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Title: Strength Sports/Strongman - Strongman FAQ Frequently asked questions about strongman competitions by Tapio Ojanaho.
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Iron Dungeon - Bodybuilding - Strongman FAQ
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The Strongman FAQ
by Tapio Ojanaho
1. What are strongman competitions?
A typical strongman competition consists of six events. The first three
events are used to qualify eight finalists for the last three events. There
are about fifteen different events established so far. The promoter of a
particular competition chooses from among these. Many of these events are
adopted from traditional, centuries old contests like Scottish Highland
Games and the Basque contests in Spain. Variations of regular powerlifts are
used to test pure strength.
The composition of competitions must vary to prevent favoring certain (types
of) competitors. For example, if you have two pressing events, you make it
easier for Olympic lifters and powerlifters. Qualifying heats must be
arranged if there are many competitors. Usually 10-15 men are invited to
compete in a regular competition, as a larger number would make the
competition unbearably long. In major contests like World's Strongest Man,
qualifying heats and final heats are held on separate days. Some of the
most common events are:
Farmer's Walk -- Competitors carry heavy "suitcases" weighing about 110 kg
(245 lbs) in each hand for a set distance, and compete for the fastest time.
Otherwise, they compete for total distance.
Car Walk -- Distance event. A car with roof and floor removed is carried
with harnesses as far as possible. Usually the load is around 350-400 kg
(775-880 lbs). A Finnish invention.
Loading -- Timed event. Five heavy objects weighting 100-150 kg (220-335
lbs) are loaded onto a truck bed or onto some kind of platform. The course
is about 15 m (50 ft) long and the objects range from treasure chests, to
sacks of sand, to ship anchors.
McGlashen Stones -- Timed event. Five heavy round stones weighing 110-150
kg (220-335 lbs) are put on top of high barrels. The course is about 5-10 m
(16-33 ft) long. Scottish tradition.
Truck Pulling -- Timed event. A heavy vehicle is pulled across a
"finish-line" hand-over-hand style with a 30 m (100 ft) rope as fast as
possible. Sometimes the vehicle is pulled with a harness.
Log-Press / Stone-Press -- Strength event. Heaviest possible load is
pressed overhead or lighter weight is done for repetitions.
Hercules Hold -- Timed event. A competitor stands in a cable-cross-type
machine with 130 kg (290 lb) weighted cable handles in each hand. Grip
strength is tested for time.
Stone Lift -- Strength event. Heaviest possible stone is lifted to
shoulder height. From the Basque tradition.
Log Throw / Caber toss -- Strength event. A five meter long log is thrown
for distance or for height over a bar. The distance throw is from the
Scottish tradition.
Weight throw -- Strength event. A 15-20 kg (33-45 lb) weight, usually a
large ingot, is thrown for height over a bar.
Tug of War -- One on one tug of war in a single-elimination tournament.
Competitors pair-off based on their current point standings.
Pole Pushing -- One on one pole pushing in a Sumo-style ring in a
single-elimination tournament. The pole has handles at either end.
Crucifix -- Weights are held straight out at the sides for time.
Car Rolling -- Rolling cars over different courses.
Variations on individual powerlifts. For example, squatting a platform
full of children on rails.
Every year the best promoters invent new events that are exciting and
hopefully pose less risk of injury to the athletes in this demanding sport.
One of these was last years "bleacher wheelbarrow" filled with people.
2. What is the history of modern strongman competitions?
The World's Strongest Man competition has been held annually since 1977. In
1995 it was held in the Bahamas; South Africa in 1994; France in 1993. It
is by far the most important competition in the world. In the 1980's this
competition produced various national championships as qualifiers to the
upper-level. Nowadays every influential country have their own national
contest to find the best athlete for the World's Strongest Man.
The BBC (British Broadcasting Company) has been a driving force in
popularizing this sport. The BBC sells the show around the world. Trans
World International produces this competition for BBC.
3. What is the strongman scene like in Finland and other countries?
There are about ten international competitions staged in Finland every year.
Among these are the European Hercules and the Finnish Open. In addition,
there are several local competitions. Almost fifty athletes are entered in
the Finnish Nationals to be held on the 13th of April -- an impressive number
of competitors! I wonder how they will organize the qualification heats so it
runs smoothly. The winner of this competition is invited to compete in the
World's Strongest.
The sports arenas in Finland are especially crowded for the three previously
mentioned competitions. Also, the local competitions fascinate the
public more than powerlifting or bodybuilding contests. Presumably the
sport is popular in other countries, but I don't have details about them
(anyone?).
4. Who does well in strongman competitions?
Obviously strength is an important qualification for competitors. Not
surprisingly, powerlifters do well, but competitors must have all-around
strength and athletic abilities. Tremendous explosive power and superb
endurance are required to cope with the pushing and pulling of different
objects required of competitors throughout the competition. Competitions of
this type demand such a wide repertoire of capacities that specialized
training is required to excel. Heavyweight bodybuilders have sometimes done
well, owing to their usually better aerobic capacities as compared to
powerlifters.
5. Who are the top contenders?
In the 1980's America's Bill Kazmaier and Iceland's Jon-Pall Sigmarsson
dominated the sport with Sigmarsson winning the world title for four times
(most recently in 1990) and Kazmaier thrice. In 1989 it was UK's Jamie
Reeves. In the 90's Iceland's Magnus Ver Magnusson has won the title three
times (1991, 1994 and 1995), Holland's Ted van der Parre won in 1992 and UK's
Gary Taylor won in 1993. All of these men have a strong background in
powerlifting, and they are all large men, averaging about 192 cm (6'4'') and
135 kg (300 lbs).
Bill retired in the 80's and Jon-Pall died in 1992. His aorta was torn
while deadlifting in the gym -- an injury attributable to a family related
heart debility. Magnus Ver Magnusson has said that Jon-Pall was aware of
this weakness, as his sister suffered from same thing. The other champions
mentioned are still active.
Some of the other contenders:
Manfred Hoeberl -- Austrian with lots of coverage in bb-magazines (eg. profile
in the April '96 issue of MMI) and runner-up in world's strongest 1994.
Has fully recovered from a serious car accident.
Joe Onosai -- Samoa's gift to American football's Dallas Cowboys and also a
former powerlifter.
Forbes Cowan -- Three time Scotland's Strongest Man.
Gerrit Badenhorst -- A South African with three world titles in powerlifting
and also a runner-up in World's Strongest Man in 1995. Considered one of the
top-five strongest of all time by Powerlifting USA's Brian Batcheldor.
Riku Kiri -- Four time Finnish national champion, twice placed third in the
World's Strongest. Considered one of the top-five strongest of all time by
Powerlifting USA's Brian Batcheldor.
Marko Varalahti -- 6'9'' Finn with one Finnish national title and a third
place showing in the World's Strongest in 1995.
One rising star is German Heinz Ollesch -- 195cm and 160 kg (6'5" and 360
lbs).
An American star is missed badly, as Bill Kazmaier's shoes are still waiting
to be filled.
6. Which countries turn out the best competitors?
The sport's strongest nations currently are Iceland, UK, South Africa and
Finland. Magnus Ver Magnusson while competing in the Finnish Open
Championships on 10 March 1995, stated that he had never seen so many
high-caliber contenders as in Finland.
7. How to familiarize with the sport?
If you want to familiarize yourself with the sport, you can purchase
VHS-copies of these competitions. Brian Batcheldor wrote a complete report
of World's 1994 in the Feb. '95 issue of Powerlifting USA. Also, I think
David Webster has written some books of history's strongest men. Look for
the small ads in the muscle magazines.
8. Is there an organization behind these competitions?
The rights to the World's Strongest Man competition are owned by Trans World
International (TWI). David Webster of Scotland was head coordinator of the
competition since 1977. As he wanted to retire, Douglas Edmunds of
Scotland, a former contender, took over the position. David Webster is
still very involved in organizing this competition -- he is the secretary of
the International Federation of Strength Athletes (IFSA). These two men are
responsible of inviting the competitors and choosing the events.
Last year, these two and representatives of the competitors formed a
governing body called the IFSA. The IFSA is organizing it's first European
Championships to be held in Helsinki Finland on 18 May 1996. The IFSA is
working with BBC and TWI to organize the World's Strongest Man competition
later this year.
I cannot supply the address of IFSA because I haven't got it. If it's really
important, I can give the phone number of Mr. Edmunds (President of IFSA).
The info in section 8 was supplied by Mr. Ilkka Kinnunen, head of the
Scandinavian IFSA.
Send any questions or new information to Tapio Ojanaho (tojanaho@megabaud.fi)
Thanks to Michael Leary (leary@accessone.com) for help with the
particulars of the English idiom.
************************************************************************
TAPIO OJANAHO
e-mail: tojanaho@megabaud.fi
www: http://atki.helbp.fi:8080/~ojanahot.index.html
puh. +358-0-148 4290
gsm. +358-40-5536190
************************************************************************
Strongman Organization Links
Austria
Canada
France
Germany
Holland
Finland
Poland
Slovakia
Spain
Turkey
US - American Strongman
US - Strongman Fed
The World's Strongest Man
IFSA Strongman
Reader's Comments:
Please leave your comments or suggestions below!
2008-11-07lea hi, i am keen in getting magnus ver magnusson dvd, regarding his career, world strongest man's title, life and exercise. i have been looking for a while now, does anyone know where to get? please... thank you very much.
lea2008-08-08robert my name is robert from ghana and an event organizer,there is no any strongman competion in my country and i want to organize one this year, can u give me an ideal on how to organize it. my email is robertmawul@yahoo.comi2008-05-17bob I have been searching for many years to find these strongman tapes too. I have, on VHS, everything except 1982, 1985-1988. I foolishly somehow erased or recorded over 1986. In many cases I have some heats for the competitions. I would love to get these missing tapes if you have them. I am willing to trade tape-per-tape.
Contact me at: bobstrong2005@yahoo.com
If others are interested in simply getting any of these tapes that I have, email me and we will talk.
Bob2008-04-21jennifer.g do you have world strongest man competition dvds or videos to purchase from 1970' and 1980'? if so how much would they cost etc.I would prefer to speak to a person over the phone if possible please send a contact number if not possible than just email me with the info I requested.2008-02-11Dwight How can I enter in the wsm competition,please can you give me some information.2007-12-29paul hi can anybody help i'm looking to take up strongman events but cant find somewhere to train i live in glasgow scotland any help would be great2007-12-20Lewis Hi,are any on the 1970's WSM competition's on dvd at least in bootleg for sale? do you know? thnx!2007-07-27kevin hello all i pulled a fire engine on 25th jan 2007 and raised money for charity i am the lightest man in the world to have done it and i was 10 stone and pulled 11 ton 80 meters across a carpark in galashiels and there was a virtual tornado with rain snow and gales and i still done it if you want a charity event raised cash for please telephone charity organser in galashiels mr k thomson 078499973442007-05-29Barry hi i was wondering if you still sell worlds strongest man dvds. i am interested in purchasing dvds from the 80s contests.
please could you let me know.
Barry I don't sell them, but if anyone else has a contact for where to buy them, please feel free to post a link! There's obviously a lot of interest in these.2007-04-21Tony B. Does anyone know where I can purchase a millenium dumbell? I have looked but seem to be coming up empty. Thanks for your time. -TB2007-04-14harry How do you pull a car with your skin anyway?2007-04-02harry I was wondering about prizes that your competitors might win.2007-03-27karl etherington hi i am the current english heavy wight judo champion and i want to compete in this years britans strongest man. I dont want to just compete i want to win, any info on qualifying.
2007-03-11Jess Caigoy Anybody want to sponsor me. I can pull a 4 tons car using only my skin (pierced).I appeared in Ripley's episode 306 (superskin stunt).2007-03-04jordan lewis maclean to win scotlands strongest man easy2007-02-23tina i am tring to find video or dvd on Bill Kazmarier's strongman wins in 1980, 1981, 19822007-02-13jeff lara hi im jeff lara from new jersey im 16 and would like to enter a strongman compeition for my age group i would like to do one around me if you know of one can you send it to me thanks you2007-01-27strongman i would like to find out the strongman competition calender for 2007 as i am eager to show my raw power For the US: 2007 Schedule, for the UK, I wasn't able to find a recent schedule posted anywhere yet. 2007-01-12ASHWANI KUMAR I want to participate and show my power in strongman series. I am from India. I want to know calender of 2007 for strongman series2007-01-08Leon Paterson How can i compete or get up to date information about up and coming strongman events in my area FIFE Scotland
 Leon2007-01-02mike How would i go about applying to compete in the strongman competition? I am very interested.2007-01-01Bret I am trying desperately to find videos of strongman competitions with Magnus ver Magnusson. If anyone knows, please email me.
Thanks! If someone does know of a source for strongman videos, please post as a lot of people are obviously interested! 2006-12-13William It is quite apparent that there is a lot of footage of various competitions about, one member of a different forum (brute Strength) is doing an exchange which I think is A1 ethicaly it would be great if someone could give the hint of a link to a site, which other followers of the sport could gain access to similar footage? Please feel free to post a link -- it is clear that there is a lot of interest in the videos. I myself am not aware of a good source for these videos.2006-12-12Laurie I would like information about competing in a strong man competition in USA, preferbly on the east coast. Thank you2006-10-30sherri l barber i would like to purchase the worlds strongest man competition from the first tape to the last or the whole series. please contact me i am very interested. my ol' man loves them and i would love for him too have them.2006-10-16Kudzanai Kofi I am a promoter of amatures in Zimbabwe i would like to be informed of dates when competitions are happening.2006-10-06Nikolas Maricic - Wolf Great strenght of will. These men are fantastic. I am just looking it at Eurosport.
Every year I watch a little.
Is this event in Croatia?
Nikolas
2006-08-14kevin i arrange borders strongman contests every year to raise money for charity i pulled a relief this year and hope to be fit enough for the strong man event next year weather permitting i am going to be pulling a minibus on november 15th and on jan 21 i am pulling a front loader of a 18 wheeler if you require info on how to train better or keep fit the email me as i am a personal trainer for these borders strongmen contests i can be contacted on email (kev22_123@hotmail.co.uk). Thanks Kevin!2006-08-09Amanda Hi I live in the UK and was interested in any strong man events in UK or Europe in 2006 - any ideas how I can find details/dates? Many thanks! A2006-07-18R. T I am going to pull an SUV in 2 months as a fundraiser. I am a woman & have been trainng for 2 years as I want to pull a locomotive soon. Any suggestions as to what I should do to make this SUV pull as smooth & easy as possible? Any suggestions for mental preparation? Any specific exercises I need to do now? Thanks!2006-07-17janeve hi i was wondering if there is any competitions in the uk, also if so where? and is there any websites to find out prices and book tickets?
cheers
janeve2006-06-04stuart trying to find strongman events to go to in this country could you help if only with suppling a web address Not sure which country you're interested in... But for north america:
American Strongman Association - www.americanstrongman.org
North American Strongman Inc - www.nastrongman.com
2006-05-19mark davies could you help me find world strongest man footage of jon pall sigmarsson please
tried the e mail address for bredan above, no success
2006-05-09Denis Senecal There's a strongman competition on June 17th, 2006 in Cranbrook BC, Canada. It's being put on by the local GYM. Their number is 250-417-4659. First prize is a trip for 2 to Mexico or something like that. Good luck. 2006-04-26Eben I am from South Africa and have been in the gym for 11years, i participate in SA Stongman competitions and enjoy that a lot. But i am going to immegrate to Australia (Brisbane) and i am trying to find out how to join the Australian's Stongman Union. If you can assist me in any information i will appreciate it. I am not familiar with it, so hopefully someone may be able to post a reply here. Good luck!2006-02-21GARY SMITH HI I'M GARY SMITH FROM TORONTO, CANADA. I'VE BEEN TRAINING FOR 10 YEARS. SEEING THAT YOUR A PROFESSIONAL I NEEDED YOUR ADVISE. HOW CAN SOME COMPETE.
I FEEL THAT I'M READY...
THANKS
GARY SMITH2006-02-14brendaN I have lots of strongman dvds including world strongest man 1977,78,79,80,81,82,84,95,86,88,90-2005 if any one is intersted in purchasing them contact me at brendanmckernan@yahoo.com2006-02-14Jenn Hi,
I was hoping you could direct me to Strongman specific publications/magazines. Would you happen to know any titles??
Please advise.
Thank you in advance!
Jennifer While I'm not aware of any current ones, hopefully someone will know and post some for you.2006-01-26wayne I've desperately searched around for videos/dvds of the strongman competitions without success. I would like to have a collection of the greats Jon Pal, Kaz, Magnus, etc. What site, or any information of any kind to point me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. !!!!!!!!!!2006-01-16lee i wunded if you have any ifermation on events enterd by darren fawthorp2005-12-30barry tanner Me and my friends are going to put on a friendly strongman between ourselves and i am interested on what events that we should have, If you could help me we would appreciate it. Thank You B.T.2005-12-14ezekiel emmanuel i will like to say u did a great job, well am emmanuel from nigeria and am into bodybuiklding, i want a bodybuilders club, that is why am mailling u. sir i will love to hear from u.2005-05-18Martin I am trying to find out where I can buy or download some of these fantastic
events !! It's been hard to find any so far, so I'll be very happy if I could get a hint.
Thank you for this very good information you have provided !! Hi Martin -- I'd love to help out... except I'm not sure what you mean by
buying these events?  2005-03-24 You have probably had this loads of times but geoff capes is famous for populrizing
strongman in britian. As a child growing up in the eighties geoff capes and
jon paul battles where legendary.
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