Performing in front of his official witness today, Magnus Samuelsson closed the No. 4 Captains of Crush gripper. Not just a very popular World's Strongest Man winner and one of the top competitors on the international strongman circuit, Magnus Samuelsson has long been known as a man with extraordinary hand strength, and it seemed to be only a matter of time before he would close the No. 4 Captains of Crush gripper under official conditions. Leaving no doubt of his command over this remarkably tough gripper, Magnus closed it decisively today, in a most impressive display of hand strength.)

Swedish strongman and a top grip guy, Hakan Petschler won the Giant Lift competition today in Gamleby, Sweden by loading a 180-kg stone on a pedestal that was 120 cm off the ground. Unlike the manufactured stones used in many strongman competitions, the Giant Lift contest features natural stones, bringing the event back to its origins as a most basic and impressive test of strength - which is especially appropriate since Gamleby means "old village" in English.

As part of the 2004 IFSA-USA championship series, The Battle of Muscle Beach will test some of the top American strongmen, as they work their way toward the 2004 World's Strongest Man contest. What better place than Venice Beach, California for a strongman competition, so mark your calendars for May 1, 2004 and plan to be there for this bound-to-be-great strongman contest. Events are subject to change, but here's what is planned: 1) Farmer's walk (about 770 pounds total, maximum distance); 2) Log lift (approximately 330 pounds; from the ground to overhead for maximum reps in 90 seconds); 3) Power medley (tire flip, carry or drag, power stairs); 4) Giant pole deadlift (for maximum weight); 5) Super yoke (maximum weight for 15 feet); 6) Stones (308-, 312-, 330-, 352- and 385-pounds, loaded for time). To register or for more details, please contact: Odd Haugen (odd@apexfitnes.com) or Julie Haugen (contactjulia@hotmail.com).

World's Strongest Man winner Svend Karlsen opens his training video promising to inspire and educate: "I'm going to let you in on the secrets I never told my competitors." Watch this DVD and you will see a week's worth of Svend's training, both in the gym and on events, and just to whet your appetite, be prepared to see Svend attempt 175 kg on the Apollon's Axle, knock off a few casual reps with 270 kg in the front squat and deadlift 370 kg for a triple. As Svend said, he will educate and inspire, and no Viking Power fan will want to miss this Colin Bryce film, which we expect to have for sale immediately after the Arnold.

Getting strongman off to an outstanding start at this weekend's premiere IRONMAN Expo, Jon Andersen, Odd Haugen, Jesse Marunde and Mark Philippi performed in front of "a great crowd" in what was seen as a terrific event that is sure to grow next year. Strongman highlights included second-year IFSA pro Jon Andersen lifting 373 pounds overhead on a 14-inch diameter log, and 54-year old Odd Haugen winning the stones, loading the 265-, 300-, 312-, 330- and 385-pound stones in a blazing time of 20 seconds. Mark Philippi had done the stones in 23 seconds, so Odd said he knew he had to have a great performance to beat Mark's time. "It's the best I've ever done," Odd said, "no mistakes." Looking to be part of next year's IRONMAN Expo in a bigger way, plans call for a full-blown strongman competition in 2005. Keep you eye on www.ironmanmagazine.com for details of next year's expo.

Coiling each one tightly enough to fit into a mid-sized suitcase, John Brookfield bent fifteen 20-foot lengths of 5/8" diameter steel bar this weekend in a little over fourteen minutes. Sure, this was a another record-setting bend, but Brookfield keeps his strength in perspective, and was quick to point out that he views his mighty performances not as and end in themselves, but as "a tool to tell people about Jesus Christ."

Anyone who has read the book "Captains of Crush Grippers: What They Are and How To Close Them" knows that Bob Bollenbach, and his gym, have a longstanding and vital relationship to the grip world. Lately, Bollenbach's has been a gathering place once again for a bunch of gung-ho grip guys and this weekend saw some sparks fly. Steve Weiner proved he could outlast and ultimately outmuscle an IronMind Red nail as he fully bent one over the course of what seemed like more than an hour, expending a huge effort in the process ("I'd have to give him an A for effort," said Bob Bollenbach). Pat Povilaitis, meantime, has moved way up the ladder in his short bending, and he bent 19 IronMind Red nails over the course of the afternoon. Given that this was Bollenbach's, there were plenty of grippers, too, some one-hand deadlifts, and along with all the high-level grip performances, everyone had a great time.

Explaining that the intent of the IFSA drug testing policy is protective not merely punitive, Douglas Edmunds, Ph.D. said that the scientist in charge of running the mass spectrometer, the machine that identifies and measures what was in the urine sample, will be available for questions from IFSA athletes. Edmunds said that he has sent information on these resources for handling athletes's queries to the heads of the various national groups making up IFSA, so Canadian strongman competitors, for example, can contact IFSA-Canada president Hugo Girard, and American competitors, for example, can contact IFSA-USA president Jim Davis.

The 2004 West Coast Rolling Thunder Championships will be held at Muscle Beach (Venice, California) on July 17th. This will be part of the annual Muscle Beach USPF Deadlift Championships, and how could you not have a big pull and great time in this setting? It's a perfect place to pop a world record, so train hard and plan on putting up some big numbers on the beach in July. For meet details and to get signed up, please contact Kevin Meskew: warrior01@earthlink.net .

Plan to hit the Pasadena (California) Center Civic Auditorium this weekend if you want to see top professional strongmen Mark Philippi, Odd Haugen, Jesse Marunde and Jon Andersen in action. Philippi, Haugen and Marunde have competed at the World's Strongest Man show, and along with sensational second year IFSA pro Jon Andersen - a strongman who looks like a bodybuilder - they will hold a seminar at 11:45 on Saturday. At 1:00 watch the big guys go for a maximum lift on a log that is 14 inches in diameter. At 5:30, see a classic strongman event, stone loading, and at 8:30, at the bodybuilding contest, watch these IFSA pros do a farmers's walk through the audience. Get full details on the IRONMAN Expo at: http://www.ironmanmagazine.com/detailfp.php?lcid=120 and http://www.thefitexpo.com/#pgm .

2001 World's Strongest Man winner Svend Karlsen is coming into the Arnold in top form, and while Svend said "it's all secrets now" as far as the details go, rest assured that the Norwegian strongman star is at peak strength levels. Svend said that he has changed his training specifically to prepare for this contest, known for its emphasis on heavy events as much as for its hefty prize list. Currently weighing about 150 kg, Svend said that his preparation has been going extremely well and summed things up by simply saying, "I hope to do my best, and if I do, it will be very hard to beat me."

If your hands aren't too worn out from a weekend of heavy training, all you grip guys should mark your calendars because Brian Carlton has just announced Feats With Hands 2004. Feats With Hands 2003 was a big success, and Strong-arm Tactics 2004 was even bigger, so expect Blob Syndicate to continue the trend with its Feats With Hands 2004, a grip contest set for August 21 in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota. Events are subject to change, but this is the schedule as it stands now: 1) grippers (maximum effort, three attempts); 2) IronMind R-Ring Deadlift (one hand deadlift, maximum weight, three attempts); 3) IronMind Apollon's Axle (maximum weight, double overhand grip, no hook, three attempts); 4) IronMind Nail bending (maximum nail bend, three attempts); 5) Blob deadlift or farmer's walk (competitor's choice, one attempt). For further details and to sign up, please email Brian Carlton: carlt005@umn.edu .

James Smith is the latest guy to fully bend an IronMind Red nail under official conditions. For years, John Brookfield stood alone in having done this extremely tough short bend, and John did it in the traditional overhand style with his hands down at about waist level. Last summer, Gavin Holle absolutely demolished a Red nail and in so doing popularized a new style which involved holding the nail at about chin height. In fairly short order, two of Gavin's brothers, Craig and Jay, also officially bent an IronMind red nail, as did Pat Povilaitis. Now, James Smith has succeeded, and in he uses yet another technique - holding the nail with a double underhand grip - which he learned from Steve McGranahan. Steve, incidentally, said this bending technique has added great power to his ability to close grippers, so guys who enjoy both bending and crushing grippers might want to give this a try. James, not being content to "just" bend a full-length Red nail, is knocking on the door of bending one with an inch cut off it - which would put him in even rarer company in the world of short bending.

Performing in front of his official witnesses today, Tommy Heslep closed the world-famous No. 4 Captains of Crush gripper. Heslep was certified on the No. 3 Captains of Crush gripper in 2001, and has been in pursuit of the No. 4 ever since. Besides closing a No. 4 Captains of Crush gripper today, Heslep also lifted a Blob, lifted a 45-pound plate in each hand by pinch gripping the hub, and swung a 45-pound plate to shoulder height while pinch gripping it by the hub. We expect to receive all items required for his certification shortly.

Mad cow disease isn't the only reason strength and health conscious consumers are giving their beef a second thought, and now you can go to IRONMAN magazine (www.ironmanmagazine.com) for an introduction to the advantages of grass-fed beef. This article (http://www.ironmanmagazine.com/detail.php?pid=415) just might whet your appetite enough to make the switch and if you need further convincing, be sure to catch Kevin Fulton's seminar at the 2004 IRONMAN Fit Expo, or visit his web site at: http://www.beefforbetterbodies.2ya.com/ . Kevin, in case you don't know him, isn't exactly a pencil-neck health-nut: Besides having lifted the world-famous Dinnie Stones and being certified on the No. 3 Captains of Crush gripper, Kevin is a three-time All-Around Weightlifting Association world champion, and he's an honest-to-goodness tractor-driving Nebraska farmer. The IRONMAN Fit Expo runs February 20 - 22 in Pasadena, California, and you can get the full details on their official web site at: http://www.ironmanmagazine.com/detailfp.php?lcid=120 and http://www.thefitexpo.com/#pgm .

If you're looking for a seminar that emphasizes functional strength, that spotlights one of the most popular competitors on the professional strongman circuit, a guy who has been a key reason for the current surge in grip strength and bending, and incorporates kettlebells to boot, plan to be at Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) on April 3rd. "We will entertain, motivate and give them functional tools to bring back to their chosen battlefield," grip and bending ace John Brookfield said, describing the seminar led by him, World's Strongest Man competitor Phil Pfister and Max Kettlebells founder David Bellomo. Email David Bellomo for more details: maxfitness@chilitech.net&subject=Day of Strength Inquiry or call him at (570) 321-5339.

1998 World's Strongest Man winner Magnus Samuelsson says that he is ready for a really great year. Last year, Magnus said, he was getting a little flat, and training and competing had become like "another day at work," but now he is really eager once again and looking forward to a great season on the professional strongman circuit. Magnus said that he is basing his year on nice, steady progress in the early part of the year, with plans to be in top shape for World Muscle Power on June 6 in Quebec, saying that "World Muscle Power was one of the best contests last year. Ilkka Kinnunen always sets a good standard, too," Magnus added, explaining that he will compete in top form in one of Ilkka's events this year also. Meanwhile, in addition to training hard, Magnus is doing some exhibitions for Ford, and is wrapping up things on his training DVD, which will include an introduction to Magnus, a discussion of nutrition and supplements, event training, gym training and competition clips. More details on this DVD will follow as soon as they are available.

Roger LaPointe and Atomic Athletic have set up a gathering place for everyone interested in strength who would like to get together from 6 to 9 p.m., March 5th, adjacent to the Arnold Expo. Atomic Athletic, best known for its carved granite balls and shot-loading globe barbells, dumbbells and kettlebells - not to mention things far more exotic - has invited Kim Wood (of Hammer Strength/Bengals/Nautilus fame), "Big Bob Karhan" (featured on the Atomic Athletic postcards), Pat Povilaitis (who recently bent an IronMind red nail), and Richard Sorin ("the first Captain of Crush"), among others, to this gathering, and if you would like more details and want to sign up to attend yourself, please email roger@atomicathletic.com with "Night of Strength II" in the subject line. Rumor has it that Roger is trying the break the record for the most certified Captains of Crush gathered in one spot, so if you've got a jar of tacky that you just can't open, be sure to bring it by.

On Valentine's Day, Heartland Armwrestling will put strong arms to work, pulling to raise funds for the Harvest of Greater Saint Joseph Food Bank. Offering something for everyone, there will be youth, teen, and novice classes, so if you want to give arm wrestling a try, here's your chance, and if you're looking for more of a challenge, Heartland Armwrestling's Mary McConnaughey expects ten states to be represented in this nationally-sanctioned tournament. The competition site is the Ramada Inn Ballroom, St. Joseph, Missouri, so stop by on Saturday, whether it's to compete or just to cheer. For more details, please email: armwrestle@aol.com .

Begun in 1991, Hawaii's Strongest Man is probably the planet's longest-standing continuously-running strongman contest other than World's Strongest Man. This year's event will be open and the field will include three World's Strongest Man competitors - Phil Pfister, Jesse Marunde and Odd Haugen. Here's your chance to see some of the top competitors on the professional strongman circuit and to be part of this great tradition, so if you're going to be in Honolulu, Hawaii this Sunday, go to the Blaisdell Arena and catch the Hawaii's Strongest Man competition.

In what was described as Art McDermott's best show yet, Phil Pfister kicked off the 2004 IFSA-USA season with a solid win in Boston. Pfister won the stones (loading all six), and the Hercules Hold. Odd Haugen, beating the best at the event, took top honors in the farmers walk. Second year pro Jon Andersen continued to impress, dominating the squat with 22 reps (700 pounds, a little above parallel, sixty seconds) - Odd Haugen, Phil Pfister, and Dan Ford were tied for second place with 14 reps. Andersen also won the Conan's wheel. Odd Haugen finished second place overall, Dan Ford was third and Jon Andersen was fourth. Check the official IFSA-USA web site for full results http://x-tremestrongman.com/mainPage.html .

Douglas Edmunds confirmed today that the 105-kg category is set, and IFSA's Ilkka Kinnunen will be running the first major competition with this body weight class in China this October. The decision to move from a body weight limit of 100 kilos to 105 kilos was made in order to conform with the body weight class used for weightlifting in the Olympics, Edmunds said. Because it will be tough to run proper qualifying contests in this inaugural year of the 105-kg class, Edmunds urges athletes who think they would be top competitors to contact the IFSA head of their geographical region: Jim Davis in the US, Hugo Girard in Canada, Ilkka Kinnunen in Scandinavia, Marcel Mostert in Central Europe and Douglas Edmunds anywhere else.

Grip master, powerhouse bender, and now threatening to move into uncharted territory with kettlebells, John Brookfield will be performing at the Cardiobells booth at the Arnold Expo, and if you are ready to get certified on a No. 3 or No. 4 Captains of Crush gripper, John can be your official witness. John has been in pursuit of some of Hermann Goerner's feats with heavy kettlebells, and Cardiobells's David Bellomo said John will be flipping and catching a thick-handled 150-lb. kettlebell they call "The Baby." John will also be doing a few of his traditional feats of strength and he'll be available to be your official witness if you're ready for your Captains of Crush certification. Explaining what Cardiobells is all about, David Bellomo said, "We are bringing back truly functional strength training to the public. I think this will change mainstream strength training." Go to Cardiobells, see John, get certified!

More than a dozen years ago, IronMind began publicizing the feats of a guy who had an uncanny ability to squeeze, pinch and crush things - the guy was Richard Sorin, and among the things Richard pinched was what he called the Blob. Back in the mid-1980s, Richard's equipment company was switching out the dumbbells in a YMCA and among the old stuff were some broken and bent cast York dumbbells. Richard, being a grip guy, took one look at the end of a York 100-pound dumbbell and realized that anyone who could pinch grip it was doing something special. "This thing is just not going anywhere," Richard said the first time he tried to lift the Blob, and he estimated that it ended up taking him 200 attempts before he finally succeeded in hoisting it off the ground. Although best known as the first person certified as closing a No. 3 Captains of Crush gripper, we have always pointed out that Richard's pinch gripping power was at least the equal of his crushing power, and he would later put lifting the Blob at the top of the list of his feats of hand strength (see the January 1995 issue of MILO, Volume 2 - Number 4). John Ottarski, a very capable arm wrestler, brought performances in the Blob up another level when he got so proficient that he had to tape additional weight to it, and in the June 1997 issue of MILO (Volume 5 - Number 1), we reported that he had succeeded in lifting a Blob with an additional ten pounds on it. No doubt about it, anyone who wants to claim Blob supremacy these days is going to have to walk through the gym of Wade Gillingham, who toys with the Blob as if it were just a fraction of its actual weight. A few days ago, Wade hauled up a Blob with an additional 20 pounds on it, and weighed the total pile of iron at 71 pounds - a prodigious feat of pinch gripping power. Wonder if Richard ever thought that broken York dumbbell otherwise headed for the scrap heap would end up playing such an important role in hand strength history?

The always highly-anticipated World's Strongest Man (WSM) contest is slated for September in the Bahamas, although the specific details have not been officially announced yet and are subject to change. Continuing the recent trend of eliminating pure speed-oriented events and returning to true tests of strength, the 2004 WSM contest is expected to feature events that will be very much like those used in Zambia last year, with basic tests of strength, such as the squat, deadlift and overhead press, forming the core of the contest.

1998 World's Strongest Man winner Magnus Samuelsson has long been known for his ferociously strong grip, and when he ground the handles on a No. 4 Captains of Crush gripper this weekend, he proved the point again. Although he came into strongman from arm wrestling, Magnus Samuelsson is not a pure grip specialist, but rather a guy who trains his hand strength as part of his overall preparation for strongman contests. Nonetheless, Magnus has some of the strongest hands around, and early last year he was starting to draw a bead on the world-renown No. 4. "I was peaking up to World's Strongest Man (2003)," Magnus said, "but if you do too much, your hands get sore," so he backed off. Starting again after this period of rest, Magnus has really hit his stride, and he said that since Christmas he has been able to close the No. 4 on a good day, and on Saturday, when he was the official witness for Jim Gahnfelt (going for his certification on the No. 3), Magnus said he felt good and just wanted to give it try. Beginning with only a slight set, Magnus proceeded to grind the handles on the No. 4, explaining, "If I have a good day, I can crush it with some speed." Although he has never had a chance to try a Blob, Magnus admits that he has a pretty good pinch grip, and he is a former world-record holder on the Rolling Thunder, so don't think his hand strength is limited to stellar performances on grippers. Magnus was hoping to finish higher than his fourth place in WSM 2003 and is training hard with an eye on this year's contest. Want to see how one of the very top names on the international strongman circuit prepares? Then be sure to catch Magnus Samuelsson's new training DVD, which will be released in about two weeks. Full details on the new DVD will be available shortly.