David Ostlund won the Feats With Hands grip-strength competition today in Minneapolis. Organized and promoted by Brian Carlton, Feats With Hands went over "great," drawing both men and women competitors. "I'm ready to do it again next year, and if we get more women next year, we will have a separate women's division," Carlton said. Jeff Peterson finished second overall, Jeff Bissonette was third, Matt Makousky was fourth and Jason Adamski was fifth.

1998 World's Strongest Man winner Magnus Samuelsson said that his training is going very well for this year's competition. "I have been pacing myself," Magnus said, "and am in really heavy training right now. This year, for the first time in years, I feel that I will be coming into World's Strongest Man well prepared." Magnus said that he is weighing about 148 kg right now, and when he goes over 150 kg, he feels too heavy, so he plans to compete in Zambia weighing about 145 kg: "At 145 I feel fast and light on my feet," he said. A lot of strongman insiders have Magnus Samuelsson on their short lists of who is expected to do well at this year's World's Strongest Man contest, but the veteran strongman wisely noted that some things are not under your control. Last year, Magnus fought his way back from a biceps injury, only to injure his other arm in the WSM finals, so he showed his wisdom when he noted that besides requiring talent and preparation, "it's also a game of luck."

The 2003 edition of the World's Strongest Man show will feature five groups of six competitors in the qualifying round, with two athletes per group advancing to the finals. Group 1 events are: farmer's walk, squat, harness and rope pull, Atlas stones and log lift. Group 2 events are: carry and flip, squat, harness and rope pull, giant farmer's walk, Atlas stones, and tire flip. Group 3 events are: farmer's walk, harness and rope pull, deadlift, log lift, tire flip. Group 4 events are: farmer's walk, squat, harness and rope pull, Atlas stones, log lift, tire flip. Group 5 events are: carry and flip, harness and rope pull, giant farmer's walk, Atlas stones, deadlift, tire flip. The events for the finals (September 27 - 30) are: carry and drag, overhead log lift, Hercules hold, Atlas stones, harness and rope pull, deadlift, and farmer's walk. Events for the World's Strongest Woman final (September 27 - 30) are: tire flip, deadlift, overhead log lift, loading race, yoke, squat and farmer's walk. All events are subject to change.

St. Louis, Missouri - Steve Kirit just won the 2003 IFSA-USA National Championships. Kirit finished with 132 points. Second place was Phil Pfister at 128.5 points, third was Mark Philippi at 127 points, fourth Jesse Marunde at 123.5 points, and fifth Don Pope at 106 points. These top five finishers are guaranteed invitations to this year's World's Strongest Man competition.

St. Louis, Missouri - Twelve competitors advanced today to the finals in the IFSA-USA National Strongman Championships. The top twelve competitors were: Steve Kirit, Phil Pfister, Walt Gogola, Jon Andersen, Mark Philippi, Jesse Marunde, Matt Metheney, Don Pope, John Beatty, Chad Coy, Chris Doyle, and Nick Courtad.

Bridgeton, Missouri - Odd Haugen won the 2003 IronMind® Rolling Thunder® National Championships tonight with a lift of 236 lb. at the Sports Café in Bridgeton, Missouri. Josh Bigger and Phil Pfister tied for second at 226 lb. Dione Wessels won the amateur women's event with a lift of 101 lb., and Wayne Eilermann won the amateur men's category with a lift of 193 lb.