World's Strongest Man

World's Strongest Man 2010
The official logo of World's Strongest Man
Tournament information
Location	varies; 2011 competition held in Wingate, North Carolina
Established	1977
Format	Multi-event competition
Current champion
Brian Shaw

The World's Strongest Man is a well recognised event in strength athletics^[1] and has been described by a number of highly respected authorities in the sport as the premier event in strongman.^[2][3] Organized by TWI, an IMG Media company, it is broadcast around the end of December each year.^[4] Competitors qualify based on top placings at the World's Strongest Man Super Series events or are invited based on a top placing in selected national or international competitions. Thirty contestants take part across five heats; the top two in each go through to the ten-man final.

The event sponsor is Met-rx, and the top prize is known as the RV Trophy. The event has a number of rival and parallel competitions with which it is often confused including the Strongman Super Series (producing the World Champion) and the IFSA World Championship (run since the IFSA parted company with WSM). However, these are separate competitions.

Contents 1 History 1.1 1970s–1980s 1.2 1990s–2000s 2 Competition format and commonly contested events 3 Official results – top three places 4 Championships by country 5 Repeat champions 6 See also 7 References 8 External links

History

1970s–1980s

The concept behind "The World's Strongest Men", as it was originally named, was developed in 1977 for CBS by Langstar Inc. David Webster, a Scot who later received an OBE for his services to sport, was the head coordinator of the competition from its inception. Dr Douglas Edmunds, seven-times Scottish shot and discus champion and twice world caber champion^[5] worked with Webster and when David Webster retired from his position Edmunds took over. These two men were responsible for inviting the competitors and choosing the events. In the meantime, in 1982, CBS sold the rights to the BBC, who in turn sold the rights to TWI. In 1987, the WSM was not held for the only time since its inception. In that year the first and only non-team Pure Strength competition was held but it was not part of the WSM franchise.

1990s–2000s

In 1995, Edmunds and Webster, along with representatives from the competitors including Jamie Reeves, Ilkka Kinnunen and Marcel Mostert formed a governing body called the International Federation of Strength Athletes ("IFSA"). The IFSA began organizing its own bespoke events, such as the IFSA European Championships but also took the lead in working with BBC and TWI to organize the World's Strongest Man competition. For almost a decade the IFSA and WSM were inextricably mixed, but this changed in 2004. The InvestGroup Ventures' sports rights management arm, InvestGroup Sports Management, invested heavily into IFSA and this led to the creation of IFSA Strongman. The strategy was to acquire most of the international assets and properties relating to the strongman sport. In essence this was a new organisation^[6] with some, such as Magnus Samuelsson describing it as "a new company...with the same name as our old federation".^[7] The attempt at dominance was not well received by TWI and disagreement ensued leading to a split in the sport. Previously, in 2001, the IFSA in its former guise had entered an agreement with World Class Events (WCE), headed by Ulf Bengtsson, to run the Super Series. This Super Series was designed to award the World Championship title, but also acted as a qualifying vehicle for the WSM. When strongman split in 2004, the Super Series sided with TWI forming a rival federation to the IFSA.^[6] With the WSM being a TWI owned event, IFSA Holdings announced its own world championships for 2005, to be held in Quebec, and thus from that point had no involvement in the WSM contest.

The split with IFSA, which banned its registered athletes from competing at WSM, meant that not all the recognised best strength athletes in the world were eligible to compete. However, the reputation of WSM as the premier event maintained its lure for broadcasting purposes. In recent years, the competition has been broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2 and Five. The longevity of the contest in strength athletics and its high levels of TV exposure over the years has led to it being described as "the granddaddy of all strongman contests".^[6] The contest has been criticised in recent years for its slant towards athleticism away from raw strength, with other contests whose emphasis is on the latter, such as the Arnold Strongman Classic or Fortissimus, being cited as producing the true strongest man in the world. However, it is routinely described as "the Worlds" by top strongman competitors^[6] and despite the critics, it is the leading brand name in the field. No other strongman contest commands close to the WSM's levels of TV exposure.^[6]

The 2006 competition ended in dramatic fashion, with Phil Pfister edging out Mariusz Pudzianowski in the final event, the Atlas stones. Pfister became the first American to win the event since 1982, and the only American to win the event outside the USA.

In 2008, local debutant Derek Poundstone had a large lead over Mariusz Pudzianowski after 3 events but Pudzianowski tied the deadlift event for first place and then won the crucial plane-pull to narrow the gap. Pudzianowski and Poundstone then battled for the title of World's Strongest Man in the last event, the Atlas Stones. Pudzianowski blistered through the event and was able to keep pace with the taller and heavier Poundstone. On the final stone, Pudzianowski was able to capitalize on Poundstone's drop and clinched his fifth title.

Competition format and commonly contested events

Initially, eight men representing various sports and strength disciplines were invited to compete against each other in unique events designed to test each individual to the fullest extent. The earliest events were relatively crude, but new ideas were introduced over the years. Some events had a basis in both powerlifting and Highland Games heavy events, and others were created based on mythological feats of strength. There are a number of events that make up each competition. The events used in each individual contest vary in order to prevent favoring certain types of competitor.

• Loading Race – Five heavy objects weighing between 220–360 lbs (100-164 kgs) are loaded onto a truck bed or a similar platform over a course of about 50 ft.
• McGlashen Stones / Atlas Stones – Five heavy round stones increasing in weight from 220–352 lbs (100-160 kgs) are placed on top of high platforms. The course tends to be about 16–33 ft. long and has seen three variations- five stones placed directly in front of platforms, five stones placed away from platforms and competitors carrying them to platforms, and platforms arranged in a straight vertical line with a stone in front of each. In recent competitions this is typically the final event.^[8]
• Truck / Airplane Pull – Vehicles such as transport trucks, trams, boxcars, buses or planes are pulled across a 100 ft course by hand as fast as possible. Also, the vehicles may be pulled with a harness around the shoulders.^[9] The 2007 competition featured pulling a fire truck (possibly a nod to 2006 champion Phil Pfister, a professional firefighter), and the 2008 qualifying rounds featured a coal truck (a reference to the coal mining industry in West Virginia, where the competition was held).
• Overhead Press – The heaviest possible load is pressed overhead, or a lighter weight is used for repetitions.^[10]
• Fingal Fingers – A series of progressively heavier, hinged poles ("fingers") are lifted starting from a horizontal resting position and flipped over to the other side. The event takes its name from Fingal, a mythological Gaelic hunter-warrior.^[11]
• Power Stairs – A series of three Duck Walk implements ranging from 400–600 lbs (182-273 kgs) are lifted, step by step, to the top of a flight of stairs.
• Squat – Squatting large weights, like 900 lb (409 kgs) of bricks, a car, or people on a platform. Recently, an apparatus has been used that drops weighted kegs into a cage, one at a time after each successful lift (the event in this case is scored by weight instead of repetitions). The athlete will continue until completion, failure or time expires.^[12]
• Dead Lift – Lifting weights or vehicles up to about 1,100 lb (500 kgs) straight off the ground until knees lock in a standing position. Lift is for either maximum weight, maximum repetitions with a fixed weight, or for time whilst holding a single repetition. In recent years, a similar keg-loaded apparatus to that described above for the squat has been used.^[13][14]
• Keg Toss – Competitors must throw kegs, of increasing weight, over a 14 ft 6 in (4.42 m) high steel wall.
• Car Carry – Standing inside a roof-less, bottom-less car supported by a harness, competitors must carry the car for the maximum distance or shortest time for 25 meters.
• Hercules Hold – The athlete stands between two hinged pillars, gripping handles that prevent the pillars from falling to the side. The pillars are held for the longest possible time.^[15]
• Carry and Drag – Two weights are carried to the end of a set distance. An anchor and chain must then be dragged back the same distance.^[16]
• Farmer's Walk – Competitors carry heavy objects weighing from 275-375 lbs (125- 170 kgs) in each hand for a set distance, and compete for the fastest time. A variation involves use of a heavy frame with parallel handles.^[17]
• Yoke Walk / Fridge Carry – A yoke, composed of a crossbar and two weighted uprights (normally fridges) weighing about 904 lb is carried across the shoulders for a set distance.^[18]
• Husafell Stone – A flat, somewhat triangular rock weighing around 400 lb (182 kgs) is carried high on the chest for a set distance. During the three years in which the competition took place in Africa, this event was known as the Africa Stone.^[19]
• Duck Walk – A 400 lb (182 kgs) pot with a handle is carried, suspended between the legs, over a set course.
• Log Throw / Caber Toss – A five meter long log is thrown for distance or for height over a bar.
• Tug of War – One on one tug of war in a single-elimination tournament.
• Pole Pushing – One on one pole pushing in a Sumo-style ring in a single-elimination tournament. The pole has handles at either end.
• Crucifix – Weights are held straight out at each side for as long a time as possible. A common variation entails weights being held out in front, using either one or both hands.

Official results – top three places

Year	Champion	Runner-Up	3rd Place	Location
2011	Brian Shaw	Žydrūnas Savickas	Terry Hollands	Wingate, North Carolina
2010	Žydrūnas Savickas[20]	Brian Shaw	Mikhail Koklyaev	Sun City
2009	Žydrūnas Savickas	Mariusz Pudzianowski	Brian Shaw	Valletta
2008	Mariusz Pudzianowski	Derek Poundstone	Dave Ostlund	Charleston, West Virginia
2007	Mariusz Pudzianowski	Sebastian Wenta	Terry Hollands	Anaheim, California
2006	Phil Pfister	Mariusz Pudzianowski	Don Pope	Sanya
2005	Mariusz Pudzianowski	Jesse Marunde	Dominic Filiou	Chengdu
2004	Vasyl Virastyuk	Zydrunas Savickas	Magnus Samuelsson	Nassau
2003	Mariusz Pudzianowski	Zydrunas Savickas	Vasyl Virastyuk	Victoria Falls
2002	Mariusz Pudzianowski	Zydrunas Savickas	Raimonds Bergmanis	Kuala Lumpur
2001	Svend Karlsen	Magnus Samuelsson	Janne Virtanen	Victoria Falls
2000	Janne Virtanen	Svend Karlsen	Magnus Samuelsson	Sun City
1999	Jouko Ahola	Janne Virtanen	Svend Karlsen	Valetta
1998	Magnus Samuelsson	Jouko Ahola	Wout Zijlstra	Tangier
1997	Jouko Ahola	Flemming Rasmussen	Magnus Samuelsson	Primm Valley Resort, Nevada
1996	Magnús Ver Magnússon	Riku Kiri	Gerrit Badenhorst	Port Louis
1995	Magnús Ver Magnússon	Gerrit Badenhorst	Marko Varalahti	Nassau
1994	Magnús Ver Magnússon	Manfred Hoeberl	Riku Kiri	Sun City
1993	Gary Taylor	Magnús Ver Magnússon	Riku Kiri	Orange
1992	Ted van der Parre	Magnús Ver Magnússon	Jamie Reeves	Reykjavík
1991	Magnús Ver Magnússon	Henning Thorsen	Gary Taylor	Tenerife
1990	Jón Páll Sigmarsson	O.D. Wilson	Ilkka Nummisto	Joensuu
1989	Jamie Reeves	Ab Wolders	Jón Páll Sigmarsson	San Sebastián
1988	Jón Páll Sigmarsson	Bill Kazmaier	Jamie Reeves	Budapest
1986	Jón Páll Sigmarsson	Geoff Capes	Ab Wolders	Nice
1985	Geoff Capes	Jón Páll Sigmarsson	Cees de Vreugd	Cascais
1984	Jón Páll Sigmarsson	Ab Wolders	Geoff Capes	Mora
1983	Geoff Capes	Jón Páll Sigmarsson	Simon Wulfse	Christchurch
1982	Bill Kazmaier	Tom Magee	John Gamble	Magic Mountain, California
1981	Bill Kazmaier	Geoff Capes	Dave Waddington	Magic Mountain, California
1980	Bill Kazmaier	Lars Hedlund	Geoff Capes	Newark, New Jersey
1979	Don Reinhoudt	Lars Hedlund	Bill Kazmaier	Universal Studios, California
1978	Bruce Wilhelm	Don Reinhoudt	Lars Hedlund	Universal Studios, California
1977	Bruce Wilhelm	Bob Young	Ken Patera	Universal Studios, California

Notes

Championships by country

Country	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
Iceland	8	4	1	13
United States	7	7	6	20
Poland	5	3	0	8
United Kingdom	4	2	6	12
Finland	3	3	5	11
Lithuania	2	3	0	5
Sweden	1	3	4	8
Netherlands	1	2	4	7
Norway	1	1	1	3
Ukraine	1	0	1	2
Denmark	0	2	0	2
Canada	0	1	1	2
South Africa	0	1	1	2
Austria	0	1	0	1
Latvia	0	0	1	1
Russia	0	0	1	1

Australia, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Fiji, France, Germany, Grenada, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Serbia and Samoa have all placed in Top 10 but never won a medal.

Repeat champions

Champion	Times
Mariusz Pudzianowski	5
Jón Páll Sigmarsson	4
Magnús Ver Magnússon	4
Bill Kazmaier	3
Jouko Ahola	2
Geoff Capes	2
Žydrūnas Savickas	2
Bruce Wilhelm	2

See also

• List of strongman competitions

References

External links

• World's Strongest Man Official Site
• Britain's Strongest Man 2007 Official Site

World's Strongest Man Champions 1977–1978: Bruce Wilhelm · 1979: Don Reinhoudt · 1980–1982: Bill Kazmaier · 1983: Geoff Capes · 1984: Jón Páll Sigmarsson · 1985: Geoff Capes · 1986: Jón Páll Sigmarsson · 1988: Jón Páll Sigmarsson · 1989: Jamie Reeves · 1990: Jón Páll Sigmarsson · 1991: Magnús Ver Magnússon · 1992: Ted van der Parre · 1993: Gary Taylor · 1994–1996: Magnús Ver Magnússon · 1997: Jouko Ahola · 1998: Magnus Samuelsson · 1999: Jouko Ahola · 2000: Janne Virtanen · 2001: Svend Karlsen · 2002–2003: Mariusz Pudzianowski · 2004: Vasyl Virastyuk · 2005: Mariusz Pudzianowski · 2006: Phil Pfister · 2007–2008: Mariusz Pudzianowski · 2009–2010: Žydrūnas Savickas

World's Strongest Man Hollywood 1977 • Hollywood 1978 • Hollywood 1979 • New Jersey 1980 • Six Flags Magic Mountain 1981 • Six Flags Magic Mountain 1982 • Christchurch 1983 • Mora 1984 • Cascais 1985 • Nice 1986 • Not held 1987 • Budapest 1988 • San Sebastián 1989 • Joensuu 1990 • Tenerife 1991 • Reykjavik 1992 • Orange 1993 • Sun City 1994 • Nassau 1995 • Port Louis 1996 • Primm Valley Resort 1997 • Tangier 1998 • Malta 1999 • Sun City 2000 • Victoria Falls 2001 • Kuala Lumpur 2002 • Victoria Falls 2003 • Nassau 2004 • Chengdu 2005 • Sanya 2006 • Anaheim 2007 • Charleston 2008 • Valletta 2009 • Sun City 2010 • Wingate University 2011

Strength sports Strength athletics • World's Strongest Man • Strongman • Bodybuilding • Natural bodybuilding • Olympic weightlifting • Clean and jerk • Snatch • Clean and press See also: Weight training