Scottish strength athlete Alastair "Big Al" Christie just made the cover of Our People, the semi-annual Scottish Prison Service publication.

Congratulations on a job well done, Big Al! For a view of this cover shot, and a lot of things you will enjoy if you are interested in strength, be sure to visit Alastair Christie's web site: http://www.robertuniverse.com/universalstrength/.

Armed with the optimism of youth and the strength of a forklift, Benedikt Magnusson says he deadlifted 410 kg last Friday in the gym because he plans to open with that weight at the Icelandic Powerlifting Championships in a couple of weeks.

For his second attempt, the 21-year old Magnusson said he plans to take 425 kg, for the all-time record. Next in his sights is 455 kg, to break the 1,000-pound barrier.

Explaining that he was the first Icelander to take 400 kg in the deadlift and later became the first Icelander to make the watershed weight, Benedikt is obviously not intimidated by the prospect of pulling half a ton.

And in case you are wondering just what kind of smoke-and-mirrors lift he is envisioning, be prepared for a surprise: Benedikt Magnusson plans to deadlift 1,000 pounds without straps ("of course!") and in a contest.

"I just love to deadlift," he said. "It's fun and it's the only true measurement of strength. You attack the bar - if it doesn't go up, you can only blame yourself. You can't make excuses."

By all accounts and appearances, when Icelandic strength star Benedikt Magnusson pulled a 410-kg deadlift on Friday, he didn't just make the lift - it was easy for him.

Where do you go from there?

Hjalti Arnason says that Benedikt Magnusson "wants to do 430 at the Icelandic Championships on the 16th of April," which would exceed the best deadlift in history: Andy Bolton's 423-kg lift.

Four-time World's Strongest Man winner Magnus Ver Magnusson - one of the most successful, recognized and popular strongmen of all time - reflected on the recent changes IFSA Strongman has brought to the field and said, "I wish I'd had this."


Magnus Ver Magnusson motors along in the Car Walk at the 1994 World Muscle Power contest (Peterhead, Scotland). Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

"For the first time," Magnus Ver said, I can really see a vision. This is just what the sport needed."

To help understand the dramatic shift in strongman over the past decade, it should be understood that winning even the prestigious World Muscle Power title in the mid-1990s might earn a prize of about US$5000 and Magnus said that when he first won the World's Strongest Man contest, in 1991, he got about US$10,000.

Beyond the dramatic upswing in the earning potential of today's strongman competitors, Magnus Ver was quick to point out what he saw as another fundamental shift.

"Now there is a structure," he said, pointing to how the 2005 IFSA Strongman calendar has been organized into a hierarchy of contests culminating in the World Championships.

"If you are good enough, if you are strong enough, there is a way for you to get to the top," said the man who certainly is familiar with the view from that spot.

The 2005 IFSA Strongman calendar can be found on their official web site:http://www.ifsastrongman.com/.

Between its athlete contracts and the prize money for the 2005 contests that have been announced, IFSA Strongman has committed US$2,000,000 for 2005, and the year isn't exactly over yet.

Sure, its buying spree that signed up just about every name-brand strongman on Earth created quite a splash, but it also cost IFSA Strongman roughly US$1,000,000 which goes directly into the pockets of its athletes. And if a million-dollar baby is good, isn't a two-million dollar baby even better?

Merely considering the Arnold, the European Championships (just announced for Moscow), and the World Championships (set for Quebec) amounts to US$500,000 in prize money, which is already impressive, but that is only half of what is on the line for 2005: "The top ten IFSA Strongman events this year collectively have a prize purse in excess of USD 1 million," IFSA Strongman CEO Jussi Laurimaa confirmed for IronMind.

Suddenly, being a professional strongman isn't an oxymoron.

Tonight, at 9:15 pm (CET), you can see the 2004 Swedish Grand Prix on Eurosport.

Won by Magnus Samuelsson, the field at the 2004 Swedish Grand Prix included such other strongman stars as Zydrunas Savickas, Svend Karlsen, Vasyl Virastuyk and Karl Gillingham.

For complete details, please check the official Super Series web site: http://www.super-series.com..

Arm wrestlers, strong(wo)men and fans, get ready for a big weekend in June at the Rideau Carleton Raceway in Gloucester, Ontario (Canada).

Kicking things off on Saturday, June 18, the North American Arm Wrestling Championships will be held, with mens's and women's classes - both right and left handed, with multiple body weight categories.

And on Sunday, June 19, also at the Rideau Carleton Raceway, there will be a strongman contest that will also include a women's competition. Special guests for the strongman contest include: Sam Dube (TSN announcer), Travis Lyndon (Ontario's Strongest Man) and Mike "The Destroyer" Roy (whose feats of lower arm strength need no introduction here).

For additional information, please contact: smilingrick@sprint.ca or jjking@sympatico.ca .

Citing Russia's impressive legacy in strength sports and the tremendous public support for strongman in Russia, IFSA CEO Jussi Laurimaa welcomed increased Russian participation "in the world Strongman community" as IFSA's Board of Directors announced a series of agreements with the Russian strongman federation today.

In addition to stating that "the FSA of Russia will be the only IFSA-sanctioned Strongman federation in Russia," IFSA Strongman also presented details on the forthcoming 2005 IFSA Strongman European Championships, which will be held June 4-5 in Moscow and will have a prize list of US$100,000. Additional IFSA/FSA contests are planned "for major Russian cities . . . throughout April and May."

Further details are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Amid swirling rumors that the world's leading weightlifter - superheavyweight double Olympic gold medalist Hossein Rezazadeh - was considering lifting for another country, the superstar told IronMind without any ambiguity, "I only lift for Iran."


Hossein Rezazadeh (Iran) on his way up with a world record 213-kg snatch at the 2003 Asian Weightlifting Championships (Qinhuangdao, China). Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

By virtue of his accomplishments, Hossein Rezazadeh is the king of the jungle in the weightlifting world, and he holds all three world records in the sport: snatch (213 kg), clean and jerk (263.5 kg), and total (472.4 kg). Rezazadeh said that "God willing," his world records will be in jeopardy at the World Weightlifting Championships later this year.

Coming off an extended rest following his huge victory at the Athens Olympics, where he won the gold medal and broke the world record in the total, Hossein Rezazadeh said that he and the rest of the Iranian national weightlifting team are now in training for the world championships.

Currently, Rezazadeh said he is snatching 200 kg, cleaning and jerking 255 kg, and squatting 380 kg - at a body weight of about 158 kg.

An absolute hero at home, Hossein Rezazadeh's fame has circled the globe: Reminded that he has many fans not just among American weightlifters but also within the large Iranian population in the US, Hossein Rezazadeh said he sends his greetings.

The Diesel Crew's Jim Smith and Jedd Johnson said that their World Series of Grip booth was a big hit at the NASS Stronger Than All strongman contest this weekend.


The Diesel Crew's Jedd Johnson (left) and Jim Smith hosted the World Series of Grip booth at the NASS Stronger Than All strongman competition this weekend. Photo courtesy of Jim Smith.

Jim Smith said, "[our] booth was busy all day!" with a crowd "before, during and after" the strongman events. And as part of the grip fun, both Robert "T.T." McCray and Ron Mazza qualified for the Rolling Thunder Nationals - Robert hit 220 pounds and Ron hit 210 pounds. Ron also "hovered the Inch" and closed a couple of No. 3 Captains of Crush grippers.

Watch for a complete report at the Diesel Crew website: http://www.DieselCrew.com.

Jim Smith, who was running double duty as he competed in the strongman contest, said, "The [NASS] competition was huge, with 83 competitors, and April Ciaffaglione and her husband did an incredible job."

For the latest on NASS, and how you can get into strongman, please check their official website: http://www.nastrongman.com/.

Calling all SoCal grip guys: Kevin Meskew will be hosting a 10-event grip contest at the Power Palace (Chatsworth, California) next Saturday.

There are multiple weight classes and age groups, so jump in have some fun. The events are:

1. Captains of Crush grippers
2. dynamometer
3. smooth plate curl
4. IronMind Apollon's Axle deadlift
5. wrist roll
6. IronMind Blockbuster Pinch Grip Block
7. IronMind Hub
8. IronMind Rolling Thunder
9. 3.5" 1-hand dumbbell deadlift
10. deadlift for time

Order and events subject to change; bring your favorite music (DVD); late entry fee waived. Please email Kevin Meskew for details: warrior01@earthlink.net .

Reporting from Iceland, Hjalti Arnason said that Benedikt Magnusson deadlifted an astonishing 400 kg for four reps in training today.


Benedikt Magnusson pulled 400 kg for four reps in training today. Photo courtesy of Hjalti Arnason.

Benedikt Magnusson is preparing for the Icelandic Powerlifting Championships on April 16th, where "he will face tough competition from Audunn Jonsson, who has been the strongest powerlifter in Iceland for the last ten years. Audunn did a 1050-kg total last year in the 125-kg class. Now he is in the superheavyweight class and wants to do an 1100-kg total."

Stay tuned.

Jesse Marunde just wrote, "Recently my training partner Sarge squatted his bodyweight of 218 pounds for 98 reps . . . ."


Jesse Marunde, the man who popularized the power jerk on the strongman circuit, sticks 363 pounds on the IronMind Apollon's Axle at the 2005 FitExpo strongman contest (Pasadena, California). Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

It's all on video, so you can read the article and see it for yourself: http://www.marunde-muscle.com/sarge98repsquat.html.

Do I hear 100?

Load it up: the Diesel Crew's Jim Smith and Jedd Johnson are unveiling their World Series of Grip this Saturday at April Ciaffaglione's NASS Stronger Than All strongman contest in New Haven, Connecticut.

If a platinum-level NASS contest isn't enough reason to be there, be sure to go over the to Diesel Crew's World Series of Grip booth, say hi to Jedd Johnson, check out the latest Diesel Crew grip articles, and give the World Series of Grip a try. The events are:

1. IronMind Rolling Thunder (this is a Rolling Thunder Nationals qualifier, too)
2. No. 3 Captains of Crush gripper
3. IronMind Hub
4. IronMind Blockbuster Pinch Grip Block

And while Jedd is running the booth, his partner Jim Smith will be slugging it out in the strongman contest, so be sure to cheer him on.

For more details on the DieselCrew, please check their website: http://www.DieselCrew.com. For more details on the Stronger Than All strongman contest, please email April Ciaffaglione: April@ctstrongman.com and for details on NASS, and how you can get into strongman, please check their official website: http://www.nastrongman.com/.

The new IronMind homepage has just gone live and we would like to welcome our two newest columnists: Jim Schmitz and Brad Johnson.

Jim Schmitz needs no introduction if you are either a weightlifter, as in Olympic-style weightlifter, or if you are a MILO reader.

As a regular at the World Weightlifting Championships and the Olympics, a past president of USA Weightlifting, a former Olympic coach, the owner of the Sports Palace, and coach of such great American lifters as Mario Martinez, Ken Patera, Bruce Wilhelm, Ken Clark, Danny Cantore, Butch Curry and Tom Hirtz, if there is something Jim Schmitz doesn't know about weightlifting, it's probably not worth knowing. And if that doesn't impress you, there is at least one Masters lifter who swears that his short-lived American record in the clean and jerk was due to Jim Schmitz's unparalleled skill as a platform coach.

Jim will be sharing training tips with you every month, so be sure to take advantage of this championship-level resource now available at your fingertips.

IronMind would also like to give a very warm welcome to Brad Johnson, whose column on Extreme Bodyweight Training will give you an entirely new idea conception of what is possible with bodyweight exercises.

Brad already has quite an online following and little wonder: He has a refreshing modest personality coupled with a seemingly endless imagination when it comes to this sort of movement, and when you see him in action, you will think that David Copperfield must be his assistant. IronMind customers will remember Brad as the guy pictured in our 2004 catalog doing a one-finger pull-up with his Eagle Loops and simultaneously pinching gripping some extra poundage on his Blockbuster Pinch Grip Block! Needless to say, Brad's demonstration upped the ante in the world of finger strength, and that's the kind of thing you can expect from his column.

Welcome Jim Schmitz and Brad Johnson, who now join John Brookfield and Steve Jeck as our monthly columnists.

America's reigning superheavyweight king in weightlifting, Shane Hamman, has been splitting his time between training at home and at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.


Shane Hamman puts away this 220-kg jerk at the 2004 US Olympic Team Trials (St. Joseph, Missouri). Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Before you think Shane is training under bleak conditions at home, you have to understand that his training partner is fellow Olympian Chad Vaughn, who is coming off a tremendous performance at the Arnold Weightlifting competition, and there is the added benefit of some home-cooked dinners.

Shane is weighing a wispy 325 or so right now, he said, compared to about 350 at the Athens Olympics, and about 380 when he legitimately squatted half a ton as powerlifter.

Shane said that he will be at the Olympic Training Center for the last six weeks before the US National Championships, and while he isn't handling huge weights at the moment, Shane said the he will be ramping up for Cleveland.

Shane's best snatch in competition is 197.5 kg and his best clean and jerk in competition is 237.5 kg, and people who saw them will tell that both lifts looked light.

Georgia, as in the former Soviet Republic, might not be the world's largest country, but thanks to its exceptional weightlifting coach Ivane Grikurovi, its mark on the uppermost echelons of the sport is unmistakable.


Georgi Asanidze nails this must-have 177.5-kg snatch on his way to the gold medal in the 85-kg category at the 2004 Olympics (Athens). Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Akakios Kakiasvilis (nee, Khaki Khakiasvili), three-time Olympic gold medalist, whose development under Ivane Grikurovi has nearly-mythical status among weightlifters, had told me in Athens that because he was so disappointed in his performance, he could not yet retire.

It had been expected that perhaps Akakios (Khaki) would be starting at the upcoming European Championships, but he has been taking the rebuilding process very slowly and now it looks like his next competition will be the World Championships in November.

Georgi Asanidze, who won the gold medal in the 85-kg category in the Athens Olympics, is now a member of the Georgian Parliament, but Grikurovi said that Asanidze will be starting at the World Championships later this year.

Polish phenon Szymon Kolecki, who had been training under Grikurovi when the Georgian coach was working in Poland, underwent back surgery and is now thinking about retiring from lifting - a near-tragedy for such a talented athlete whose "mere" silver medal at the Sydney Olympics left his fans shaking their heads in disbelief.

Following Asanidze's glittering performance in Athens, the president of Georgia, Mikhail Saakashvili, met with Ivane Grikurovi, pledging his support of the country's weightlifting program, and that led to the great Georgian coach returning home, and it has created the basis for more golden performances to emerge from this powerhouse in the sport.

We have had a number of people ask us to post the complete Arnold Strongman results.

Here's a link that has both days, and the final scores:

http://www.arnoldexpo.com/strongman_results/strongman_final_results.html .

His Achilles tendon was completely torn off the bone, and he just had surgery two days ago, but was Hugo Girard whining?


Hugo Girard (Canada) banging out reps in the Inch dumbbell press at the 2005 Arnold strongman contest (Columbus, Ohio). Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

No way, and it's what Bill Kazmaier talked about in his seminar at the FitExpo a couple of weeks ago: the guys who keep chugging along even when they are thoroughly battered, versus the guys who are one hangnail from quitting.

Hugo underwent surgery on Sunday and he will spend the next two months in a cast, with the first three weeks being in a cast up to his waist, before graduating to one that stops below his knee.

This was the same foot he had hurt at World's Strongest Man, Hugo explained, and he was quick to say that his injury had nothing to do with the event itself - the Hammer of Strength - although Hugo noted that he should have warmed up more thoroughly for the event, and he said that next time, he will wear construction boots to get better ankle support.

The strongman whose popularity is as massive as his body remains thoroughly upbeat, and he said, "No doubt I'll be back 100%."

The Islamic Republic News Agency reported today that Hossein Rezazadeh is "determined to break his own records" in next year's Asian Championships and World Championships.


Hossein Rezazadeh celebrates his successful opening snatch at the 2004 Olympics (Athens). If there is anyone who makes a 200-kg snatch look light and easy, it is this man. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

At last week's Executive Board meeting, the IWF suspended the entire Iranian weightlifting team for one year, enforcing the IWF "one-year suspension against national federations that produced three or more positive tests results last year," and yesterday it was reported that the IWF rejected Iran's request to waive the ban.

Rezazadeh, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, holds all three world records in the +105-kg category, and the IWF confirmed today that while he is ineligible to compete in this year's Asian Weightlifiing Championships, the November date of the World Championships falls after the suspension period has passed, making him eligible to lift then.

So if he chooses to attack them, Rezazadeh's world records should be ready to fall.

If you will be in Las Vegas this weekend and want to pull, here's your chance.

Set for the Route 66 Classic Grill, competition is scheduled for March 11 - 12 and you can contact John Burleson ( j_burgeson@sbcglobal.net) or Bill Collins (billco1@pacbell.net) for more information.

Swedish strongmen battled it out in the traditional Giant Lift in Gamleby, Sweden over the weekend.

Although everyone likes to be the best, it is also great to share the glory and this year's competition ended with a three-way tie for first place: Hakan Petschler, Ulf Gunarsson and Benny Wenberg all succeeded in loading the 400-pound stone (1.2 meter height).

Benny cracked the 420-pound stone off the ground, Ulf got it in his lap, and Hakan touched the edge of the loading platform, but then dropped the stone.

After serving up a light appetizer on Saturday, China's Olympic gold medalists Shi Zhiyong and Zhang Guozheng came back on Sunday and lit up the main expo hall at the Arnold Fitness Weekend.


Shi Zhiyong (China) capped off his performance with a back flip, as coach Chen Wenbin looks on. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D photo.

On Saturday, the two star weightlifters ran through some snatches, whetting everyone's appetite for more, and that's what they got on Sunday, when the two guest lifters ran through a series of clean and jerks - both lifters are squat jerkers, something that is still quite unusual even at the highest levels of competition and is almost never seen in the US.

Shi Zhiyong is not a good example of the idea that lifting makes you stiff, or that weightlifters are not athletic, or even the idea that little men only lift little weights: The 62-kg lifter has jerked 205 kg from the rack.

Columbus, Ohio - Defending his title in convincing style, Zydrunas Savickas won the Arnold Strongman contest tonight - taking home a prize package that included $16,000 in cash and a Hummer.


UNLV Strength Coach Mark Philippi won the final event, the trademark farmer's walk, although even he did not make the full distance with the heavier than ever massive timber frame. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

The final ranking was:

1. Zydrunas Savickas
2. Vasyl Virastiuk
3. Glenn Ross
4. Mark Philippi
5. Brian Siders
6. Svend Karlsen
7. Van Hatfield
8. Karl Gillingham
9. Hugo Girard
10. Magnus Samuelsson

Columbus, Ohio - California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was a huge hit when he stopped by the weightlifting competition today at the Arnold Fitness Weekend, extolling the benefits of the sport and greeting the distinguished guests at the event.


With a little help from Chinese weightlifting coach Chen Wenbin, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger autographs Zhang Guozheng's sweatshirt. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Governor Schwarzenegger explained how he enjoyed weightlifting as young man and how he pleased he was to see the sport now be a part of the Arnold Fitness Weekend.

Governor Schwarzenegger explained the great benefits he saw of the weightlifting and asked Olympic gold medalist Zhang Guozheng to demonstrate a snatch, as he enthusiastically described the lift.

Zhang and his fellow Olympic gold medalist Shi Zhiyong had demonstrated the snatch on the main expo stage earlier today and tomorrow at about 10:00 am, also on the main expo stage, they will likely produce some gasps of amazement when they exhibit their skills in the clean and jerk.

Columbus, Ohio - With all the Olympic gold medalists there, the Martini restaurant across the street from the Columbus Convention Center looked like Fort Knox last night.


Olympic gold medalists all and star weightlifters (left to right): Zhang Guozheng (China), Shi Zhiyong (China), Chuck Vinci (USA), Yurik Vardanian (Soviet Union), Issac Berger (USA) and Tommy Kono (USA). Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D photo.

Hosted by IronMind Enterprises, the dinner honored the Olympic gold medalist weightlifters attending the Arnold Fitness Weekend and the special guests from the Chinese Weightlifting Federation: Zhang Guozheng, Shi Zhiyong and Chen Wenbin.

Due to the extraordinary efforts made by the IWF and USA Weightlifting, Tommy Kono had flown all the way back from Istanbul, where he was attending the IWF's centenary celebration, in order to attend this dinner.

Coach Chen Wenbin addressed the dinner group, on behalf of Chinese Weightlifting Federation President Ma Wenguang, expressing his gratitude for the invitation to attend this year's Arnold Fitness Weekend. He said that this was an outstanding bridge builder between the Chinese Weightlifting Federation and USA Weightlifting, and he presented USA Weightlifting Federation President Dennis Snethen their flag.

Columbus, Ohio - Weightlifters converged on Performance One yesterday afternoon, tuning up for the competition at the Arnold Fitness Weekend, which opens today.


69-kg Zhang Guozheng (China) squats a routine 210 kg, as he and teammate Shi Zhiyong loosened up at Performance One yesterday afternoon. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D photo.

Marin County, California was well represented in the gym, with Shannon Hartnett, Jasha Faye and Tim Logan all training. And with a mixture of pound and kilo plates going on the bars, everyone was relying on Nick Curry to tell them what they were lifting. TV crews were on hand, covering the action, and the excitement surrounding the Arnold filled the gym.

Columbus, Ohio - Talk about a power breakfast: World's Strongest Man winners Svend Karlsen (Norway) and Magnus Samuelsson (Sweden) and Olympic weightlifting champions Shi Zhiyong (China) and Zhang Guozheng (China) had a great time meeting and talking about each other's sport this morning.


Left to right: Zhang Guozheng, Magnus Samuelsson, Shi Zhiyong and Svend Karlsen. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Magnus Samuelsson and Svend Karlsen are in town to compete in the Arnold Strongman contest, and Shi Zhiyong and Zhang Guozheng are here to put on weightlifting exhibitions.

Svend Karlsen said he loves weightlifting and watches it every time it is on Eurosport, and Magnus Samuelsson expressed his amazement at the weights these two Olympic champions lift.

The admiration and respect were mutual, as Shi Zhiyong and Zhang Guozheng were awed by the size of the two top strongmen. Shi Zhiyong, who competes in the 62-kg category, pointed to Magnus Samuelsson's arm and then toward his own leg, laughing, and both of the weightlifting stars said how popular strongman contests are in China, and how much they enjoy watching them.

Columbus, Ohio - Among the most distinguished guests at this year's Arnold Fitness Weekend are Chinese coach Chen Wenbin and his two Olympic gold medalists from Athens, Shi Zhiyong and Zhang Guozheng, who will be demonstrating their weightlifting prowess in special exhibitions on the main Expo stage Saturday afternoon at about 2:00 pm and again on Sunday at about 11 am.


Coach Chen Wenbin (center) and his two Olympic gold medalists, Shi Zhiyong (left) and Zhang Guozheng (right) arrive at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport yesterday. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Besides their exhibitions, these superb athletes will also be in the weightlifting competition area, so stop by to see them, say hello and maybe get an autograph.

Columbus, Ohio - You come to the Arnold to watch some top competitions, see your friends, and mingle with the boldface names in the industry, and as you would guess, there is still a lot to do after the Expo finishes each day.

If you want to get together with a great bunch of guys who will be doing a lot of grip stuff and trying out some new Atomic Athletic equipment, Roger LaPointe said that he still has room at the Night of Strength he is hosting from 5 to 9 pm Friday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. "If you get there early, you can grab a hot dog or hamburger," Roger says, and everyone is welcome.

Friday at about 4:00 pm be sure to come over to the weightlifting competition at the Arnold: Norik Vardanian is set to lift, and if that's not enough of a reason to be there, just remember who his father is - the one and only Yurik Vardanian.


California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, with Mark and Megan of Columbus Weightlifting Club fame, has been a huge supporter of weightlifting at the world's largest fitness expo, known simply as "The Arnold." Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

And at about 6:00 pm on Friday, get ready for 2000 Olympic bronze medalist Cheryl Haworth to demonstrate her version of heavy metal fun.

It started with Dan Bell's idea of bringing weightlifting to the Ohio State Fair, and the next thing you knew, the Columbus Weightlifting Club ratcheted things up another level and brought the sport to the Arnold Fitness Weekend, which is expected to draw over 100,000 people this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

If you are ready to get certified on the No. 3 or the No. 4 Captains of Crush gripper and will be at the Arnold this weekend, stop by the GNC booth and see Wade Gillingham.

Wade will be running the GNC-Gillingham Gauntlet and as has been our tradition, he can serve as your official witness for certification on these benchmark grippers.

For a description of the certification process, please click on the Captains of Crush: Certification logo on the IronMind home page or follow this link:/Main/captainrules.html .

Coming directly from Beijing, 2004 Olympic gold medalist weightlifters Shi Zhiyong and Zhang Guozheng, and their coach, Chen Wenbin, will be in Columbus, Ohio later this week to participate in the Arnold Fitness Weekend said IronMind president Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D., who extended the invitation to the Chinese Weightlifting Federation on behalf of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his fitness business partner Jim Lorimer.


"Yes!" On his way to Olympic gold in Athens, 69-kg weightlifter Zhang Guozheng (China) celebrates his successful 157.5-kg snatch at the 2004 Olympics. Zhang Guozheng and his teammate Shi Zhiyong will be lifting on the main Expo stage at the Arnold this Saturday at approximately 2:00 p.m. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

"This is an unprecedented opportunity for the sport of weightlifting," Dr. Strossen said, "and it reflects not just the international stature of the Arnold Fitness Weekend, but also the tremendous support Governor Schwarzenegger and Jim Lorimer have given to this sport."

"Typically called 'Olympic-style weightlifting' in the US, this is the only branch of the iron game represented in the Olympics," Dr. Strossen explained, "and it is a dramatic test of power and athletic ability."

"Bringing these lifters to Columbus, Ohio this week underlines the commitment the Arnold Expo has made to this sport," Dr. Strossen said, "and it represents the hard work of many people."

"This is only possible because of the immediate support we got from the Chinese Weightlifting Federation and the Chinese Olympic Committee, followed by extraordinary assistance from the US State Department, the US Embassy in Beijing, the US Olympic Committee and USA Weightlifting."

"This has been a team effort and a wonderful example of international sports diplomacy," Dr. Strossen said. "The sport, the athletes and the fans all win."


Flying through the air, Shi Zhiyong (China) races to pull himself under his 172.5-kg clean and jerk at the Athens Olympics, where the 62-kg weightlifter won the gold medal. Come see this tremendous lifter at the Arnold this weekend. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

The Columbus Weightlifting Club brought the sport to the Arnold Fitness Weekend in 2003, and it is their hard work that has helped to create this incredible opportunity. For complete program and ticket information on the Arnold Fitness Weekend, please check: http://www.arnoldfitnessweekend.com/ .