OK, MILO readers know about the film's premiere in Reykjavik last year, and ever since the Jon Pall Sigmarsson film first hit the screen, it has been a sensation . . . the team of Hjalti Arnason and Steingrimur Thordason broke new ground with this film and no subject in the strength world was better suited for this than the legendary Icelandic strongman Jon Pall Sigmarsson.


There nothing else like it - the Jon Pall Sigmarsson video is out in English and it's here now.

Four-time World's Strongest Man winner Jon Pall Sigmarsson was the larger than life Icelandic strongman whose story was captured on this documentary by the team of Hjalti Arnason and Steingrimur Thordason. In its portrayal of this Icelandic legend, this film broke new ground, capturing Jon Pall's life from childhood to death, combining actual clips with wonderful re-enactments ("How did they get that footage of Jon Pall as a child").

This film lit the strongman world on fire, but it's impact was far greater as well, setting box office and video sales records in Iceland and capturing the attention of the film industry beyond the world of strength and far from the Land of Fire and Ice.

The premiere of this film, held in Reykjavik in 2006, was attended by Icelandic President �lafur Ragnar Gr�msson, as well as guests from around the world, and now, for the first time, the Jon Pall documentary is available in English. If you are a strength athlete, fan, coach or just want to see an excellent film on a remarkable person, put this video at the top of your list.

You can buy it now, as IronMind has just received the first shipment: Jon Pall DVD.

It's official, now: Here are the competitors, events and heats for the qualifiers of the 2007 World's Strongest Man contest:

Group 1
Competitors: Darren Sadler. Dominic Filiou, Elbrus Nigmatullin, Phil Pfister, Tarmo Mitt
Events: Farmer's Walk & Barrel Carry, Fingal's Fingers, Hercules Hold, Deadlift, Overhead Safe Lift, Atlas Stones

Group 2
Competitors: Don Pope, Karl Gillingham, Mark Westaby, Sebastian Wenta, Stoyan Todorchov
Events: Farmer's Walk & Barrel Carry, Hercules Hold, Squat Lift, Overhead Safe Lift, Keg Toss, Atlas Stones

Group 3
Competitors: Derek Boyer, Florian Trimpl, Jarek Dymek, Kevin Nee, Mark Felix
Events: Duck Walk & Barrel Carry, Fingal's Fingers, Hercules Hold, Deadlift, Overhead Safe Lift, Atlas Stones

Group 4
Competitors: Boris Haraldsson, Dave Ostlund, Janne Virtanen, Jimmy Marku, Mariusz Pudzianowski
Events: Duck Walk & Barrel Carry, Hercules Hold, Overhead Log Lift, Squat Lift, Keg Toss, Atlas Stones

Group 5
Competitors: Jason Bergmann, Magnus Samuelsson, Raivis Vidzis, Richard Skog, Terry Hollands
Events: Duck Walk & Barrel Carry, Fingal's Fingers, Overhead Log Lift, Deadlift, Keg Toss, Atlas Stones

Reserve competitors: Espen Aune, Jessen Paulin

Watch for more details here and on the official World's Strongest Man site.

Weightlifters - from Olympic champions to garage lifters - and coaches along the same continuum consider him to be one of the ultimate authorities in the sport: the name Ivan Abadjiev is an instant attention-getter in the worlds where how much you can snatch, and clean and jerk counts for at least as much as your balance sheet might in other circles.


Ivan Abadjiev takes a moment to relax in the training hall at the 1996 Olympics, where he was awaiting Naim Suleymanoglu, who would go on to win his third Olympic gold medal in weightlifting. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

His standards are high, with Olympic gold medals as a symbol of success, and there is also the matter of the triple-bodyweight clean and jerk . . . imagine the power required to rip three times your bodyweight from the ground to arm's length overhead. Accordingly, his training methods are of legendary toughness and he told IronMind today that some have called his system "cruel," because it demands so much from the athletes following it.

Now in northern California, the renown Bulgarian coach is preparing to share his vast pool of knowledge with lifters and other athletes who would like to put his methods to work for themselves, and for all who might not be able to meet the master in person, we have some very good news: Ivan Abadjiev is writing a book that will explain his methodology.

Focussed specifically on producing the phenomenal results he is best known for, Ivan Abadjiev told IronMind that his book will detail how to achieve this level without the use of such exogenous substances as stimulants or anabolic steroids, the very things that Abadjiev said he feels might produce short-term gains, but that can retard a lifter's progress over the long haul. Some banned substances became very popular, Abadjiev said, because they allow athletes to train less, rather than putting in the hours, weeks, months and years that are required to build strength, and in the long run, this short changes their results.

Stay tuned.

Everyone in the strongman world knows that while Odd Haugen has seen the half-century mark come and go, he's still a force to be reckoned with and an inspiration to all who aren't quite ready to park it on the couch.


Run out and buy a copy of the October issue of IRON MAN magazine - they ran a huge feature on Odd Haugen, the guy who doesn't think having grey hair, or little hair, means you have to quit training heavy and get weak.

Odd Haugen is 57 and while a lot of people that age, if they still lift weights, tend to be happy if they can deadlift about what they used to clean and jerk, Odd hasn't just caved in to Father Time - he's still out there, banging away in heavy strongman-style workouts and competing against some of the biggest names in the sport.

Read all about it in the October issue of IRON MAN magazine.

"If IFSA views it as a true sport, it should implement testing comparable to other international sports," Mark Philippi told IronMind.


IronMind calls him, "The Face of Strength": Mark Philippi, head of the Philippi Sports Institute in Las Vegas, is a seven-time World's Strongest Man competitor, an America's Strongest Man winner and a US drug free powerlifting champion, and he has a history of not being afraid to speak up when remaining silent is the easy way out. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

"Until it does, it is also just entertainment, like WSM [World's Strongest Man].� TWI considers�WSM a TV show (entertainment) which really requires no testing, other than to make sure someone is healthy enough to compete," Philippi explained.� "Unless�IFSA or some other entity�wants to make the commitment to cleaning up the sport to bring in major sponsors�they/we are all just kidding ourselves that it is a sport�and living in a fantasy world. It will never grow.

You can think of all the excuses in the world (money, time, etc.)�not to test, but none of them really matter.� All the smart people that are organizing the sport won't get rid of the one major stumbling block . . . [there is]� no drug testing."

Philippi has been featured in MILO, Sports Illustrated, and Men's Health, among other publications, and he has distinguished himself not just as a lecturer, coach and competitor, but also by his willingness to speak up when it's easier to simply go along with the crowd (see the June 2007 issue of MILO). Philippi's comments come at a time when concern about premature deaths in strongman is hitting record levels, fueled by persistent rumors that deadly combinations of Nubain and EPO are having a tragic impact on the strongman world, already marked by a number of high-profile deaths.

Explaining what sets the IFSA Strongman World Championships apart from TWI's approach with the World's Strongest Man contest, IFSA Managing Director Christian Fennell told IronMind, "We view strongman as a sport."


IFSA's Christian Fennell, Zydrunas Savickas and Magnus Ver Magnusson at the press conference announcing the upcoming IFSA World Championships, September 9 - 15 in Geumsan, Korea. Photo courtesy of Christian Fennell.

It comes down to whether you view strongman as entertainment or as a sport, Fennell said, and the World's Strongest Man contest was developed as a novel, once-a-year television show that featured big, strong guys. Later, IFSA had worked closely with TWI on the World's Strongest Man contest until IFSA and TWI parted ways after the 2004 season, Fennell explained. "The work that Dougie [Edmunds] and Jamie [Reeves] did was moving World's Strongest Man toward a sport, and World's Strongest Man contest was at the top of the pyramid [in strongman] because of the IFSA affiliation, but without IFSA in the picture, World's Strongest Man will go back to its roots."

Fennell also reminded IronMind that IFSA, in only it's third year, already has a enormous television platform, including Grand Prix events and World Championships, reaching over 500 million households and featuring over fourteen hours of strongman.

Bearing on this point of strongman as a sport, IFSA's Marcel Mostert, told IronMind that the competitors for the IFSA World Championships had to qualify via a system of national and continental championships, rather than simply being picked. The bottom line, according to Mostert, is that there is no question that IFSA has stronger competitors than World's Strongest Man.

"Just look at our world records," Mostert said, to reinforce his point about performance levels. Mostert also mentioned the IFSA standardized equipment designed by Jamie Reeves, used to ensure that the same apparatus is used for world records. "Come to us . . . make a world record," Mostert invited. "We will see how it goes."

We call the winner of our World Championships, �the world's strongest man," Mostert said. "Of course, the other World's Strongest Man is also a good contest."

The IFSA World Championships are set for Geumsan, Korea, September 9 - 15.

Britain's Strongest Man will be broadcast on Channel 5 in the UK next week - follow the action, enjoy a terrific contest and get a taste of what's coming at World's Strongest Man at the same time.


"The 42 year old farmer from the North of England, Mark Westaby, goes in heat three on Wednesday," reported Colin Bryce. "At six feet 5 inches and 165 kg, he is a powerful force. And the amazing thing is he had never touched a weight until four years ago, when he wandered across a local strongman contest." Photo courtesy of Colin Bryce.

The battles begin on Monday at 8:00 p.m., with Heat 1, which features such favorites as Mark Felix, Jimmy Marku and Mick Holding. The heats continue at the same time throughout the week, with the finals on at 8:00 p.m on Friday. You will want to watch this every day if you can - Terry Hollands is in Tuesday's show, Mark Westaby is in Wednesday's show . . . Darren Sadler is in Heat 5 - and be set to enjoy the finals.

IronMind expects an official announcement to be made very shortly, with the full list of competitors for World's Strongest Man, as well as the heats, and this is one more reason to watch Britain's Strongest Man if you can next week: A rumor is circulating that five Brits will be competing in this year's World's Strongest Man contest and as you will see from this contest, that seems plausible since the competitive standard was so high.

In fact, World Strongest Man's Colin Bryce told IronMind, "This year's Britain's Strongest Man was the highest standard we have ever had at the contest. To give you an idea of the power of the men, there are sub 40-second Fingal's Fingers, and one athlete even did 13 reps with a 120-kg wooden log. My feeling is the British athletes that go to WSM will stand a good chance of making it through to the final."

American men continued their winning tradition in the shot put as Reese Hoffa won the gold medal at the IAAF World Championships today, and Adam Nelson nabbed the silver medal.


Reese Hoffa at speed in Boston at the USA Indoor Championships in February, where he was third. Hoffa's season continued with a win at USA Outdoor Championships in June, and today he won the World Championships in Osaka, Japan. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Hoffa has been red hot this year and he showed no signs of cooling off in Osaka today, where he posted the top four throws, winning with his third round 22.04 meter throw. Nelson's silver medal throw of 21.67 meters came in the second round, one of only two good throws he made. The bronze medal went to Andrei Mikhnevich (Belarus). 2004 Olympic medalist Joachim Olsen (Denmark) was expected to be a major factor in the division of medals, but, unfortunately, he wasn't able to hit a good throw today.

"We are nearly there," TWI Event Producer Lisa Comber told IronMind, addressing the million-dollar question in strongman at the moment . . . just who's ending up in which heat at next month's MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest.


He might look as if he's merely in the middle of sun-drenched holiday, but the truth is that Terry Hollands had just survived the all-critical qualifying round of the 2006 MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest, thereby earning he right to advance to the finals. Look for the mighty and massive Terry Hollands to be a top contender again this year. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

"I am just waiting to receive everyone's completed medicals, signed contracts and ensure everyone is able to get visa's before I announce groups," Ms. Comber said.

To the legions of World's Strongest Man fans out there, the lack of an announcement yet might seem hard to understand, but there are good reasons for not being premature with this information.

"As you will appreciate," explained Ms. Comber, "unless we have a full complement of expected athletes, we will only have to change the groups around again and therefore I would rather not announce until it's all confirmed."

The World's Strongest Man contest, by far the leading event on the professional strongman circuit, is scheduled for September 15 - 23 in Anaheim, California.

Speaking from Tehran today, Kouroush Bagheri told IronMind that while he broke his shoulder in the car accident last weekend, Hossein Rezazdeh emerged unscathed.


Lifting in the 94-kg category, Kouroush Bagheri (Iran) cranks on this 180-kg snatch at the 2003 World Weightlifting Championships (Vancouver). Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

The Iranian National Weightlifting Team had been training in northern Iran, on the Caspian Sea, Bagheri said, and while they were there, they faced an unannounced WADA doping control, which reportedly produced negative results. On the drive home, the car with Hossein Rezazadeh and Kouroush Bagheri was involved in a serious accident, which left Bagheri with a broken shoulder, but Rezazadeh was uninjured.

Not everything has been smooth sailing for the Iranian superstar as he prepares for the World Weightlifting Championships next month. Earlier, Rezazadeh had told IronMind that he was already at the level of snatching 200 kg and cleaning and jerking 250 kg, so things appeared to be solidly on track for his title defense in Thailand.

A knee injury followed, though, which slowed down his training, explained Bagheri. Rezazadeh recovered, was once again moving toward peak condition, but this accident, even if not leaving him injured directly, has interfered with Rezazadeh's preparation, said Bagheri. Still, he hopes that the two-time Olympic gold medalist will manage to reach top form in time for Thailand . . . moving one step closer to the hunt for his third Olympic gold medal, in Beijing next year.

Between Reese Hoffa, Adam Nelson and Dan Taylor, American men are expected to dominate the shot put at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in a few days, but there is one man considered by many to be most likely to keep Team USA from sweeping the event, and that's Joachim Olsen (Denmark).

A colorful and top-caliber thrower, by all accounts Olsen is ready to rock in Japan.

A week ago, Olsen's friend and training partner Jesper Vang Nielsen told IronMind, "Olsen . . . is doing great . . . set a new [Danish] national record this year with 21.69 . . . On a good day, he could do it."

Now coached by Simon Stewart, the Elite Center Throwing Coach for the Danish Athletic Federation, Joachim Olsen is continuing to impress as the world championships draw near.

"He had his last throwing practice today," Stewart reported from Osaka. "He is ready!"

Strongman fans were watching it with great interest, but even with these high expectations, nobody could have predicted that this year's Canada's Strongest Man Contest would hit the level it achieved, and here is Dr. Samuel Dube's wrap-up of this tremendous competition.

"The drama that unfolded during the weekend in Quebec City, North America's oldest city, was nothing short of spectacular. As mentioned previously by my esteemed colleague Paul Ohl, this was the heaviest and most competitive Canada's Strongest Man contest since it's inception in 1999.

Paul and I originally estimated the attendance at between 3,000 and 3,500, but after consulting with security and event organizers it was confirmed that there were over 5,000 spectators on Saturday, and well in excess of that number on present on Sunday to witness the crowning of a new Canada's Strongest Man in the form of the 6'5", 405 lbs. goliath, Dominic Filiou of Gatineau.

Going into the final event, the Medley, Hugo lead Dominic by a mere half point. As fate would have it, the two were paired up. As the whistle sounded, the roar of the crowd drowned out any announcing and only increased in magnitude as the pair raced each other. They were neck and neck during the tire flip, but Dominic managed to pull ahead in the Super Yoke. Putting forth a supreme effort during the Power Stairs, Hugo seemed to be closing in on the rapidly tiring yet equally determined giant. But Dominic, strong and methodical, managed to ascend the fifth stair in ultimate victory while the former champion stumbled on the third, soaked and drained by his superhuman exertion. I cannot describe to you the sights and sounds - you really had to be there to appreciate the intensity of the moment.

In the aftermath of the event, Jessen stated that given the scoring outcome, he still felt like a champion. The crowd applauded his declaration, and the comeback of Hugo Girard, who vowed to come back stronger in 2008, all the while embracing the reign of the new Canadian Champion, the much-deserving Filiou. And on a bittersweet note, competitor Matt Parkes dedicated his performance to his friend, Jesse Marunde, proudly wearing an armband with the initials �J.M.'

I'll be back in two weeks when I report from Gatineau, Quebec during the 2007 North America's Strongest Man, a.k.a. the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival Pro Invitational. This contest has been one of the crown jewels of the Festival for many years, and has featured such great American athletes as Ken Brown, Chad Smith, Walt Gogola, Whit Baskin, and the late Johnny Perry."

Courtesy of Sam Dube, here are the final places and points:

1. Dominic Filiou 78.5
2. Jessen Paulin 78
3. Hugo Girard 77
4. Louis-Phillippe Jean 71.5
5. Christian Savoie 67
6. Matt Parkes 49.5
7. Daniel Frame 48.5
8. Chris Colonval 42.5
9. Scott Cummine 37.5
10. Joe Montgomery 29.5
11. Grant Connors 19.5
12. John Dungey 15

Leading up to the Canada's Strongest Man contest and all through the action this weekend, IronMind was fortunate to have reports from Samuel Dube and Paul Ohl, sharing their insights along with the results as they were breaking.

Wrapping things up, here we have Paul Ohl's post-contest comments:

"Is This The Changing of the Guard"

"Here are my�final thoughts about the greatest Canada's Strongest Man ever.

Four competitors had a lot to prove: Hugo Girard coming back from very serious injuries and proving many wrong; Jessen Paulin holding ground against the best ever (Girard ); Dominic Filiou rising to the occasion during a major championship and Louis-Philippe Jean setting the stage for years to come as the future Canadian star (he is only 22). All four men reached the line almost neck to neck. The tradition stands and Qu�bec remains the cradle of strongmen.

The events were meant to be at world's level both by weight and distance. The competitors paid the price and it proved costly to even the best. Such was the challenge. And it was so because The Boss (Hugo Girard) had set those standards over the years. He has brought the sport to a new level and set the stage for a new breed of strength athletes.

So is this the changing of the guard? Only Hugo Girard will decide. It will be on his own terms. Judging from what he has achieved over the past two days, he can be the sport's greatest surprise comes the WSM 2008."

It came down to the final event - the power stairs - and it matched up Hugo Girard and Dominic Filiou.

At this point, Girard lead Filiou by one-half point, so this was it . . . Girard reportedly gave it everything he had in the last two events, but he could not complete the power stairs . . . Filiou did, and that gave him the title and the World's Strongest Man invitation.

Here are the final places and points for the top four:

1. Dominic Filiou 78-1/2 points
2. Jessen Paulin 78
3. Hugo Girard 77
4. Louis-Philippe Jean 71.5

With one event remaining in the 2007 Canada's Strongest Man contest, Hugo Girard has just regained the lead.

This is it, one event remaining and the title plus the World's Strongest Man invitation are in the balance:

1. Girard 68 points
2. Filiou 67-1/2
3. Paulin 66
4. Jean 63-1/2

Just in from Canada's Strongest Man, after six events, Dominic Filiou is pulling ahead.

The sixth event was the log lift (280, 300, 320 and 340 pounds): Filiou and Jean did all four, easily; Girard was stopped by the fourth log.

With a crowd of about 3,000 cheering them on, here are the standings after six events:

1. Dominic Filiou 59-1/2 points
2. Hugo Girard 58
3. Jessen Paulin 55
4. Louis-Philippe Jean 54-1/2

Announcer Dr. Samuel Dube has just given IronMind a flash update from Canada's Strongest Man contest.

The fifth event of the contest has just been completed and with three more to go, Dominic Filiou has moved into first place, with a score of 48-1/2 point. Hot on Filou's heels and tied for second place are Hugo Girard and Jessen Paulin, with 48 points.

"'The Boss,' as they call Hugo Girard, did what he had said: put the stakes high and fight it out," reports Paul Ohl from the Canada's Strongest Man contest.

"Up to this day, the Canadian phenom had never lost a contest on home grounds and it appears that he will do what it takes to keep the record untouched.

After the first day and four events, Hugo Girard won the Seated vertical pull, won the squat ( 7 reps w/720 pounds), took second place at the Fingal Fingers and had a let down at the Atlas stones. Enough to clutch first place with 40 points out of a max of 48.

Jessen Paulin, the current Canadian champion is right there for the fight, finishing at 37 points. He completed the day putting up all five stones. As it is many call him �Lord of the Stones.'

Dominic Filiou, at 36.5 points is very much in the battle with Louis-Philippe Jean, the upcoming star, one point behind at 35.5 points.

Christian Savoie, another surprising Quebecer, is in fifth place with 31 points.

Sunday will gather thousands . With a sunny forcast and cool weather, the contestants will be facing the grueling trucks's pull, the four logs, the lumberjack 825 pounds's walk and the crushing medley: 1000 pounds tire flips (4), 800 pounds yoke and the 525 pounds power stairs.

If Hugo Girard keeps up the pace, he should reach top three in all four events and win the title. He had great fears before the squat given the injured knee that kept him away for two years. He won the event. Now he is four events away from his initial goal: getting the title back. As for Jessen Paulin he is one proud defending champion. A great gentleman, he supported Hugo Girard all the way during rehab. Both men deserve to be recognized as champions."

Stay tuned today!

We are fortunate to have just received a report on Day 1 (just completed) at Canada's Strongest Man from Samuel Dube, Ph.D. and Hugo Girard is leading, with Jessen Paulin in second place.

Here is Sam's report:

"The first event of the day was the Arm-Over-Arm Hoist, using the now legendary apparatus straight from the Dolbeau-Mistassani World Muscle Power Championships. The weight was 1,340 lbs. with a 6:1 gear ratio. Hugo won the event handily. It started to rain heavily midway during Dominic`s effort; indeed, intermittent rain punctuated the show, necessitating frequent pauses during certain events. Unfortunately, Grant Connors suffered a moderate tear of his right biceps in this event, but attempted to participate in the other three anyway.

Dominic dominated Fingal`s Fingers, with Hugo coming in a close second and newcomer Danny Frame finishing all fives pillars as well for third place.

The third event, the squat, saw many fall by the wayside. The 700 lb. load was set up so that no bounces could be used. Hugo won the event with 7 reps while both Dominic and Louis-Phillippe fought out 6 reps each.

In the last event of the day, the Atlas Stones, only the current Canadian Champion, Jessen Paulin managed to do all five stones. Surprisingly, Hugo`s considerable lead was diminished when he was unable to place the third stone.

We predict a fierce battle tomorrow between Hugo, Paulin, Filiou, and Jean to determine the 2007 Canada`s Strongest Man!"

Here are the places and points after the first day:

1. Hugo Girard 40
2. Jessen Paulin 37
3. Dominic Filiou 36.5
4. Louis-Phillippe Jean 35.5
5. Christian Savoie 31
6. Daniel Frame 26.5
7. Chris Colonval 25.5
8. Scott Cummine 22.5
9. Matt Parkes 20.5
10. Joe Montgomery 18.5
11. Grant Connor 9.5
12. John Dungey 5

Six-time Canada's Strongest Man winner Hugo Girard calmly said, "I feel pretty good," going into this weekend's contest - besides the Canadian national title being on the line, so is a trip to this year's World's Strongest Man contest, the crown jewel of the professional strongman circuit.


Even among the giants of strongman, the mastodonic Dominic Filiou stands out. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo. Reprinted from MILO with permission.

At the moment, the prevailing thought is that the winner of Canada's Strongest Man contest will be invited to the World's Strongest Man contest next month, and the runner-up will go as a reserve; however, another possibility is that the top two finishers could both be invited as competitors, but at this point, it's all speculation because until TWI announces its decision, nothing is official.

While this too remains an unofficial opinion, IronMind thinks it is likely that the World's Strongest Man heats will be announced very soon - maybe as early as next week - defining the field for what is expected to be a very dramatic series of qualifying events, leading up to the most coveted title in strongman.

Thus, in a very real way, the final run-up to the 2007 World's Strongest Man contest starts tomorrow . . . in Canada . . . so pick your favorite and get ready to cheer him on.

Paul Ohl - whose credits include a masterful biography of the great Louis Cyr (Louis Cyr: une �pop�e legendaire) handily sums up the situation: "Let's just say that this will be quite a showdown."

Here are Paul Ohl's profiles of the top competitors:

"Hugo Girard: six times finalist at World's Strongest Man, Superseries World Champion 2002, twice World Muscle Power Champion, six times Canada's Strongest Man, holder of four world records (log press, Apollon's Axle, heaviest Farmer's walk, 22 reps at the Viking press).

Jessen Paulin: two times Canada's Strongest Man, four times at World's Strongest Man, six Superseries, amongst that world's best at Hercules Hold and Atlas Stones.

Dominic Filiou: Best ever Canadian at World's Strongest Man (third place in 2005) behind Tom Magee (who was second behind Bill Kazmaier in 1982 ).

Louis-Philippe Jean: the rising star at 22 years old, he just won the All-Qu�bec Strongmen Cup (six events, total points)"

The action begins tomorrow and continues on Sunday.

It's not just that Canada - especially Quebec - has such a formidable place in the history of strength and strongman, or that perennial champion Hugo Girard will be making another comeback ... even more, the outcome of Canada's Strongest Man bears, in all likelihood, on the final form of this year's World's Strongest Man contest in a very significant way.


Jessen Paulin, shown at the 2004 World Muscle Power Championships, is considered one of the men who will be pushing Hugo Girard the hardest this weekend at the Canada's Strongest Man contest. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

What's in store for the mighty men from Canada this weekend? With thanks to Paul Ohl for providing the list of events, here's the challenge:

1. Seated pull: vertical lift
2. Fingal's fingers
3. Squat for reps: using a Chevrolet Silverado, 720 pounds
4. Atlas stones: five stones, going up to 385 pounds
5. Double truck pull: harness and rope
6. Log press, 90 seconds: four logs presses (280, 300, 320, 340 pounds)
7. Lumberjack timber walk: (825 pounds)
8. Medley: four flips of 1000-pound tire, 775-800 pound Yoke, and Power Stairs with 525 pounds (five steps, 15-inches high); 90-second time limit

"The 12 best Canadians (out of the Western, Ontario, Qu�bec and Atlantic [regions])." will be competing," Paul Ohl reported. "My prediction: the first four, maybe five, will be from Qu�bec," said Ohl.

After all, Quebec c'est vraiment le pays des hommes fort!

And as is fitting for the home of strong men, Quebec will be shaping the field, and quite likely, the final outcome of the 2007 World's Strongest Man contest: Although we have not had this confirmed officially, IronMind understands that the winner of Canada's Strongest Man contest will be invited to WSM, where he could easily be one of the favorites in the contest and have a substantial influence on the final shape of the competitive field.

He's not like the bodybuilders who measure their arms 10 times a day: When asked what he's weighing at the moment, Karl Gillingham paused a while and then said, "Probably between 305 and 310 . . . I don't worry about it."


Karl Gillingham at the FitExpo, earlier this year. Karl won the contest and he says that right now he's in that kind of shape. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

World's Strongest Man is returning to the US this year, for the first time in a decade, and Karl said it's a huge advantage for the American competitors, so rather than being worried about the impact of long travel distances, massive time zone changes and unfamiliar food, Karl is free to focus on his training.

And given the nature of World's Strongest Man, contest preparation can be a little different than it would be for most of the strongman contests Karl competes in - speed and technique, along with strength, will figure prominently into doing well, and in some events, Karl said, times will be close enough that even a slight fumble could cost one dearly. Besides his basic gym training and event training, Karl said he's doing specific cardio training, which includes riding a mountain bike and walking up and down hills.

Karl said his back is still a little touchy at the moment, but that overall, he's feeling the best he has since he won the big strongman contest at the FitExpo earlier this year. And with his body weight up just a bit from last year, it seemed reasonable to guess that his strength has followed suit.

"I'd like to think that it has," Karl said, and all his fans will be hoping that with a couple of strong performances already under his belt in Southern California this year, maybe the hat-trick is on its way.

"The German Cup was this year three competitions," explained 12-time Germany's Strongest Man winner Heinz Ollesch, and the "best two count."


Heinz Ollesch (left) with Florian Trimpl, Igor Werner, Raik Seume and Tobias Ide. Photo courtesy of Heinz Ollesch/www.all-stars.de.

"We had weather problems in all three . . . it was pouring rain, but we still had a good crowd and athletes. Igor Werner is a good and strong champion, with other strong guys in second, third and fourth."

Here are the top four places and points:

1. Igor Werner 40 points
2. Florian Trimpl 38
3. Raik Seume 37
4. Tobias Ide 37

Because "it's a long contest," Magnus Samuelsson explained how pacing is critical for success at World's Strongest Man.


Magnus Samuelsson, getting ready to squat at the 2004 World's Strongest Man contest. Magnus, who won the contest in 1998 and has been on the podium a few more times as well, says that he is really looking forward to this year's competition. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

The events in the finals this year are ones that Magnus said are good for him, but as has often been the case in the past, he explained, it's tough to get through the qualifying round, and much depends on which heat he is in.

"I need to survive the first week," Magnus said and get into the finals, which are "a really good set up" for his strengths.

He came into last year's contest weighing about 154 kg, Magnus Samuelsson said, but this year, he expects to weigh about 150 kg, and from this point forward, all of his training is focussed on honing his preparation for World's Strongest Man. Right now, Magnus said he is working out once or twice a day.

Mariusz Pudzianowski is going to be on the short list of favorites, as will be Phil Pfister, said Magnus. "And then there are the veterans, like Janne [Virtanen], who can do really well . . . I would like to think of myself as belonging to that group."

Freshly returned from the Highland Games World Championships in Inverness, Scotland, Pleasanton Highland Games Athletic Director Steve Conway reviewed the field and said, "At this point in the season, it's almost a battle of the fittest."


David Brown will have a chance to give the new 56 some airtime at the Pleasanton Highland Games in a few weeks. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D.

"A lot of these guys are doing 30 - 40 games a year and travel wear and tear,�as well as the usual throwing injuries, can take a toll. HB3 and Dave Brown are recovering from torn biceps, and�Eric and Andrew�are coming back from knee surgery. The rest of the guys should be close to 100%."

Here's the lineup for the pros, Steve said: Ryan Vierra, Sean Betz, Larry Brock, Harrison Bailey III (HB3), Dave Brown, Eric Frasure, Dan McKim, Andrew Hobson and Jason Johnston.

Don't think that being banged up is expected to slow down the top guys, though, because Steve's expert prediction is calling for a terrific competition.

"It never ceases to amaze me how tough these guys are, and how often they can �bring it' on the day of�a big Games," Steve said. "With that in mind, I think it will be a great comp with Ryan Vierra once again trying to hold off another group of worthy competitors. Larry Brock is throwing well with a third place finish at the Worlds, and Sean Betz, as usual, is capable of taking top honors anywhere he goes."

"I've ordered a new 56 pound weight for height and it will be interesting to see what these guys can do with it," Steve said. "Dan McKim will be strong in the stones, Jason Johnston was second at the Canadian Championships this year, and if a healthy Eric Frasure shows up, anything could happen."

Hosted by the Caledonian Club of San Francisco, the Pleasanton Highland Games will be celebrating its 142nd birthday this year:

http://www.caledonian.org/games/gamesmain.html

Don't read Steve Jeck's latest tip "From the Quarry" if you want easy answers to tough questions.

Rules and laws aside, the biggest questions faced when it comes to supplements and beyond have to do with what you think it's ok to put in your body. Only things that are legal? But what if they are IOC banned substances? And are all legal and IOC approved substances ok for you to ingest? And so on.

Steve Jeck jumps right in and casts his vote - follow the link on the IronMind homepage (under Training Tips) to the latest installment of his series "From The Quarry," or click here:

From the Quarry

Talking about the upcoming Oulu Grand Prix, Ilkka Kinnunen, said, "The competition events will be tough and hard," which seems expected for just about any Finnish strongman contest.


Longtime strongman promoter Ilkka Kinnunen predicts that the sparks will fly at the upcoming Oulu Grand Prix. Art courtesy of Ilkka Kinnunen.

"Events include 150-kg farmers walk for 60 m, log lift, Hercules Hold with two Ford Mondeos, Truck Pull, Medley with Duck walk, loading and Mini Truck push," said Kinnunen.

Organized by Fitness Media, the contest,"will be shown biggest channel in Finland MTV3 and MAX; also it will be airing on EUROSPORT," Kinnunen said, adding, "The organizer is expecting a full house of 6000 people at the show, and as we are in Oulu city, which has over 15 years history for the strongman competitions, it will happen."

Here is the starting field:

1. Andrus Murmets
2. Vidas Blekaitis
3. Robert Schepanski
4. Jarno Hams
5. Jani Illikainen
6. Etienne Smith
7. Agris Kazelniks
8. Juha-Matti Jarvi
9. Jani Kolehmainen

One more competitor is yet to be named, Kinnunen said, and a tough contest is predicted: "The athletes are extremely good shape on that time, because most of them are going 1-1/2 weeks after for the IFSA Worlds."

He's coming back well, but Hugo Girard told IronMind today that he's making some changes in his training, saying, "I want to get my speed back."


Canadian strongman star Hugo Girard hits the accelerator at the 2002 World's Strongest Man contest (Kuala Lumpur). Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

The perennial Canada's Strongest Man winner and the 2004 World Muscle Power champion said, "This is a reconstruction year . . . after I round the corner, I will start working toward next year."

Hugo Girard will be competing in the Canada's Strongest Man contest on August 18 -19, and from what we hear, unofficially, the winner of this contest gets a direct invitation to the MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest, with the runner-up getting no worse than an invitation to the reserve list for World's Strongest Man. �

Ivane Grikurovi, the Georgian National Weightlifting Coach, told IronMind today that his team's preparation for the upcoming World Weightlifting Championships is going well.


Polish star Szymon Kolecki had to bounce a couple of times before being able to recover with this 219 kg clean in the 94-kg category, but once he stood up with it, he put away the jerk at the 2006 World Weightlifting Championships (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic). Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

"Everything is going according to plan," Grikurovi said. "Arsen [Kasabiev] is healthy and is getting back to his normal condition. [Georgi] Asanidze is training hard to help the team . . . he is not the same Asanidze as a few years ago, but he will make a big contribution to the team."

The 2007 World Weightlifting Championships is an Olympic Qualifier, and results there will determine eligibility for the Beijing Olympics.

Although Ivane Grikurovi no longer has direct coaching responsibilities for Polish star Szymon Kolecki, the two remain close friends and talk regularly, Grikurovi said.

Asked whether he thought the 94-kg class at the Beijing Olympics would end up being a three-horse race between Szymon Kolecki, Ilya Ilin and Arsen Kasabiev, Grikurovi said, "So far, it will be between Szymon and Ilya . . . ." �

"Janne Hartikainen (two-time winner of WSM under 105 kg) won his fifth Finnish title under-105 kg class," reported Jyrki Rantanen.

"Hartikainen was followed by LP Mikkonen and Marko Valo in the two-day competition in Tornio, Finland today," Rantanen said.

Rantanen, a former top 105-kg competitor himself, is a longtime member of the society of Finnish strongmen - as an athlete, official and, when duty called, private driver par excellence.

He was world class in three Olympic sports and he won the first two World's Strongest Man contests, but he might be best known for sharing his thoughts, so if you have a question for Bruce Wilhelm, or if you just want to listen up while basking in the Big B's glow, here's another really good reason to come to the Tommy Kono Open tomorrow in Sacramento.


Before laying into this 185-kg snatch, Bruce "The Big B" Wilhelm gives it the evil eye. Courtesy of Bruce Wilhelm.

We can't guarantee that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will be there, too, but weightlifting fans know that at the Arnold a couple of years ago, Governor Schwarzenegger pointed to Tommy and proclaimed, "This is my inspiration. I wanted to be studly like Tommy, so strong and so muscular."


Pointing to Tommy Kono, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said, "I wanted to be studly like Tommy . . . ." Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Kono's record in weightlifting is staggering, replete with Olympic gold medals, world records and world championship titles, and his hometown - Sacramento, California - is the setting for tomorrow's 2nd Annual Tommy Kono Open, put on by Paul Doherty and Don Weideman. Along with Tommy Kono, and Bruce Wilhelm, expect to see such other big names in weightlifting as Jim Schmitz and Butch Curry . . . talent-laden northern California produces some pretty dazzling local weightlifting contests.

Catch all the action at Sacramento High School tomorrow, August 4: The lifting starts at 11:30 a.m., with the women; it continues with the men's B sessions at 1:00 and 2:30; and it wraps up with the men's A session at 4:00 p.m.

Sequim, Washington - It must have broken the town's heart to lose such a vital, widely-loved young man, and showing their feelings, upwards of a thousand friends and family members turned out for Jesse Marunde's memorial service today - a Celebration of Life - at the Sequim Community Church.


Part of Jesse's playground graced the stage at his memorial service today. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

The talks, remembering Jesse, were moving, but Callie Marunde summed it all up when she said, "I married a great man."

Following the the main service, the strongman contingent gathered in a separate room to share their favorite stories about Jesse, and at its conclusion, Jesse's true blue buddy Sarge told everyone, in remembrance of Jesse, "to squat more," and to show that actions speak louder than words, they headed off to the gym to grind out their sets of high-rep squats.