Bill Lyndon told IronMind® that he has been hard at work, laying a foundation "in Australia and Asia [for] next year in the business of strongman."


Bill Lyndon presents Robbie Fernandez - who Bill said deadlifted 360 kg in training last week - as a top prospect for a major strongman contest. "Who wants him" Bill asks. IronMind® | Photo courtesy of Bill Lyndon.

"I have been busy flying 'below the radar' for the past few years, but have a built up a solid base of good international prospects for the international strongman scene," Lyndon reported. "As you know," Lyndon explained, "strongmen are hard to find at the top level and take a long time to develop, [but] we have a few guys ready this year."

"I would like all federations to know we are open for business. I have sat back and watched the goings on with IFSA, Fortissimus, WSM, [and] WSMC," said Lyndon, giving examples of how requests for exorbitant sanction fees and unpaid travel expenses from different federations had left him with a bad taste in his mouth.

"Really, the passion has gone from the sport," said Lyndon. "The only way at this stage I can promote and develop is in partnership with a leading organization. Who will put their hands up" he asks.

"I know we are far from everyone else in the world, but we have some big strong guys in the Southern Hemisphere. Did you know that only two athletes competed from the Southern Hemisphere this past year: Derek Boyer and Etienne Smit...Seems like World Strongest Man is really the Strongest Man from the Northern Hemisphere."

An updated event list has just been released for the WSMSS Mohegan Sun Grand Prix, and while it is still subject to change, this release has been billed as "most likely final discipline descriptions."

Twelve competitors will start, and the field will be cut to the top six for final two events. For the first four events, scoring will be 12 points, 11, 10 . . . and an athlete passing on or failing at an event will get 0. For the fifth and sixth events, scoring will be 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 for first to last place, respectively.

Here are the events:

Power Medley: tire flip (900 pounds) followed by a giant frame carry (840 pounds)
Mohegan Sun Viking Press: press or push press for reps
Super Yoke Carry: 880-pound yoke
Car Deadlift: Hold for time
"Husafell" stone carry: 400-pound stone, carried for distance
Atlas Stones: load five stones (ranging from 285 to 400 pounds)

The WSMSS Mohegan Sun Grand Prix is January 19, with a 7:00 pm start time, and tickets are available now.

Just released, although subject to change, here is the official list of events for the WSMSS Mohegan Sun Grand Prix.

Power Medley: tire flip and farmer's walk

Mohegan Sun Viking Press: Push press or press (but not jerk) for reps

Super Yoke: 400 kg yoke, 30 meters

Car Deadlift Hold: parallel handles, no straps

"Husafell Stone" Carry: 400-pound stone, for distance

Atlas Stones: load six stones (285 to 420 pounds).

Twelve athletes will start and the field will be reduced to six competitors for the final two events.

The WSMSS Mohegan Sun Grand Prix is January 19, and tickets are available now.

The Big Man, as some of his friends call him, turned 36 today.


The Big Man, Hugo Girard, has plenty to smile about today, as he celebrates his birthday. Hugo said that he will be back at the Mohegan Sun in January, for the WSMSS Grand Prix . IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Hugo said that he will be returning to the Mohegan Sun in January, but this time, he will be "a fan sitting in the bleachers."

My training is going pretty well," Hugo said. "I am pretty happy with it. Right now, I am just trying to get back and hope to be 100% by March."

Known for his business acumen as well as his strongman performances, Hugo said that he has reached an agreement to take over a supplement store in Quebec in February. "I will be a full-time businessman," said Hugo, expanding the relationship he already has with this store.

"After the final three events, and another record set by 'Super' Maris Rosentals of Latvia," reported Dione Wessels, "Finland's Janne Hartikainen is the three-time 105-kg IFSA World's Strongest Man!"

"In second place, receiving the silver cup, is Alvidas Brazdzius of Lithuania, and receiving the bronze is Maris Rozentals of Latvia."

Watch the official IFSA website for a full report.

Scheduled for June 8 in Perth, Big Al Christie and Mike Daly are hosting the Scotland's Strongest Hands Contest.


Scotland's Strongest Hands Contest is being planned for June 8. IronMind® | Artwork courtesy of Big Al Christie.
 

Limited to twenty competitors, proof of birth/permanent residence and a British Hand Strength Association membership are required. More details will follow.

"Day three events started with the Wenhua Down and Feather Cup Atlas Stones," reported Dione Wessels from the IFSA 105-kg World Championships.


Kevin Nowack (USA) on the Down and Feathers Atlas Stones. IronMind® | Photo courtesy of Dione Wessels.
 

"Instead of the round traditional stones, the stones were shaped liked Gold Chinese coins, ranging in weights from 110 kg, 120 kg, 140 kg, 160 kg, and 170 kg. The stones were loaded to an 110-cm platform in a 90-second time limit. The top three finishers in the event were Janne Hartikainen of Finland (5 stones, 30.05 seconds), Maris Rozentals of Latvia (5 stones, 34.90 seconds), and Sergi Konyushok of Ukraine (5 stones, 35.92 seconds).

"Following the stones was the Royal Marina Cup Log lift clean and press for reps (110 kg, 75 seconds). The top three finishers in the Log lift were Sergi Konyushok of Ukraine (9 repetitions), Maris Rozentals of Latvia (8 repetitions), and since there were six athletes that tied for third place with seven repetitions each, they drew names for the trophy cup. The name drawn was Patrik Baboumian of Germany.

"The final event of the day was the pole push. The athletes drew names as to who would be paired together. The top three winners of the pole push were Piotr Piechowiak of Poland, Kesler Nos of Hungary, and Sergi Konyushok of Ukraine.

"The top three in the overall now are Sergi Konyushok (101.5 pts), Janne Hartikainen (99.5 pts.), and Alvidas Brazdzius (90.5 pts).

"The final three events tomorrow will decide the overall champion. The final three events are Panyu Tourism Yoke Walk, Guangzhou Daily Cup Conan's Circle, and the Chime-Long Tourist Resort Cup Truck Pull."

"Today's events started with the Xiying Yajing Cup Arm Over Arm pull with three Chinese Beauties sitting in the sled," IFSA USA president Dione Wessels reported.


Maris Rozental hits an IFSA record on the deadlift at the IFSA 105-kg World Championships. IronMind® | Photo courtesy of Dione Wessels.

This was the beginning of day two in the IFSA 105-kg World Championships, and Wessels's full report follows:

"The event proved challenging for all athletes, but not overly challenging for everyone. The top five in the event were Zdravko Zanev (Bulgaria, 25.03), Sergi Konyushok (Ukraine, 24.23), Jason Scheepers (South Africa, 21.25), Janne Hartikainen (Finland,20.97), and Gert Gorsanov (Estonia, 20.43). After presenting awards to the top three, the Panyu Tourism Farmer's Walk (120 kilo each) for 75 meters started. This event proved to be challenging and difficult for many with only seven athletes completing the distance. The top five athletes in the discipline were Janne Hartikainen (Finland, 53.65); Zdravco Zanev (Bulgaria, 53.1), Sergi Konyushok (Ukraine, 47.26), Alvidas Brazdzius (Lithuania, 41.58), and Fouad Hsaini (Holland, 38.28).

The third and final event of the day was the Baomo Garden Cup Max Deadlift. The athletes had to take each attempt. The weight was started at 300 kilos. This weight was a breeze for all but one athlete. After 350 kilos, the apparatus was then loaded to 400 kilograms, and the weight seemed difficult for those left lifting.

The apparatus was then loaded to 480 kilos, and three athletes were left. It was a successful attempt for all three, so IFSA directors called for the apparatus to be loaded to 500 kg for the two athletes left, Maris Rozental of Latvia and Danny Andersson of Sweden. Danny gets the bar halfway up, but could not lock out. Now the show stopper Maris is up and the crowd is going wild. Maris picks up the weight, and with perfect form, locks out the weight to take the win in the event and the record as well. The top three finishers were Piotr Piechowiakf of Poland (480 kilos), Danny Andersson of Sweden (480 kilos), and Maris Rozentals of Latvia (500 Kilos).

Following the award ceremony, the athletes were given a tour of the Famous Baomo Garden. They were greeted with a Chinese tradition of Hot Ginger Milk, Tea, and a live orchestra performance.

With four more days to go and six more events, the top three overall so far are Janne Hartikainen of Finland with 56.5 points, Alvidas Brazdzius of Lithuania with 54.5 points, and Sergi Konyushok of Ukraine with 54.5 points."

IFSA USA/ASC/NAS president Dione Wessels filed this report after the first day of the IFSA 105-kg World Championships, where Gert Gorsanov (Estonia) leads.


On the podium after the first day of the IFSA 105-kg World Championships (left to right): Janne Hartikainen (Finland), Gert Gorsanov (Estonia), Alvidas Brazdzius (Lithuania). IronMind® | Photo courtesy of Dione Wessels.
 

"The 105-kg World Championships opening ceremony started with many Chinese traditions, with speeches from organizers, executive committee representatives, Panyu City Government and the introduction of the athletes. Also included in the ceremony was the passing of the IFSA flag to Panyu City Government. All were in agreement that IFSA Strongman and Panyu City, China has formed a long lasting friendship and partnership. Many in China refer to Panyu as China's Strongman Country,'" Wessels reported.

The first day's competition included one event, the "Ruifeng Sound Cup Medley," which Wessels explained: "The medley consisted of athletes carrying two sandbags (100 kg each) for 5 meters, loading onto platform; walking 15 meters with farmer's (120 kg each) in each hand; then flipping a 350-kg tire for four flips in a 90-second time limit."

The action continues tomorrow: "The athletes will start with the 'Xiying Yajing Cup Arm Over Arm,' followed by the 'Panyu Tourism Cup Farmer's Walk',' Baomo Garden Cup Max Deadlift', and the 'Wenhua Down and Feather Cup Atlas Stones,' Wessels said.

Want to see four-time World's Strongest Man winner Mariusz Pudzianowski and another ton or two of top strongman muscle put to the test? And maybe you're planning to be the big surprise at the 2008 Rolling Thunder® World Championships.


Four-time World's Strongest Man winner Mariusz Pudzianowski will be returning to the Mohegan Sun next month. Notice Mariusz's death grip on the IronMind® Apollon's Axle™, long a staple in leading strongman competitions because of the way it puts grip strength to the test. If you think you've got what it takes, the 2008 Rolling Thunder® World Championships will give you a chance to prove your grip strength against most of the biggest names and top performers in the world. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.

Mark your calendars, get your tickets and lock in your hotel room before all the best deals are gone.

WSMSS is presenting the 2008 IronMind® Rolling Thunder® World Championships on January 18 and walk-ons, after proving their strength, are welcome, so here's your chance to have fun, rub elbows with some of the biggest names in strongman and maybe grab some glory, not to mention some hard cash.

The next night, get ready for WSMSS Mohegan Sun Grand Prix - it's the kickoff event for WSMSS's 2008 tour and this is where qualification for the 2008 World's Strongest Man contest begins . . . The guys you see when you watch the 2007 World's Strongest Man contest on TV in a couple of weeks got there through the WSMSS, and the dance begins again next year at the Mohegan Sun.

Admission for the Rolling Thunder® World Championships on January 18 is free, and tickets for the WSMSS Mohegan Sun Grand Prix are already on sale.

Hotel rooms at the Mohegan Sun might already be scarce, so here are the three closest alternatives:

Best Western - Cristata (860-848-0660)
Microtel - Uncasville (860-367-0880)
Holiday Inn - Norwich (860-889-5201)

Make your plans now - see you there!

"Wind-up Records and IMG Media have just announced the release of the inaugural soundtrack for THE WORLD'S STRONGEST MAN franchise, airing on ESPN and ESPN2," according to an official IMG press release, with the title being available on Amazon, first, and, hopefully, on the World's Strongest Man website later.


The World's Strongest Man soundtrack - it's coming soon to Amazon. IronMind® | Cover art courtesy of TWI/IMG.

Following is the body of the official press release from IMG/TWI:

The 11-song release features the following track listing in running order: 12 Stones "Adrenaline," Korn "Hold On," Seether "Out Of My Way," Hatebreed "Never Let It Die," Shadows Fall "Redemption," Every Time I Die "We'rewolf," Underoath "Writing on the Walls," Submersed "Better Think Again," Mastodon "The Wolf Is Loose," Hurt "Ten Ton Brick," and "Strongman" (The World's Strongest Man Theme) performed by Bruce Aronson. The selection number for this release is 60150-13139-2.

The compilation was produced by Wind-up Records' Bill Richards and Gillian Morris, alongside IMG Media's Steve Mayer and John Sands who are executive producers on the project. John Babbitt from Tsunami Entertainment served as a consultant.

12 Stones' "Adrenaline" will be the theme song for this season. The Mandeville, Louisiana-based quartet signed to Wind-up Records was filmed recently in Baton Rouge, and this footage will be cut into the program as the opener of each episode. The individual episodes will also contain a thirty second music video of each individual track featured on the soundtrack utilizing scenes from the competition. The artist and label will be chyroned on-air.

Steve Mayer, IMG Media's Senior Vice President, U.S. Production said, "The World's Strongest Man competition is one of IMG Media's most popular and longest running global television events. We are so gratified to be working with Wind-up and all the talented artists on this soundtrack project. It is our hope to expand the visibility of The World's Strongest Man and this music is a perfect partner for this high-energy sports show."

Wind-up Records SVP, Marketing Bill Richards shared, "The World's Strongest Man is a powerful brand in the marketplace that we are thrilled to be a part of. The Wind-up acts, and those on other labels, were all excited for the opportunity to be a part of this. IMG Media is a great company, and we look forward to additional initiatives in the future."

The 2008 season of The World's Strongest Man will premiere on December 26, 2007 on ESPN2. From 6:00 p.m. until midnight that day, ESPN2 will broadcast a marathon of episodes from this year's competition.


Fortissimus 2008 developments have been flooding the IronMind® News lately and unless you have been reading everything steadily, it would be easy to get lost in the details, so if IronMind® might summarize the situation, even loosely, this is how we see things.

Fortissimus started with a huge leg up simply by virtue of being hosted by a Quebecer, who also, most likely, happens to be the world's foremost expert on Louis Cyr. Imagine this: Instead of a strongman contest either constructed by TV crews busily moving plastic cactuses around in the background and delaying events until the sun gives cameramen the best light, or former McKinsey consultants claiming to be ready to take strongman to the financial heights of Formula One or the WWE, we have a guy who, guess what, had a more substantial basis for organizing the contest. Frankly, IronMind® found a lot to like in this idea.

And from those beginnings grew the idea that this decathlon of strength - in the tradition of the great Louis Cyr - could bring together the major players from all corners of the strongman world, regardless of which alphabet soup strongman federation they were aligned with. And, unlike simply picking their preferred player - such as the guy who signed a contract to return 10% of his earnings to them, or the guy whose TV market promised the most viewers, or the guy with the weak, skinny legs but a great shaved head and even better tattoos - the organizers of Fortissimus did something radical: They turned to the worldwide strongman community and asked for their input on the top strongmen worldwide. IronMind® jumped in and, to get the ball rolling, said that besides obviously giving Mariusz Pudzianowski and Zydrunas Savickas top billing, we felt that Vasyl Virastyuk had to be considered as a top echelon competitor. Market forces, objective reality and democratic processes - once again, IronMind® liked this.

The market spoke and, lo and behold, a really balanced, plausible list emerged, and before too much longer, it looked as if the top guys from IFSA were going to be be banging heads with the top guys from the World's Strongest Man side of things. IronMind® would like to say that from everything we saw - and we were privy to a lot of what was being passed back and forth - IFSA's managing director Christian Fennell and Fortissimus's steering committee chairman Paul Ohl were headed in the right direction and looking as if they were well on their way to making strongman history . . . sure, there were still disagreements about details and there was some level of restraint on each side, a certain reluctance to trust the other guys too much, but overall, things were going well. IronMind® liked this, too.

Everything fell apart, though, when Fortissimus gave IFSA a deadline for accepting, basically, the notion that they - Fortissimus - were calling the shots and they wanted direct confirmation from the IFSA athletes that they were coming to play ball - IFSA said that they could not accept this. A leitmotif in the IFSA criticism of Fortissimus's requirements is the question of events and safety. Fortissimus has been forthright in explaining something of the nature of its events and perfectly concrete about when the details would be announced, and as all World's Strongest Man fans know, that contest's tradition is to announce the events with much less lead time than Fortissimus is promising. IFSA (under its current management), with a much shorter history and a reliance on its standardized events and equipment, isn't really in a comparable position, and this might be why - interestingly enough - all the gripes about Fortissimus's events are coming from the IFSA side . . . and none from the WSM side. Strongman - unlike weightlifting or powerlifting - is supposed to have some novel events, and the tradition is that there should be some element of surprise and that the organizer should be able to leave his or her imprint on the mix of events, so IronMind® would vote for IFSA to say, "Hey, we're not afraid of the unknown. Our guys are so good, you can line up any ten events you want, and if they test strength, our guys will win them." IronMind® would like that.

Maybe IFSA didn't like being given a deadline, and maybe they resent a new kid on the block - Paul Ohl - working to put together what he sees as a humdinger of a contest. And for whatever rotten things one might want to say about IFSA, the old guard there has more hands-on strongman experience in their little fingers than most pie-in-sky newbies could ever dream of achieving, so it's natural that the IFSA guys might bristle a bit if someone they see as untested waltzes in and basically says, "I'm going to put together the best strongman contest of all time," especially if he adds something like, ". . . but I'm not going to tell you all the details yet and because I'm paying the piper, I'm calling the tune." Interestingly, this sensitivity seems to be somewhat shared by the other side of the Great Divide in strongman, even if that group is less vocal about expressing it. Nonetheless, one solution here is to embrace the idea that this contest could be all about the athletes, so let your people go ahead and have at it in the events and let the results speak for themselves. IronMind® would like that.

Event testing and safety have been raised by IFSA as a reason for holding back on Fortissimus and while both are vital and legitimate concerns, they appear to be something of a red herring here, as it seems implausible that inadequate event and equipment reviews would take place in the cradle of strongman. Let's not forget that even if he's not listed in the field, this is the neighborhood of Hugo Girard, and anyone who has been to a Hugo Girard strongman contest can attest to his ability to develop mind boggling strongman equipment, off the scale compared to any other, and if Hugo Girard, for example, were to give his imprimatur, the events and equipment would certainly be of the highest order. IronMind® would like that.

IronMind®'s friend Bruce Wilhelm doesn't sugarcoat things and he scoffs at what he sees as underpowered aspiring strongmen busily slathering their arms with tacky and focusing on lifting some concrete ball or another, instead of hitting the weights and getting stronger. "When you're strong, you're strong," says the Big B and that's how he won the first two World's Strongest Man contests . . . not by strapping a refrigerator on his back and running up and down his back yard with it. So in that spirit, let the IFSA guys join the party - they've already predicted a podium sweep, so here is their chance to make good on their call. If they're strong, they're strong. IronMind® would like to see this.

Zydrunas Savickas, Vasyl Virastyuk and Mikhail Koklaev are not merely top IFSA strongmen, they are guys you would like to see in any world class strongman contest. Thus, it was tremendous when it appeared they were headed to Fortissimus . . . was this the showdown that IFSA has been calling for on its home page? And IFSA - apparently flush with neither cash nor sponsors waiting in the wings, an organization whose stock value is measured in pennies per share - has a tremendous public relations opportunity . . . what if they really did sweep the podium? So, check the egos at the door, line up for the contest, blow the whistle and let's see who really can produce. IronMind® would like that.

Fortissimus tried to reopen the door for IFSA participation in the 2008 Louis Cyr World Strength Challenge by offering IFSA the wild card slot, but IFSA has respectfully declined the offer, and IronMind® has been given the full offer and reply, and is presenting them below, verbatim.

Following is the offer extended by Fortissimus steering committee chairman Paul Ohl to IFSA managing director Christian Fennell, and then, Christian Fennell's reply, for all who would like to read the exact exchanges that took place on this topic.

"Hi Christian,

Thank you for the letter. Let me just get a few things straight. FORTISSIMUS stated from the beginning that it would NOT seek the sanctioning of the event by any organization based on past experience. If there is any additional money available it will go DIRECTLY TO THE ATHLETES. It was also clear, and you were informed right from the start, that FORTISSIMUS would be a decathlon of strength and that the events, some being a tribute to Louis Cyr yet adapted to modern times, would be disclosed same day to all athletes THREE AND A HALF MONTHS BEFORE COMPETITION TIME. This seems pretty much in line with any organization's policy. FORTISSIMUS has also informed you and extensively discussed with you the fact that the athletes, all strength athletes selected on the premium list, were to confirm personally their accepting the challenge.

And we had come to an agreement as to the "no restrictions" item. You had assured us that given our close cooperation - going from 8 to 10 participants, adding one more IFSA affiliated athlete - that such restrictions would fall. It meant in clear that the IFSA athletes would guarantee their showing up at the competition. You did not honor your commitment. As for safety and security of the IFSA athletes we have reassured you in any possible way with the exception of the "branded" equipment: we told you that using the IFSA trademarked equipment was not and will not be an option.

FORTISSIMUS 2008 maintains as its main concern the ATHLETE'S FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO COMPETE WITH NO RESTRICTIONS. That includes the right of any strength athlete to be totally informed on the conditions, the rules and the safety and security measures including medical attendance; the right to be fully paid the entire prize money he has been promised and to be paid immediately following the competition; the right of speech, amongst other things. FORTISSIMUS 2008 guarantees those rights to the participants by contract.

On these grounds, FORTISSIMUS offers you the wildcard that it holds as the No. 10 spot in the competition. If you do accept the above-mentioned, we consent to IFSA the right to select ONE strength athlete amongst the three that had to withdraw. Providing however that you will guarantee that the selected athlete will accept the "no restrictions" clause. Should that athlete decide by himself, once on location, that the challenge proves too much for him, and should he by then elect to withdraw, he will still be entitled to full expenses for the duration of the event.

Thank you for considering this offer of further cooperation,

PAUL OHL
Chairman
FORTISSIMUS 2008"

And here is Christian Fennell's reply:

"Hi Paul,

Thank you for your email.

First of all, never did I state that the condition of the IFSA athletes to be able to withdraw once the full event detail was announced 'would fall'. In point of fact, I had your personal guarantee that we would hold this right. However, when you officially removed this condition with your email dated, Dec. 6th. , IFSA Strongman could no longer support the event. As I have explained to you, IFSA Strongman cannot and will not sanction or support any event without our first being able to evaluate fully the details of the event; we have a responsibility to our athletes to always ensure that any event we sanction them to compete in is governed in a professional and safe manner. To date, we simply have not been provided the necessary information to be able to accurately evaluate your event.

We respectfully decline your offer of the 'Wild Card' position for the event.

Sincerely,

Christian Fennell
Managing Director,
IFSA Strongman Ltd."

Fortissimus Steering Committee Chairman Paul Ohl has given IronMind® the list of athletes for next summer's Louis Cyr World Strength Challenge, and in explaining his position, Ohl calls it, "a question of principle."



After some adjustments following a round of discussions with IFSA, the Fortissimus Steering Committee has released the start list for next year's Louis Cyr World Strength Challenge. IronMind® | Logo courtesy of Paul Ohl.

Following is the complete statement, as given to IronMind®, by the Fortissimus Steering Committee:

"From the beginning FORTISSIMUS Steering Committee had principles and guidelines concerning the concept of the competition. It had made clear that it would not get involved in strongman politics or controversies. It also stated that it would favor athletes that were free of speech and willing to compete at the highest level, no matter what the quality of the field would be nor the toughness of the events.

FORTISSIMUS further stated that it would not get into any deal that would lead to influencing the invitations, the events and the refereeing in order to better the chances of a selected few based on their affiliation.

Finally, FORTISSIMUS refused any discussions leading to tailor-making events or money issues.

Based on these facts, FORTISSIMUS has officially informed three IFSA strength athletes (Zydrunas Savickas, Vasyl Virastyuk and Michael Koklyaev), that given IFSA's management's attitude, they are now considered as having withdrawn from the LOUIS CYR WORLD STRENGTH CHALLENGE and therefore failed to stand to its challenge.


THE CHALLENGERS

They come from Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom, West Indies, United States of America and Canada. They combine 6 World Strongest Man titles, 15 podiums at World strength competitions and they have qualified for 30 finals at World strength competitions. They are the official challengers of FORTISSIMUS 2008 and they will battle the Decathlon of Strength on 28-29 June 2008.


FROM POLAND

Mariusz PUDZIANOWSKI
The overall No. 1-ranked strength athlete on the planet.
World's Strongest Man in 2007, 2005, 2003 and 2002
World champion of Super Series in 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004

Sebastian WENTA
The runner-up at the World's Strongest Man 2007
Finalist at the WSM 2006


FROM SWEDEN

Magnus SAMUELSSON
World's Strongest Man 1998
5 podiums at the WSM: 2004, 2001, 2000, 1998, 1997
9 finals WSM
Most wins ever in international strength competitions from 1995 to 2007


FROM UNITED KINGDOM

Terry HOLLANDS
Podium at the World's Strongest Man 2007
2 finals at WSM 2007, 2006
United Kingdom's Strongest Man


FROM THE WEST INDIES ( GRENADA )

Mark FELIX
2 finals World's Strongest Man: 2007, 2006
Champion, British Strongman Championships 2005


FROM THE USA

Phil Pfister
World's Strongest Man 2006
5 finals World Strongest Man (2007, 2006, 2001, 2000, 1998)

Derek POUNDSTONE
America's Strongest Man 2007
Finals IFSA Strongman World Championships 2007
Runner-up World Strongman Challenge 2006


FROM CANADA

Jessen PAULIN
Finals World's Strongest Man 2003
Champion North America Championships 2007
Canada's Strongest Man 2006, 2005

Dominic FILIOU
Podium World's Strongest Man 2005
Canada's Strongest Man 2007


HOST WILD CARD
To be noted that CANADA will hold one alternate spot."

Four-time World's Strongest Man winner Magnus Ver Magnusson told IronMind® today that he's been back in heavy training recently and has the goal of exceeding his best powerlifting total to date.


Relaxing in Reykjavik is not what Magnus Ver Magnusson is doing at the moment. The four-time World's Strongest Man winner is assaulting his powerlifting records, with the goal of setting lifetime PRs. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.
 

Lifting raw, Magnus Ver said that his recent best lifts in the gym are 300 kg x 3 in the squat, 230 x 1 in the bench press and 340 x 1 in the deadlift, and that he hopes to work up to the range of a 400-kg squat, 300-kg bench press and a 380-kg deadlift, with plans to compete in the Icelandic championships next year.

"I left powerlifting too early to show my strength. I am going to break all my old records just to show the boys I can do it," explained Magnus Ver.

Saying that he is being joined by a group of older lifters and some younger ones, the core of Magnus Ver's training is two heavy workouts a week - bench press and shoulder one day, and squats plus back/deadlifts on the other, with the workouts running about three hours.

"We do set after set of squats . . . The workouts are so hard that they leave the young guys crying . . . calling their mothers. One guy said to me that he felt like he had been run over by a truck . . . and then it backed up and ran over him again."

With the sort of lifts and progress he's been making in the gym, and an offhand comment about his knees feeling pretty good, Magnus Ver had to know this was coming.

"Are you planning to compete in strongman next year?"

"We'll see about that," he said.

Casey Burgener, the highest placing member of USA Weightlifting men's team at the 2007 World Weightlifting Championships, has been nominated as USOC male athlete of the year, USA Weightlifting Executive Director Dennis Snethen told IronMind® today.


Just because he was #7 don't think that Casey Burgener's team-leading performance at the 2007 World Weightlifting Championships was merely the result of good luck - this hardworking lifter keeps improving and if things go right, he will represent the USA in the Beijing Olympics next year. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Melanie Roach, who made a big splash with her performance at the 2007 Worlds, was nominated as the top female athlete, Snethen said.

The ever-improving Burgener churned out 182/218 in the supers at the 2007 World Weightlifting Championships, netting him 11th place, but he is caught in a tough bind as the Beijing Olympics draw nearer, because at the moment, no US men are guaranteed slots at the 2008 Olympics - the limited number of positions are awarded primarily on the basis of team performance at the 2006 and 2007 World Weightlifting Championships, and although Snethen said that recent positive drug test results from other countries could change things, at the moment, the USA has no men on the roster.

There's a joke that involves a woman in a fish shop asking how much the salmon costs.

"$8.99 a pound," says the man.

"$8.99 a pound?!" exclaims the woman. "It is only $6.99 down the street," she replies huffily.

"Then why don't you buy it there" asks the man.

"Because he is out of salmon today," replies the woman.

"Well," says the man, "It's $4.99 a pound here when I'm out of it."

Sounds as if it could be the description of the sometimes fanciful nature of prize lists in strongman because if the money promised isn't paid, who cares what was listed.

And for everyone with short memories, it wasn't so very long ago that IFSA strongmen were said to be on their way to millionaire status, certainly a laudable goal for strongmen with upwardly-mobile aspirations, but it calls to mind the line about how those who are ignorant of history are doomed to repeat it, because whatever the stated prize list, the first thing any thinking strongman should do is consider whether or not he's ever likely to get the money.

Magnus Ver Magnusson's comments on Fortissimus opened the door for a number of people to jump on his bandwagon, but, significantly, they were not echoed by IFSA managing director Christian Fennell, and they also inspired a formal reply from the Fortissimus Steering Committee, which follows.


"OUR ANSWER TO A FORMER STRENGTH CHAMPION"

We made due note of Magnus Ver Magnusson's opinions. And very respectfully so.

What is his main point? Equipment safety? Loads? Money?

When did a strongman contest ever put up such monies? What is the highest prize money offered by WSM/SS or IFSA Grand Prix? We ask Mr. Ver Magnusson to address that question.

Now, as far as equipments are concerned I would respectfully ask Mr. Ver Magnussen to review implements and safety alike over the past 20 years or so, that would include his years of winning WSMs. Would he claim absolute safety of all these equipments?

Let me reassure Mr. Ver Magnusson. Canada, mostly Quebec, is somewhat a cradle of strongmen. As was Iceland once upon a time. We have some interesting knowledge about equipment, biomechanics, strongman training, amongst other things. We also have sound background in the history of strength throughout the centuries, in particular in Scandinavia. And we would never put in jeopardy any competitor. As a matter of fact, the welfare and security of the strength athletes that will meet the challenge of FORTISSIMUS is and will remain our main concern.

Until such time as anyone from the strongman community will prove us wrong concerning the prize money we will proudly put our financial commitment where our mouth is. As for the equipment, we will do what has to be done given the concept of the competition, nothing less. And the testing will be according to standards.

Should FORTISSIMUS have been thought of a number of years ago, Magnus Ver Magnusson would have been our premium choice in challenging Louis Cyr's strength legacy. And to accomplish that he would surely hit the gym and other training grounds for some unprecedented grueling training sessions.

As an addendum, the Fortissimus Steering Committee, told IronMind®:

"The fact that the strongman community is divided in two camps is regretful, but it is a fact. And what was done about it by those who claim knowing it all? Nothing.

"FORTISSIMUS has already made clear that it will not discuss that issue. That being said, FORTISSIMUS took a step nobody else did over the past years. But FORTISSIMUS will not get tangled up in endless arguments about compromising or behind the scene low blows. There will be no such things as getting representatives of one or another group trying to play a wit game concerning events or equipment.

"FORTISSIMUS is a challenge for strength athletes not for politicians.'"

It's congenital and he told IronMind® that he thought he had a few more years left in them, but Svend "Viking" Karlsen's kidneys failed, so he was hospitalized, put on dialysis and now he is awaiting a transplant.


Svend "Viking" Karlsen attacks the axle at the 2004 Arnold strongman contest. His kidneys have failed, but Viking sounds great, said he feels well, and he already has three donors lined up, offering him a kidney. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Sounds grim, but if you talked to Svend, you'd think he was just having another day.

"It's nothing," he said. "I knew it was coming, so it is a relief."

Explaining how ill he got just before he was hospitalized - "throwing up and terrible headaches" - Svend said now that the dialysis has cleaned him out, he feels terrific. "Some friends warned me, 'Now you will get skinny,' but I gained three kilos," Svend said, reporting his current body weight at a Viking-like 133 kg.

Svend is scheduled for a kidney transplant some time between the end of February and the middle of July, and since one of the people who has offered a kidney is Lene, his wife, Svend said that Norway's Strongest Man and the Viking Power Challenge would have to be held before the surgery, since both he and wife would be recovering for about four weeks if Lene is the donor.

So, for right now, it's dialysis three times a week, and the positive attitude that makes Svend Karlsen say, "The Viking will be back, stronger than ever."

In a record performance, Bill Kazmaier said that he just spoke at 18 schools in 32 hours, explaining that you change things for the better "one school at a time and one kid at a time."


Phil Pfister has just won the Car Walk at the 2006 World's Strongest Man contest (in Sanya, China), and who better to interview him than three-time World's Strongest Man winner Bill Kazmaier. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Referring to Paul Anderson - an Olympic gold medalist, world champion and world record holder in weightlifting who later turned his energy to public speaking as a way to inspire people and support his eponymous youth home - Bill Kazmaier spends his time as the premier strongman announcer/color commentator worldwide, and as a speaker at YMCAs and schools across the country.

Bill has certainly seen the seamier side of strongman and while he notes, "There have always been liars, cheats and thieves," he likes to focus on what he sees as the best in the strongman, and in terms of contests, he is quick to mention the World's Strongest Man contest and the strongman contest at the Arnold. Bill said he is also following developments at Fortissimus with great interest, and The Kaz's view on events might surprise some people.

"I never trained for the events," Bill Kazmaier told IronMind®, and that's why he thinks it is just fine if Fortissimus doesn't announce the events far ahead of time. Strongman has a well-established tradition of granting the fair-haired boy preferential access to information on the events as well as to the actual equipment, and Bill Kazmaier - who was not known as a beneficiary of this tradition - said that he just walked into contests and had at it.

Bill Kazmaier is in New York at the moment, working on the World's Strongest Man TV show, which will air on December 26, and he could hardly restrain himself when it came to Mariusz Pudzianowski. The Polish powerhouse not only won his fourth World's Strongest Man contest, but he also demonstrated the sort of drive and focus that have been the basis of his success.

"Mariusz took 16 seconds off his time in the Fingal's Fingers," Bill Kazmaier said. "He went through them like dominoes."

Bill Kazmaier's point was more than just that Mariusz Pusdzianowski blistered the course - he was illustrating how Mariusz Pudzianowski took what had been a poor event for himself, and then by, literally and figuratively, putting his shoulder into it, brought it up to the level of his other world-leading events.

But don't stop there, because Bill Kazmaier had more good things to say about Mariusz Pudzianowski: "Watch out if he ever decides to go after more static events," hinting that if Mariusz chose to specialize in event more like those used at the Arnold, some huge performances would follow.

And speaking of watching out, things are looking good for The Kaz - he was recently notified that he is receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 27th Annual National Fitness Trade Show, in Las Vegas next year.


Mariusz Pudzianowski turned one of his weak events - Fingal's Fingers - into another strong one . . . just one more indication of the drive that is behind Mariusz Pudzianowski's success. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

He's a four-time World's Strongest Man winner, now he's a honcho at IFSA, and more than once along the way, he's made himself unpopular speaking his mind, so don't expect Magnus Ver Magnusson to sugarcoat things when it comes to expressing his concerns about Fortissimus 2008.


Some might be quick to say that Magnus Ver Magnusson sometimes got the short end of the stick when he was a competitor, but no matter, he'd come out on top anyway. Here, Magnus Ver (right) "tosses 'Megaman' Nathan Jones around like a rag doll" in the Pole Push at the 1995 World Muscle Power Championships (Mintlaw, Scotland). See the full report in the October 1995 issue of MILO®. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.
 

Sure, there was the expected, "What the f***" and the significantly better, "Do they think they just invented the wheel" but the best was Magnus Ver's recitation of concerns, from the perspective of an athlete or an athlete's representative.

"They are acting like this has never been done before," Magnus Ver told IronMind®, "and that this will be the greatest thing ever. It takes time and experience to get good at it. If I were an athlete or if I were representing an athlete, I would not compete under these conditions."

One of Magnus Ver's primary concerns is the selection of events and the equipment that will be used - once again citing the need for experience. It's not just the truly accidental equipment failure, always a possibility, that Magnus Ver was referring to, or even proof that the equipment holds up - his point was that the equipment had to be adequate for the job, but the event itself also had to be meaningful and safe . . . things that might take some experience to establish.

"You can't build new equipment and just expect somebody to test it," Magnus Ver told IronMind®, rattling off the need to be knowledgeable and strong enough for the task.

And don't forget strongman politics: Magnus Ver suggested that since the strongman world is basically split into two camps - IFSA on one side and WSM on the other - a representative from each side should be able to inspect the equipment prior to the contest.

"What experience do these guys have doing a contest or making equipment" asked Magnus Ver, summarizing some of his chief reservations.

But don't think these concerns mean that Magnus Ver is not supportive of Fortissimus 2008.

"I hope it comes through," he said. "I would like to see them succeed. And if it's really the greatest strongman show ever, it should have the highest money ever."

"How much" we asked Magnus Ver.

"At least $200,000 . . . with $70,000 or $80,000 for the winner," he said.