedikt Magnússon 34 $7000
5. Brian Siders 34 $7000
7. Phil Pfister 32 $5000
8. Ołeksandr Pekanov 28 $3000
9. Van Hatfield 24 $2000
10. Vasyl Virastyuk 8.5 (injured) $1000

2009: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 6, 7 March 2009

Columbus, Ohio:[16]

Position Name Country Points Prize
1. Derek Poundstone 47 $40,000
2. Mikhail Koklyaev 46 $20,000
3. Travis Ortmayer 39.5 $15,000
4. Vidas Blekaitis 38 $10,000
5. Phil Pfister 36.5 $8000
6. Brian Siders 34 $6000
7. Andrus Murumets 32 $5000
8. Ervin Katona 29 $3000
9. Ołeksandr Pekanov 17 $2000
10. Dave Ostlund 10 $1000

2010: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 5, 6 March 2010

Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)[17]

Position Name Country Points Prize
1. Derek Poundstone 45 $45,000
2. Zydrunas Savickas 41 $20,000
3. Travis Ortmayer 37.5 $15,000
4. Mikhail Koklyaev 37 $10,000
5. Brian Shaw 33 $8000
6. Dave Ostlund 22.5 $6000
7. Phil Pfister 20.5 $5000
8. Konstiantyn Ilin 17 $3000
9. Nick Best 13 $2000
10. Brian Siders 8.5 $1000

2011: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 4, 5 March 2011

Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)[18]

Position Name Country Points Prize
1. Brian Shaw 46.5 $50,000[19]
2. Mike Jenkins 39.5 $20,000
3. Zydrunas Savickas 37.5 $15,000
4. Travis Ortmayer 36 $10,000
5. Mikhail Koklyaev 30 $8000
6. Mark Felix 24.5 $6000
7. Nick Best 20 $5000
8. Terry Hollands 18 $3000
9. Sergey Romanchuk 17 $2000

Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

In 2010, the Arnold Amateur contest was formed by Dione Wessels.[20] The contest is open to amateur strongman competitors from all over the world. The winner of the contest receives their pro card, and an invite to the next year's Arnold Strongman Classic event.[21] Mike Jenkins won the inagueral contest in 2010,[22] and Matesz Baron from Poland was the 2011 winner.[23]

2010: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 7, 6 March 2010

Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)[24]

Position Name Country Points
1. Mike Jenkins 58.14
2. Mike Caruso 56.10
3. Alan Kleise 52.75
4. Artis Plivda 50.85
5. Ryan Bracewell 49.14
6. Johnathan Hughes 48.26
7. Brad Ardrey 47.61
8. Dainis Zageris 47.18
9. Brad Cumine 44.32
10. Paul Vaillencourt 36.22

2011: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 5, 6 March 2011

Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)[25]

Position Name Country Points
1. Matesz Baron 66.4
2. Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson 56.9
3. Mike Burke 52
4. Jacob Bodi 51.8
5. Tomas Rodriguez 44
6. Mikhail Shivlyakov 43.9
7. Brad Ardrey 43.7
8. Paul Vaillencourt 42.8
9. Oleksandr Lashyn 38.6
10. Derek Devaughan 32.2

Past/current names

References

  1. ^ http://www.utexas.edu/features/2005/powerlifting/index.html
  2. ^ a b c d Arnold Strongman
  3. ^ Bergmanis, Philippi, Pfister, Schoonveld, and Henry
  4. ^ www.arnoldsstrongestman.com
  5. ^ http://www.rxmuscle.com/strongman/strongman-articles/2630-derek-poundstone-withdraws-from-the-arnold-strongman-classic.html
  6. ^ http://www.rxmuscle.com/strongman/strongman-articles/2647-brian-shaw-of-colorado-wins-the-tenth-arnold-strongman-classic.html
  7. ^ http://www.ironmind.com/ironcms/morenewsv6.php?id=435
  8. ^ http://www.ironmind.com/ironcms/morenewsv6.php?id=437
  9. ^ http://arnoldsstrongestman.com/2002%20Results.htm
  10. ^ http://arnoldsstrongestman.com/2003%20results.htm
  11. ^ http://arnoldsstrongestman.com/2004_Results.htm
  12. ^ http://arnoldsstrongestman.com/2005_results.htm
  13. ^ http://arnoldsstrongestman.com/2006_arnold.htm
  14. ^ http://www.irekkuras.com/a/aktualnosci/4717
  15. ^ http://www.irekkuras.com/a/aktualnosci/5549
  16. ^ http://powerlifting.ronnie.cz/c-5264-arnold-strongman-classic-2009-vysledky-report.html?rss=1
  17. ^ Official site 2010 results
  18. ^ http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/Articles/2011/Mar/Brian_Shaw_Wins_Arnold_Strongman_Mike_Jenkins_Is_Second.html
  19. ^ http://www.rxmuscle.com/strongman/strongman-articles/2647-brian-shaw-of-colorado-wins-the-tenth-arnold-strongman-classic.html
  20. ^ http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/Articles/2010/Mar/Mike_Jenkins_Wins_Amateur_Strongman_Title_at_the_Arnold.html
  21. ^ http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/Articles/2010/Mar/Mike_Jenkins_Wins_Amateur_Strongman_Title_at_the_Arnold.html
  22. ^ http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/Articles/2010/Mar/Mike_Jenkins_Wins_Amateur_Strongman_Title_at_the_Arnold.html
  23. ^ http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/Articles/2011/Mar/Matesz_Baron_Wins_ASC_Arnold_Amateur_Strongman_World_Championships.html
  24. ^ http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/Articles/2010/Mar/Mike_Jenkins_Wins_Amateur_Strongman_Title_at_the_Arnold.html
  25. ^ http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/Articles/2011/Mar/Matesz_Baron_Wins_ASC_Arnold_Amateur_Strongman_World_Championships.html

External Links