deapark, Scandinavia's largest shopping mall, is the site for Strongman Champions League - Finland on May 16 - 17, Strongman Champions League cofounder Ilkka Kinnunen told IronMind® today.



Strongman Champions League Finland is all set for Ideapark, a huge shopping mall in Lempäälä, Finland. IronMind® | Artwork courtesy of Ilkka Kinnunen.


Kinnunen said the competition will have eight events over the two days, and more details will follow, so stay tuned.

Located in Lempäälä, Finland, Ideapark is about 160 km from Helsinki and about 15 km from Tampere, and besides having "over 200 different shops," it "has great facilities to organize such an event," Kinnunen said.

German superstar weightlifter Matthias Steiner has just undergone surgery.

"An inguinal hernia was ascertained on Monday," German weightlifting coach Michael Vater explained to IronMind®, so on Tuesday the Olympic gold medalist underwent surgery. Vater said that there was no possibility of delaying the surgery because Steiner needs to focus on being in top condition for the World Weightlifitng Championships later this year.

Matthias Steiner is a member of the German weightlifting delegation that will be coming the Arnold Sports Festival for the IronMind® Invitational, and while everyone is sorely disappointed that Steiner will not be able to lift in Columbus, the good news is that the procedure went well and Steiner will still be joining his teammates at the Arnold Sports Festival.

Viking Power Production co-owner Lene Alexandra Karlsen told IronMind® today that the full start list for this year's Viking Power Challenge will be released in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, let's start setting the stage: Phil Pfister, Mariusz Pudzianowski and Derek Poundstone have signed, Karlsen told IronMind®. So how's that for plenty of power?

In an official statement released to IronMind® today, Fortissimus president Paul Ohl said, "Both FORTISSIMUS World Strength and Strongman Champions League have reviewed a short list of top-ranked strength athletes in order to fine tune what could well become the most formidable starting field of modern strongman competitions."


Jarno Hams (Holland) has just been added to the field for FORTISSIMUS 2009. IronMind® | Photo courtesy of Marcel Mostert, Strongman Champions League.


"Jarno Hams from the Netherlands joins the 2009 FORTISSIMUS STRONGEST MAN ON EARTH starting lineup with these credentials: Hams competed at the 2002 and 2003 World's Strongest Man (WSM); he was a finalist at the 2006 IFSA World Championships; winner of the 2007 IFSA Holland Grand Prix; winner of the 2008 Strongman Champions League Spanish International Challenge; winner of five consecutive Dutch Strongest Man titles."

Marcel Mostert, head of the Strongman Champions League, said, "Competing at Fortissimus in 2009 requires, at the least, a track record based on consistent results in a number of top-level competitions, year after year. After almost 8 years of strongman competition, Jarno Hams shows such a profile.'"

Paul Ohl added, "I have seen Jarno Hams compete at the 2002 WSM in Malaysia. One year later I saw him again at the IFSA World Muscle Power. Since then I watched several videos of Jarno Hams, in particular from the SCL competitions in 2008. That athlete has made huge progress and a name for himself in all of Europe. That is convincing enough."

You know what he did in Beijing, and now here's your chance to see Matthias Steiner in person at the Arnold Sports Festival. But wait, who's that with him?


Fulfilling his destiny, Matthias Steiner stares at 185 kg - his opener in the snatch - at the "Good Luck Beijing!" Olympic test event in January 2008. This would be Steiner's first attempt in international competition in three years, as he had just gained his German citizenship and now was eligible to compete. Three months later, Steiner would open with 190 kg at the European Weightlifting Championships, and then in August, he would open with 198 kg . . . Matthias Steiner was on a dramatic journey that culminated with him winning the Olympic gold medal in Beijing. See Steiner and his German Olympic teammates lifting at the IronMind® Invitational at the 2009 Arnold Sports Festival. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.
 

He did more than win the super heavyweight gold medal on the last attempt at the 2008 Olympics - Matthias Steiner gave everyone a reason to dream big. His victory sounds like a movie script: a young Austrian guy is having a tough time getting support for his athletic dreams; he meets a German woman, falls in love, moves to Germany and marries her, but he isn't allowed to compete internationally while he waits to become a German citizen.

Finally, in January 2008, Matthias Steiner returns to international competition after a three-year absence . . . eight months later, with one lift left in the competition, he has a final shot at overtaking the Russian who had forged a big lead. Matthias Steiner makes the lift, wins the gold medal, and says he did it for his wife, who had tragically died in car accident the year before.

It has Hollywood written all over it, but that's the true story of Matthias Steiner, and he will be starring in the IronMind® Invitational on the main stage in the Expo Hall at the 2009 Arnold Sports Festival. Matthias Steiner and his Olympic teammates Almir Velagic and Juergen Spiess, top German weightlifting coach Frank Mantek, assistant coach Michael Vater, and team leader Dr. Christian Baumgartner . . . If that's not more than enough, IronMind® is extremely pleased to announce that Marc Huster will also be joining the party . . . Super Huster!

For full details on the Arnold Sports Festival, including ticket information, please go to the Arnold's website, and for more information on the IronMind® Invitational, featuring Olympic gold medalist Matthias Steiner, please contact Susan Altman, at IronMind®: IronMind® Invitational.

You know the story about how someone proved a bee couldn't fly.


Steve Jeck's Quarry . . . a good place to get some sound advice. Logo courtesy of IronMind® Enterprises, Inc.

That might be an extreme case, but there is no doubt that theory and practice have been known to diverge, and no where is this more obvious than in the real world of training.

To check in with Steve Jeck on this subject, follow the menu from the Training Articles button at the top of the IronMind homepage or go directly to Steve Jeck's "From the Quarry." 

Just signed today, Slovakia will host a Strongman Champions League competition in its capital, Bratislava, on June 6, Strongman Champions League co-founder Marcel Mostert told IronMind®.



The Strongman Champions League has just signed another contest - putting the 2009 calendar within reach of its 12-contest goal. IronMind® | Logo courtesy of the Strongman Champions League.
 

Saying there would be "a lineup of 14 top strongman athletes from all over the world - like in every other Strongman Champions League (SCL) competition," Mostert said this pushes the 2009 SCL schedule to 10 contests in total so far, and Mostert also said that he expects to sign a deal for yet another contest "in another country," next week.

"We are very happy that we almost have reached now our goal for 2009, where we spoke of having 12 big competitions, each with US$20,000 in prize money, which means a total of US$240,000 in 2009. We are convinced that we will reach all our goals this year again, and we are working hard to have a good time with our athletes, to give them decent prize money and great exposure on television. Because we think these matters are the basics, this is what counts in the end.

"Unfortunately and as a coincidence, the date of this competition is the same as the competition in Norway [Viking Power Challenge]. However, because there are so many good athletes at the moment around the world, we are sure both competitions can still have a top field on this same day! Therefore, we wish our colleague Svend [Karlsen] also a very good and strong competition on that day!  For sure we both hope on good weather at the 6th of June."

For more developments, please check back here and on the Strongman Champions League website.

Speaking for Viking Power Productions, Lene Alexandra Karlsen told IronMind® today that the 2009 Viking Power Challenge has been confirmed for Stavanger, Norway on June 6, 2009.

Although IronMind® does not know the details, our understanding is that this contest had originally been planned for another date, but was changed at the last minute to avoid a conflict with another big strongman contest.

"We are very excited and honored that 100% of the field of nine top-ranked international athletes have accepted the invitation," Ms. Karlsen said. In addition, the field will include the top three from Norway's Strongest Man.

Watch for more updates here and on the Viking Power homepage.

"We had a tough decision-making weekend as we reviewed the field in the light of our increased number of participants," FORTISSIMUS 2009 president Paul Ohl told IronMind®.

Continuing, Ohl said, "We officially announce that Terry Hollands, from the UK, two times Britain's Strongest Man, three times a finalist at World Strongest Man , will join the starting field of the 2009 FORTISSIMUS STRONGEST MAN ON EARTH. That decision was made after we did get all the required information as to Terry Holland's physical condition and readiness to compete and meet the challenge of FORTISSIMUS."

Stay tuned, because a further announcement is expected later this week.

Brian Shaw treated yesterday's very strong performance as a warmup and today he lowered the boom at the Gaspari Nutrition All-American Strongman Challenge, winning in a most impressive manner.


Brian Shaw relaxes after a strong first day at the FitExpo, where he pulled out all stops today and won the contest in a most impressive manner. Is a victory at the Arnold next up for Brian Shaw? IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


"Brian Shaw's performance was nothing short of spectacular," Odd Haugen told IronMind®, and if that's not enough praise, Haugen added, "I think he can win the Arnold."

Brian jump started his day by winning the Axle deadlift, hitting 385 kg, and then Nick Best won the Super Yoke carry. The final event was the Stones of Strength and even with all the top stone lifters in this contest, only two competitors succeeded in loading all six stones: Brian Shaw (who won the event) and Nick Best.

Here are the final placings:

1. Brian Shaw
2. Nick Best
3. Travis Ortmayer
4. Marshall White
5. Kevin Nee

Unfortunately, Kevin Nee tore his biceps on the deadlift, but he persevered though the yoke, although he could not do the stones.

Los Angeles - The Super Series might not be the World's Strongest Man qualifying tour in 2009, but don't think that means Odd Haugen and Ulf Bengtsson are sitting on the beach or are lost at sea.


Odd Haugen addresses the crowd watching the All-American Strongman Challenge at the FitExpo. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.
 

Instead, Super Series is doing something that could bring the sport to the attention of much larger, much more mainstream audiences, and the vehicle for this is a reality TV show.

Tomorrow morning, a major network will be filming some of the competitors at the Gaspari Nutrition All-American Strongman Challenge at the FitExpo . . . not when they are competing, but instead, when they are eating breakfast. Why? The thought is that a number of strongman competitors will be the stars of the show, getting filmed through their daily lives, and development as potential strongman stars, so the focus isn't just on their training and their competitions, but on their complete lives, including their interactions with each other.

Of course, not everyone will survive the process, but it's rumored that among other rewards, the winner of this TV show would net an invitation to a Super Series strongman contest.

Los Angeles - Ryan Bakke kicked off the Gaspari Nutrition All-American Strongman Challenge by setting a new world record in the Apollon's Axle overhead lift, getting 185 kg from the ground to arms' length overhead at the FitExpo today.


Marshall White won the dotFIT crucifix hold; that win, along with his fourth place in the Axle and and Farmer's Walk, put him in the lead after the first day of the Gaspari All-American Strongman Challenge. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


Brian Shaw and Pete Konradt tied for second in this event, both making 180 kg.

Marshall White overpowered the rest of the field on the dotFIT Crucifix Hold, easily winning the event. Pete Konradt was second, followed by Kevin Nee.

The third event bore the imprint of contest organizer Odd Haugen, as the farmer's walk went from heavy to heavier to heaviest in a three-implement, three-stage event that started with a pair of 325-lb. suitcases, used a pair of 385-lb. cylinders next, and then finished with an 880-lb. frame. Brian Shaw won, Nick Best was second and Travis Ortmayer was third.

After the first day of competition, here are the top six:

1. Marshall White 19.5 points
2. Pete Konradt 18.5
3. Travis Ortmayer, Brian Shaw (tie) 17.5
5. Kevin Nee 16.5
6. Nick Best 13

The North American Highlander Association is off to a strong start as co-founder D. J. Satterfeld told IronMind®, "Due to the overwhelming response, the North American Highlander Association (NAHA) has decided to hold its first nationals on September 19, 2009 at the Dino Gym in Abilene, Kansas."


Do you like Highland Games and strongman? Founded by D. J. Satterfeld and Richard Vincent, the North American Highlander Association might be your cup of tea. IronMind® | Artwork courtesy of D. J. Satterfeld.
 

Explaining how he got started down this road, Satterfield said, "I have competed in powerlifting since 1999, strongman since 2002, and started throwing with my son in Highland Games last year, so I have always been involved in strength sports. Sean Betz had introduced me to the Highlander concept," referring to a unique mix of tradition Highland Games events and strongman events. "We trained together for an upcoming Highlander meet he was competing in in Scotland."

Satterfeld said, "I had the vision of bringing this idea to fruition and starting an amateur Highlander organization. After competing in both sports, I saw that this would be the ultimate test of strength and athleticism. Our sport is perfect for anyone interested in testing their overall strength and ability."

Although Sean Betz is the 2008 Highland Games world champion, don't think you have to be that accomplished to participate because Satterfeld explained that, "There are varying degrees of weights and events available, so anyone from the beginner to the very advanced will have an opportunity to compete. We have everyone from Highland Games throwers, strongmen, powerlifters, track athletes to arm wrestlers involved."

Is the Highlander concept getting traction?
 
"Since we started the organization in November 2008, we have already put together 10 state chairs, from coast to coast, and have plans for Highlander contests starting in May and running throughout the year. We are very pleased with how everything is going look forward to seeing things continue to grow."

For more information on the North American Highlander Association, please visit the North American Highlander Association website.

"It took us a little time to do the much needed assessment of the final size of the field," FORTISSIMUS 2009 president Paul Ohl told IronMind®, "and, of course, to determine whether or not the competition would gain by adding more competitors."



No American strongman since Bill Kazmaier has produced the breakout performances of Phil Pfister, who has just confirmed that he will be competing in FORTISSIMUS 2009. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


"We have also sought advice and listened to what the world strength community had to say about the issue," continued Ohl. "Finally, we reviewed the track records of at least five world-class competitors and asked, in three cases up to now, to officially confirm their willingness to compete in June 2009. Yesterday, FORTISSIMUS WORLD STRENGTH made the crucial decisions with regards to crucial issues" and the bottom line is that "FORTISSIMUS WORLD STRENGTH has decided to increase the field for the 2009 FORTISSIMUS STRONGEST MAN ON EARTH to 14 competitors," according to an official statement released by the group.

"That decision" continues the statement, "was based on the fact that at least five very worthy competitors were left out on account of the limited number of spots. Today, FORTISSIMUS WORLD STRENGTH announcesthat Phil Pfister from the United States of America will join the starting field for 2009. One more name will be released in the course of next week, and that a final name will be released after a joint evaluation with the officials of the Strongman Champions League."

Zydrunas Savickas told IronMind® today that, "I do not compete in Arnolds this year."


In the hands of Zydrunas Savickas, an Inch replica dumbbell is nearly a toy, so when the Lithuanian strongman says his shoulder power is high, watch out. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.
 

"I decided it after last victory in Arnolds," said the man known as the Big Z, a strongman whose name is synonymous with winning the Arnold strongman contest and dominating the log lift world record. "I want to have some rest after six years of full-time seasons. I am planning to come back to competition in [the] summer."

Don't get too comfortable in your collective relief, is the hint to other professional strongmen, though, because Zydrunas Savickas isn't exactly turning into a couch potato while he sits out the early part of this year's strongman season.

"My training is going very well," reported Zydrunas. "I work more for endurance." Asked how much he was weighing at the moment, Zydrunas told IronMind® that his bodyweight is 160 kg, adding, "But my power [is at a] very good level, especially my shoulders."

That's the physical side of things, but Zydrunas Savickas is also recharging his psychological resources: "Every day I [grow] more hungry for competition," he said.

Besides his training and family life, Zydrunas is involved in more business ventures. "I opened a fitness gym three months ago," he said, "so I am working a lot also for this business." Pay a visit and see for youself: savickosportoklubas.

One of the fringe benefits of the kettlebells going mainstream is that people have rediscovered the value of the swing, and John Brookfield, as you might guess, has a different take on how to put this terrific movement to productive use in your training.


This month, John Brookfield's Grip Tip will give you overall fitness and conditioning, along with grip that won't quit in the blink of an eye.  IronMind®


As you would also guess, if you are familiar with John Brookfield, this training program doesn't require a boatload of equipment, and if you're short of cash, you can do the movement with a couple of things you might already have in your garage or basement. Whatever your final choice of training tool, though, follow John Brookfield's advice and you will see why he calls this "Swing to Success."

Follow this link to John Brookfield's Grip Tip or go to the Training Articles button at the top of the IronMind® homepage.

There are only 3,000 of them and they will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, so if you want a ticket to FORTISSIMUS 2009, act now.

For ticket sales, here are the options:

telephone: +1 866 641 5799
Internet: FORTISSIMUS tickets

For more information, please email: fortissimus@montmagny.com.

Mariusz Pudzianowski has just told IronMind that he is not competing in this year's Arnold strongman contest.


Mariusz Pudzianowski is picking his shots, and he won't be competing in the 2009 Arnold strongman contest. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.
 

The five-time World's Strongest Man winner had been penciled in on the start list at this year's Arnold strongman contest, but there seemed to be good reasons to question whether he was actually planning to compete.

For example, Mariusz followed his 2008 World's Strongest Man victory with a well-deserved rest and only resumed training at the beginning of the year. Considering this, his recent injuries, and his statements about competing in both FORTISSIMUS and the World's Strongest Man later this year, it seemed likely that the Arnold might not fit into his 2009 competition calendar.

What is at the top of the strongman superstar's priorities is the 2009 World's Strongest Man contest, but once again the subject of surgery came up, and that is something that could alter the plans of even the mighty Mariusz: "If my knee is okay" might be the five biggest words on this year's professional strongman circuit.

"We have a new web page up and running," Lene Alexandra Karlsen told IronMind®, as she and her husband - World's Strongest Man winner Svend Karlsen - expand their business activities and announce their 2009 strongman contest schedule.

Among its features:

On the contest front, here's what the Karlsens will be unveiling this year.

"Norway's Strongest Man is set for 22 - 23 May. We will run an open qualifier on Friday, May 22, 2009 and 12 athletes go on to the final TV2 show on Saturday, May 23, 2009," said Karlsen.

"The top three from Norway's Strongest Man qualify for the Viking Power Challenge, and the winner of Norway's Strongest Man has an invitation already from IMG Sport for World's Strongest Man 2009," Karlsen told IronMind®, adding that the date for this year's Viking Power Challenge will be announced later this week.

He did what many would have thought impossible - winning the World's Strongest Man contest - but just when the strongman world thought Phil Pfister had hung up his harness, guess who told IronMind®, "I have an interest in competing in Fortissimus 2009."


"Have harness, will travel." 2006 World's Strongest Man winner Phil Pfister is ready to hit the road - he'll be competing in this year's Arnold strongman contest and he wants to be invited to FORTISSIMUS, too. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


The key parties are now in direct contact with each other, but one thing seems clear to IronMind®: Phil Pfister could be a major factor in this contest.

"I thought I was retired," Pfister told IronMind® today, confirming that he was, in fact, competing in this year's Arnold strongman contest, as he explained that he changed his mind and now he's planning his 2009 competitive season.

"FORTISSIMUS has been in the back of my mind," Pfister said, commenting on the novel aspects of the competition and the fact that he thinks the range of events is well-suited to testing who's really the strongest man in the field.

"Can you win?" IronMind asked the 2006 World's Strongest Man winner.

"Anything's possible," Pfister replied with his usual low-key manner.

Indeed.

Just in to IronMind®, here is the official start list for FORTISSIMUS 2009, the strongmen who will do battle in "a decathlon of strength" designed to determine the "the undisputed strongest man on earth," said FORTISSIMUS president Paul Ohl.

Here's who is coming to the party:

Derek Poundstone (USA)
Travis Ortmayer (USA)
Dave Ostlund (USA)
Mikhail Koklyaev (Russia)
Andrus Murumets (Estonia)
Agris Kazelniks (Latvia)
Ervin Katona (Serbia)
Mariusz Pudzianowski (Poland)
Zydrunas Savickas* (Lithuania)
Louis-Philippe Jean (Canada)
Christian Savoie (Canada)
Jimmy Marku* (United Kingdom)

*awaiting final confirmation

FORTISSIMUS president Paul Ohl told IronMind®, "The Board of Directors will assess the increase of the field from 12 to 14, with the decision coming by February 9. 2009," and currently these are the competitors in line for those slots if they become available:

Jarno Hams (Netherlands)
to be determined (Australia)

Also, IronMind® was told that the alternates remain to be named.

With what's on the line and considering who's in the lineup, there's little wonder that Paul Ohl calls this, "The Year of the Showdown."

Five-time World's Strongest Man winner Mariusz Pudzianowski has left no ambiguity in his response to his official invitation to FORTISSIMUS 2009.

To avoid any possibility of misinterpretation, FORTISSIMUS president Paul Ohl told IronMind® that Mariusz Pudzianowski's invitation was written in Polish and the strongman superstar's reply was crystal clear: "Yes I come to competition 100%."

Gentlemen, start your engines.

"Today, I announce officially that I will be competing at FORTISSIMUS 2009," said the defending champion, Derek Poundstone.

"I challenge the best in the world. That includes first and foremost Mr. Mariusz Pudzianowski . . . and Zydrunas Savickas," referring to the current World's Strongest Man winner and the overall Strongman Champions League winner, respectively.

FORTISSIMUS president Paul Ohl says that this contest "is meant to challenge the best of the best," and while the official release of the 2009 events will be on February 25, compared to last year, "two events are withdrawn, five events are modified, three events remain unchanged and two new events are introduced." Also, Ohl said that FORTISSIMUS 2009 "will be presented in partnership with the Strongman Champions League, and in cooperation with the Professional League of Extreme Strength of Russia and the American Strongman Corporation. Marc Lauzon (Canada) was named as "supervisor of the competition," and Marcel Mostert and Ilkka Kinnunen will be the referees.

Also announced officially is the total prize of US$107,500 (US$25,000 for the winner), and Strongman Champions League announced that between its organization and FORTISSIMUS's, it "will ensure that the worldwide broadcasting of this event will be the biggest so far in the existence of FORTISSIMUS."

Marcel Catellier, Commisioner General of the Regional Community of Montmagny, Chairman of the Board of FORTISSIMUS, said, "In 2008, we have witnessed a near-miracle. It happened in a small village named Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire . . Over one weekend, the dream had come true and FORTISSIMUS had made a name for itself."

And now the stage has been set for the 2009 edition of FORTISSIMUS. More details will follow, but for now, mark your calendar and plan to be in Montmagny, Quebec June 27 - 28.

When Wade Gillingham says, "I have been doing some big Blob lifts lately," it cuts through the background noise and rings a bell at IronMind®.


Wade Gillingham might modestly say he's the self-proclaimed Blob king, but even what he does casually is off the charts . . . like this thumb-plus-two-fingers lift at last year's GNC Grip Gauntlet held during the FitExpo. Swing by the GNC Grip Gauntlet at the 2009 FitExpo, meet Wade Gillingham in person and see for yourself what he can do. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


In Wade Gillingham's hands, this normally defiant chunk of cast iron becomes quite docile, and last Wednesday Gillingham lifted the Blob "off the ground 103 times in succession, alternating right and left hands."

That was nice lifting, but how about shrinking the volume and boosting the intensity?

Last night, Wade Gillingham obliged all of us who'd rather see one big number than a pile of smaller ones, and he "lifted the Blob plus weight for a total of 77 pounds," which is the highest number we know of.

Not one to get complacent, though, Wade Gillingham is quick to say that he is motivated by what he sees looming large in his rear view mirror . . . a giant of a man whose lifts are gaining a lot of attention: "I know Brian Shaw is a monster and that if I don't keep pushing, he may go past me and take my crown of the best wide pinch in the world."

Come to the FitExpo, swing by the GNC Pro Performance booth, and give the GNC Grip Gauntlet a try, and while you're there, ask Wade to give the Blob a little airtime.

For full details on The FitExpo, please visit the FitExpo website.

"Bill Lyndon, president of Aussie Power, has officially asked FORTISSIMUS WORLD STRENGTH to allow Australia and Asia Strongest Man to challenge the 2009 FORTISSIMUS WORLD STRONGEST MAN title," Paul Ohl, president of Fortissimus, told IronMind®.


Aussiepower's Bill Lyndon is seeking closer ties with FORTISSIMUS. IronMind® | Artwork courtesy of Aussie Power.


Reporting on his conversation with Bill Lyndon without hesistation, Paul Ohl explained, "It is a legitimate request. Last year we had agreed to assess the situation given the specific problems of costs and distances. But in all fairness, and if the competition is to be inclusive, it is our duty to try to make it work. As a matter of principle, we say that the competition is meant for the best there are, bar none. To that effect, I have assured Mr Lyndon that we will treat the request from the sport's point of view, and not the other way around. The matter will be immediately brought up to the attention of the Executive Board of FORTISSIMUS WORLD STRENGTH."

One of the keys to being a successful weightlifter, as opposed to someone who otherwise lifts weights, is the ability to violently accelerate the bar once you've gotten it to about knee height and then reverse directions to catch it - if you can't do that, you might still be able to lift some big weights, but you'll never be a big-time weightlifter.


This is the approximate starting position when you lift off blocks - it might look innocent, but remember that this merely sets the stage for the acceleration and explosion that will follow. Shown here is Matthias Steiner, launching 200 kg at the 2008 European Weightlifting Championships. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.
 

Whether you want to call it "the second pull" or "the triple extension," one of the time-honored ways to train this critical portion of the snatch, the clean, and related movements is to start from blocks, instead of from the ground.

In this month's "Schmitz on the Lifts," three-time USA Olympic weightlifting coach Jim Schmitz tells you how to make good use of this assistance exercise, including all-important advice about how to use it safely - vital information because this is one movement that can turn your gym into something of a ballistic missile testing ground.

To read the latest "Schmitz on the Lifts," click the link above or go to the Training Articles button at the top of the IronMind® home page and select "Schmitz on the Lifts."


Matthias Steiner explodes and finishes his pull on his way to completing this 200-kg snatch, a huge PR that could hardly have come at a better time. A few months later, Steiner won the super heavyweight gold medal in sensational style at the Beijing Olympics. Plan now to be at this year's Arnold Sports Festival and watch Matthias Steiner lift in the IronMind Invitational on the main stage of the Expo Hall on March 7. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.

Last year, FORTISSIMUS and Strongman Champions League announced that "FORTISSIMUS has guaranteed that the top 5 athletes of Strongman Champions League will have a premium slot in FORTISSIMUS 2009," and now added detail about the agreement has been officially released.


FORTISSIMUS and Strongman Champions League are moving forward with the agreement they reached last year. IronMind® | Artwork courtesy of FORTISSIMUS and Strongman Champions League.


In a joint statement issued by FORTISSIMUS, this year's competition "will be organized and promoted in close partnership with the Strongman Champions League (SCL). In 2008, the SCL had 45 top strength athletes competing, representing more than 20 countries. The top five, based on the year 2008 results, will be invited to compete at Fortissimus."

And as a further indication of of how this partnership is developing, IronMind® was also told that, "Marcel Mostert, head of the Strongman Champions League, is expected to deliver a live statement from Europe at the press conference," referring to the media event FORTISSIMUS has scheduled for later this week.

Messrs. Mostert and Ohl have released the following statement: "The agreement between Strongman Champions League and FORTISSIMUS WORLD STRENGTH is a huge step towards the future of strongman sport. It will insure a new trend in cooperation and promotion of strength athletes. That agreement will also give a tremendous exposure to the 2009 Fortissimus competitors via EUROSPORT broadcasting."

FIT Barbell Club in Los Altos, California is kicking off 2009 with the Bad Girl Open, aimed at introducing more girls and women to the sport of weightlifting, Rob Earwicker told IronMind®.



Set for January 18, the Bad Girl Open is a fun way to give the sport of weightlifting a try. IronMind® | Artwork courtesy of Rob Earwicker.


Focusing on girls and women of just about all ages, the Bad Girl Open is not sanctioned by USA Weightlifting, Earwicker explained, with the idea of appealing to a broad range of female lifters, rather than just those who specialize in the Olympic sport of weightlifting. So, all you CrossFitters, throwers, jumpers and ball players, come out and have some fun seeing how much you can snatch, and clean and jerk.

"We are hoping this meet helps promote our great sport," said Earwicker, and if you can't make to the competition in person, watch it live at Bad Girl Open - live. For full details on this weightlifting contest, including entry forms, please visit www.badgirlopen.com.

Carl Ansara has just been certified for bending the IronMind® Red Nail™ under official conditions, making him the first man to hit this benchmark short bend in 2009.


If Carl Ansara needed another good reason to smile, he just got it: He's the first man certified on the IronMind® Red Nail™ in 2009. Congratulations, Carl! IronMind® | Photo courtesy of Carl Ansara.

Want an example of family strength? Carl dedicated this bend to his father-in-law, and Carl's wife had contacted IronMind® because she wanted to surprise Carl by arranging his certification attempt - Carl, following the rules, had already contacted us, but we were impressed by his wife's thoughtfulness.

Incidentally, don't think things always go perfectly on all Red Nail™ certification attempts: John McEneany served as Carl's official witness and his car broke down on the way to the big meeting, but undeterred, things were re-scheduled and John reported, "Carl is a great guy and tremendously strong. To warm up for the cert, he bent crescent wrenches, horseshoes, 12-inch spikes, and did dips with up to 315 lb. around his waist." IronMind® would like to say a special thank you to John for the extra effort it took for him to be Carl's official witness - we appreciate his help with this.

Congratulations, Carl, your name has been added to the Red Nail™ Roster®, the official list of men who have succeeded on this benchmark short bend.

They rocked the strongman world with their debut in 2008, but don't think the FORTISSIMUS organizing committee has been resting on its laurels since then.


If you thought FORTISSIMUS 2008 was big, wait until you hear what has been planned for 2009. A press conference next week will present some highlights of the 2009 strongman contest extraordinaire. IronMind® | Image courtesy of FORTISSIMUS World Strength.
 

A press conference is set for January 15, and a new site and an even bigger and better version of FORTISSIMUS will be described, with 2008 FORTISSIMUS champion Derek Poundstone and Canadian strongman champion Louis-Philippe Jean on hand, along with key members of the 2009 FORTISSIMUS organizing committee.

Stay tuned for more details on FORTISSIMUS 2009.

Omid Amiri told IronMind® that his wife, "head manager of WSF public relations and head manager of Asia Strongest Woman Association," will be organizing the "1st World's Strongest Women Championships in Asia in 2009."


In addition, Mr. Amiri said, "We will arrange the 3rd International World Strongmen Championships on 12 - 13 March 2009 in Dubai with 16 of the best strongmen." Mr. Amiri said the first day of this contest will also mark the opening of the Asia Strongman Federation's central offices, "with all of our national representatives."

Perennially enthusiastic and brimming with plans to expand strongman, Mr. Omiri said he and his wife wish a Happy New Year "for all of the world's strongest men and women."

When Mark Felix underwent biceps surgery, some guys might have thought they would have a chance to close the gap or maybe even catch the Rolling Thunder® world record holder, but we'd have to say, "Don't bet on it."


As he was standing around in the hotel lobby at the 2008 MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest, someone kidded Mark Felix that he was just using the cast to make his arm look even bigger, but what is not a joke is the damage Mark can do to the Rolling Thunder® with his left hand as well as his right. Read on and it's your choice: either weep or train harder if you thought this would be your year to catch Mark. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


When Mark Felix won the 2008 Rolling Thunder® World Championships, he did more than grab the title and the prize - he also became the first man in history to break the 300-pound barrier on this benchmark feat of grip strength. Jaws dropped, because this was no lightweight field, as Odd Haugen, Brian Shaw, Karl Gillingham, and Terry Hollands tied for second place, all hitting 255 pounds. And there he was, standing alone, towering over the others: Mark Felix pulled 301 pounds on the Rolling Thunder®, and since these world championships were held as the kickoff event for the World's Strongest Man Super Series Mohegan Sun Grand Prix, the world-class setting matched the world-class field and Mark Felix's world-record performance.

He only got his doctor's clearance to return to work about a week ago, so you'd think Mark Felix would be taking it easy, but all it took was seeing Chad Woodall's big lift on YouTube to fire up Felix, and out came the Christmas present - a new Rolling Thunder® that Felix called "a thing of beauty," and sparing his injured wing, he hauled up 280 pounds . . . lefty!

If that doesn't drop your jaw, throw this into the equation: Denny Felix told IronMind® that Mark has not trained this lift since last January, which just goes to show that Bruce Wilhelm's observation that "When you're strong, you're strong" has a lot going for it.

Denny Felix reported, "Your new RT [Rolling Thunder] has gone from being a thing of beauty to 'a beast,'" and if you're not feeling faint-hearted, consider that Mark Felix is hoping to reach 315 pounds!

Now that you know Mark Felix isn't on the ropes, you have two choices: train harder or just weep.

Iron Man magazine has deep roots in the Olympic sport of weightlifting, and since John Balik bought the magazine from Peary Rader, he has continued to showcase highlights from the sport.


It's on newsstands now and the February issue of Iron Man magazine has inside coverage of the tremendous battle for Olympic weightlifting gold and glory in Beijing. IronMind® | Artwork courtesy of Iron Man magazine.


The February 2009 issue of Iron Man magazine has just come out, and it has riveting coverage of the super heavyweight battle - the battle for the Olympic gold medal and the historic claim to the title, "The Strongest Man in the World."

Who is Matthias Steiner, what led up to his dramatic victory in Beijing, and what role did California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger play in this story that reads like a movie script?

Get the February issue of Iron Man magazine and read all about it.

dotFIT is the new title sponsor for the World's Strongest Man Super Series, dotFit COO Odd Haugen told IronMind®.


World's Strongest Man Super Series has a new title sponsor for 2009. IronMind® | Logo courtesy of World's Strongest Man Super Series.


Describing a four-contest 2009 tour for World's Strongest Man Super Series, Haugen said the first competition will be held in Bucharest (Romania) in the third week of April, followed by another at the Mohegan Sun (USA) on May 17. A third contest will be announced for some time this summer, and the final event of the year will be held in Sweden in December.

Odd Haugen is frequently noted for his performances in strongman where he is not far behind the best in the world, especially impressive since he is 59 years old, and is one of the strongest people in the world on the Rolling Thunder® at any age. In addition, Odd Haugen has some very formidable credentials in the fitness industry.

A Cal Berkeley MBA, Odd Haugen owned some Gold's Gyms in the San Francisco Bay Area, which he later sold to 24 Hour Fitness, where he then spent 12 years in a variety of positions, including that of managing director of European operations. Haugen later went to Apex, which is owned by 24 Hour Fitness, and recently he helped launch dotFIT. Although dotFIT is a start-up, don't think it's anything but firmly established on the experience curve: "The combined industry experience of the principals totals about 100 years," said Haugen.

"dotFIT is a web platform with evidence-based exercise and nutrition content and programs," Haugen told IronMind®. "The core competencies are weight management and performance nutrition and exercise. We are closely associated with the National Academy of Sports Medicine, the leader in exercise-related professional credentialing."

Asked about the significance of dotFIT becoming the title sponsor for World's Strongest Man Super Series, Haugen said, "The dotFIT leadership believes that the strongman sport and World's Strongest Man Super Series in particular is a very strong branding opportunity for our performance line of products and programs. dotFIT is also planning to sponsor strength athletes around the world, and will select a handful of signature athletes.'"

For more on dotFIT, please visit the dotFIT website , and for more on World's Strongest Man Super Series developments, stay tuned.

"I miss competing in strongman, but maybe I will come back one day," Arild "Hulk" Haugen told IronMind®.


Arild Haugen stretches out at the 2008 MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest. The Norwegian strongman-turned-boxer has not ruled out coming back to strongman. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.
 

"First of all, I will like to try out some pro boxing matches and see if this is fun. I have just built a private boxing gym that is perfect with a lot of equipment, like [heavy] punching bags, speed bags, and a boxing ring."

Addressing the financial side of strongman, Arild Haugen told IronMind®, "I didn't leave strongman only because of the money, but because I wanted to try something else, different, and if I was going to do so, I will have to do it now and not wait until I am 30 years old.

"But still, I think strongman is underpaid, and there are some people behind organizations who earn a lot of money in one way or another, and that's great, but I don't think they are fair to the competitors when they pay us this small money. And I still believe strongman should be more professionally organized on this level. I find it strange that no one is man enough to say it [out] loud.

"I am still quite strong," Arild Haugen told IronMind®, and showing why he earned the nickname "Emperor of the Stones," he reported, "I recently tried five stones - 120, 140, 160, 180 and 210-kg - and used 22 seconds [to load them]. Not bad for no strongman training since the World's [World's Strongest Man contest].

"Maybe I will do some [strongman] competitions this year only for fun. I think my body anyway will [benefit from] one year with some lighter and different training. And you never know: maybe I will be back one day, stronger and better.

"I will also focus some time on some of my private businesses like my fitness center and boxing gym. I am also working with some big sponsors. Life will continue after you leave the sport, you know. So then I have something waiting for me."

In the meantime, though, Arild Haugen, aka the World's Strongest Boxer, says, "Hello to the other strongman out there!"

Odd Haugen has confirmed the start list for FitExpo's Gaspari Nutrition All-American Strongman Challenge on January 24 - 25 in Los Angeles.


No one's likely to accuse dotFIT Chief Operating Officer Odd Haugen of micromanaging as he demonstrates the crucifix hold, an event that his company will be sponsoring at the 2009 FitExpo Gaspari Nutrition All-American Strongman Challenge. IronMind® | Photo courtesy of Odd Haugen.


Once again bringing strongman to the FitExpo, California's premier fitness exposition, Odd Haugen told IronMind® that besides continuing its tradition of presenting some of the top strongmen in the U.S., this contest serves as a gateway to a Super Series invitation, not to mention providing a US$4,000 payday for first place.

Here's the official list of competitors:

Travis Ortmayer
John Conner
Brian Shaw
Kevin Nee
Ryan Bakke
Pete Konradt
Josh Thigpen
Carl Foemmel
Marshall White
Nick Best

There's some major strongman talent in this group, as Travis Ortmayer, Brian Shaw, Kevin Nee and Josh Thigpen, for example, have all competed in the World's Strongest Man contest, and this contest will allow you to see some of the guys who have posted huge results in the past as well as those who are going to make a big splash this year.

The strongman action starts at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, and for full details on the FitExpo, please visit the FitExpo website.

It's not widely known in the strongman world, but in late November 2008, five-time World's Strongest Man winner Mariusz Pudzianowski was one of a dozen competitors in a strongman contest held in Iran that was something of a test run for a new strongman federation . . . and the results got two thumbs up from the principals.


Things were a little rocky for Arild Haugen (Norway) at Fortissimus 2008, but Arild came back as a force to be reckoned with at the 2008 MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest, where head referee Colin Bryce dubbed him "Emperor of the Stones" based on his dazzling performances. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


Iran might have received a harsh review in the strongman world when a 2007 contest in Kish Island did not go according to plans, and there is some feeling that strongman politics might have used local politics as a smokescreen and a scapegoat in that situation, but the most important thing now is that no matter what might have gone awry then, that did not deter a new group of organizers from trying again - and this time, things had a very different outcome.

How about US$10,000 paid to the winner, Stoyan Todorchev (Bulgaria), who edged out Mariusz Pudzianowski. Second place paid US$8,000 and third place, shared by Rohollah Dadashi (Iran) and Nadhali Esmaeili (Iran), paid US$6,000.

Wojtek Witkowski, who works closely with Mariusz Pudzianowski, told IronMind® that two of the key qualities he would like to see in strongman are 1) an honorarium or start money paid to all competitors and 2) significantly increased prize money.

Witkowski said that the lack of prize money is really hurting strongman, and he cited the exodus of Arild Haugen as a prime example, saying that he thought it was a particular shame that Haugen opted to leave strongman for boxing because the financial opportunities in boxing were so much greater, especially because he saw Arild Haugen as being a future superstar in strongman.

Next, Witkowski said, he and his colleagues will be looking for other contest organizers to collaborate with, and while he is open to working around the world, "Iran, this part of Asia, and Eastern Europe have great potential for the future of strongman."