International Highland Games Federation vice president Francis Brebner will be hosting his second IHGF Highland Games Clinic this Sunday in Orange County, and he told IronMind, “There are still a few open spots available.”


Playing with sticks and stones can be a lot of fun - Orange County, California hold its second IHGF clinic this weekend.  IronMind® | Jaena Imboden photo.

 
The Clinic will be covering the open stone, weight for distance, weight over the bar, hammer and caber.  For further information on joining the clinic and where it is located, please contact the clinic organizer West Imboden.

And just as a reminder, you don’t have to be a physical giant to enjoy and excel in the Highland Games - such big names as Francis Brebner, Hamish Davidson and Alistair Gunn were all under 6’ tall, for example.

Paris – The Strongman Champions League/Eric Favre Strongman Record competition finished with a grand finale at the Salon Body Fitness Expo today, as Morgan Aste won the French strongman championships and Zydrunas Savickas bagged two new strongman world records.


Morgan Aste brings a very impressive physical package to strongman, and with some more experience he should be able to advance in the sport.  Incidentally, right after winning the title, with no warmup or fuss, Aste clicked a Captains of Crush® No. 2 gripper shut.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


The battle for the French National Strongman Championships could hardly have been closer—both Didier Rolland, a cornerstone of French strongman, and Morgan Aste, a bodybuilder turned strongman, ended the three-day competition with 61 points.  The title was originally awarded to Rolland, on the basis that both he and Aste had won three events, but that Rolland had more second-place finishes.  Subsequently, SCL cofounder Marcel Mostert discovered that, in fact, Aste had four first-place finishes, so while the title of France’s Strongest Man would still be determined on countback, the honor would ultimately go to Aste instead of Rolland.  Christophe Demel was third.

Continuing where he left off yesterday, the man who has won every major strongman contest on the planet—Zydrunas Savickas—set two new strongman world records today. 

Saying “20 kg is too light,” Zydrunas Savickas attacked the world record in the Front Hold with 30 kg and posted a time of 59.10 seconds. 

For his third world record attempt of this contest, Zydrunas Savickas took a pair of 180-kg Farmer’s Walk implements 18.00 meters for yet another new strongman world record—set even though the Lithuanian national treasure had to keep his footspeed under control, due to the hamstring he had injured at the Arnold:  "Normally, I run with that weight . . . Today, I walked," Zydrunas Savickas told IronMind.

Mariusz Pudzianowski was at the expo, representing his sponsor Olimp Sports Nutrition, and he told IronMind that he will not be competing in this year’s World’s Strongest Man contest as he enjoys MMA and has a series of fights lined up in the both the US and Poland.

Title sponsor Eric Favre was on hand throughout the strongman contest and personally handed out the awards to the competitors.  Marcel Mostert, looking to an expanded role for French strongman in the future, told IronMind that Morgan Aste, by virtue of his victory today, would be invited to a future Strongman Champions League contest, which will give Aste the opportunity to increase his experience in his new sport.

Once again, the entire contest was followed closely by a large, enthusiastic crowd, with announcer Fabrice Barbier ably calling the action.

Paris - This year’s Salon Body Fitness Expo features the Strongman Champions League/Eric Favre Strongman Records competition, combining the French National Strongman Championships with a world records assault by none other than Zydrunas Savickas.


Zydrunas Savickas set a new strongman world record in Paris today - lifting a 160-kg log from the ground to arm’s length overhead for six reps in one minute.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


At the end of the second day’s competition in the French National Strongman Championships, Morgan Aste leads with 44-1/2 points.  Didier Rolland is in second place with 44-1/2 points, and Christophe Demel is close behind in third place with 44 points.  Tomorrow is the final day of this strongman competition.

Zydrunas Savickas, guarding the hamstring he tore on the stones at the Arnold strongman contest last week, set a new world in the log lift - hitting six reps from the ground to overhead within the one-minute time limit.

A large, enthusiastic crowd followed the strongman action all afternoon.  Strongman Champions League (SCL) cofounder Marcel Mostert told IronMind that this was an SCL qualifier, meaning that he would invite the winner to an SCL contest, and he said that with the support shown by title sponsor Eric Savre, as well as the fans at the expo, he expected this contest to grow in coming years.

(Left to right) Title sponsor Eric Favre, strongman world record holder Zydrunas Savickas and bikini competitor Nathalie Mur at the Salon Body Fitness Expo in Paris today, where the SCL/Eric Favre Strongman Records competition proved to be popular.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.
 

Congratulations to Sweden’s Thomas Skalberg, who has just been certified on the No. 3 Captains of Crush® (CoC) Gripper, an international benchmark for world-class grip strength.


Thomas Skalberg has officially closed the No. 3 Captains of Crush Gripper.  IronMind® | Photo courtesy of Thomas Skalberg.


Thomas Skalberg is 26 years old, stands 187 cm (6’ 2”) tall and weighs 125 kg (275 lb.), and with this structure, it’s not surprising that Thomas said his “goal is to reach the elite level in strongman.”  Thomas told IronMind that he been training with weights “for about 11 years,” and that he enjoys fishing as well as training.  “My next challenge is that within a year, I have closed the Captains of Crush No. 4,” he said.

Congratulations, Thomas: Your name has been added to the official certification list for the No. 3 Captains of Crush® Gripper.

IronMind would like to thank Roy Rotzer (the first man certified on the Captains of Crush No. 3 this year), for serving as the referee on Thomas Skalberg’s official attempt to close the CoC No. 3.

This Sunday, March 14, the Limerick (Ireland) Strongman Club will be running the first of two international strongman contests planned for 2010, this one featuring 2-man teams from four difference countries.

Ireland: James Fennelly, Dave Warner
England: Mark Felix, Laurence Shahlaei
Team Scotland: Louis Maclean, Jimmy Marku (replacing Christopher Inness, who was injured)
Team Poland: Slawek Toczek, Jarek Dymek

Six events will test the strength of the two-man teams:

1. Two-man car wheelbarrow race
2. Tire flip: 450 kg, 4 flips/man
3. Team dead lift: 600 kg for reps
4. Two man log lift: 250 kg for reps
5. Super yoke/Farmer's walk: “Athlete 1 lifts the 380-kg (60 stone) Super Yoke apparatus and runs 30 meters tagging his teammate who runs 30 meters back down the course with the 280 kg pair of farmer’s walk [implements] in his hands.  Fastest time wins.”
6. Loading Medley: “Teams must load objects into a sled and pull the 1000 kg sled 30 meters

The competition will be held at the Sean Choil Sports Facility, Corbally, Limerick.  Strongman Champions League cofounder Ilkka Kinnunen will be the referee.

Featuring $10,000 in cash and awards, the 2010 US Open Armwrestling Championships are set for April 17-18 in Florence, Oregon.


For more information on the 2010 US Open Armwrestling Championships, please call 1-209-704-0564.  IronMind® | Courtesy of Bill Collins/NAP.

There was a time when the only people who used lifting straps were top level Olympic-style weightlifters, but even if that’s where things started, if you’re serious about your lifting, you need to know about lifting straps: how and when to use them.


Dmitri Lapikov (Russia) smoked this 191-kg snatch in the 105s at the 2009 World Weightlifting Championships.  Using straps wisely in training helps increase your top lifts in competition.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


In this month’s column Jim Schmitz takes on this simple training aid that be a great tool if properly used.  Go to the IronMind homepage and under the Training Article button, click on Schmitz on the Lifts or follow this link directly to Straps - What, How, Why and When To Use Them by Jim Schmitz.

He not only certified on the Captains of Crush® (COC) No. 3 gripper today, but Quebec’s Alexandre Paquette is a mere 17 years old, meaning that IronMind will donate US$500 to the educational trust fund established for Jesse Marunde’s children in honor of Alexandre Paquette’s remarkable performance.


Baseball and grip strength go together like ham and eggs.  Meet Alexandre Paquette, 17 years old and just certified on the No. 3 Captains of Crush gripper.  IronMind® | Photo courtesy of Alexandre Paquette.


A rangy 6’ 2” tall and 210 pounds, the 17-year old told IronMind, “I'm a baseball player and also a fanatic of training.  It's my passion and that's the way I express myself.  Bruce Lee is the one who inspires me the most.  He's the reason why I push my limits everyday!”

“I started training my grip with the Captains of Crush grippers 2 years ago when I was 15 years old, with the Captains of Crush No 1,” Alexandre Paquette said.  “I will certify on the [Captains of Crush] No. 4 in the future!”

Recognizing his accomplishment, IronMind has added Alexandre Paquette’s name to the official certification list for the No. 3 Captains of Crush Gripper.

Special thanks to Randy Beaudoin for serving as the referee on Alexandre Paquette’s official attempt.

It’s been a long time since John Brookfield first called IronMind, introducing himself as a professional strongman who had the goal developing the world’s strongest grip.

Any way you slice things, John Brookfield developed most formidable levels of lower arm strength and endurance, and if you want a quick, low-tech way to see the kind of power the Brookfield engine developed, grab a deck of cards and tear it in half.

If that wasn’t too hard, give yourself a pat on the back and now triple the ante: try tearing three decks of cards at once. 

And  if you think it can’t be done, watch him rip through this challenge, as John Brookfield tears three decks of cards easier than some people can open their phone bill.  And in case you don't recognize the voice, that's none other than Steve Jeck calling the action.

He’s a law student and a personal trainer and now he’s got one more big credential to add to his resume: Rex Hubbard has just been certified on the No. 3 Captains of Crush® (CoC) gripper, making it official that he’s got world-class grip strength.


Rex Hubbard told IronMind that he’s interested in strongman and powerlifting, as well as grip strength.  Chances are that when Rex is practicing law, his convincing handshake and formidable physical presence will be significant assets.  IronMind® | Photo courtesy of Rex Hubbard.


25 years old, Rex stands 6’ 3”, weighs 295 lbs and he said that his short-term goals include deadlifting 800 lbs and squatting 750 lbs “unequipped” this year - lifts in that range along with his proven grip strength must put law student Rex Hubbard at the head of his class, and just about any other, when it comes to sheer horsepower.

One of the nice things about grip training is that it doesn’t have to consume your entire life — proving the point, Rex Hubbard told IronMind: “My gripper workouts usually last five to ten minutes.”

Congratulations, Rex:  Your name has been added to the official certification list for the No. 3 Captains of Crush® Gripper.

IronMind would also like to thank John Hicks, himself certified on the No. 3 Captains of Crush Gripper, for serving as the referee on Rex’s official attempt.

Former world champion weightlifter Agata Wrobel (Poland) is making a comeback to the sport, her partner, Colin Anderson, told IronMind today.


Agata Wrobel hit this 130-kg snatch at the Athens Olympics, where she was a bronze medalist in the women’s +75-kg category.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


"2002 world weightlifting champion and two-time Olympic medalist Agata Wrobel made her return to weightlifting competition on Saturday (March 6) in the Polish League competition in Warsaw.  It was her first contest since the 2006 World [Weightlifting] Championships.  Agata decided to return to weightlifting a year ago, but her return to competition was delayed due to operations on both her wrist and then her hip during 2009,” Anderson said.
 
“Agata totalled 200 kg (90-kg snatch, 110-kg clean and jerk) despite only resuming full training in January.  She is hoping to continue her progress as part of the Polish team at the European Championships in Minsk next month,” said Anderson.
 

No stage is too big for Strongman Champions League (SCL), and later this week, SCL will host the first French national championships in Paris, along with world record attempts by Zydrunas Savickas.


If you are strong enough, you just press it: That’s how reigning World’s Strongest Man winner Zydrunas Savickas handles world record poundages on overhead lifts such as the Apollon’s Wheels . . . he just presses them.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


Staged at the biggest French fitness expo, France’s Strongest Man will debut in Paris this weekend and for some added spice, “Zydrunas Savickas will be there to try to break three world records,” SCL cofounder Marcel Mostert told IronMind.

Mostert put Zydrunas Savickas’s upcoming performance in perspective by saying, “He will set a new standard on a few events [and then] all other strongman in the world can try to break them.  The French Nationals will be done over three days, from Friday until Sunday, and Zydrunas will have each day a world record attempt.  It will be a great competition with a spectacular light show.”

Incidentally, one week later, on March 20-21, the 2010 Strongman Champions League contest officially opens, Mostert said, with the SCL strongman contest in Lapland.  Mostert also told IronMind that the complete 2010 SCL contest schedule would be announced this year.

Speaking of the Latvian Strongman 2010 series, which opened on Saturday, Vlad Redkin told IronMind today, “Our competition was very good with 18 athletes and we are happy.”


Left to right: Lauris Shkele (general secretary of LSAF), Didzis Zarinsh, Roberts Kieperszo, Ritvars Noviks and Raivis Vidzis (president of LSAF).  IronMind® | Photo by Yuri Gutsan.


“We saw new faces,” Redkin said.  “The competition was filmed and we will broadcast all stages on Latvian TV.”

Here are the top ten from the first stage of the Latvian Strongman 2010 series.

In March 27, Redkin said that there are plans to hold an international contest in Riga, featuring teams from Latvia, Georgia and Uzbekistan, and the second stage of Latvian Strongman 2010 will in Riga on June 5.

Please visit the official Latvian Strongman Amateur Federation (LSAF) website for full details.

Dione Wessels introduced amateur strongman to the Arnold in a big way this year and the man who the inaugural Amateur Strongman World Championships is Mike Jenkins.

Here are the places and points, officially:

Mike Jenkins won the Press Medley, Ryan Bracewell won the Liquid Grip deadlift Medley and Artis Plivda won the Slater Stone Over the Bar, Wessels told IronMind.  "Great show . . . great crowd!"

Strongman Champions League cofounder Ilkka Kinnunen told IronMind that Tomi Lotta had officially broken the Guinness world record for the forward hold while competing in Rome last Friday. 


Finnish strongman Tomi Lotta was on the Guinness World Records TV show in Rome last Friday, where he broke the world record in the forward hold.  IronMind | Photo courtesy of Ilkka Kinnunen/Strongman Champions League.


Lotta held 20 kg for 76.73 seconds, Kinnunen said.

Picking up where he left off last year, Derek Poundstone won the 2010 Arnold strongman contest, also proposing on stage.

Here are the final places in the 2010 Arnold strongman contest:

1. Derek Poundstone
2. Zydrunas Savickas
3. Travis Ortmayer
4. Mikhail “Misha” Koklyaev
5. Brian Shaw
6. David Ostlund
7. Phil Pfister
8. Kostiantyn Ilin
9. Nick Best
10. Brian Siders
 

“The amateurs went great yesterday,” ASC president Dione Wessels told IronMind, referring to the amateur strongman world championships she is running at the Arnold.

“Mike Jenkins won the IronMind Yoke and Sandbag Medley in 18 seconds,” Wessels reported, “as well as the Liquid Grip Farmer’s Walk and Keg Medley.  Mike Caruso won the 315-pound log clean/press for reps.  The Atlas Stones event was won by Brad Ardrey.”

“The top ten going into the finals are Mike Jenkins-USA, Mike Caruso-USA, Jon Hughes-UK, Artis Plivda-Latvia, Alan Kliese- Australia, Ryan Bracewell-USA, Scott Cummine-Canada, Paul Vallencourt- Canada, Erik Peterson-USA, and Brad Ardrey- USA,” Wessels said.


“Erik Peterson injured his hand on the log lift so he had to drop out; therefore Dainis Zageris from Latvia moved into his spot.  The finals will be Sunday on the main stage from 1:30 - 4 p.m.,” said Wessels.

And in the pros, with one event left Poundstone still leads, with Zydrunas Savickas in second place.  Travis Ortmayer is in third place, followed by Mikhail Koklyaev, Dave Ostlund, Phil Pfister,  Kostiantyn Ilin, Nick Best and Brian Siders.

Watch for updates in the IronMind news column and on the IronMind Twitter page.

The latest addition to the IronMind Big Lift Series is Ronny Weller’s 197-kg snatch from the 1995 World Weightlifting Championships in Guangzhou, China.


Germany’s Ronny Weller was a tremendous weightlifter - shown finishing the pull on his 197.5-kg gold medal snatch at the 1995 World Weightlifting Championships.  IronMind | ©Randall J. Strossen photo.


1995 . . . It was the year before the Atlanta Olympics and the stage was set for the podium favorites in the superheavyweight class: Andrei Chemerkin (Russia), Ronny Weller (Germany) and Stefan Botev (Bulgaria/Australia).  Ronny Weller won the gold medal in the snatch at the 1995 World Weightlifting with this 197.5-kg snatch.

“The new year has begun with good news,” Latvian strongman promoter Vlad Redkin told IronMind.  “The well- known Latvian athlete Raivis Vidzis has accepted the offer to head the Latvian Strongman Amateur Federation (LSAF).


Raivis Vidzis on the log lift.  IronMind | Photo courtesy of Vlad Redkin/LSAF.


At its general meeting, Redkin reported, the LSAF “unanimously selected Raivis as its president.”

Today is the first stange of the 2010 Latvian Strongman Championships, at the Latvian Academy of Sport Education.


Here are the events:

1. Atlas stones: 5 stones, 90 -130 kg
2. Log lift for reps: 90 kg;
3. Deadlift for reps: 160 kg;
4. Farmer’ss walk - 2 x100 kg, 50 meters;
5. Tire flip: 320-kg tire, flips


Raivis Vidzis showed a lot of heart at the 2006 World’s Strongest Man contest, where he badly tore the calluses on his hands on the first day, but went on to finish the contest.  IronMind | Randall J. Strossen photo.

Derek Poundstone wrapped up the first day of strongman competition at the 2010 Arnold with a one-point lead over Mikhail (Misha) Koklaev.

Travis Ortmayer was a point behind Koklyaev, in third place.  One more point down was Brian Shaw in fourth place, followed by Zydrunas Savickas in fifth place, another point behind.

Rich Williams won the two Mighty Mitts grip events yesterday.

Both contests continue today.

In the strongman world, there are two brands - World’s Strongest Man, and all others - and now the leader is about to flex its muscles.

The World’s Strongest Man Experience: Opening in London, May 29-30.  IronMind | Artwork courtesy of Branded Media/IMG.


Extending the brand and building on the established platform is how Branded Media commercial director Paul Murphy describes his mission, which is why, in a licensing agreement with IMG, Branded Media brought out the World’s Strongest Man 30 Years of Pain DVD, redid the World’s Strongest Man website, introduced a line of WSM clothing and now is pulling back the curtain on what is going to rock the strongman world this year: the World’s Strongest Man Experience. 

“Extending in all areas of touchpoints for both the fans and the athletes,” Paul Murphy told IronMind is what this is about - meaning that the World’s Strongest Man Experience will bring the heritage, the athletes, the events, and the buzz of World’s Strongest Man to fans in a smaller setting designed to bring World’s Strongest Man up close and personal.  And with the added spontaneity that comes from having a truly live show, Paul Murphy told IronMind, the door is open for fans to do things like mingle with World’s Strongest Man stars in a meet and greet environment. 

The top names in the strongman world will compete head to head on well-established World’s Strongest Man events, Paul Murphy explained, with the following athletes confirmed:

Zydrunas Savickas
Terry Hollands
Mark Felix
Kevin Nee
Darren Sadler
Laurence Shahlaei
Jimmy Marku
Sebastian Wenta

The events will include such favorites as the Car Deadlift, Farmer’s Walk, Shield Carry and Atlas Stones - staged so that the competitors will go head to head, one pair competing after another.  In addition, Mark Felix will try to smash the world record on the Rolling Thunder®, an attempt that will undoubtedly underline how this lift earned its name.

Svend Karlsen, a past World’s Strongest Man winner himself, will be refereeing and helping with the hosting, Paul Murphy told IronMind, which brings up a question: Besides lending his expert eye to the commentary, will the Viking be taking requests for [singing] his favorite Elvis songs?

IMG licensing manager Carl Lawrence is enthusiastic about this extension of IMG’s relationship with Branded Media, which he said has proven to be a good partner as it has taken the World’s Strongest Man brand name to new product arenas.

For ticket details, please visit: World’s Strongest Man Experience.

Anders Johansson has been an international strongman competitor since 2002 and he’s no slouch, having won Sweden’s Strongest Man in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and turned in some very respectable performances against such top names as Mariusz Pudzianowski and Zydrunas Savickas, but this year he’s turning his focus to powerlifting, and his goal is to win the 2010 IPF European Powerlifting Championships.


Even by Zydrunas Savickas’s standards, Anders Johansson is not wasting his time squatting, which is to say that Johansson does over 400 kg in the IPF—where a squat is still a squat.  IronMind® | Photo courtesy of Anders Johannson.


Over the weekend, Anders Johansson won the Swedish superheavyweight IPF title, with a 390-kg squat, 295-kg bench press and a 355-kg deadlift, for a 1040-kg total.  Johansson, who competed against Zydrunas Savickas in powerlifting as a junior, has posted some pretty big numbers in the IPF, with best lifts of 425.5-kg squat, 300-kg bench press and 375-kg deadlift, the sum of which puts him just under the current IPF European total record.

Anders Johansson has done some impressive things in strongman and to be sure, he’s proud of what he has accomplished, but don’t think that means he lacks perspective or a sense of humor as he told IronMind, “The excellent development of the strongman results is going faster than my progress :-).”

Does the end justify the means when it comes to lifting more or are there other considerations?


World’s Strongest Man winner Phil Pfister fills a doorway and he can slide a US quarter through his wedding ring, to give you an idea of what we’re talking about structurally, which is why when his wife says, “What did you do at work today?”  Phil can say, “I pulled a plane.”  Strongman is a perfect fit for a guy like Pfister who fills a Carhartt 4XLT jacket as naturally some people would deflate to an XL.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


Ends and means - a slippery subject that defies easy answers.  If strength’s your game, it’s a question you have to wrestle with and this month it’s the subject of Steve Jeck’s From the Quarry.

For more, go to the Training Articles button at the top of the IronMind home page and selecting Steve Jeck’s From the Quarry.

When MILO went to Scotland in 1994 to cover a couple of big strongman contests, one of the guys we met was Ilkka Kinnunen - who has gone on to become one of the sport’s top promoters, and now after a bit of a break, he’s getting ready to return to powerlifting competition.


Ilkka Kinnunen - center - is flanked by his training partner Petri Laitenen and gym owner Teemu Karhua after a big bench press workout last week.  A lot of people would consider themselves strong if they could legitimately squat what Kinnunen bench presses raw.  IronMind® | Photo courtesy of Ilkka Kinnunen.


After competing in strongman himself, Ilkka Kinnunen was part of the World’s Strongest Man support team for years, before becoming a principal at IFSA, and most recently, cofounding Strongman Championships League with Marcel Mostert.  Kinnunen has contributed a lot to strongman, including opening up the Chinese market for the sport and launching the 105-kg category in strongman, and his strongman contests in Finland set a new standard for just how heavy things could get.  And now, after a 15-year break from powerlifting, he’s planning to return to competition himself.

“I’m training myself now very hard and planning to go to some powerlifting meets during this year,” Kinnunen told IronMind.

Even with an arm that is messed up from past injuries, Kinnunen said he is, “Still going pretty strong, benching now 200 kg and my goal is 240 kg raw in June.”  Kinnunen told IronMind that he can, “Deadlift 320 kg now with just a belt on and [my] goal is 350 kg in June.”

Kinnunen weighs “135 kg at the moment,” and although he says his “squat is bad (I have small piece bone off from my patella, got injured doing security work),” we think that will turn out to be a relative comment.

So now, only one question remains: Is Ilkka Kinnunen the strongest strongman promoter?

The USA Weightlifting Junior National Weightlifting Championships gave a glimpse of what to expect in the sport, and as Sacramento High/Hassle Free Barbell Club’s Paul Doherty reports for IronMind, the picture is looking good.


Chioma! Chioma! Chioma!

by Paul Doherty
Sacramento High School/Hassle Free Barbell Club


In a weekend that featured Team USA's best young lifters, it was a new face that stole the show.  [Last week] IronMind reported [that] 17-year old Chioma Amechi had recently hit 85-kg [in the snatch] and 115-kg [in the clean and jerk] in preparation for the USA Weightlifting Junior National Championships, as well as the Werksan National High School Weightlifting Team Challenge.  Well, she delivered in a performance that skyrocketed her to the top of Team USA's charts.



Amechi made a shaky 80 kg on her opening snatch, and then was turned down for press out on her 2nd attempt at 83, but drilled her 3rd attempt, 85 kg, to put her in second place behind defending national champion and 2009 Junior World Weightlifting Championships team member Karen Wyatt. 

Wyatt had a 6-kg lead plus body weight heading into the clean and jerk, but as MILO readers have heard far too often, the one with the biggest clean and jerk usually trumps the competition. 

Both girls made routine openers with 109 kg and Amechi jumped straight to 116 kg for not only a personal record, but a lift that put the pressure on Wyatt.  Wyatt wasn't fazed, however, because after barely missing her second attempt 115-kg jerk out front, she came back for an easy success on her third.  Now, there was only Chioma. 

She crushed her second attempt 116 kg which left the door open for the total gold medal.  As has been Hassle Free's motto, you can guess that she, "Put it on the bar!"  

After some dicey calculations in the back room, coach Kevin Doherty [Lincoln High, San Francisco] called for the 122 kg she needed for the whole banana.  As she stormed out to the platform, USA Director of High Performance Mike Gattone turned in disbelief to check Coach Doherty's sanity.  With the confidence Chioma displayed on stage, Doherty reassured all that this lift was about to steal the show.  And boy did it ever! 

Chioma unloaded on 122 kg and sent it soaring overhead for a huge success and the crowd erupted as she overtook Wyatt in a battle that will be remembered.  Chioma's 207-kg total was not only good enough for gold, but also a #1 overall ranking for boys or girls headed to Junior World Weightlifting Championships in 2010.  Wyatt should keep her head held high however as her 91-kilo snatch was a personal record and a 5-for-6 day landed her #2 on the super elite co-ed list.  Rounding out the top 5 are medal hopefuls Caleb Ward and Donovan Ford, as well as super star Brianna Barnett.  Ward's 352 total in the +105-kg class at last year's American Open should land him in the medal contested A-session, and Ford's personal record 185-kg clean and jerk today positions him for medals as well.  17-yearold Barnett, niece of American record holder and Olympian Wes Barnett, showcased her talent on Saturday in the women's 69-kg class, going 6-for-6 with personal record lifts of 79 kg in the snatch and 100 kg in the clean and jerk.



Stay tuned as these athletes continue to prepare for the Junior Worlds, and USAW should feel good about the crop of talent it's sending abroad this year. 

###

For a the full results of the USAW Junior Weightlifting Championships and more on the sport, please visit the USA Weightlifting website.
 

Zyrdunas Savickas, featured on the Plane Pull at the 2009 World’s Strongest Man contest, is the cover man for the March 2010 issue of MILO.

“Minutes before the finals in the 2009 World’s Strongest Man contest began, Bill Kazmaier nodded toward Zydrunas Savickas and said to Randall Strossen, “If there’s one man on the planet who deserves to win this title . . .  .”  Zydrunas Savickas is strong in just about any way that you might reasonably assess strength - he’s a proven player on overhead presses, squats and deadlifts, and yes, he’d won virtually every big strongman contest on the planet, so wasn’t it about time that he won the biggest of them all, the World’s Strongest Man contest?”  - cover caption for the March 2010 issue of MILO: A Journal for Serious Strength Athletes.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


Contest coverage includes the 2009 World Weightlifting Championships, 2009 World’s Strongest Man contest, 2009 U.S. Invitational Heavy Events Championships and the 2009 International Highland Games Federation World Hammer Championships.

For people, how about David Barron profiling Mike Zolkiewicz - the man who is rewriting the record book for the 56-lb. weight for height - and Michael Corlett introducing traditional strongman Stanless Steel.

And for training, MILO’s core, we have things covered from soup to nuts - the established authorities, up-and-coming authors, as well as some writers you’ve probably never heard of before . . . all united by the passion and knowledge that characterize MILO contributors.

Here’s the table of contents for the March 2010 issue of MILO (Volume 17 - Number 4).

Strongman, the documentary about Stanless Steel, who performs traditional feats of strength, will be screening in Columbus, Ohio the same weekend as the Arnold hits town.


Bending steel and levering sledge hammers are among the feats of strength that Stanless Steel performs, and his credits include being certified on the No. 3 Captains of Crush® gripper.  Artwork courtesy of Zach Levy.


Stanless Steel’s story is told by filmmaker Zach Levy, and if you’re going to be in Columbus March 5 - 7, here’s your chance to see this movie.

Mike Corlett, a mild-mannered CPA by day who turns into a fire breathing No. 3 Captains of Crush chaser at night, thought of synching Strongman with the Arnold weekend - Corlett is the author of an article on Stanless in the March 2010 issue of MILO: A Journal For Serious Strength Athletes, so it’s no wonder that he has Stanless Steel and the film Strongman on his mind.

Zach Levy told IronMind, “The film will be playing Friday March 5 to Sunday, March 7 at the Arena Grand Theater in downtown Columbus.  The theater is right across the street from Nationwide Arena and just a few blocks walk from the Convention Center, so it's close to all the events.  There will be 4 shows daily: 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:15 p.m., and 10:10 p.m.”

“I'll be at the theater doing Q & A's for the evening shows on Friday, all the shows on Saturday, and the afternoon shows on Sunday,” Levy said.

Asked how he feels about this screening, Levy told IronMind, “I'm thrilled, excited, and truthfully, even a little bit nervous about the chance to play the film in Columbus.   It's a commercial theater so we'll be up against movies with real marketing money behind them. I'd love of course to have a great showing, so if people are headed that way or know folks that are, any help spreading the word on a grass-roots level would be great! I'm really looking forward to it.”

The trailer again for the film is at www.strongmanfilm.com/trailer.html, here the Facebook link is http://www.facebook.com/pages/STRONGMAN/74649876763?ref=ts#!/event.php?eid=354782736074&index=1 and you can buy at advance tickets here: http://www.movietickets.com/house_detail.asp?house_id=10390&rdate=3%2F5%2F2010.

Northern California is a hotbed for weightlifting in the United States, where the Pacific Weightlifting Association (PWA) has a rich heritage and a bright future - and the next wave is about to hit shore when Hassle Free Barbell Club goes to Columbus, Ohio in a couple of weeks . . . ready to bag top honors in the high school weightlifting meet to be held at the Arnold.


This guy is the real deal, so keep your eye on Sacramento High School’s 62-kg Sae Vang, who nailed this 125-kg clean and jerk at the recent Pacific Weightlifting Association (PWA) Championships.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


Hassle Free Barbell Club is a two-headed giant run by the dynamic Doherty brothers, Kevin and Paul.  Kevin runs the show at San Francisco’s Lincoln High School and Paul does the honors at Sacramento High School  in the Golden State’s capital.  The Sacramento High School weightlifting program was featured in the June 2009 issue of MILO: A Journal For Serious Strength Athletes.

“Hassle Free Barbell Club dominated the Junior and Schoolage scene for both boys and girls in 2009 sending literally dozens of athletes to the Quebec, Pan American, Youth and Junior World Championships,” Paul Doherty told IronMind. 
 
“Werksan Barbell and Columbus Weightlifting will create the venue for Hassle Free to really flex its muscles at the Arnold Classic next weekend as they host a high school team competition.  Whereas Sacramento High and Lincoln High have owned the USA Weightliftng stage at the club levels, a high school team event only bolsters the roster.  The Sac High boys team will feature 5 internationally seasoned lifters in the 8 weight classes, with seniors Sae Vang, Trevon Johnson, Kyle Saelee, Clinton Johnson and Brandell Sampson.  This senior class has made appearances at 5 international contests representing team USA and won a combined 23 medals at the national championships, but on Sunday will represent just their high school,” said Doherty.
 
Running through the team’s roster, Doherty told IronMind, “On the girls side, Lincoln's roster is just as loaded, with 3 of the 7 girls having international experience, and the other 4 looking to cross the border this year.  Senior Chioma Amechi leads the pack that also includes National Champions Jenny Lam and Kryslyn Li.”
 
“Recently, Amechi has hit an 85kg snatch and 115-kg clean and jerk,” said Doherty, “and Sac High's Sae Vang is loving his new 62-kg weight class with improved lifts of 92 kg in the Snatch, 125 kg in the clean and jerk and huge front squat of 160!”

Paul Ohl reported to IronMind that he’d heard a rumor that strongman king Zydrunas Savickas had broken the world record on the Apollon’s Axle with a 212.5-kg lift over the weekend.


Zydrunas Savickas, the only man to have won all the major strongman titles in recent years, is showing early signs that 2010 might be more of the same for the man who seems to be able to break strongman records at will.  IronMind | Photo courtesy of the Lithuanian Strongman Federation.


IronMind was able to confirm the lift directly with Zydrunas Savickas: “212.5 I lift in Baltic Winter Giant contest.  Raimonds Bergmanis was referee in this event,” referring to the highly-regarded former weightlifter and strongman competitor who has remained active in strongman.  Zyrdrunas Savickas won the contest (59 points), Vidas Blekaitis was second (52 points), Saulius Brusokas was third (46 points) and Agris Kazelniks was fourth (45 points).

While nominally exceeding the world record on this lift, Zydrunas Savickas’s 212.5-kg effort did not officially break the world record - something that Zydrunas Savickas is the first to point out - as a number of the conditions required for a world record attempt were not met on this occasion.  This was also confirmed by Marcel Mostert, cofounder of Strongman Champions League.  So consider this big lift to be another indication of how strong Zydrunas Savickas is, as well as being a strong hint of what to expect in the near future.

Because the equipment used is so important to the amount of weight handled on Axle lifts and because there has been so much confusion and misinformation about the Apollon’s Axle, IronMind asked Zydrunas Savickas about this specifically, as it appeared to us that the IFSA setup had been employed on this attempt.  Zyrdrunas Savicas confirmed that this was true:  “. . .  what we use was IFSA Apollon Axle.”

Even before hearing of this latest demonstration of his strength and current condition, every indication was that Zydrunas Savickas would be coming to Columbus more than ready to add another big title to his collection.

Never one to beat his own chest or to waste words, Zydrunas simply told IronMind, “Training [is] going very good.”

Indeed.
 

Denny Felix is on a roll with her strongman contests in England and coming off last weekend, she told IronMind, “Lancashire Strongman Champions was another huge success.”

“28 athletes battled it out for the top 5 places,” Denny Felix said, “to receive an invite
to the Bodypower Strongman Challenge in May NEC Birmingham.  Gary Gardner was the winner, followed by Dean Slater, Tom Shaw, local boy Colin Jones and Wayne Tunstall.

“Terry Hollands and Darren Sadler managed to make it through the snow to show support; [there was a] 400 [person] sellout crowd once again.  [Mark] Felix was  a referee at this event, and his team of resetters made the whole show run smoothly.”

Next up, Denny Felix said, is, “Bodypower expo [which] will have an under 105-kg strongman challenge and a heavyweight strongman challenge, both taking place at the NEC Birmingham, England on 22 May.”

“Tickets will be available via my email address,” Denny Felix told IronMind.

Top German weightlifting coaches Frank Mantek and Michael Vater have had to postpone their seminar planned for the U.S. Olympic Training Center (Colorado Springs) next month due to back surgery just performed on Frank Mantek, IronMind was told today.


Frank Mantek is the coach behind some of the world’s top weightlifting performances, including Matthias Steiner’s storybook victory at the 2008 Olympics.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


“There is bad news,” Michael Vater told IronMind.  “Unfortunately, we had to postpone our seminar in Colorado Springs.  Frank had the last week on Thursday strong back pains.   As a result he has gone to the doctor and in the hospital.  They had found out that he had a very serious slipped disk.  He was immediately operated on Friday.  But everything ran well and Frank is in good health.  We had nevertheless to postpone our seminar.  We will make it after arrangement with Mike Gattone probably in August.”

Frank Mantek is the Sports Director of the German Weightlifting Federation and the German National Men’s Weightlifting Coach.  Michael Vater is the German National Coach for the Under 23 Men and the the German National Men’s Co-Coach (assistant to Frank Mantek).

Please watch for an update on the USA Weightlifting website, as well as the IronMind News and the IronMind Twitter page.

Longtime grip aficionado David Horne handily won the second leg of his World of Grip Strongest Hands competition, a series that is designed to introduce more people to grip strength contests.


Some guys collect equipment, and some use it - David Horne does both very well and his gripper collection is more than somewhat impressive.  This is a portion of David's new gym in Stafford, England, which he described as, "a basic home gym, but plenty big enough for our needs.  We have plenty of old weights and barbells there which are used regularly and it's a pretty hardcore gym - no heating and no machines!"  IronMind® | Photo courtesy of David Horne.


Not just because he’s been winning grip contests, David’s been a busy man lately: moving, setting up his new gym, and training for armwrestling.

Explaining these grip competitions, David Horne told IronMind, “The World of Grip Strongest Hands series has been orchestrated to bring in lots of new faces to grip contests.  The idea is that it's very accessible and not a daunting start for new participants and that old hands enjoy it too. It seems to have been a great success so far and hopefully will serve to increase the interest in grip competitions in the UK.  We are considering organising something along the same lines on a larger scale towards the end of the year.”

Here are the top three in each event, as well as the overall, from the second leg of the series.

Two Hands Pinch

1. David Horne - 112.7 kg
2. Steve Gardener - 109.99 kg
3. Laurence Shahlaei - 109.99 kg

Weaver Stick - rear/no wraps

1. David Horne - 7.61 kg
2. Laurence Shahlaei - 7.00 kg
3. Steve Gardener - 6.10 kg

Rolling Thunder

1. Steve Gardener - 107.9 kg
2. Laurence Shahlaei - 102.9 kg
3. David Horne - 95 kg

Overall

1.  David Horne - 5 points
2.  Steve Gardener - 6.5 points (tie)
2.  Laurence Shahlaei - 6.5 points

For full details, please click here.

 

It’s commonly known as the Pleasanton Highland Games, or just Pleasanton, but whatever you want to call it, the U.S. Invitational Heavy Events Championships presented by the Caledonian Club of San Francisco is a topflight competition in the Highland Games world and this year promises to build on that tradition.


Steve Conway (right) is typical of the world-class organization you will see at every level at the U.S. Invitational Heavy Events Championships.  Here, Steve relaxes before another day of officiating at the 2009 World Highland Games Championships in Edinburgh, Scotland.  That is Steve’s son, Ryan, on the left and Bill “Full Sterkur” Crawford in the background.  Randall J. Strossen photo.


Francis Brebner filed this report with IronMind.

2010 U.S. Invitational Heavy Events Championships Preview
by Francis Brebner
 
David Webster, president of the IHGF, announced today the athlete line-up for Pleasanton, California, which will be the second venue in the IHGF World Highland Games Super Series.
 
Steve Conway, athletic chairman of the Caledonian Club of San Francisco (CCSF) and one of the world’s top Highland Games judges, said that 2010 promises to be an exciting year for the CCSF’s 145th Annual Gathering and Games:  “We were proud to be selected as one of the host games for the new IHGF Pro World Series.
 
“Pleasanton will also be the site of the IHGF World Caber Championships and the IHGF World Weight for Height Championships; these championships will be held in conjunction with the 36th Annual U.S. Invitational Heavy Events Championships.
 
“In keeping with these various championships, a number of the world’s best Highland Games athletes have been invited.  The line-up will include the current IHGF world champion, Australian Aaron Neighbour; Scotland’s Craig Sinclair; Hans Llokema from Holland; five-time world champion Ryan Vierra (U.S.).; current U.S. invitational champion Sean Betz; former American champions Harrison Bailey III and Larry Brock; former U.S. amateur champion Daniel McKim, and current world weight for height record holders Mike Zolkiewicz and Dave Brown (both U.S.).  That’s a tremendous group of athletes who will, without a doubt, produce a competition worthy of the titles at stake.
 
“The Caledonian Club of San Francisco would like to take this opportunity to thank the IHGF and its principals, David Webster OBE, Francis Brebner and Ryan Vierra, for presenting us with the opportunity to stage these prestigious events at our 145th Annual Gathering and Games.”
 
The Games will be held on Labor Day weekend, 4 - 5 September 2010, at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California.
 

He’s big, strong, dances well and drives fast, too:  World’s Strongest Man/Dancing With The Stars winner Magnus Samuelsson has been driving a rally car in what he told IronMind, “is a memory for life.”


If you have been following the IronMind News column, you might get the idea that some members of the strongman community aren’t at their best behind the wheel, but Magnus Samuelsson has proven himself more than capable in both spheres.  Photo courtesy of Magnus Samuelsson.


“Just got back from a fantastic week in Hagfors,” Magnus Samuelsson told IronMind today, “where I have been behind the wheel in a Subaru N14 rally car.  The combination of absolute perfect weather and somewhere between 200,000 - 400,000 people standing in the forest as we were passing by at 190 kmph [about 118 miles per hour] on small, icy roads is a memory for life.  The plan is to race 5 times more this year.”

Proving himself as multi-talented, Magnus Samuelsson said, “I have loads of work right now.  We are filming a number of TV programs and TV commercials [in the] next coming weeks.”

More projects are in the works, including an English edition of his book, so stay tuned for updates on Magnus Samuelsson.

The battle for the title Iceman is set for Kuusamo Lapland in Finland, and as the promoters say, “There is no weather clause or frost limit,” so only the strongest and hardiest will survive this arctic strongman challenge.


Future Finnish strongman Arttu Parviainen tests the Frame Walk.  IronMind® | Photo courtesy of Ilkka Kinnunen.


This one-day strongman contest will feature Zydrunas Savickas, Agris Kazelniks, Konstantyn Ilin, Warrick Brant, Matt Wanat, Simon Sulaiman, Tomi Lotta, Jani Kolehmainen, Terry Hollands, and one final competitor will be named shortly.

Here are the events:

Crucifix: 12.5 kg objects, held for time
Human Ski Lift: Arm-over-arm pull with “eight girls who are hooked to the rope . . . and have cross country skis on their feet”
Frame Carry: 250 - 300 kg/30 meters for time
Conan Circle: 250 kg, for distance
Deadlift: 300 - 350 kg for reps (uses two snowmobiles)
Medley: loading and truck pull with a harness and rope

Watch the IronMind News and the IronMind Twitter page for updates and please visit the contest website for additional details.
 

Although it has not been officially announced yet, Odd Haugen told IronMind today that the 2010 World Strongman Super Series Mohegan Sun Grand Prix is definitely on for April 25 and he also gave IronMind the list of competitors: Will this be the scene of a rematch between Zydrunas Savickas and Mariusz Pudzianowski?


Mariusz Pudzianowski is a proven hit at the Mohegan Sun.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


Both Mariusz Pudzianowski and Zydrunas Savickas have been invited, Haugen told IronMind, although their confirmations are pending.  If Zydrunas Savickas accepts the invitation, Haugen said, that would likely impact the events as a world record attempt on the Axle would seem fully warranted.

Already on board for the contest, Haugen told IronMind, are:

Derek Poundstone
Brian Shaw
Jason Bergmannn
Stojan Todorchev
Nick Best
Terry Hollands
Mark Felix
Louis-Philippe Jean
Josh Thigpen
Johannes Arsjo
David Ostlund

Odd Haugen told IronMind that he would like to invite a couple of local strongman if possible, including Tom McClure, although these invitations might have to be as alternates.

Mohegan Sun provides an exceptional environment for world class strongman contests and it has a history of delivering just that, so mark your calendars for April 25 and keep your eye on the IronMind News column and on the IronMind Twitter page for updates.

The Queen Mary Highland Games opened the 2010 season in California and Francis Brebner filed this report with IronMind.


Ken Lowther made his debut as a masters competitor in the Highland Games, breaking the field record for the 42-lb. weight for height as he swept all eight events.  Francis Brebner photo.


2010 Queen Mary Highland Games
by Francis Brebner

The 13th annual Queen Mary Highland Games in Long Beach, California attracted large crowds over the two days of festivities, the event organized by Dave Garmen, president of the SAAA, who said that he was very pleased to see such a large turnout of entries between the masters, amateur and novice athletes competing in the first games of the season, and also to witness such an increased standard of throwing, with most athletes improving their game considerably and setting PRs.
 
It was also good to see the return of former professional athlete Ken Lowther to the sport after a three-year absence, and now at the age of 42 he was competing in his first master’s competition and despite very little training, he made a clean sweep in all eight events and also established a new ground record at 18’ in the 42-lb. weight over the bar,  smashing the previous record of 16' 6" which was set in 2008 by Jeff Loosely, and just narrowly missing 18' 6" on extra attempts.
 
Lowther said that it is good to be back in the sport: “My hunger for competing is still there and i believe as the season progresses I can get my throwing numbers back up there, [especially] with my sights set on possibly qualifying for IHGF Pro Masters’ World Championships in Belgium next year.
 
Results
Men's Group A Amateur
1. Jon O’Neil
2. Ian Connell
3. Brian Austin
 
Men's Group B Amateur
1. Jim Horrocks
2. Alex Noble
3. West Imboden, Joshua Hocieniec (equal)
 
Men's Group C Amateur
1. Jeffrey Balicki
2. Mark Scott
3. Gregory Brandy
 
Women’s Amateur
1. Heather MacDonald
2. Dana Bailey
3. Michele Green
 
Novice
1. Roger Carrillo
2. Travis Everhart
3. Hunter Merriman
 
Masters 40-49 Group
1. Ken Lowther
2. John McClure
3. Robert Bullock
 
Masters 50+ Group
1. Daniel Valko
2. James Frazer
3. Steve Belanger
 
Masters 60+ Group
1. Ray Oster
2. Vern Alexander
3. John Waugh


Michele Green winds up on the hammer, with the Queen Mary keeping an approving eye on the action.  Francis Brebner photo.
 

American Strongman Corporation (ASC) announced that both the men’s and women’s 2010  amateur national strongman championships will be held November 12-13 at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada. 

The men’s championships will feature a lightweight and a heavyweight class, with the competition spanning both days.  The North American Strongman (NAS) Women’s National Championships will be November 12.

ASC president Dione Wessels said that, “The top 15 athletes from the heavyweight division and the overall LW winner will be invited to the Amateur Strongman World Championship at the Arnold Sports Festival in 2011. There will also be prize money for the women this year.”

For more details, please visit www.nastrongman.com and www.nastrongman.com and www.americanstrongman.com.

The latest John Brookfield Grip Tip promises a lot, as gripmaster John Brookfield says, “In this month's Grip Tip we will look at an actual workout formula to take your grip strength to the next level as well as develop incredible endurance that will transfer to any situation.”


This month’s John Brookfield Grip Tip uses a training drill that begins with a Captains of Crush Gripper, as John Brookfield puts you on the road to increasing your grip strength and endurance.  Photo courtesy of IronMind / John Brookfield Grip Tip.


John Brookfield Grip Tips can be found in the Training Articles menu on the IronMind homepage, this month’s offering is entitled Strength to Velocity and Back Again.

The Highland Games are alive and growing in Southern California, with the Queen Mary Highland Games getting the ball rolling February 13-14.


IHGF vice president Francis Brebner has begun a series of Highland Games seminars in Southern California, helping them prepare for this season’s competitions.  Photo by Jaena Imboden.


The Queen Mary Highland Games this weekend [February 13-14] will kick off this year's calendar of action-packed traditional Games in Southern California organized by Dave Garman of the SAAA.

“The Games will be held in the field opposite the site of the retired passenger liner the formidable Queen Mary, with the tranquil backdrop of the harbour,” Francis Brebner told IronMind today.  “It will come to life this weekend with the hustle and bustle of thousands of spectators, who travel from near and far to watch the sights and sounds of the pipe bands, Highland dancing, and the many top amateur athletes - like Steve Ullom, Ian Connell, Ed Green, Brian Austin, Greg Brady, and West Imboden - from Southern California, battling it out over the two-day event.”
 

Hey, big guys - think you might be the next Brian Shaw, Derek Poundstone, Travis Ortmayer, Dave Ostlund, Kevin Nee, Van Hatfield or Nick Best?


Brian Shaw was the hot name in up and coming professional strongman last season and he got his start as an amateur.  Now, with the first Amateur Strongman World Championships, the American Strongman Corporation is providing a way for the top amateur to prove he’s ready to mix it up with the top professionals.  IronMind / Randall J. Strossen photo.


All of those top professional strongman competitors got their start as amateurs, and in a few weeks the world’s top amateur strongmen will be going head-to-head at the Arnold, with the winner of that contest getting a chance to ratchet up a notch, with an invitation to next year’s Arnold professional strongman contest.

While the official press release might be somewhat tongue in cheek as it says, “In a tradition of groundbreaking strongman accomplishments the American Strongman Corporation (ASC) will once again go where no strongman contest has gone before,” ASC has been busy adding notches to its belt and this is a big one.

Hyperbole aside, ASC is holding the first Amateur Strongman World Championships, featuring, “representatives from 20 different countries,” giving it the broadest international representation of any strongman contest to date, ASC president Dione Wessels said, and that's a substantial development in the world of strongman.

“I am excited about the event because I know other countries that I am working with are working now to establish a pro-to-amateur system!,” Wessels told IronMind.  “That is good for the sport because that means the sport only gets larger and more unified.  The contest now gives [the] amateurs that fans of strongman do not hear about a larger platform to compete on and be recognized for their efforts as well.  I would hope that in the future, the amateur contests and qualifying system will grow across the globe and we will see future Svend Karlsons, Koklyaevs, Savikases, Pudzianowskis, and many more across the globe,” said Wessels.

For more information on the American Strongman Corporation, please click here.

David Webster, OBE, president of the International Highland Games Federation (IHGF), has announced the official hosting venues for the 2010 IHGF World Highland Games Super Series.


David Webster, OBE (left) and Jean-Louis Coppet, on site in Bressuire, France, host of the first leg of the 2010 IHGF World Highland Games Super Series.  Photo courtesy of Francis Brebner.


“This will be held over a series of three of the world’s premier Highland Games, with the best of the world’s top ranking athletes being invited,” IHGF official Francis Brebner explained.  “The first venue in the series will be held in the incredible setting of the thousand year old Château de Bressuire in France on 13 - 14 June.  This contest will also be the host of the IHGF World Stone Putting Championships," Brebner said.

“The second venue in the series will be the world renown Pleasanton Highland Games, in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, on 4 - 5 of September.  Pleasanton will also be the host of both the IHGF World Caber Tossing Championships and IHGF World Weight over the Bar Championships,” Brebner told IronMind.

“The finale of the series will be held in the majestic panoramic mountain setting of the New Hampshire Highland Games at the Loon Mountain Ski Resort in Lincoln, New Hampshire, USA on the 16 - 17 of September.  It will be the finale of the World Highland Games Super Series and will be the host of the  the IHGF World Hammer Throwing Championships and the IHGF World Team Championships,” said Brebner.
 
According to the official statement given to IronMind, “The IHGF are very delighted to have three of the world’s leading Highland Games as part of this year’s inaugural World Highland Games Super Series and are looking to possibly adding another premier venue to the World Highland Games Super Series for 2011.”
 
Jean-Louis Coppet, president of the IHGF for France and the main organizer for the Bressuire Games, was quoted as saying, “There is a lot of excitement with Bressuire being part of the World Highland Games Super Series and we look forward to having our first international field of athletes taking part [this year].”

David Webster, OBE and Francis Brebner are quick to applaud what is taking place in France, with the development of the Highland Games: “The Bressuire Games have come a long way from their early beginnings with the IHGF European Championships and with their dedication, we are looking to widening and strengthening the sport on this side of the channel.”

Here is the official lineup of athletes for the first leg of the 2010 IHGF World Highland Games Super Series in Bressuire, France.

Ryan Vierra - USA
Sean Betz - USA
Larry Brock - USA
Aaron Neighbour - Australia
Greg Hadley - Canada
Wout Zijlstra - Holland
Petur Gudmundsson - Iceland
Hans Lolkema - Holland
Scott Rider - England
Craig Sinclair - Scotland
 

Practice makes perfect so if you’re an arm wrestler, or want to be, take advantage of the weekly practice sessions the New York Arm Wrestling Association has scheduled beginning tomorrow, February 4, at 8:00 p.m.


New York Arm Wrestling Association (NYAWA) is hosting weekly practice sessions - open to all.  Artwork courtesy of Gene Camp/NYAWA.


Men and women, young and old, big and small, pros and beginners - all are welcome and as NYAWA’s Gene Camp says, these practice sessions will be staffed by, “Professional instructors . . . ready to help!”

For full details, please visit the New York Arm Wrestling Association website, but here’s the location: Jason Vale’s studio, 82-50 235th Street, Bellerose Manor, Queens, New York.

Jono Macfarlane friends and fans might have been shocked to see their man finish in 8th place at the recent Australian Highlander, but don’t worry, he has not gone soft.

“I've just had a number of people ask why I came 8th in this event, especially since I've been either 1st or 2nd best strongman for the last 3 years in New Zealand,” Jono Macfarlane told IronMind, “and was a favourite going into this event.”

“My points basically came from 2 events, after which I withdrew due to a back niggle that I didn't want to aggravate.”

And for very good reason, as Macfarlane went on to explain, “In a few weeks I'll be doing my seeding total for IPF Junior Worlds and also attempting to qualify for the Commonwealth games in Oly lifting, so a back injury isn't something I want to risk!”

Led by Francis Brebner, the first in a series of three International Highland Games Federation (IHGF) clinics was held in Orange County last weekend, with the Orange County Rolling Thunder Championships thrown in for good measure.


Following their throwing seminar, it was time to fuel up at Islands, before tearing into the Rolling Thunder.  Photo courtesy of Francis Brebner.




One of the athletes, Brian Austin, said, “I saw big improvements from all the throwers yesterday and one in particular that stood out was Kristen Rhodes, who was throwing some 40+ bombs with the heavy weight for distance,’” IronMind was told, and there was a general feeling that, “Everyone learned from the clinic and took away a ton or experience and knowledge from Francis.” 
 


After the six-hour marathon clinic, all the athletes made their way to Islands restaurant for a meal sponsored by Travis Everhart, the regional manager of Islands restaurant,” Brebner told IronMind.  “After the much needed meal, all athletes then made ready for their next challenge of the day, which was the Orange County Rolling Thunder Championships.”
 


“The competition got off to a great start with the women's event being won by Kristen Rhodes with vice grip lift of 105 lb.  In second place was Heather McDonald with 85 lb. and Amanda Mittleman was third with 65 lb.”



“In the masters division, again we saw true grit and determination with a battle between Steve Mittleman, Jim Frazer and Steve Belanger, with Steve Mittleman coming out on top with a winning lift of 145 lb.  In second place was Jim Frazer with 130 lb. and in third place was Steve Belanger with 125 lb.



“Now, as we moved up in weight for the title Open Orange County Rolling Thunder Championship, we witnessed a very competitive group fighting it out.  Ian Connell won with a  weight of 162-1/2 lb., but hot on his heels for second place was a three-way tie between Travis Everhart, Greg Brady and Jon O'Neil, all at 160 lb.”

“I would like to thank all our sponsors, which included Chris Kildow of Cytosport for the gift bags for nutrition each athletes and for the overall winner’s prizes and also to IronMind for sponsoring an overall winner’s prize and to Travis Everhart of Islands Restaurant,” Brebner said.

"The Future for Strongman down under is alive and well,” Aussiepower’s Bill Lyndon told IronMind, “with a thriving group of amateur athletes chomping at the bit to get hold of anything heavy and a new breed of promoters trying to lift the profile of the sport.”


“Rauno Heinla from Estonia (In Australia for 9 months) was a great performer, and at 110 kg was a surprise for many for his great result,” Bill Lyndon told IronMind.  Kree Combey photo.


“We have plans to further develop events in the region, with the next big Event being The Australian Hercules scheduled for the middle of this year, followed by the Hercules in October.”

Bill Lyndon has wasted no time getting 2010 started right as he had strong showing at his recent Australian Highlander 2010 contest, run on Australia Day.
Lyndon said the Australian Highlander produced a high level across the board and standout performances [included]  “Rauno Hienla winning the dumbbell with 11 reps,  Eben LeRoux and Rauno Hienla with a tie on 26 reps on the 290-kg Deadlift, Jeremy Hogg winning the Barrow in very fast time of 13.22 for 20 meters with 300 kg at the handles, Rauno Hienla with the Valhalla stone @152 kg for 78 meters and Rauno Hienla clearing the 1200 mm crossbar with 5 stones in 29.4 seconds”

“There were some great battles that thrilled the crowd with many people seeing strongman for the first time and enjoyed the experience, with Eben LeRoux and Jeremy Hogg close all day, and Luke Reyolds, Lance Holland Keen and Marc Wells battling it out for the midfield,” Lyndon told IronMind.
   
“This result gives the top 5 place getters a spot in the Australia’s Strongest Man, which will be held in Lismore, New South Wales the first week of June.  This was a great event with most of the field never having competed against each other [and] with the biggest group of Australian strongmen in an open class event ever to take the field in recent times.”
 
Here are the final places and points for the 2010 Austalian Highlander.

“All the best and well done to all competitors,” Lyndon said.  “It was a great example of strongman at a very competitive level and was well received by the Castle who are already putting plans in place for next year’s Australia Day.”

For more on strongman from Australia, please visit the Aussiepower website.

Northern California is the center of some of the top weightlifting in the United States and at the nucleus is Sacramento High, home to one-half of Kevin and Paul Doherty’s Hassle Free Barbell Club.


Caleb Ward finishes his pull on this 160-kg third attempt snatch at the 2010 Pacific Weightlifting Association (PWA) Championships, held at Sacramento High (Sacramento, California) yesterday.  Randall J. Strossen photo.


The 2010 Pacific Weightlifting Assocation (PWA) championships lived up to expectations, producing plenty of hot lifting fueled by the energetic, can-do atmosphere created by the Doherty brothers in a high school environment.  Calling the action with an insider’s eye, Paul Doherty filed this report with IronMind.

The 2010 Pacific Weightlifting Championships
by Paul Doherty

Sac High once again played host to the 2010 PWA Championships and the lifting seems to improve each year.  Last year's contest highlighted the lifting of young new faces ready to make big splashes on the international stage, and this year was no different.
 
The depth of the talent pool across all of the weight classes was most impressive, with perhaps the closest competition in recent history to determine best lifter performances. 

Starting things off was 2009 Youth world team member Sae Vang who most recently came home with the gold medal from the 2009 American Open in Mobile, Alabama in the 56-kg class.  Sae has now made the move up to the 62-kg class and weighed in at a slightly heavy 63.1 kg.  Well, after 3 perfect and dominant snatches of 80, 83 and 86 kg for a personal record, Sae kept pace in the clean and jerk with 3 perfect lifts of 115, 120 and 125 kg.  This 211-kg total is an 18 kg improvement from December, and his lifts were done with the ease and precision of a training day.  Sae will be skipping the Junior Nationals this year in lieu of lifting at the Arnold Classic the very next weekend.  Having won the gold in the jerk at last year's juniors, Sae has his eyes set on the Senior Nationals in June, where he doesn't plan on taking a back seat to anyone at the senior level.
 
Even more dominant than Sae in recent meets is his Hassle Free and Youth World Championships teammate Ian Wilson, just 16 this year.  Ian is the go-ahead favorite to earn the first ever Youth Olympic berth for the USA if he can perform well enough at the continental qualifier in April.  If recent totals are any indication, you can count on it as Ian smoked a 138-kg snatch, one kg more than he did at the American Open, enroute to a 298-kg total.  Ian took a crack at the PWA junior record in the Snatch with 141 kg, a mark that would have surpassed his Hassle Free teammate and 7th place finisher at the Junior Worlds last year Donavan Ford.  Not there to defend his record that still stands, Donavan is diligently training in Colorado Springs at the USA Olympic Training Center where he notes the recent return of USAW superstar Casey Bugener is helping.
 
And if that wasn't enough, the guy who actually won best junior lifter award is perhaps the hottest commodity in the country right now, California Strength's Caleb Ward. 

Caleb is coached by Glenn Pendlay, who coached both Caleb and Donavan to top placings at the Junior World Weightlifting Championships last year, and on this day Caleb broke all three of his own PWA junior records, with lifts of 156 kg in the snatch and 192 kg in the clean and jerk, for a 348-kg total to win the +105 kilo class.  Watch out for Caleb as he looked better than ever!
 
On the girl's side, Hassle Free's Chioma Amechi broke more records than any of the boys. 

She broke all of the junior records as well as two of the senior records with her lifts of 80 kg in snatch and 113 kg in the clean and jerk for a 193-kg total.  Chioma looked great and has likely the best chance of any of these young lifters to find the podium at Junior World Weightlifting Championships this year in Bulgaria.
 
When a 326-kg total by 94-kg lifter Jon North, who can basically book his ticket to the Pan Ams with a good day at the Arnold, and a 340-kg total by Bruce Wilhelm's son Brian, who took second in the supers - by no means second class news - are overshadowed by the top junior performances, you know the caliber of lifting is top quality. 

Great job by meet director Dave Swanson, who can brag that every session started and ended on time.  The two platform set-up made this possible and gave the spectators twice as much action in half the time, a detail not lost on all of us trying to increase the appeal of the sport.

This month, Steve Jeck’s column, From the Quarry, tackles the question of doing what’s necessary - it’s a vital lesson for all who want to get stronger.


Think you face a daunting challenge in your next workout or competition?  Consider if you were an arm wrestler and next up for you, headed toward the table, was Denis Cyplenkov.  Randall J. Strossen photo.


Follow the link to Steve Jeck’s From the Quarry by clicking on the Training Articles button at the top of the IronMind homepage.

The IronMind Red Nail has been the benchmark short steel bend since John Brookfield did it in traditional style in 1995, and today, Chad Rickicki, who performed this feat of strength using a double underhand style, was certified for completing the bend under official conditions.


Chad “The Judo Man” Rickicki was certified on the IronMind Red Nail today.  Photo courtesy of Chad Rickicki.


Chad Rickicki told IronMind that he began strength training at 13, “and have never lost the bug.”  Chad has moved from football to powerlifting to the martial arts, which he said, “Sparked my interest in grip training and now finally my obsession with bending short steel.”

Congratulations, Chad, you’ve just been certified and your name has been added to the Red Nail Roster, the official list for certification on the IronMind Red Nail.

IronMind would like to thank Carl Donati for his assistance, serving as the referee for Chad Rickicki’s official bend.

His list of star athletes includes such names as Ronny Weller, Marc Huster and Matthias Steiner, but rather than be content to rest on his laurels, Frank Mantek - the Sports Director of the German Weightlifting Federation as well as the German Men’s National Weightlifting Coach - is actively planning for his team’s success in the future.


Under the guidance of Frank Mantek, the German Weightlifting team is looking for more Olympic gold.  Left to right (back row) Matthias Steiner, Frank Mantek, Almir Velagic and (front row) Yasin Yueksel, Alexej Prochorow and Thimo Solar.  Photo courtesy of Frank Mantek/Michael Vater.


Last year, IronMind invited Frank Mantek and his 2008 Olympic weightlifting team to the Arnold, where along with some exciting lifting and the golden glow given off by 2008 Olympic champion Matthias Steiner and Arnold Schwarzenegger, there was an opportunity to gain some wisdom directly from Frank Mantek, architect of the German weightlifting team’s success.

Continuing this tradition, Frank Mantek will be teaching a seminar at the US Olympic Training Center next month, and IronMind will begin a series of stories by Frank Mantek, starting with an update from the German weightlifting team’s training camp in Tenerife, Spain.

Following is the first of Frank Mantek's special reports for IronMind.