Brian Schoonveld Smashes World Record in the IronMind Apollon's Axle at the FitExpo, Jesse Marunde is in the Lead

Pasadena, California - Not content to merely break the world record in the IronMind® Apollon's Axle™, Brian Schoonveld opened the World's Strongest Man Super Series qualifier with a bang at the FitExpo yesterday, smashing the world record in a way that left no doubt that he is capable of taking the lift through the 400-pound barrier.

Calling for a blast of crowd support, Brian Schoonveld gets ready to raise things to the rafters in the IronMind Apollon's Axle at the FitExpo yesterday. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo. 

Calling for a blast of crowd support, Brian Schoonveld gets ready to raise things to the rafters in the IronMind Apollon's Axle at the FitExpo yesterday. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.


Schoonie had already done 170 kg as a warm up, so there was little surprise when he took 180 kg (396 pounds) on his second attempt, but what nobody expected was that after he continentaled the bar to his shoulders and push pressed the bar overhead, Schoonie lowered the bar to his shoulders and then banged out three more push presses.

Odd Haugen won the second event of the day, the farmer's walk, which was also marked a moment in strongman history as it was reportedly the first competition with farmer's walk implements exceeding 400 pounds. Rounding out the first day of competition, neo-pro Dave Ostlund won the medley in impressive style.

At the end of the first day of competition, here are the standings:

1. Jesse Marunde 19 points
2. Brian Schoonveld 18 points
3. Travis Ortmayer 14.5 points
4. Odd Haugen 14 points
5. David Ostlund 12.5 points
6. Jim Glassman 12 points
7. Corey St. Clair 11.5 points
8. Grant Higa 6.5 points

The contest continues today, with the top four competitors qualifying for the first World's Strongest Man Super Series event, scheduled for April 30 at historic Muscle Beach (Venice, California).

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