When Jaana Tanner and her coach, Jyrki Rantanen, faced some flak following Tanner’s recent world record on the IronMind Rolling Thunder®, they didn’t head to the street or to court—instead, they went to the gym.

"The grip world had a new world record last weekend, when Jaana Tanner (FIN) hauled 66.750 kg up in IronMind Grip Classic: Volume 2 Qualification, and ffter the competition there was a big noise about that lift—especially in Finland about was it legal lift and also it was noted that I, who was the referee, is the coach for Jaana, etc.,” Rantanen told IronMind.

“I felt that the record did not got all the respect it deserved and it was one of the reason, why we did this training video.


“To state why Jaana´s leg was looking weird in that world record is that she has a problem with her legs and in heavier lifting they are turning inside passively—we are fixing that problem, but this video is just to prove that there was nothing to help that world record lift and Jaana will make official attempt with 70 kg, under the current rules in IronMind Grip Classic: Volume 2 Qualification, which will be held in March at the famous Bullfarm in Tampere, Finland,” said Rantanen.

Here is a link to a video made of that training session, in which Tanner exceeds her own recently-set world record:

Incidentally, like men’s Rolling Thunder world record holder Mark Felix, Jaana Turner has unusually large hands with extra long fingers—exactly the physical setup one would prefer on the Rolling Thunder.
                                                                     

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ASC returns to Columbus with its third annual Arnold Amateur World Strongman Championships—the action begins on March 2.

With 18 countries represented, this contest has grown rapidly in scope and its alumni record is nothing to sneeze at: the field at last year’s World’s Strongest Man contest included three, as will this year’s Arnold Strongman Classic. 


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“Last year, the Strongman Champions League (SCL) organized a joint venture with Colin Bryce to present a Giants Live World’s Strongest Man qualifier in Finland,“ SCL cofounder Ilkka Kinnunen reported to IronMind, “and the competition was a big success, so this year year the co-operation will continue even closer.”


Last year’s winner, Martin “The Deadlift Kid” Wildauer, is expected to be on hand to defend his title.  IronMind® | Courtesy of SCL.


“On June 9, SCL will organize again with Giants Live this contest in the IdeaPark in Lempäälä, Finland, where the world’s top strongmen will compete to win a place to World’s Strongest Man 2012.  
 
Colin Bryce said: "Giants Live, The Worlds Strongest Man Qualifying Tour, are absolutely thrilled to be coming back to Finland in 2012.  Last year Giants Live was a very successful part of the Power Truck Festival in Ala Härmä where thousands of fans got to enjoy some of the World's Strongest Men in action.  Again in a powerful cooperation with SCL.

“This year we are planning on making it an even bigger and better event.  We will be inviting the absolute top strongmen in the world to the Ideapark contest on June 9.  As ever, we will qualify the top three for the World’s Strongest Man (WSM) contest, which will take place in September of  2012.  This means the contest will be extremely important for the Finnish athletes and those athletes from around the World invited along.



“This will be their big chance at gaining a golden ticket to WSM.  This year we will have athletes from the USA, UK and all over mainland Europe. To make this the challenge it needs to be we will be making the weights as heavy if not heavier than ever before.  If an athlete comes top three at this contest then they will truly deserve a place at the Worlds Strongest Man show. 



“We look forward to meeting all the amazing Finnish strongman fans once again in 2012.  See you in June!"

IronMind expects details about the events and athlete shortly, so stay tuned.

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“We have some progress again!,” WSF founder Vlad Redkin told IronMind as he announced that the “WSF World Strongmen Championship 2012 will be on 9 -14 of February in Abu
Dhabi under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed BinHamdan Al Nahyan.”


The organizers, including Vlad Redkin (center), with Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin.  IronMind® | Courtesy of WSF.


With a US$30,000 prize list and 25 competitors, the scale of this contest is large.  Here is the schedule of events.  The pool of athletes will be cut each day, leading up to an 8-man final.

February 11 (25 athletes)
Apollon Axle; max
Farmer’s Walk: time, 160 kg, 50 m
Deadlift: 300 kg, for reps
Tire Flips: 320 kg, time, 8 reps
Duck Walk Medley: 220-, 240-, 260 kg

February 12 (15 athletes)
Arm-over-Arm: bus; time, 20 m
IronMind Sandbag carry: 120 kg for distance
Super Yoke: time, 350 kg, 25 m
Manhood stone: 180 kg, reps
Log lift:125 kg for reps

February 13: Final (8 athletes)
Apollon/’s Axle for reps
Farmer’s + Duck Walks: time, 50 m
Truck pull: time, 25 m
Tire Flips: 320 kg, time, 8 reps
Mas-wrestling

Athletes
1. Tarmo Mitt (Estonia)
2. Mark Felix (UK)
3. Laurence Shahlaei (UK/Iran)
4. Josh Thigpen (USA)
5. Richard van der Linden (Holland)
6. Nicolai Hansen (Denmark)
7. Elbrus Nigmatullin (Kazakhstan)
8. Antanas Abrutis (Lithuania)
9. Aleksandr Lasyn (Ukraina)
10. Aleksandr Lapirev (Belarus)
11. Kevin Nee (USA)
12. Juanjo Diaz Garcia (Spain)
13. Sergey Trubicin (Uzbekistan)
14. Rolands Gulbis (Latvia)
15. Krzysztof Radzikowski (Poland)
16. Vusal Mardanov (Azerbaijan)
17. Adam Darasz (Hungary)
18. Vladimir Rizov (Bulgaria)
19. Mostaba Maleki (Iran)
20. Farzad Mouskhani (Iran)
21. Mika Jaakola (Finland)
22. Alexander Mancerov (Russia)
23. Marc Wells (Australia)
24. Gregor Stegnar (Slovenia)
25. Ricardo North (Brazil)

Redkin said the competition is being organized by “WSF–ASF–DAR AL HAI,” so it a team effort.  The competition is being held in Khalifa Park, Abu Dhabi.

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Given concerns about 1) contact between the lifter’s hand or the Rolling Thunder® handle and his or her leg and 2) quick down signals, the official rules for lifting the IronMind Rolling Thunder were amended today and are in effect immediately.


Michael Burke takes a shot at 282 lb. (128 kg) on the Rolling Thunder at the LA FitExpo grip contest on Sunday.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.

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America's Sweetheart Strongwoman, aka Callie (Marunde) Best, told IronMind, “Pack your bags for Vegas April 21, 2012 because Callie and Nick Best are at it again with Giants Live qualifier, Sin City Strongman III.

“They have sweetened the deal though:  The top two Americans will qualify to compete in an upcoming Giants Live show, of course expenses will be taken care of."
 
“Not to worry if friends or family can't make it because it will be broadcast live on Nick's website.
 
“Because of interest they will be adding three more classes to this contest.  You will see a masters, womens, and open class for the guys.  This class will be for all those competitors who wanted to come to a great show in Vegas, but are not ready to face the top in the world, yet.
 
“Entries and all other information will be available on http://www.marunde-muscle.com next week."

Giants Live is the official qualifying tour for the World’s Strongest Man contest, so win in Vegas, do it again and Giants Live, and just that you’ll have made it to the big time in strongman.
 
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Looking “to bring back the good times, when Finland´s Strongest Man™ was importing champs like Jón Páll Sigmarsson, Bill Kazmaier and O.D.Wilson to Finland," Jyrki Rantanen told IronMind, “We are happy to have the biggest men on strongman sport in our event —Brian and Haffi are both in 2-meter/200-kg range with huge power levels, so the challengers will have full day job if they want to get some scalps even in some events.”


Iceland’s Hafthor Julius Bjornsson motored away from the field and won the Truck Pull at the 2011 World’s Strongest Man.  IronMind | Randall J. Strossen photo.


Rantanen is organizing “King of the Castle” in Hameenlina, Finland on April 21 under the banner of the World’s Strongest Man Experience.

Here is the official start list:

• Brian Shaw
• Hafthor Julius Bjornsson
• Jarno Jokinen
• Mika Jaakola
• Antti Mourujarvi
• Tarmo Mitt
• Rolands Gulbis
• Nicolai Hansen

Tickets will go on sale March 15 and it is anticipated that more details are on their way.

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Coming in, IronMind had called this Felix vs. Durniat, but no less than Brian Shaw predicted that Michael Burke would win, and as it turned out, both of us had this partly right.


Mark Felix’s hand opens on the Captains of Crush No. 3 gripper and referee Mike Corlett signals for time as the CoC Silver Bullet is launched: Felix is credited with the inaugural world record as he held on for 43.25 seconds at the 2012 LA FitExpo.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


Opening with the Rolling Thunder®, there was hope that Mark Felix would break his own world record (301 lb.), but that was not to be as Mark Felix and Michael Burke tied at 271 lb.—both men missing 282 lb.  Incidentally, before the competition started, Odd Haugen recommended to me that the Rolling Thunder world record be reset based on the top results of this contest, as the smoothest way to handle the transition from the period before the current Rolling Thunder handle was introduced (2009).

Next up was the Apollon’s Axle Deadlift, double overhand, which along with the Rolling Thunder is become the other world standard for thick bar lifts.  Staring everyone in the eyes was Rich Williams formidable 501-lb. world record, while four guys got to a most worth 463 lb. (Odd Haugen, Michael Burke, Andrew Durniat and Mark Felix), Big Rich’s record was never in danger. 

Felix and Burke were tied for the lead now, with Durniat 1-1/2 point behind.

Medleys have grown in scale and popularity in grip contests and Odd Haugen put together 12 objects of different sizes, shapes and weights—all but one testing pinch grip.  Burke won, mastering 11 of the challenges; Odd Haugen, Vince Urbank, Daniel Reinhard and Andrew Durniat all tied for second as each succeeded with 9 of the objects.

Burke catapulted into the lead after the medley (34 points), and Durniat (30 points) leapfrogged over Felix( 28.5 points), with Haugen pushing into third place (29 points).

Going back to crushing grip, the CoC Silver Bullet challenge was next, with the best time to become the world record.  IronMind had created a calibrated 2.5 kg disc especially for this event, to give even more visual appeal to the new event, which went over big time with both the competitors and the audience.  Mark Felix won with a time of 43.25 seconds, followed by Andrew Durniat (33.49 seconds) and Jerry Pritchett (27.07 seconds).

Durniat was back in the lead now (41 points), but Felix was breathing down his neck (40.5 points) and Burke was close enough (38 points) to be a threat as well.

So now it was going to come down the final event, the Viking Fishing Pole Wrist Roller Challenge, and this is where the bottom fell out for Durniat as he finished in 6th place—which would leave him third overall.  Felix’s fortunes went in the opposite direction, as he won the event, which also gave him the overall victory.  And Burke did the same thing as Felix, only right behind him: second in the Fishing Pole and second overall.

Here are the final places and points, officially:

In addition to major bragging rights and impressive trophies, Mark Felix pocketed $1,000 cash (courtesy of IronMind); Burke and Durniat won $600 and $400, respectively (courtesy of Grassland Beef).
 
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Los Angeles—Officially closing a Captains of Crush No. 3.5 gripper is a rare event, but today at the Los Angeles FitExpo, history was made as not one, but two men—Vache Sevajian and Andrew Durniat—succeeded on this world class test of grip strength.


Vache Sevajian (left) and Andrew Durniat (right) have just been certified on the Captains of Crush No. 3.5 gripper.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


Vache Sevajian had contacted IronMind recently and said he was ready to be certified on the Captains of Crush No. 3.5 gripper and while arrangements were made to have Sevajian take his official attempt at the Los Angeles FitExpo, this was not widely known. 

Sevajian took two attempts, with referee Kevin Bussi, calling both short of a full close and the three of us discussed the possibility that the gripper might be opening a bit when Sevajian lifted his pinky to show the touch.  I mentioned that Magnus Samuelsson had a similar problem on some of his closes and I had discussed this with Richard Sorin, proposing that if the referee can hear the handles grinding, even if his view is blocked, the gripper should be considered closed.  Sorin agreed with this, and so it was decided that if on Sevajian’s next attempt, if his pinky was blocking the referee’s view, he was to grind the handles to prove they were touching.

As it turned out, there was no need to invoke this principle as Sevajian got a clean close, nailing the CoC No. 3.5 as Andrew Durniat made the call on Sevajian’s no-doubt-about-it comeback attempt.

A little later in the day, Andrew Durniat asked about taking a crack at the CoC 3.5 as he was motivated by Sevajian’s success and as it turned out, for good reason, as he demolished the gripper on his first attempt.

Congratulations Vache and Andrew—your names have been added to the Captains of Crush No. 3.5 certification list—and many thanks to the referees who served on these attempts: Kevin Bussi, Andrew Durniat and Fernando Rodriguez. 

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The 2012 Met-Rx All-American Strongman Challenge presented by GNC turned into a three-man battle involving Mike Burke, Stefan Solvi Petursson and Nick Best—Burke won, but Petursson and Best made their presence felt.


One of the unusual events Odd Haugen included for this contest was a tire deadlift with nothing to grab but the tire itself.  Mike Burke blew through this like nothing on his way to the overall win at the LA FitExpo today.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


Burke showed his strengths throughout the day, finishing with a bang as he won the Atlas Stones to clinch the title, and earned a guaranteed invitation to the Arnold strongman contest next month.

Odd Haugen said that runner-up Stefan Solvi Petursson “looked stronger than I’ve ever seen him,” and there was some speculation that he, too, might end up with an invitation to compete in Columbus.
Nick Best was battling a migraine headache but that didn’t stop him from posting a scorching time in the Yoke Race—there was talk of Best’s run being a world record; he was flying so fast that if the LAPD had been at the event, he might have gotten a speeding ticket.

Here are the final places and points, officially.

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Finland’s Jaana Tanner broke the women’s world record on the Rolling Thunder today at the IronMind® Grip Classic–Volume 2.


Janna Tanner and the world record weight she pulled on the Rolling Thunder at the IronMind Grip Classic Vol. 2.  IronMind® | Photo courtesy of Jyrki Rantanen. 


The IronMind Grip Classic–Volume 2
by Jyrki Rantanen

The IronMind Grip Classic tour started today in Voimapuoti Gym (organizer Gripmonsters) in Helsinki with some of the top gripsters in Finland included and the greatest performances were again done by the top ladies.

In grippers, Jaana Tanner and Yvonne Häkkinen did easy credit card reps with a Captains of Crush® No. 1 and Yvonne handled also a Captains of Crush (CoC) No. 1.5 gripper without any problems, so we might hear some CoC No. 2 attempts from Finland during 2012.

The real bomb came when we put the Rolling Thunder® on the floor: Yvonne showed some good improving shape with a solid 55.5-kg lift, but Jaana had hunger for records and asked for a new Finnish record for her second lift, 63 kg, and it looked like she was picking up a glass of milk from the table.  After the applause stopped Jaana discussed things with her coach and the next attempt was to break Elizabeth Horne´s world record of 65.61 kg (144.4 lbs).  Since we worked in kilos our opportunity was to load 66.75 kg (146.91 lbs) and Jaana smoked that like nothing and our question now is, Will Jaana Tanner from Finland be the first woman on earth to break the 70-kg barrier on the IronMind Rolling Thunder?

Some might think, that after you have done world, your wind is gone for the day, but not this time as when we moved to the Apollon´s Axle deadlift Jaana dusted the old record of 106 kg and wrote the new one with the numbers 107.5 kg!!!

In the Apollon’s Axle deadlift, Yvonne secured her semifinal spot with solid 90-kg lift, but that only gave the bronze in the event today since the new comer Alina Leisiö did a nice lift with 100 kg and also got the new national record off from the floor, but could not lock it out yet.

After the ladies’ shining performances, we did not expect to see anything spectacular in the men’s clas, but we were happy to witness that Timo Tuukkanen, Mika Toiviainen, Teemu Peltola and Antti Mourujärvi secure their semifinal spots with good lifts over the qualification limits.  In points, Timo Tuukkanen was the overall winner today followed by Toiviainen and Peltola.

Along with these lifts we saw good efforts, but all athletes did not got their spots yet, although they can try again after a few weeks in famous Bullfarm gym.  Also, some top names are aiming to compete later in the Spring in other qualifications.

So, at the moment the following athletes have secured the spot to semifinal, which will be held in our Fitness Expo in September:

Women
• Jaana Tanner
• Yvonne Häkkinen

Men
• Timo Tuukkanen
• Mika Toiviainen
• Teemu Peltola
• Antti Mourujärvi

We are looking to have minimum of 10 athletes in each class, so if there aren´t enough people over the qualification limits we will look back to our notebooks and pick up the next best lifters to fill that number of competitors—based on what we saw today, we won´t have that problem    

Special Thanks to the tour sponsor Fitnesstukku!

Here´s the link to the WR video in youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9cWlFrFYtg&feature=share


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The IronMind Crushed-to-Dust!® Challenge kicks off this weekend, with simultaneous events at the LA FitExpo and at Paul Knight’s 4th Annual Metroflex Grip Contest .


Got a grip?  Here’s how to prove it: The IronMind Crushed-to-Dust!® Challenge tests all five fingers on classic feats of grip strength—a Captains of Crush gripper, the Rolling Thunder and the IM Hub.  Artwork courtesy of IronMind.

The objective of the Crushed-to-Dust!® Challenge is to recognize outstanding grip strength with a quick, fun test: use it as goal, meet the challenge and IronMind will certify your accomplishment just as it has on the  top Captains of Crush Grippers since 1991.

Paul Knight, a top tier grip strength guy—he is certified on the CoC No. 3 and the CoC No. 3.5, as well as on the IronMind Red Nail—will be running a Crushed-to-Dust Challenge alongside his grip contest at the Metroflex Gym in Fort Worth, Texas tomorrow: "Weigh-ins are at 9:00 a.m. and first lift 11:00 a.m. sharp" for the grip contest, Knight told IronMind, and he will have the Crushed-to-Dust! Challenge available alongside his competition for any walk-ons or grip-strength pros who want to give it a shot.

Also, tomorrow, the Crushed-to-Dust Challenge will be featured at the LA FitExpo, California's largest fitness expo, over in the strongman/grip contest area, starting when the Expo opens at 10:00 tomorrow and again on Sunday until about 1:30 p.m.  Remember to use this coupon to save $5 on your ticket, so have a beverage of your choice on us with the money you save.

Here are the official rules for the IronMind Crushed-to-Dust!® Challenge; the three elements may be completed in any order, moving from one event to the next with a three-minute time limit from the start of the first event:

No. 2 Captains of Crush® Gripper
1. The gripper must be an authentic IronMind Enterprises, Inc. Captains of Crush® Gripper.
2. The gripper cannot have been modified or tampered with in any way.
3. Chalk (magnesium carbonate) may be used on the gripping hand, but rosin, tacky, etc. are specifically disallowed.
4. The free hand may be used to position the gripper in the gripping hand, but the starting position can be no narrower than the width of a credit/ATM card, and the gripster must show the official that he has an acceptable starting position by using his non-gripping hand to slide the end of a credit/ATM card in between the ends of the handles. Once this is done, the official will give the signal to remove the card and begin the attempt. Any contact between the
non-gripping hand and the gripper as the card is being removed will invalidate the attempt, and the non-gripping hand must stay at least a foot from the gripping hand at all times during the squeeze. Similarly, nothing may be in
contact with the gripping hand or the gripping arm from the elbow down (for example, the free hand is not allowed to steady the wrist of the gripping hand or hold the spring, etc.). The entire squeeze must be clearly visible to the official: the gripper cannot be closed while blocked from view and then turned and presented as already closed.
5. The gripper must be held with the spring facing up.
6. The handles must touch completely.


Hub-style Pinch Gripper
1. The Hub-style Pinch Gripper must be an authentic IronMind Enterprises, Inc. Hub; it cannot have been modified or tampered with in any way.
2. Chalk (magnesium carbonate) may be used on the gripping hand, but nothing else is permitted (tacky, for example, is specifically disallowed).
3. Weight is hung from the Hub with an Olympic-sized loading pin that is clipped to the underside of the Hub with a carabiner (generally, IronMind’s loading pin and carabiner are used, although substitutions are allowed).
4. The lifter starts the lift with all five fingertips of the lifting hand touching the plate at the base of the Hub, and from this position lifts the Hub. It is permissible that the fingers rotate somewhat from this position during the course of the lift, but holding the Hub as if grabbing a door knob is not allowed.
5. The lifter must stand up straight; once standing straight, the lifter waits for a down signal from the referee before returning the weight to the ground. Contact must be maintained between the lifter's hand and the Hub until the
weight is resting on the floor. The referee then indicates if the lift was accepted.


Rolling Thunder®
1. An authentic and current-model IronMind® Rolling Thunder® handle must be used; it cannot have been modified in any way, and it must be inspected to ensure that it revolves freely: holding the handle, lift the triangular
metal frame and rotate it until it is horizontal (parallel to the ground). Release the metal frame to demonstrate that it rotates back to its original vertical position (pointing toward the ground) under its own weight.
2. Chalk (magnesium carbonate) may be used on thelifter's hand, but nothing else is permitted (tacky, for example, is specifically disallowed).
3. The lift starts with the weight in between the lifter’s feet.  Weight is hung from the Rolling Thunder with an Olympic sized loading pin that is clipped to the frame of the Rolling Thunder with a carabiner (generally, IronMind’s loading pin and carabiner are used, although substitutions are allowed).
4. The lifter grabs the Rolling Thunder handle in its center, with no part of the hand touching the non-revolving part of the handle, and lifts with the handle remaining approximatelyparallel to the ground. Any contact between the
lifter's hand and the non-revolving portion of the handle disqualifies the lift.
5. A thumbless grip is not permitted.
6. The lifter must stand up straight; once standing straight, the lifter waits or a down signal from the referee before returning the weight to the ground. Contact must be maintained between the lifter's hand and the handle until
the weight is resting on the floor. The referee then indicates if the lift was accepted.

©2011 IronMind Enterprises, Inc.

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Formally, it’s called “The Met-Rx IronMind Visegrip Viking Grip Contest Presented by GNC,” but grip-strength insiders know it boils down to three words: Durniat vs. Felix.


Mark Felix—the baddest man on the planet when it comes to the Rolling Thunder®.  Will he break his world record this weekend at the LA FitExpo?  Be there at 11:00 on Sunday to find out.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


It’s the rangy 6’4” 230-lb. Durniat, a former collegiate lacrosse player, versus professional strongman Mark Felix, who, at 6’4” and 294 lb., has more muscle from his shoulder to his fingertips than most men have in their entire bodies.

What’s at stake is top honors at what contest organizer (and competitor) Odd Haugen calls “probably the biggest grip contest ever,” and that’s because the average competitor stands 6’ 3” tall and weighs 290 lb.

Andrew Durniat, at about 6’ 4” and 230 lb., is underweight compared to the average competitor, but Durniat is a leading name in grip-strength circles: his top credits include being certified on the Captains of Crush No. 3 gripper and finishing second overall in this grip contest last year, in what was considered to be a breakthrough performance.


Andrew Durniat—shown on the IronMind Apollon’s Axle Deadlift—impressed all at last year’s grip contest at the LA FitExpo, where he finished second to Mark Felix.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


Mark Felix, a regular competitor at the World’s Strongest Man contest, also happens to hold the world record on the Rolling Thunder, a record that he will attack this Sunday.

And speaking of world records, the CoC Silver Bullet will debut in this contest, with the best performance (using a Captains of Crush No. 3 gripper and a 2.5 kg weight) will be the inaugural world record.

Also, just announced by Odd Haugen, there are 12 elements in the medley and all but one test the pinch grip: Blobs, hub lifts, and more, so anyone who thought he had a high-octane thumb will have a chance to prove it.

Although he’s coming into this competition with the wind at his back, Durniat isn’t seeing anything as a gimme: “I'm excited to see Steve Schmidt lift, I've seen his Axle lift 440# in the past.  Likewise, Josh Thigpen is a freak athlete with everything he does. Should be a great day for grip sport.  I land in LA tomorrow at 11 a.m.”

The action starts at 11:00 on Sunday and will run until about 1:30.  Please visit the LA FitExpo website for full details, and use this coupon to save $5 on your ticket.


Promoter–competitor Odd Haugen is on his way to becoming an AARP poster boy as he will show being 60-something is just a number when it comes to grip strength.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.

 
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“Due some unexpected  political problems in the Ukraine we had to reschedule the SCL finals again,” Marcel Mostert told IronMind today, “and we are set now for Sarajevo, in Bosnia.”


Ervin Katona has a chance to win the overall Strongman Champions League title, which carries a prize of US$15,000.  IronMind® | Courtesy of SCL.


Explaining that time had been lost as SCL tried to keep things on track for the Ukraine, Mostert said this forced an accelerated pace in preparing for this competition, but all the pieces are now in place and “the most important thing is that we are doing it.”

“It  will happen one week later [than planned for the Ukraine], on February 4 in the Zetra Olympic Hall Juan Antonio Samaranch in Sarajevo.

“This hall was built for the 1984 Winter Olympic Games, and so far it is the largest facility of this type in Bosna and Herzegovina.  We are happy that we could reschedule this so fast, with great help from our SCL organization in Bosnia.
 
“It will be a hard fight over 7 events with 12 finalists, especially between Zydrunas Savickas and Ervin Katona, because both can still win the title SCL World Champion 2011, powered by Monster Milk,” said Mostert

Events
• Power Team Forward Hold
• Truck Pull
• Log lift
• Atlas Stones
• Wheel Flip
• Medley
• Car Dead lift

“Zydrunas Savickas, Andrus Murumets and Terry Hollands were the former overall champions in previous years.  Will Ervin Katona finally succeed as well and join this impressive list?  It’s going to be exciting and all other athletes will earn double ranking points.

“The whole competition will be recorded and to be seen at 24 February at Eurosport,” said Mostert, "with US$15000 for the overall champion, and another $15,000 for the competitors in this contest."

http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/Articles/2011/Dec/2011_SCL_Finals-15000_for_the_Winner.html
 
 
Stay tuned for the results on IronMind and www.strongmancl.com
 
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Magnus Samuelsson—likely the most commercially-successful World’s Strongest Man winner—told IronMind today that it’s vital to play the cards you have the best you can.




World’s Strongest Man winner, owner of The World’s Strongest Arms, certified on the Captains of Crush No. 4 gripper, former world record holder in the Rolling Thunder, called “The King of the Stones” . . . and that’s only a partial list of Magnus Samuelsson’s accomplishments in the strength world.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


Samuelsson says “luck is a big factor in this journey,” but he is being characteristically philosophical and modest: Samuelsson explained that he viewed strongman as both sport unto itself and as a platform for exposure. 

As an indication of Samuelsson’s focus, since he retired from strongman competition, his exposure has kept increasing and his portfolio of successes is bulging like his biceps: product endorsements, a Dancing With the Stars victory, TV shows, rally cars, and more.

Not all has been rosy, though, as about a year and half ago, Samuelsson tore his left rotator cuff, and after a series of three surgeries,he now accepts that it will never be what is was.

“So, is this a good time for me to arm wrestle you left handed,” I asked.

“I’m still pretty good at arm wrestling,” he said, but he keeps his bench presses down to 200 kg to avoid discomfort.

Asked whether he had been doing any grip training recently, Samuelsson said he can still handle about his best on the Rolling Thunder and he uses thick-handled dumbbell rows as a way to gauge his overall grip strength. 

“Can you still close a Captains of Crush No. 4 gripper?”

“I haven’t tried lately, but now maybe I will have to again.”

“And is closing a Captains of Crush No. 3 gripper still just click, click, click for you?”

“I would almost be surprised if it were not.”

Trimmed down to about 140 kg, Magnus Samuelsson said he could quickly bulk up again if necessary, but that this is a good body weight for him, adding, “I feel like a skinny guy.
 
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Frank Mantek, the Sports Director of the German Weightlifting Federation as well as the German Men’s National Weightlifting Coach, told IronMind today, “Matthias has begun with barbell training and his knee is better.  I hope it stays so and he gets strong.


Checking messages: Frank Mantek—the coach behind such weightlifting stars as Ronny Weller, Marc Huster and Matthias Steiner—awaits the beginning of the men’s superheavyweight class at the recent London Prepares: Olympic Weightlifting Test Event.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


“The first competition is on June 9 in Heidelberg.  On this day he must qualify for the Olympic Games,” said Mantek.

Matthias Steiner moved from Austria to Germany to better develop as an athlete, and in a story that made Steiner an instant media darling, he won the +105 kg weightlifting gold medal at the 2008 Olympics—a success that proved once again that when it come to producing champion weightlifters, Frank Mantek has the Midas touch.
 
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Think of it as a slice of pizza or a cappuccino on us or $5 toward your next Captains of Crush gripper: Print out this coupon and you’ll get into the LA FitExpo for $15 instead of $20.


It’s packed with contests, exhibitors, and demonstrations—not to mention a lot of your friends and people you’d like to see and talk to: the LA FitExp is January 28–29 and this coupon gets you $5 off the price of admission.  IronMind® | Courtesy of FitExpo.


Strongman, grip strength, Olympic-style weightlifting, powerlifting, MMA, CrossFit—you name it: if it’s part of the fitness world, you’ll fit it at the LA FitExpo.
 
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Jyrki Rantanen, who describes his role as being “the official for international relations concerning Strongest Man in Finland,” told IronMind that there would be “big improvements” for the national championships this year.

Rantanen said the contest is scheduled for June 1–2 and “there’s now the opportunity for at least 8 athletes to go forward to international competitions like The World´s Strongest Man Experience™ , Arnold Amateur World Championships, etc. from the show and also maybe the first time ever in strongman history, one of the awards is that the winners from each class will get their own page on the association’s webpage where they can have their own sponsors.

“We think that it´s time for taking more care of the athletes and the best way to start is to support them to get visibility for their local sponsors and that way they can get a better opportunity to have support for their own life and career.

“The competition will be filmed for the national channel YLE and it´s held in Turku City, next to the famous Aura river,” Rantanen said.

“You were there some 7–8 months ago, when we discussed about going more to international co-operation and bringing back the fame the competition once had,” Rantanen said, referring to Randall Strossen’s most recent 48 hours in  Finland.  “I think we have done more than that and there´s more to come.


“To offer equal opportunity to everyone competing we are announcing the events on January 31, which is over four months prior the contest.  We also have a contract with national channel for upcoming years along with some long sponsor deals so we can really focus on developing the greatest, oldest show in the country to be even brighter star in strongman/woman sky.”
 
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Power Productions UK Director Colin Bryce told IronMind, “I am doing a big show in Australia in March,” which is a bit of understatement since this happens to be the season opener for Giants Live, the official qualifying tour for the World’s Strongest Man contest.


Not distracted by the rain or intimidated by the 442-kg deadlift at his feet, Brian Shaw psyches up at the 2011 World’s Strongest Man contest.  Colin Bryce calls Shaw, “the hottest property in the strength world,” and you can see him in person at Giants Live in Melbourne, Australia on March 17–18.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


“The Giants Live 2012 season is kicking off on March 17–18 in Melbourne's Exhibition Centre at the FitX, Australia's answer to the Arnolds and it is growing at an stunning rate.  The entertainment on offer this year includes bodybuilding, powerlifting, fitness and hundreds of stalls and celebrities. 

“I am very pleased to say the hottest property in the strength world, The 2011 World's Strongest Man winner,  Brian Shaw will be fighting it out with nine other top athletes.  As ever the top three will qualify for the Worlds Strongest Man show in 2012," Bryce said.

Here is the official start list:
 
• Brian Shaw - USA
• Mike Bourke - USA
• Nick Best - USA
• Eben Le Roux - Australia
• Frankie Scheun - South Africa
• Jeremy Hogg - New Zealand
• Jonathan Macfarlane - New Zealand
• Gerhard Van Staden - South Africa
• Derek Boyer - Australia
•1 more competitor TBD
 
Disciplines:
 
Saturday, March 17:
12:00 - Frame Carry: (360 kg for 30 m (15 m each way)
14:00 - Viking Press: 150 kg in each hand for reps (60 seconds)
16:00 - Loading: 5–7 m distance each way, to load drums on to platforms
20:00 - Deadlift: 330 kg for reps (38-cm bar)
 
Sunday, March 18:
13:30 - Hip Lift: details to be announced
15:45 - Engine Carry: (160 kg off the floor Hussafelt style)
16:30 - Awards Presentation

For full details and tickets, please visit www.fitx.com.au/ and www.giants-live.com; and keep your eye on the IronMind News for updates.

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2001 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) winner Svend Karlsen has developed a strongman certification program that is being offered through Midtown Manhattan’s Global Strongman Gym.


Midtown Manhattan’s Global Strongman Gym is offering WSM winner Svend Karlsen’s strongman certification course, open to all.  IronMind® | Courtesy of Svend Karlsen/Global Strongman Gym.


Designed to bring the benefits of strongman training to everyone who is interested in improved endurance, power and speed, the certification course “Strongman training is for all walks of life [and is] more fun, more movement than your regular gym training routines.”

The certification is set for February 25–26, 2012 and you can register on the Global Strongman Gym website.

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It’s been in the air for a while, lurking behind a flurry of publicity launched by United Strongmen: the carrot being dangled was that a big announcement was about to rock the strongman world—while not everyone thought the hints were serious, they proved to be as solid as Finland’s medieval Hämeenlinna Castle.


Finland's Hämeenlinna Castle will welcome the World's Strongest Man Experience on April 12 as the United Strongmen team up to present the King of the Castle–WSM Experience.  IronMind® | Artwork courtesy of IMG/WSM Experience.


IMG made the official announcement today: “Continuing the success of WSM experience, United Strongman will bring WSM Experience to Finland in 2012 and 2013.  Jyrki Rantanen, the United Strongman founder adds that the 2012 event will be very special and exclusive due it´s historical venue.

“WSM Experience features 8 Strongman competing in a head to head format.  Athlete line up, WSM events and ticket information will follow shortly. “King of the Castle – WSM Experience will take place on 21st April 2012 and further information will follow via the official WSM Experience page.”

Rantanen told IronMind, “United Strongmen™ has been on the air only for some six months, but the plan for it has worked for a decade and I´m happy to see that the main principles from the very start: respect and open co-operation with the key players is making  it working.  Our support towards the one and only: WSM brand comes from the heart - without WSM there would not be the sport of strongman like it is today.

“I want to also use this opportunity to thank everyone, who have been involved so far - your support has been more than I have imagined.  Special thanks to IMG, United Strongmen™ Council members, co-operator countries and other co-operators.”

IMG Senior Licensing Manager Carl Lawrence said, "I have been working with Jyrki Rantanen and we are delighted to form this partnership.”
      
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Adam Darazs set a new national record in the Hungarian Hammer at the Hungarian Highland Games Winter Classic this past weekend, Francis Brebner reported to IronMind.


Not your traditional Highland Games Hammer, the Hungarian Hammer weighs 29 lb. and has a metal handle and shaft.  IronMind® | Courtesy of IHGF.


The competition included three event: the hammer, stone put and the caber toss.

“The highlight of the competition was undoubtedly Adam Darazs, the pride of Hungary, setting a new national record in the 28-lb Hungarian hammer with a distance of 73' 5",” Brebner said,

“I have put in the hard work and time training and it all come together on the day.  This is a really good result to start off the early season of throwing for me.  I am very happy indeed as this event is very much respected in my country,” Darasz told Breber.

“The federation leaders are also happy to see so many new athletes competing in the sport, and in the next few years, I foresee Highland Games events expanding throughout Hungary,” Darazs said.
 
Here are the top three, overall:

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“Vilmar Oliveira, president of Brazil's Strongman Federation, has just affiliated with the IHGF and has been appointed the official IHGF representative for Northern Brazil,” Francis Brebner told IronMind today.


Northern Brazil has signed up with the International Highland Games Federation (IHGF),  with the intention of adding Highland Games to a mix that includes strongman.  IronMind® | Artwork courtesy of IHGF.


“Vilmar who has been involved with sports for over 38 years.  He is the biggest strength promoter in Brazil and has been organizing televised national and international championships in the states of Rio Grande do SUL, Santa Catarina, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro since 1997.  He is also a promoter of powerlifting, and, himself, is currently the WABDL (World Association bench press and deadlift),” said Brebner.

“Vilmar now plans on introducing Scottish Highland Games to be a part of his very high profile and successful accumulation of televised sporting events. 

“Next major event planned by Vilmar will be held on February 26, which will be for Brazil’s Strongest man Championships, which always draws a audience of between six to seven thousand fans,” Brebner said.
             
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Kicking off the new with another notch on his belt, Missouri’s own Wes Inman has just been certified on the IronMind Red Nail—a benchmark short steel bend.


Wes Inman, successful on the IronMind Red Nail™, relaxes in his home gym.  IronMind® | Photo courtesy of J. T. Straussner.


“I grew up in Arcadia, a very small town in the foothills of Missouri.  I enjoy the slow pace of the country life,” Inman told IronMind, but don’t think this means sitting around on the porch just looking at sunsets. 

“I work on a horse/cattle ranch and my hands are what bring home the check.  The stronger my hands the better I can perform,” said the 6’ 2”, 235-lb. Inman.

“I love this sport and I plan to take my body to the limit.  Who knows where that will end?  But there is one thing for sure: I’m very excited to do battle with the Red,” Inman said.  "I strive to be known as a man who never gave up and pushed for others to accomplish their goals in the world of iron."

Congratulations to Wes Inman, whose name has been added to the Red Nail Roster, and many thanks to J.T. Straussner, one seriously strong guy himself, for serving as the referee on Wes’s certification attempt.
             
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Steve Jeck, IronMind’s man of pen and stone, considers what to do in light of failed New Year’s resolutions in the past.


Steve “Inver Stone” Jeck has been at work in his quarry digging : Thinking about setting some goals but not sure whether it’s worth it?  Read on.  IronMind® | Tony Agpoon design.


Visit Steve Jeck’s From the Quarry: The full array if available under the Training Articles menu at the top of the IronMind home page and here’s a direct link to Too Early to Quit.

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You will see it introduced in grip strength competition later this month when the CoC Silver Bullet helps test the world’s strongest hands in the IronMind Visegrip Viking Challenge at the LA FitExpo, and it’s now available to anyone whose 2012 goals include grip strength targets.


Use it for training and for competition: the CoC Silver Bullet will help you hit your grip strength goals.  See it in action later this month at the LA FitExpo.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.



IronMind will be sending a complimentary CoC Silver Bullet to all contestants in the grip contest who are signed up by the end of this week, so that they have a chance to come into the contest at full speed—the top time in Los Angeles will be taken as the first official world record in this event.

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Entering its fifth year, Strongman Champions League (SCL) cofounder Marcel Mostert took a few minutes to chat with IronMind about both SCL’s progress and its near-term future plans: with dozens of contests already held, prize money and exposure rising, Mostert talks about what he sees coming down the road for SCL and its athletes.


Marcel Mostert (above) founded Strongman Champions League with Ilkka Kinnunen in 2008, bringing their unmatched experience in strongman to the table.  Kinnunen told IronMind, “Marcel and I have been in the sport over 20 years and have done close to 500 International events altogether.” IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.


Mostert said, “We are improving.   2012 is the fifth year of SCL and we have staged more than 40 SCL competition in the last four years, with a total prize money package of US$600,000.  The sponsorships are getting better, the TV broadcasts are getting better, which means better prize money.  SCL is ready to step into the future.

“We will have more professionals working for us.  We do seriously expect that SCL in the next five years will have the  biggest prize money in total, and for the overall winner, of all strongman contests all over the world. Bigger than the Arnolds, bigger than WSM. 

“If this is a wise decision,we don't know, as money always changes people, but we surely want to go for that and benefit all the athletes who give their support to SCL.

“We already made champions, maybe we can make millionaires from them too?  The future is up to the new strongman, the new talents, to decide.

“Meantime, stay tuned for the SCL finals and the new calendar 2012.  SCL wishes everybody a STRONG 2012!,” said Mostert.

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“Just wanted to let you know that at last the book is FOR SALE!!! Yipppeeee!!,” Gemma [Taylor] Magnusson reported to IronMind this morning.


If Gemma Taylor can’t get you excited about eating big—even post-holidays—maybe you’re not interested in being a strongman or a super.  IronMind® | Courtesy of Gemma Magnusson.


“http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/gemmamagnusson is currently the only place that this is being sold. 20% off for the first 10 customers!!

“How exciting!!  Now everyone can be Big, Strong & Beautiful just like Benedikt!!!,” said Ms. Magnusson, hungry to share her view of how to eat well.

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ASC has just announced “a new forum for all athletes to compete at the highest level,” in what is being called strongman fitness.


2012 lightweight national champion Kristyn Vytlacil Whisman (left) with Dione Wessels (center) and Mike Johnston (right).  IronMind® | Courtesy of ASC.


Here is the official ASC press release, verbatim:


Strongman Fitness Will Make Debut at the Arnold in 2013

January 2, 2012 – In response to overwhelming interest ASC will create a new forum for all athletes to compete at the highest level

“When one thinks of a strongman, visions of great men of myth and legend like Hercules, Samson and Milo probably come to mind.  In the modern era ASC strongman like Marshall White, Michael Burke, Brian Shaw, Vincent Urbank and many others fit the bill. But, let’s be honest who among us towers over 6’4” tall and weighs in at 330 + pounds?

So what about the rest of the world? “Stature is not the only determining factor of great strength or zeal for competition,” says ASC President Dione Wessels. “I am a 5’2” woman. I was a National champion strongwoman and World championship power lifter. I love and have dedicated my life to strength sports. With that being said, ASC is proud to announce that the first Strongman Fitness Championship will take place at the Arnold Sports Festival in 2013.”

So, what exactly is Strongman Fitness? “We are not reinventing the wheel here,” quipped ASC VP Mike Johnston, “Light weight men’s and women’s classes already exist in strongman. We are merely provided an opportunity for these amazing athletes to compete on the biggest stage in fitness the world.”

The first Strongman Fitness qualifiers will take place at ASC platinum plus shows in 2012. Top men and women will qualify directly for the Arnold in 2013. The rest of the field will come from the NAS Nationals in November 2012. The weight classes for Arnold and the platinum-plus qualifiers will be a 175-pound men’s open with athletes weighing up to 175 pounds and 150-pound women’s open with women weighing up to 150 pounds. The up to 175 pound men’s class and the traditional NAS women’s lightweight and middle weight classes will remain at the NAS Nationals with a percentage of competitors coming from each class.

“We are very excited about these classes as we believe that athletes from around the world will want to compete,” continued Wessels, “In America this will help our local NAS promoters by giving them a whole new athlete base as lighter weight competitors and women try to qualify for the Nationals. NAS promoters will be able to offer the traditional men’s 175 and women’s LW and MW classes.” 

“We anticipate a myriad of questions regarding Strongman Fitness,” commented Johnston, “We will be setting up a “sticky post” on the NAS Anvil to field questions. Further, ASC will be organizing training seminars and coaching conferences for those interested in strongman techniques, training principles and Strongman Fitness application. These courses will be rooted in science and proctored by our award winning team of National Champions, strength and conditioning coaches, medical professionals and physical educators.”

More information will be forth coming on the nas forum at nasanvil.com

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