Amid speculation about what might or might not be taking place at the IFSA USA championships, IFSA CEO Jussi Laurmaa told IronMind® that "the Jamie Reeves Signature Premium Equipment Kits will be there, and therefore most of the disciplines will be standardized Classical Disciplines."

Laurimaa said that full details "will be released to all of the athletes shortly, at the same time, so nobody will get an unfair advantage in preparing" for the contest, which is scheduled for July 30 - 31 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Besides crowning the 2005 IFSA USA champion, this contest will determine which five athletes will qualify for the 2005 IFSA Strongman Pan American Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil later this year.

Historically, strongman contests have used equipment unique to a particular contest/promoter/athlete, and the general look was someplace between late Neanderthal and early Iron Age.


"Mark Felix on his way to winning the 2005 IFSA Strongman British Championships last weekend . . .This event was organised in Europe's biggest steel mill in Sheffield, UK. and it was stage-dressed to give the event the look and feel of the finishing scene of 'Terminator II,'" IFSA CEO Jussi Laurimaa explained. IronMind® | Richard Kille (IN-FOCUS) photo.
 

IFSA Strongman, with equipment maestro Jamie Reeves leading the charge, has changed all that.

Citing the need to establish credibility via events that are meaningful, but also dramatic, leading strongman event-equipment designer Jamie Reeves explained why IFSA has come out with its new equipment kit: stainless steel beauties for the six IFSA Classical Disciplines.

"We need to captivate an audience," Reeves said, and for someone who has both won the World's Strongest Man contest and worked on subsequent shows, Reeves speaks with substantial authority.

Explaining why an overhead lift is one of IFSA's core events, Reeves said, "For the purists, you have to have that element in it." To Reeves, acknowledging what is required to test a man's strength is vital, and not something that should be decided by the whim of a production team.

Reeves maintains that "there's no hiding" in the new IFSA format, because if you have a weakness, one of the events will reveal it, and with the introduction of standardized events, all strongmen can compare their performances in a meaningful way, whether they are in Alaska or Azerbaijan.

Reeves, who is one of the few people to have both bench pressed over 600 pounds and deadlifted over 800 pounds, points out that the new IFSA deadlift apparatus will bring new meaning to the lift in strongman as it uses a standard height, and the introduction of repping out with 320 kg has proven to sort out the weak from the strong, without giving an undue edge to one type of lifter over another.

An additional advantage of the IFSA approach, Reeves said, is it eliminates the cold showers sometimes awaiting competitors.

"There's no changing the goal posts at game time," Reeves said, and "you don't to have worry about showing up and facing an egg and spoon race."

He's an Olympic champion, world champion, world record holder, Mr. Universe - one of the greatest weightlifters of all time - and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said that when he was young, Tommy Kono was his inspiration.


A few years ago, Tommy and his brother Mike honored IronMind® with a visit. "I wanted to be studly like Tommy, so strong and so muscular," declared California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger when he saw Tommy at the 2004 Arnold Fitness Weekend. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Keeping busy as he collects one honor after another, Tommy Kono remains active in the sport: In addition to leading seminars, he is the author of the book Weightlifting, Olympic Style and his recently-launched TK knee bands have proven to be very popular.

Happy 75th birthday, Tommy!

The United Strongman Series Moscow contest was held in famous Gorky Park this weekend and local favorite 26-year-old Igor Pedan triumphed over a field that included a dozen competitors representing nine nations.

Final places and points were:

1. Igor Pedan (Russia), 62.5 points
2. Michael Starov (Ukraine), 51.5
3. Oleksandr Pekanov (Ukraine), 49
4. Sergei Flerko (Russia), 46
5. Michail Sidoricev (Russia), 44.5
6. Milan Jovanovic (Serbia-Montenegro), 37
7. David Ostlund (United States of America), 34
8. Lubomir Libacki (Poland), 33.5
9. Stoyan Todorcev (Bulgaria), 30.5
10. Franz Muellner (Austria), 30
11. Boris Milosevic (Slovakia), 27
12. Raymon Merckx (The Netherlands), 22.5

Four-time World's Strongest Man winner Magnus Ver Magnusson doesn't seem quite ready for retirement, and today he won the IFSA Iceland's Strongest Viking contest.

Following Magnus Ver was former Iceland's Strongest Man winner Magnus Magnusson (no relation to Magnus Ver), and Georg Ogmundsson took home third place.

Jarno Hams edged Adam Darash to win the 2005 IFSA West-European Championships in Hungary today.

Final places and points were:

1. Jarno Hams (Holland) 53.5 points
2. Adam Darash (Hungary) 53.5
3. Jan Krehacek (Slovakia) 41.5
4. Martin Stefel (Czech) 41
5. Bernd Kirchbaumer (Austria) 38
6. Brian Turner (Scotland) 32
7. Denis Udovitch (Slovenia) 21
8. Vladimir Risov (Bulgaria) 17

Jasmin Haidarevic (Bosnia) and Heinz Ollesch (Germany) reportedly were injured during the competition, although the extent of their injuries could not be confirmed immediately.

Watch for more details on the IFSA website, probably early next week.  

IronMind® has pointed out that Brad Johnson is redefining the world of bodyweight training and if you have any second thoughts about this man's hand and arm strength, read Brad's latest column and give this movement a try: pull-ups while hanging onto baseballs or softballs.

When you're at Brad Johnson's achievement level, it might seem hard to envision the struggles taking place several levels lower, but one of the things that shows Brad's depth of understanding and his ability as a teacher/coach is the way he explains how you can begin your journey with modest versions of what he demonstrates so easily. Brad Johnson gives you the method to master this movement, as he guides you toward greater proficiency.

Follow this link for Brad Johnson's Extreme Bodyweight Training, or go to the Training Articles link on the IronMind® home page.

Climbers, special forces, gripsters - have at it.

Gene Camp has just announced the postponement of the NYC King of Arms competition featuring Mamuka Pajishvili, but he said, "a new venue will announced and the stakes will be raised."

"Pre-registration challenge fees will promptly be returned," Camp also said.

The 2005 Bronxboro XXII Open Pro-Am Championships will on July 2, at Orchard Beach, and for full details, please check New York Arm Wrestling's website. 

Kevin Meskew's Power Palace gym in Chatsworth, California will host its first annual Curl Mania competition on July 16th.

Events are:

1) strict curl
2) hammer curl on a 10-inch log (24-inch hand spacing)
3) reverse curl on an IronMind Apollon's Axle
4) cheat curl

"USSCA rules will govern the strict curl discipline, meet director rules for the others. Best lifts in each discipline will be totaled to determine placings." Multiple body weight classes and divisions, so if you have the biceps, Kevin's got the meet for you to prove it.

Please email warrior01@earthlink.net for contest details.

Although IFSA president Jussi Laurimaa noted that "this first ranking is still quite influenced by attendance in addition to performance," there is no question that strongman competitors and fans worldwide will pour over this list.

"The current World Ranking is based on the results of these first 15 IFSA sanctioned top-tier events," said Laurimaa.

Here are the top dozen athletes, along with their current points for the 2005 season, which "started at the Arnolds in March, has now seen 15 IFSA sanctioned top-tier events, plus approximately twice that number of competitions sanctioned by our national federations," Laurimaa explained.

1. Zydrunas Savickas 35 points
2. Svend Karlsen 20
3. Vasyl Virastyuck 16
4. Tomi Lotta 15
5. Etienne Smit 15
6. Bernd Kerschbaumer 13
7. Glenn Ross 12
8. Andrus Muramets 11
9. Mark Felix 10
11. Pedro Moriana, 10
11. Jani Illikainen 10
12. Mark Philippi 10

Watch for the complete ranking list coming soon on the IFSA website.  

Jussi Laurimaa also noted that "the cumulative prize money of the season thus far just broke the US$250,000 mark this week," as another indication of where IFSA stands vis-a-vis its plans to bring strongman to an entirely new level.

In a move that will be widely applauded by strongman fans worldwide, the World's Strongest Man contest is introducing a live broadcast of this year's competition, TWI told IronMind® today.

Strongman fans around the world are accustomed to the tradition of having the highly popular World's Strongest Man contest take place in the fall, and the show airing the day after Christmas.

In what hardcore fans will embrace as a tremendous enhancement of this contest, CCTV5 in China will be making six one-hour programs and the final one will be live, although "ESPN will be broadcasting the shows as they have in previous years."

As reported here earlier, this year's World's Strongest Man contest will be held in Chengdu, China, with the qualifier scheduled for September 27 - 30 and the finals scheduled for October 4 - 7.

Canadian strongman star Hugo Girard said that his cast is scheduled to come off next Thursday, and rehabilitation will begin in the first week of July.


Canadian strongman star Hugo Girard is looking for a new world record in the log when he returns to competition next year. IronMind® | Barbara Brown photo.

Hugo Girard had the misfortune to first tear his Achilles tendon while competing in the Arnold Strongman contest earlier this year, and then he duplicated the injury shortly after the cast was removed.

But don't think this means that the man who is a household name in Quebec is anything but completely optimistic about his return to competition next year: "My surgeon is very happy with my progress and I am very confident that I can return at 100%," Girard told IronMind®.

Perhaps best known for his pressing power, Girard is a former world record holder in the Apollon's Axle, and he had hoped to bench press 650 pounds raw at the World Police and Fire Games that begin this weekend in Quebec.

"I'm an expert with crutches now," Girard said, "and it has been very good training for my triceps. Watch for a new world record in the log when I return to competition in 2006."

John Brookfield, Jon Bruney and Dave Campbell have been working together on a number of projects recently, and they have a new website showcasing what they offer.

One of things they will focus on is training for extremely high levels of endurance, and toward that end, they have challenges, seminars, training information, etc.

John told IronMind® that the Gridiron Warrior website is still being developed but if you can't wait, stop by and take a look right now.

If you can outpull New York City's King of Arms, Mamuka Pajishvili, The New York Armwrestlting Association will pay you $300.

Brooklyn's Mamuka Pajishvili will fact off in this double elimination right hand contest on July 2 at Orchard Beach in the Bronx. For full contest details, please check  New York Arm Wrestling's website.  

Two-time IPF superheavyweight world champion Brad Gillingham is about three weeks out from the World Games, and despite some nagging injuries that have hampered his training, Brad's planning to be in the hunt for a medal.


Brad got to relax as his brother Wade let guys test their hand strength at the Gillingham-GNC Grip Gauntlet held at the 2004 Show of Strength (Atlanta, Georgia). IronMind® | Photo by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D.
 

The World Games are set for Duisburg, Germany next month, and with a 40-sport schedule and world class presentation, they are expected to draw about a half a million spectators.

Powerlifting is run according to IPF rules, but a formula is used in the +90 kg category in which Brad Gillingham competes, rather than just relying on the raw numbers, and formulas are generally considered to put heavier lifters at a disadvantage.

Brad Gillingham is best known for his gravity-defying double-overhand deadlifts and even if his current 16-week training cycle has not been going precisely according to plan, earlier this week he pulled a 775-pound deadlift about as easily as he ever has, so that gives you an idea of how high his base strength is at the moment.

Talking about the persistent inflammation and injuries that have been holding back his training, Brad said, "If this was any other meet, I would have pulled out, but this is the World Games and it's just one step down from the Olympics - you don't quit."

We have just posted the latest Schmitz on the Lifts column, and this month Jim Schmitz gives us a refreshing slant on periodization, or cycling.


No armchair or keyboard expert, three-time US Olympic weightlifting team coach Jim Schmitz knows the trenches well: At the 2001 World Weightlifting Championships (Antalya, Turkey), Jim got the call to coach the only US lifter who made the trip, Jackie Berube. IronMind® | Photo by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D.

Anyone who remembers what band Paul McCartney was in before Wings, might be mildly amazed at how frequently you run into periodization programs that either give you a headache to follow or make you wonder why everyone isn't a world champion if progress is that certain.

Cutting through the fluff, our resident weightlifting expert, Jim Schmitz, has a different take on the subject, and if instinctive periodization seems like a mouthful, don't worry, the message is straightforward and bound to prove beneficial to your training.

Click here for the latest Schmitz on the Lifts column, or follow the link to the Training Articles on the IronMind® home page.

 

Four-time World's Strongest Man winner Magnus Ver Magnusson is ready to compete in the IFSA Iceland's Strongest Viking contest next weekend.


Four-time World's Strongest Man Winner Magnus Ver Magnusson sinks a putt this past weekend (Akureyri, Iceland). IronMind® | Photo by Asta Gudmundsdottir.

Magnus Ver, one of the highest-profile names in strongman, is coming off a win this past weekend, and he said that his knees are holding up, so he will be entering the Iceland's Strongest Viking contest feeling pretty strong.

Magnus Ver said that besides himself, the starting field will include Benedikt Magnusson, George Ogmundsson, Magnus Magnusson, Gretar Gudmundsson, Jon Valgeir Williams, Stefan Solfi Petursson, Arnar Mar Jonsson and Gumundur Otri.

The top two finishers, Magnus Ver said, will qualify for the IFSA Nordic Championships, and the winner will qualify for the IFSA European Championships.

Although an official statement from the IWF is expected shortly, widespread reports have been circulating that three-time Olympic gold medalist Halil Mutlu (Turkey) had tested positive for a banned substance at this year's European Weightlifting Championships.


Mutlu hit this 140-kg snatch while lifting in the 62-kg category at this year's European Weightlifitng Championships (Sofia, Bulgaria). IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.
 

Now, it is also being widely reported that Mutlu's B-sample was positive, and IronMind® was told that today European TV broadcast that Mutlu has been suspended for two years, which is consistent with a first-time offense under the IWF anti-doping policy.

It wasn't surprising that two-time World's Strongest Man winner Mariusz Pudzianowksi won the Super Series event at Muscle Beach yesterday, but just how hard he was pushed by Jesse Marunde boosted the value of the young American's stock.


Here's the beef: Jesse Marunde (USA) relaxes before the sparks start flying at the Super Series contest yesterday. Asked what her husband eats to maintain his size, Callie Marunde said, "Three pounds of Grassland beef a day." IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

In a picture-perfect setting, the battle was on for the first four invitations to the 2005 World"s Strongest Man contest, and this competition managed to bring together established stars, rising stars, heavy events and a storybook southern Californa setting, and at the end of the day, with the battle for first place coming down to the last event, the top four finishers were:

1. Mariusz Pudzianowski (Poland)
2. Jesse Marunde (USA)
3. Janne Virtanen (Finland)
4. Dominic Filiou (Canada)

Both Pudzianowski and Virtanen are past World's Strongest Man winners, and Marunde and Filiou proved their reputations as top comers are well deserved, as did Dave Ostlund (USA), who, finishing in fifth place, just missed getting an invitation to World's Strongest Man, but seems certain to have another chance.

Kristinn Oskar Haraldsson, aka Boris, won Iceland's Strongest Man today, a contest that has roots going back to 1985 when Jon Pall danced with the Husafell stone and Hjalti Arnason broke Gudni Sigurjonsson's arm in the arm wrestling event.

Adrian Rolinson was second and Gudjon Gislasson was third.

A couple of big names were conspicuously absent from the contest: Benedikt Magnusson, the phenomenal deadlifter, is recovering from an arm injury,and Audunn Jonsson, the powerlifter-strongman, came to California for the WSM Super Series event at Muscle Beach.

Based on his winning performance this past weekend at the team strongman competition in Poznan, Poland, World's Strongest Man winner Mariusz Pudzianowski is said to be in tremendous shape as he comes to Muscle Beach (Venice, California) on Saturday for the first contest in this year's WSM Super Series.


Mariusz Pudzianowski prepares at WSM04 (Paradise Island, Bahamas). IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Odd Haugen, who competed in Poland and will also be in the thick of things this weekend at Muscle Beach, said Mariusz was "fast, strong and in unbelievable shape," and sporting his usual ripped look while weighing over 300 pounds.

The contest starts at noon and admission is free, but it is recommended that you arrive early because seating is limited and you don't want to miss any of the action as the battle begins for invitations to the 2005 World's Strongest Man contest.

Earlier today, IronMind® reported the location, dates and format of the 2005 World's Strongest Man contest, and the 2005 World's Strongest Man Super Series, which is the entry route to the 2005 World's Strongest Man contest, kicks off its 2005 season this weekend at Muscle Beach (Venice, California).


Mick Gosling, 2005 MET-Rx Britain's Strongest Man winner, earned a berth at a World's Strongest Man Super Series event later this year, giving him a chance to qualify for the 2005 World's Strongest Man contest. IronMind® | Malcolm Crease photo.

At least the top three finishers at this weekend's contest are guaranteed invitations to the 2005 World's Strongest Man contest, which is set for China, scheduled from September 27 to October 7.

Three more World's Strongest Man Super Series events will be held prior to the 2005 World's Strongest Man contest, and Mick Gosling, by virtue of winning the MET-Rx Britain's Strongest Man competition over the weekend earned an invitation to one of them. At least the top three finishers of each of these contests will qualify for the 2005 World's Strongest Man contest.

Following the World's Strongest Man Super Series contest in Venice, California this weekend, contests will be held in Poland, Sweden, and then back to the United States. While each of these contests will have broad international representation, they will feature competitors from the local area - the contests in Sweden and Poland, for example, will lean toward athletes drawn from Europe and the contests in the US will lean toward athletes drawn from North America.


1983 and 1985 World's Strongest Man winner Geoff Capes (left), head referee at last weekend's MET-Rx Britain's Strongest Man contest, gets interviewed by presenter Colin Bryce. IronMind® | Malcolm Crease photo.

While participation in these World's Strongest Man Super Series contests is by invitation, all athletes are considered eligible and welcome; there is a target group of top-ranked athletes, but winning a national championships is a certain way to get the attention of the people in charge of extending the invitations.

Amid the swirling rumors, IronMind® has just received official confirmation of the dates, location and contest format for the 2005 World's Strongest Man competition.

This year's contest is in Chengdu, China with the qualifier scheduled for September 27 - 30 and the finals scheduled for October 4 - 7.

"We are going back to the usual format of five groups, although this year we will have five athletes in each group, with the top two going through to the final," said TWI Event Manager Lisa Comber, which is news that will likely be very well received by both the competitors and the fans of this leading event in the strongman world.

Harrah's Casino and Hotel in Council Bluffs, Iowa and Bulldog Strength Sports will host the Heartland Strongman Challenge 4 on August 13.

This five-event contest will have two body weight classes for men, a women's class and a master's class. For more information, please contact Joe at bulldogstrengthsports@cox.net.

By all accounts it was a thriller, with many calling it the best strongman contest they had ever seen, and when the dust had settled, Mick Gosling kept the title in his family as he was crowned MetRx Britain's Strongest Man 2005 yesterday.

Set in Dudley Castle, with approximately 5,000 fans on hand, executive producer Colin Bryce, in collaboration with TWI, didn't merely change the format of this event: What was unveiled was a contest format that produced a finish with drama of the highest order and that made the winner apparent immediately after the last event concluded.

An initial field of 12 competitors headed into six events, and after three events, the field was cut to the top eight competitors. After two more events, only the top three competitors continued to the final event.

In this war of attrition, one of the casualties was two-time Britain's Strongest Man Richard Gosling, who was going for an unprecedented third successive title. Nonetheless, the Gosling family name was still in the thick of things, as Richard's brother Mick had made the final cut.

The last event was a 75-meter farmer's walk, uphill, with 125-kg implements, and the start was based on point position going into this last event: Ade Rollinson's 3-1/2 point lead meant that head referee Geoff Capes gave Ade the whistle to start and only 3-1/2 seconds later, Mick Gosling got the starting whistle. Carl Wiatoa, who came into the final event trailing Mick Gosling by 2-1/2 points, had to wait another 2-1/2 seconds until World's Strongest Man winner Geoff Capes gave him the whistle to start.

Ade Rollinson forged such an initial lead that it appeared insurmountable, but fatigue turned his legs to lead and meanwhile Mick Gosling was picking up steam. Ade ended up collapsing just shy of the finish line, Mick Gosling got the win, and Carl Wiatoa came in second, and one of the beauties of Bryce's reformulation of this contest was that the winner was obvious immediately - no need to consult a score sheet and delay the announcement as numbers were input, tabulated and checked. The first guy over the line took home the marbles and in this case, that man was Mick Gosling. Mick, in addition to the title, picked up a total prize package worth close to US10,000 for his efforts.

Colin Bryce described the contest as one filled with "scenes of tears and joy for the family," since Richard Gosling was not able to three-peat on the title, but his brother Mick's victory kept it within the family.

Sky Sports covered this highly-visible event, and MexRx sales executive Robert Walker was among those on hand watching the drama unfold.

Saddle Brook, New Jersey - There was a record turnout at the 22nd annual Association of Oldetime Barbell and Strongmen dinner tonight according to AOBS president Artie Drechsler.


Bruce Wilhelm accepts the award honoring Pat Casey at tonight's AOBS dinner. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.This yeat's honorees were Bob Hoffman, Pat Casey, Don Reinhoudt and Red Lerille, and the night before the banquet, weightlifting great Tommy Kono led a very popular seminar on the sport.

Longtime AOBS performer Slim "The Hammerman" Farman demonstrated his unique sledgehammer lifting after the dinner, and Pat Povilaitis and Bud Jeffries, in their debut at the AOBS, performed a number of feats of strength, which included Jeffries backlifting approximately 2400 pounds.


Bud Jeffries holds Pat Povilaitis aloft with one arm, while Pat bends a piece of steel.  IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

If you're an armwrestler, or a fan, head to the South Beach Boardwalk main stage in Staten Island on June 18th and see what happens when the City of New York Parks and Recreation, New York Armwrestling and White Castle hook up.

This contest launches the White Castle New York Golden Arm Series. Weigh-ins and registration begin at 10 a.m., and the pulling kicks off at 12:30 p.m.

For full details, please email: nyawa@aol.com.

Is he a bear or is he a bull?

Has our resident philosopher of strength, Steve Jeck, gone Wall Street?

Read his latest column and we bet that what Steve has served up this month will be more than food for thought - it will shape what you do in a very powerful way.

To capitalize on his advice, follow this link to Steve Jeck's From the Quarry, or go to the Training Articles link on the IronMind® home page.

 

On June 18 the World's Strongest Man Super Series is coming to Muscle Beach (Venice, California) and if you expected to see some of the big names from the professional strongman circuit, in a perfect setting, you are right.


Jesse Marunde (USA) on the Front Carry at the WSM Super Series strongman contest at the 2005 FitExpo (Pasadena, California). IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Headlining the field are former World's Strongest Man winners Mariusz Pudzianowski (Poland) and Janne Virtanen (Finland), with another World's Strongest Man winner, Jouko Aholo (Finland), presiding as head referee and strongman emissary extraordinaire.

In addition, the field includes Irish champion Brian Irwin and Norway's own Odd Haugen, along with Icelandic star Audunn Jonsson, and Canadians Dominic Filiiou and Steve Bourgeois. Representing the Stars and Stripes are Jesse Marunde, Dave Ostlund, Jim Glassman, Corey St. Clair and Grant Higa.

The action starts at noon, behind the lifting area on the boardwalk in Venice, California and while admission is free, the stadum seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

What had originally been billed as the IFSA European Championships in Moscow this past weekend, was recast as the IFSA Moscow Grand Prix.

The top five places and points were:

1. Zydrunas Savickas 70.5
2. Raimonds Bergmanis 66.5
3. Mikhail Koklyaev 62.5
4. Andrus Murumets 59.5
5. Svend Karlsen 57.5
 

Whether you've got your eye on the Beijing Olympics or are just trying to snatch your body weight, the Steel City Open is the place to be on June 25th for Pittsburgh area weightlifters.

Set for the Martial Arts and Sports Complex in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, please contact Kathie Brenneman (co-meet director, along with Rege Becker) at 724-453-0593 or 412-559-2838 for contest details.

USA Weightlifting membership applications will be available, if you don't already belong and have a card.

Glenn Ross won the World Cup Strongman event in Nostell Priory, Wakefield, Yorkshire, England today, but it wasn't easy because a brilliantly-performing Jesse Marunde very nearly stole the whole show.

Marunde swept the first three events and as an indication of his over-the-top performance, in the Inch dumbbell, after powerhouse Glenn Ross had done eight reps, Marunde banged out four reps and then said to the crowd, "Who's ready for my good arm now" and drove the spectators into a frenzy as he switched arms and pumped out five more reps to win the event.

Irish strongman champion Brian Irwin was second overall, and Jesse Marunde was third overall, reportedly losing the title when he elected to sit out the deadlift, thinking that he had the victory secure. Unfortunately, the winner of the first World Cup Strongman event this year, Antanus Abrutis, blew out both biceps on the first event.

1993 World's Strongest Man winner Gary Taylor was the head referee and he gave Jesse Marunde the "Athlete of the Day" award, in recognition of his impressive performance.

The setting is Dudley Castle, the date is June 12, and the prize, besides the title of Britain's Strongest Man, is a chance to qualify for the 2005 World's Strongest Man competition.

This year's MetRx Britain's Strongest Man contest is part of the World's Strongest Man Super Series, and this six-event competition will feature two-time World's Strongest Man winner Geoff Capes as the head referee.

Sky Sports is covering this contest, with the television broadcast scheduled for July 31.

Bud Jeffries, who had been planning to demonstrate a heavy (950 pounds or so) squat starting from the bottom position at the upcoming AOBS dinner, told IronMind® that because of an injury, he might do a backlift, instead.

Jeffries, maybe best known for his very heavy partial squats, has done a little training on the backlift and while he would not be going for a maximum weight, if he does a backlift at the AOBS dinner, it would be heavy enough to give everyone a sense of appreciation for the potential of this lift.

To learn more about AOBS, please visit the AOBS website.

Team Savannah is hosting an "American Weightlifting Summer Camp," July 18 - July 23.

Billed as a "camp designed for coaches and their athletes to train together and share information about training programs, competition strategy, international preparation, lifting techniques and nutritional supplements. Team Savannah Coaching Staff will assist and aid all coaches and athletes upon request."

For details, please write: Team Savannah, P.O. Box 14507, Savannah, Georgia 31416