Jump to content

World's Strongest Man

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 2a02:c7f:b619:8500:f8b1:c8b1:5f63:fb76 (talk) at 16:25, 1 November 2020. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For the Gaz Coombes album, see World's Strongest Man (album).

World's Strongest Man
File:WSMlogo.gif
The World's Strongest Man official logo
Tournament information
Location United States
Established1977; 43 years ago
Number of
tournaments
42
FormatMulti-event competition
Websitetheworldsstrongestman.com
Current champion
United States Martins Licis
Most recent tournament
2019 World's Strongest Man

The World's Strongest Man during summers and in the UK around the end of December each year.[1] Competitors qualify based on placing in the top three at the four to eight Giants Live events each year.

The current event sponsor is Tachi Palace. Previous sponsors include Coregenx,[2] Commerce Hotel and Casino,[3] DAF Trucks, Tonka, MET-Rx, and PartyPoker.com.

The event has a number of rival and parallel competitions with which it is sometimes confused, including the Strongman Super Series, the now defunct IFSA Strongman World Championships (run from 2005 to 2007 after the International Federation of Strength Athletes parted company with WSM in 2004) and Strongman Champions League.

History

There are now several documentaries available that chart the history of WSM. The first major one is Worlds Strongest Man - Thirty Years Of Pain from 2008, celebrating the 30th anniversary.[4] In 2017, a series of videos were released in recognition of the 40th anniversary of the contest.[5][6]

1970s–1980s

The concept behind "The World's Strongest Men", as it was originally named, was developed in 1977 for CBS by Langstar Inc. David Webster, a Scot who later received an OBE for his services to sport, was the head coordinator of the competition from its inception. Dr. Douglas Edmunds, seven-time Scottish shot and discus champion and twice world caber champion,[7] worked with Webster and when Webster retired Edmunds took over. These two men were responsible for inviting the competitors and choosing the events. In the meantime, in 1982, CBS sold the rights to the BBC, who in turn sold the rights to TWI. In 1987, the WSM was not held for the only time since its inception. In that year the first and only non-team Pure Strength competition was held but it was not part of the WSM franchise.

For the first several contests, well-known American color commentators and analysts were used on the network broadcast. These included Brent Musburger, Tom Brookshier, and acknowledged strength authority, journalist and author Dr. Terry Todd. Todd was a former powerlifting world record holder himself and went on to establish the H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports in 1990. He also was asked to establish The Arnold Strongman Classic in 2001 by Arnold Schwarzenegger. This competition has the largest purse of any Strongman contest, with a $72,000+ top prize in 2017.[8]

During this early period, the contest ranks consisted mostly of American football players, powerlifters, and bodybuilders and held in American locations until it was moved to Christchurch, New Zealand, in 1983. Two-time winner Bruce Wilhelm (USA) retired and was succeeded by the massive Don Reinhoudt in 1979, 162 kg (357 lb) heavyweight powerlifter of the USA. Reinhoudt still holds several unequipped world records in powerlifting to this day.[9]

In 1979, newcomer and legendary powerlifter Bill Kazmaier (USA) made his appearance, coming in 3rd after leading much of the competition. He dominated the sport to such an extent from 1980 to 1982 (winning by a record 28 points in 1980), he reportedly was excluded from the competition for five years, after becoming the first man to win three consecutive WSM titles[10] He set prodigious marks with a 478.5 kg (1055 lb) silver dollar coin deadlift, 439.5 kg (969 lb) squat (smith machine), and a then-record 165.6 kg (365 lb) log lift with a rough, unbalanced log. This eventually earned him a place in the WSM Hall of Fame.

After Kazmaier left, his nearest rival, former Olympian Geoff Capes from the UK, traded wins with the Icelandic powerlifter Jón Páll Sigmarsson. Sigmarsson raised the popularity and awareness of the event to new levels.[11] He died 3 years after winning his 4th and final WSM in 1990.

1990s–2000s

In 1995, Edmunds and Webster, along with representatives from the competitors including Jamie Reeves, Ilkka Kinnunen and Marcel Mostert formed a governing body called the International Federation of Strength Athletes ("IFSA"). The IFSA began organizing bespoke events, such as the IFSA European Championships and also took the lead in working with the BBC and with TWI to organize the World's Strongest Man competition. For almost a decade the IFSA and WSM were inextricably mixed, but this changed in 2004. The InvestGroup Ventures' sports rights management arm, InvestGroup Sports Management, invested heavily into IFSA and this led to the creation of IFSA Strongman. The strategy was to acquire most of the international assets and properties relating to the strongman sport. In essence this was a new organisation[12] with some, such as Magnus Samuelsson, describing it as "a new company ... with the same name as our old federation".[13] The attempt at dominance was not well received by TWI and disagreement ensued leading to a split in the sport. Previously, in 2001, the IFSA in its former guise had entered an agreement with World Class Events (WCE), headed by Ulf Bengtsson, to run the Super Series. This Super Series was designed to award the World Championship title, but also acted as a qualifying vehicle for the WSM. When strongman split in 2004, the Super Series sided with TWI forming a rival federation to the IFSA.[12] With the WSM being a TWI owned event, IFSA Holdings announced its own World Championships for 2005, to be held in Quebec, and thus from that point had no involvement in the WSM contest.

The split with IFSA, which banned its registered athletes from competing at WSM, meant that not all the recognized best strength athletes in the world were eligible to compete. However, the reputation of WSM as the premier event maintained its lure for broadcasting purposes. In recent years, the competition has been broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, TSN, Televisa Deportes and Five, and currently CBS Sports Network in the USA. The longevity of the contest in strength athletics and its high levels of TV exposure over the years has led to it being described as "the granddaddy of all strongman contests".[12]

In recent years, to curb injuries, the contest events have included a certain amount of athleticism rather than being about raw strength. This has led some critics to say that contests such as the Arnold Strongman Classic or Fortissimus are the true strongest man competitions. However, it is routinely described as "the Worlds" by top strongman competitors[12] and despite the critics, it is the leading brand name in the field. No other strongman contest commands close to the WSM's levels of TV exposure.[12] The World's Strongest Man claims a viewership of 220 million.[14]

In the early 1990s, Magnús Ver Magnússon (Iceland) won the title four times and became the second and only man along with the legendary Bill Kazmaier to win three consecutive titles. The late 1990s saw Scandinavian countries taking control of the title, and this lasted until 2002. The relatively small 125 kg (275 lb) but dynamic Jouko Ahola from Finland won two titles in three years during this period. He later became a referee in WSM/strongman events and an actor.

The early to late 2000s were dominated by five-time Polish winner Mariusz Pudzianowski, earning the nickname: "The Dominator". Looking muscular and defined, he temporarily redefined what a strongman was in the world's eyes. At about 142 kg (313 lb) at max weight, he routinely beat men much bigger than he was. He combined speed and massive strength in one package.[15] Indeed, he was so dominant, that three of his five championship victories were won with an event to spare. His final win was in 2008 as bigger and taller men came into the sport.

The 2006 competition ended in dramatic fashion: in the final, Mariusz Pudzianowski started well by coming tied-1st in the Deadlift and winning the Power-Stairs easily; but by then winning the last 5 events in a row, Phil Pfister edged out the Pole in the final event, the Atlas stones. Pfister became the first American to win the competition since 1982, and the first American ever to win the competition outside the United States.

In 2008, Derek Poundstone had a large lead over Mariusz Pudzianowski after 3 events but Pudzianowski tied the deadlift event for first place and then won the crucial plane-pull to narrow the gap. Pudzianowski and Poundstone then battled for the title of World's Strongest Man in the last event, the Atlas Stones. Pudzianowski blistered through the event and was able to keep pace with the heavier Poundstone. On the final stone, Pudzianowski was able to capitalize on Poundstone's drop and clinched his fifth title.

In 2009, the long-running IFSA/WSM split had ended resulting in finally having all of the top strongmen from around the world all in the same contest. 2-time IFSA World Champion Žydrūnas Savickas claimed his first WSM title, with defending champion Mariusz coming in second in his final ever WSM contest. Another up and comer Brian Shaw placed third.

Žydrūnas repeated his victory again in 2010, winning by countback[16] against Brian Shaw in the closest finish in WSM history. Top IFSA competitor and fan favorite Mikhail Koklyaev finished third in his WSM debut. Žydrūnas set a world record in the giant wooden log lift with a lift of 212.5 kg (467.5 lbs.).

2010s–2020s

Going into the 2012 WSM contest, Brian Shaw suffered from nerve damage in his hands and slipped down to fourth place. This opened the door for Žydrūnas to capture his third WSM title, with fellow Lithuanian Vytautas Lalas coming in second and the Icelandic giant Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson placed third. Žydrūnas set a world record in the log lift with a lift of 220 kg (484 lbs.).

In the 2017 WSM, two 4-time winners: (Brian Shaw and Žydrūnas Savickas) competed head-to-head for the first time, but Eddie Hall won his first title over runner-up Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson by 1 point, and was the first win for the UK since Welshman Gary Taylor in 1993. Hall also set a new Strongman world record with a regular bar at 472.5 kg (1041.7 lbs) for a deadlift performed with just straps. The contest was, however, not without controversy. Björnsson claimed that he had completed one more rep in the Viking press than the judge awarded him. In 2020, former World's Strongest Man producer, Andrew B. Quinn, claimed the judges were in fact lenient on Björnsson. He cited multiple examples of Björnsson not following the rules of the viking press, which state that athletes must wait for the "down" signal with each rep, and not "double dip".[17]

The 2018 contest was held in Manila, Philippines for the first time in its history. [18][19] Eddie Hall, winner of the 2017 World's Strongest Man, did not defend his title. The tournament was won by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson of Iceland, the first Icelander since Magnús Ver Magnússon in 1996 to win the title. Mateusz Kieliszkowski of Poland finished second and four-time winner Brian Shaw of the United States third. Žydrūnas Savickas, also a four-time winner, finished tenth after withdrawing in event four due to an injury.

The 2019 contest was held in Bradenton, Florida. The contest was won by Martins Licis of America who defeated defending champion and celebrity Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson of Iceland. Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson suffered an injury in the first event but was able to complete the competition and finish 3rd on the podium. A new format which included only 25 instead of 30 competitors was used and the entire competition only ran for 4 days instead of the usual 5+. The final was reduced to 5 events and took only one day. The new format was designed to streamline the editing for a quicker television turnaround.[20] It was held in Bradenton, Florida USA.[21][22]

For a complete timeline, see the official WSM site:[23]

Competition format and commonly contested events

Initially, eight men representing various sports and strength disciplines were invited to compete against each other in unique events designed to test each individual to the fullest extent. The earliest events were relatively crude, but new ideas were introduced over the years. Some events had a basis in both powerlifting and Highland Games heavy events, and others were created based on mythological feats of strength. There are a number of events that make up each competition.[24][25]

  • Loading Race – Several heavy objects, each weighing 220–360 pounds (100–163 kg), are loaded onto a truck bed or a similar platform over a course of about 50 feet (15 m).[26]
  • Atlas Stones – Five heavy round stones increasing in weight in the range of 220–350 pounds (100–159 kg) are lifted and set on platforms. When the stones were first introduced to the competition, it was an individual event and the platforms were all of equal height. The modern Atlas Stones event takes place on a 16–33-foot (5–10 m) long course and the competitors participate two at a time. There are three current variations to the Atlas Stones event. In one, the stones are placed directly in front of the platforms and the competitors must simply lift and place them, generally the lightest stone being placed on the highest platform. In another, the stones are placed in a diagonal line, with the first stone being in front of the first platform, and each subsequent stone is set farther back from the course, with the heaviest stone being farthest away (or vice versa). The third variation sees the five platforms in a straight vertical line with the stones in front of each, and the competitors must place the stones and then move a short distance to the next one. In recent competitions, this is typically the final event.[27] In the 2015 competition the heaviest stone was 209 kilos (461 lbs).[28]
  • Vehicle Pull – Vehicles such as transport trucks, trams, boxcars, buses, or planes are pulled across a 100-foot (30 m) course as fast as possible. One variation sees the competitors pull the object with a rope toward them. Another has them attached to a rope which is attached to a vehicle, while they use another rope to pull themselves down the course. A third involves no ropes, with the competitors pulling the vehicle while connected to a harness.[29] The 2007 competition featured pulling a fire truck (possibly a nod to 2006 champion Phil Pfister, a professional firefighter), and the 2008 qualifying rounds featured a coal truck (a reference to the coal mining industry in West Virginia, where the competition was held).[30]
  • Overhead Press – The heaviest possible load is pressed overhead, or a lighter weight is used for repetitions.[31]
  • Fingal Fingers – A series of hinged poles ("fingers") are lifted starting from a horizontal resting position and flipped over to the other side. The poles get progressively heavier and longer. The event is scored by time and by how many of the poles a competitor was able to flip over. The event takes its name from Fingal, a mythological Gaelic hunter-warrior.[32]
  • Power Stairs – A series of three Duck Walk implements ranging from 400–600 pounds (181–272 kg) are lifted, step by step, to the top of a flight of stairs.[33]
  • Squat – Squatting large weights, such as 900 pounds (410 kg) of bricks, a car, or people on a platform. Recently, an apparatus has been used that drops weighted kegs into a cage, one at a time after each successful lift (the event, in this case, is scored by weight instead of repetitions). The athlete will continue until completion, failure or time expires.[34]
  • Dead Lift – Lifting weights or vehicles up to about 1,100 pounds (500 kg) straight off the ground until knees lock in a standing position. Lift is for either maximum weight, maximum repetitions with a fixed weight, or for time whilst holding a single repetition. In recent years, a similar keg-loaded apparatus to that described above for the squat has been used.[35][36]
  • Keg Toss – Competitors must throw kegs, of increasing weight, over a 14 ft 6 in (4.42 m) high bar. A variation using kettlebells was added to the 2015 competition, while in 2017 gold bricks were used.[37][38]
  • Weight Throw – a 50-pound (23 kg) weight is thrown overhead with the goal being to clear a barrier above the competitor. The goal is to throw the weight the highest.
  • Car Carry – Competitors stand inside a stripped-down automobile, which is missing some of its roof and all of its bottom and interior, and carry it across a 25-meter (82 ft) course. Players are scored by how fast they carried the car across the finish line or how far they were able to get the car before the time-limit expired.[39]
  • Hercules Hold – The athlete stands between two hinged pillars, gripping handles that prevent the pillars from falling to the side. The pillars are held for the longest possible time.[40]
  • Carry and Drag – An anchor and a chain are carried to the end of a set distance, where they must be attached to each other and then dragged back the same distance.[41]
  • Farmer's Walk – Competitors carry heavy objects (usually anvils) weighing from 275 to 375 lbs (125 to 170 kg) in each hand for a set distance, and compete for the fastest time. A variation involves use of a heavy frame with parallel handles or heavy objects attached to handles, and another involves much heavier weights (referred to as the Giant Farmer's Walk).[42] This event is usually done on the same course as the Carry and Drag is and conducted as a race, but one competition in Sanya, China saw the competitors compete individually carrying the weights up a small set of stairs. A competition in Victoria Falls, Zambia 2001 saw the competitors race two at a time along a course requiring several turns.[43]
  • Super Yoke – Apparatus composed of a crossbar and two uprights. The uprights each have a heavy weight attached to them, such as a refrigerator or diesel engine, and the competitors must carry the yoke on their shoulders for a short distance.[44]
  • Husafell Stone – A flat, somewhat triangular rock weighing around 400 lb (182 kg) is carried high on the chest for a set distance or for overall distance within a time limit. During some years which the competition took place in Africa, this event was known as the Africa Stone and the stone was in the shape of the continent as it appears on a map. The 2017 competition called this event the Elephant Carry, and the stone was shaped like the head and face of an African elephant.[45]
  • Duck Walk– An object with a handle is carried, suspended between the legs, over a set course.[46]
  • Log Throw / Caber toss – A five-meter-long (16+1⁄2 foot) log is thrown for distance or for height over a bar. When thrown for distance, the event is conducted similarly to the normal caber toss but with distance replacing technique. The length of the throw is determined by measuring the distance between where the competitor's toes were when he tossed and the tip of the log, based on where it first landed.[47]
  • Tug of War – One on one tug of war in a single-elimination tournament. In the first few competitions, this determined the champion and served as the final event.[48]
  • Pole Pushing – One on one pole pushing in a Sumo-style ring in a single-elimination tournament. The pole has handles at either end.[49]
  • Crucifix – Weights are held straight out at each side for as long a time as possible. A common variation entails weights being held out in front, using either one or both hands.[49]
  • Giant Dumbbell Press – Single-handed dumbbells are hoisted from the ground onto the competitor's shoulder, from where, with one hand, he must raise it vertically over his head and lockout his arm. With four weights between 100 and 115 kilograms (220 and 254 lb), scoring is based on time and number of successful lifts.[50]
  • Basque Circle/Stone Circle/Conan's Wheel – A competitor takes hold of the handle of a metal basket by placing the handle on his forearms. Inside the basket, usually, is at least 600 pounds (270 kg) of heavy stones (The 2015 WSM replaced the stones with pineapples and at least one earlier competition used a car). Holding the basket in the crook of his elbow, the competitor carries the basket in a clockwise manner over a platform with a 25-meter (82 ft) circumference. The event is contested for distance.[49]
  • Norse Hammers – Added to the competition for the first time in 2015, the Norse Hammers is similar to the Fingal Fingers event. Three hammers, shaped like those of Norse god Thor, must be flipped over. Unlike the Fingal Fingers, the competitors must lift the hammer from the side before pushing it up. There are three hammers, weighing 350, 365, and 380 pounds, respectively. In order to complete the event, all three hammers must be flipped within the time limit.[51]
  • Circus Barbell – Similar to the Overhead Press, this event gets its name from the apparatus used which resembles the classically shaped barbell used by circus strongmen. The barbell, which weighs 150 kilograms (330 lb), consists of two heavy spheres with a thick, flexible bar that makes it difficult for the competitors to lift. The event is conducted for reps within a time limit and the movement to complete the lift resembles a clean and press lift.[52]

Beginning in 2017, the qualifying format was changed. After five events, the leader clinches a spot in the final. To determine who will join him, one last event is conducted.

In 2017, a new event called Last Man Standing was added. An Atlas Stone is placed at the center of an octagon and, one at a time, the competitors must lift the stone and drop it over a fifty-five-inch metal bar. They each have twenty seconds to do this, and once one cannot complete the drop he is eliminated and the next highest scoring competitor entering the event takes his turn. The competition continues in stepladder fashion, beginning with the two lowest scoring competitors, until only one remains; that competitor is declared the winner of the event and secures the second place in the final for the qualifying group.[53]

The 2018 competition used the Atlas Stones to determine the second finalist. The three lowest scorers were eliminated from the competition, and the second- and third-place finishers squared off with the first one to complete the Atlas Stones (or the furthest along) advancing to the final.

2019 saw the return of Last Man Standing, but instead of featuring the remaining four competitors only the second and third place competitors square off to determine the second finalist.

Championship breakdown

Year Winner Runner-up Third place Host city
2019[54] United States Martins Licis [note 1] Poland Mateusz Kieliszkowski Iceland Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson United States Bradenton, Florida
2018 Iceland Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson Poland Mateusz Kieliszkowski United States Brian Shaw Philippines Manila, Philippines
2017 United Kingdom Eddie Hall Iceland Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson United States Brian Shaw Botswana Gaborone, Botswana
2016 United States Brian Shaw Iceland Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson United Kingdom Eddie Hall Botswana Kasane, Botswana
2015 United States Brian Shaw Lithuania Žydrūnas Savickas Iceland Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson Malaysia Putrajaya, Malaysia
2014 Lithuania Žydrūnas Savickas Iceland Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson United States Brian Shaw United States Los Angeles, California
2013 United States Brian Shaw Lithuania Žydrūnas Savickas Iceland Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson China Sanya, China
2012[55] Lithuania Žydrūnas Savickas Lithuania Vytautas Lalas Iceland Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson United States Los Angeles, California
2011 United States Brian Shaw Lithuania Žydrūnas Savickas United Kingdom Terry Hollands United States Wingate, North Carolina
2010[56] Lithuania Žydrūnas Savickas United States Brian Shaw Russia Mikhail Koklyaev South Africa Sun City, South Africa
2009 Lithuania Žydrūnas Savickas Poland Mariusz Pudzianowski United States Brian Shaw Malta Valletta, Malta
2008 Poland Mariusz Pudzianowski United States Derek Poundstone United States Dave Ostlund United States Charleston, West Virginia
2007 Poland Mariusz Pudzianowski Poland Sebastian Wenta United Kingdom Terry Hollands United States Anaheim, California
2006 United States Phil Pfister Poland Mariusz Pudzianowski United States Don Pope China Sanya, China
2005 Poland Mariusz Pudzianowski United States Jesse Marunde Canada Dominic Filiou China Chengdu, China
2004 Ukraine Vasyl Virastyuk Lithuania Žydrūnas Savickas Sweden Magnus Samuelsson The Bahamas Nassau, Bahamas
2003 Poland Mariusz Pudzianowski Lithuania Žydrūnas Savickas Ukraine Vasyl Virastyuk Zambia Victoria Falls, Zambia
2002 Poland Mariusz Pudzianowski Lithuania Žydrūnas Savickas Latvia Raimonds Bergmanis Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2001 Norway Svend Karlsen Sweden Magnus Samuelsson Finland Janne Virtanen Zambia Victoria Falls, Zambia
2000 Finland Janne Virtanen Norway Svend Karlsen Sweden Magnus Samuelsson South Africa Sun City, South Africa
1999 Finland Jouko Ahola Finland Janne Virtanen Norway Svend Karlsen Malta Valletta, Malta
1998 Sweden Magnus Samuelsson Finland Jouko Ahola Netherlands Wout Zijlstra Morocco Tangier, Morocco
1997 Finland Jouko Ahola Denmark Flemming Rasmussen Sweden Magnus Samuelsson United States Primm Valley Resort, Nevada
1996 Iceland Magnús Ver Magnússon Finland Riku Kiri South Africa Gerrit Badenhorst Mauritius Port Louis, Mauritius
1995 Iceland Magnús Ver Magnússon South Africa Gerrit Badenhorst Finland Marko Varalahti The Bahamas Nassau, Bahamas
1994 Iceland Magnús Ver Magnússon Austria Manfred Hoeberl Finland Riku Kiri South Africa Sun City, South Africa
1993 United Kingdom Gary Taylor Iceland Magnús Ver Magnússon Finland Riku Kiri France Orange, France
1992 Netherlands Ted van der Parre Iceland Magnús Ver Magnússon United Kingdom Jamie Reeves Iceland Reykjavík, Iceland
1991 Iceland Magnús Ver Magnússon Denmark Henning Thorsen United Kingdom Gary Taylor Spain Tenerife, Canary Islands
1990 Iceland Jón Páll Sigmarsson United States O.D. Wilson Finland Ilkka Nummisto Finland Joensuu, Finland
1989 United Kingdom Jamie Reeves Netherlands Ab Wolders Iceland Jón Páll Sigmarsson Spain San Sebastián, Spain
1988 Iceland Jón Páll Sigmarsson United States Bill Kazmaier United Kingdom Jamie Reeves Hungary Budapest, Hungary
1987
Not Held[note 2]
1986 Iceland Jón Páll Sigmarsson United Kingdom Geoff Capes Netherlands Ab Wolders France Nice, France
1985 United Kingdom Geoff Capes Iceland Jón Páll Sigmarsson Netherlands Cees de Vreugd Portugal Cascais, Portugal
1984 Iceland Jón Páll Sigmarsson Netherlands Ab Wolders United Kingdom Geoff Capes Sweden Mora, Sweden
1983 United Kingdom Geoff Capes Iceland Jón Páll Sigmarsson Netherlands Simon Wulfse New Zealand Christchurch, New Zealand
1982 United States Bill Kazmaier Canada Tom Magee United States John Gamble United States Magic Mountain, California
1981 United States Bill Kazmaier United Kingdom Geoff Capes United States Dave Waddington United States Magic Mountain, California
1980 United States Bill Kazmaier Sweden Lars Hedlund United Kingdom Geoff Capes United States Vernon, New Jersey
1979 United States Don Reinhoudt Sweden Lars Hedlund United States Bill Kazmaier United States Universal Studios, California
1978 United States Bruce Wilhelm United States Don Reinhoudt Sweden Lars Hedlund United States Universal Studios, California
1977 United States Bruce Wilhelm United States Bob Young United States Ken Patera United States Universal Studios, California
  1. ^ Licis was born in Latvia and is a Latvian citizen, but represents the United States in this competition.
  2. ^ In 1987 the WSM was not held for the only time since its inception. In that year the first and only non-team Pure Strength competition was held. Although it was not part of the WSM franchise, some commentators regard it as a replacement for WSM in that year.[citation needed]

Multiple time champions

Champion Country Times Years
Mariusz Pudzianowski  Poland 5 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008
Jón Páll Sigmarsson  Iceland 4 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990
Magnús Ver Magnússon  Iceland 4 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996
Žydrūnas Savickas  Lithuania 4 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014
Brian Shaw  United States 4 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016[57]
Bill Kazmaier  United States 3 1980, 1981, 1982
Bruce Wilhelm  United States 2 1977, 1978
Geoff Capes  United Kingdom 2 1983, 1985
Jouko Ahola  Finland 2 1997, 1999

Most top three places

Times Name
10 Lithuania Žydrūnas Savickas
9 United States Brian Shaw
8 Iceland Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson
7 Iceland Jón Páll Sigmarsson
Poland Mariusz Pudzianowski
6 Iceland Magnús Ver Magnússon
United Kingdom Geoff Capes
5 United States Bill Kazmaier
Sweden Magnus Samuelsson

Championships by country

Country Gold Silver Bronze Total
 United States 12 7 10 29
 Iceland 9 7 5 21
 United Kingdom 5 2 8 15
 Lithuania 4 7 0 11
 Finland 3 3 5 11
 Poland 5 5 0 10
 Sweden 1 3 4 8
 Netherlands 1 2 4 7
 Norway 1 1 1 3
 Ukraine 1 0 1 2
 Denmark 0 2 0 2
 Canada 0 1 1 2
 South Africa 0 1 1 2
 Austria 0 1 0 1
 Latvia 0 0 1 1
 Russia 0 0 1 1

Bulgaria, Estonia, the Faroe Islands, Fiji, France, Germany, Grenada, Georgia, Hungary, Iran, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Serbia, Samoa, Slovenia as of 2019 have all placed in the Top 10 but have not yet won a medal.

Other

Most times qualified for WSM: Lithuania Žydrūnas Savickas – 14 times, United Kingdom Mark Felix – 14 times

Most WSM finals: Lithuania Žydrūnas Savickas – 12 times

Most consecutive WSM finals: United States Brian Shaw – 11 times (2009-2019)

Most times WSM top 5 placings: United States Brian Shaw – 10 times (2009-2018),Lithuania Žydrūnas Savickas – 10 times (2002-2015)(All Top 2 placings)

Hall of Fame

The WSM Hall of Fame was created in 2008 to recognize the greatest competitors in the history of the contest.[58] As of 2020, there are six members of the WSM Hall of Fame; Svend Karlsen, Bill Kazmaier, Mariusz Pudzianowski, Magnús Ver Magnússon, Magnus Samuelsson and Jón Páll Sigmarsson.[58][59][60]

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Worlds Strongest Man Official Website". Theworldsstrongestman.com. 25 April 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
  2. ^ "Worlds Strongest Man 2017 TV Schedule". Starting Strongman. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  3. ^ http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/Articles/2014/Mar/Žydrūnas_Savickas_Win_Worldxs_Strongest_Man.html
  4. ^ "Worlds Strongest Man - Thirty Years Of Pain".
  5. ^ "World's Strongest Man: The Winner's Story". Radio Times.
  6. ^ http://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/f4v4hg/worlds-strongest-man--worlds-strongest-man-greatest-rivalries/
  7. ^ "Bring on the war games". The Herald. Glasgow.
  8. ^ "Arnold Strongman Classic: Arnold Sports Festival USA". arnoldsportsfestival.com.
  9. ^ "Interview with Strength Legend Don Reinhoudt". Strength Oldschool. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  10. ^ "An Interview with Bill Kazmaier". 17 June 2001. Archived from the original on 17 June 2001.
  11. ^ "Jon Pall Sigmarsson: "It's His Charisma"". ironmind.com.
  12. ^ a b c d e "IFSA, WCE, TWI, WSM, ESPN: Who's On First and How Do I Get To World's Strongest Man?". ironmind.com.
  13. ^ "Newsletter dated 2008-01-04". magnus-samuelsson.net. Archived from the original on 3 March 2012.
  14. ^ Day, Julia (6 October 2005). "Worlds Strongest Man". The Guardian.
  15. ^ "Legends of WSM: Mariusz Pudzianowski". Strongman.org. 24 November 2013.
  16. ^ "countback - Definition of countback in English by Oxford Dictionaries". Oxford Dictionaries - English.
  17. ^ "EXPOSED! Hafthor Björnsson & Referee CHEATING Scandal at The World's Strongest Man". Youtube. Official Strongman. 17 May 2020.
  18. ^ "The World's Strongest Man". facebook.com.[non-primary source needed]
  19. ^ "News - World's Strongest Man". World's Strongest Man.
  20. ^ "2019 TACHI PALACE WSM GROUPS + EVENTS". 19 June 2019.
  21. ^ "THE TACHI PALACE WORLD'S STRONGEST MAN IN BRADENTON, FLORIDA". 19 June 2019.
  22. ^ "New World's Strongest Man crowned on Anna Maria Island on final day of grueling competition". 16 June 2019.
  23. ^ "History". Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  24. ^ "Events Archive - World's Strongest Man". World's Strongest Man.
  25. ^ "Strongman Events Archives - Strongman.org". Strongman.org.
  26. ^ "Loading Race". Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  27. ^ "Atlas Stones, Last Event". 2 February 2018.
  28. ^ "McGlashen Stones / Atlas Stones Event". Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  29. ^ "Truck Pull Event". Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  30. ^ "History". World's Strongest Man. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  31. ^ "Overhead Press Event". Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  32. ^ "Fingal's Fingers Event". Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  33. ^ "Power Stairs". Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  34. ^ "Squat Lift Event". Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  35. ^ "Dead Lift Event". Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  36. ^ "Dead Lift (Reps) Event". Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  37. ^ "Keg Toss". 2 February 2018.
  38. ^ "Keg Toss 2015". Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  39. ^ "Weirdest World's Strongest Man Events". 19 March 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  40. ^ "Pillars of Hercules Event". Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  41. ^ "Carry and Drag Event". Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  42. ^ "Farmer's Walk Event". Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  43. ^ Total Enhancements Training Center (20 April 2013). "Worlds Strongest Man 2001" – via YouTube.
  44. ^ http://startingstrongman.com/2015/01/15/history-of-the-super-yoke/
  45. ^ "Husafell Stone / Africa Stone Event". Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  46. ^ "Pick Up Something New: 10 Loaded Carries to Strengthen Your Training (and Yourself)". Breaking Muscle. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  47. ^ "Caber". {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  48. ^ "1977 and the birth of the World's Strongest Man". 15 April 2015.
  49. ^ a b c "Strongman Champions League / Rules". Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  50. ^ "Dumbbell". {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  51. ^ "World's Strongest Man 2015 Day 1 - Norse Hammers [Ultra HD 4K]". Retrieved 6 December 2019 – via www.youtube.com.
  52. ^ "The circus barbell. WSM FB". Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  53. ^ https://shawstrength.com/abc/worlds-strongest-man-2017/
  54. ^ "Martins Licis Wins 2019 World's Strongest Man". barbend.com. 16 June 2019.
  55. ^ "Zydrunas Savickas: World's Strongest Man Winner". ironmind.com.
  56. ^ "Ž.Savickas ketvirtą kartą tapo galiūnų pasaulio čempionu". DELFI. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  57. ^ "See the results for the Commerce World's Strongest Man 2016 elite fitness event on FloElite.com". floelite.com.
  58. ^ a b "Hall of Fame". The Worlds Strongest Man. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
  59. ^ "The World's Strongest Man". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  60. ^ http://theworldsstrongestman.com/hall-of-fame/

Template:Footer - World's Strongest Man Champions

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=World%27s_Strongest_Man&oldid=986557891"