All but one World's Strongest Man winner since 1997 will be at the Mohegan Sun, so if you want to see anyone from Jouko Ahola to Mariusz Pudzianowski, you know where to be.

Everyone in the lineup at WSMSS strongman event set for June 1 at the Mohegan Sun has competed in the World's Strongest Man contest and every winner since 1997 other than Vasyl Virastyuk is scheduled to be there. Here's the lineup of competitors:

1. Svend Karlsen
2. Magnus Samuelsson
3. Mariusz Pudzianowski
4. Janne Virtanen
5. Hugo Girard
6. Karl Gillingham
7. Odd Haugen
8. Dave Ostlund
9. Kevin Nee
10. Josh Thigpen
11. Dominic Filiou
12. Terry Holland
13. Jesse Marunde
14. Mark Philippi

referee: Jouko Ahola

Coming off its successful production of the Arnold Strongman competition, World's Strongest Man Super Series founder Ulf Bengtsson took a few minutes to talk to IronMind® about what his group has been up to.

"During the last couple of years, World Class Events (WCE) and its partners have worked with dedication, determination and a lot of heart toward establishing the ultimate strongman competition vehicle," Bengtsson said. That vehicle, World's Strongest Man Super Series (WSMSS), Bengtsson said, "has become very attractive to serious stakeholders such as athletes, TV networks, Grand Prix promoters and sponsors.

"WCE has made it a top priority to further develop long-term partnerships with existing and new professional promoters who appreciate the great benefits of hosting a world-class event such as a World's Strongest Man Super Series Grand Prix," said Bengtsson, pointing to the return of WSMSS to the Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort "for yet another magnificent Grand Prix. The quality of the sport continues to improve and serious stakeholders are now finding the sport of strongman even more appealing.

"For the tour of 2006 and onward, WCE is increasing its efforts to include more US-based events. This so that the best US athletes will have larger access to global TV exposure and receive the chance to compete against the international stars. Furthermore, the large US fan base will have more opportunities to see the top athletes live at major contests such as the Mohegan Sun Grand Prix on June 1."

Mariusz Pudzianowski is at the top of his field: He's won the World's Strongest Man contest three times, is in constant demand for appearances, and is so highly regarded as a competitor that he is considered a potential winner in every contest he enters.


The MET-Rx Man of Muscle: Mariusz Pudzianowski fells the Timber Carry at the recent Arnold Strongman contest, a really heavy event at a really heavy contest produced by World Class Events (WCE). IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

But don't think all that success makes life easy: Consider what Mariusz's schedule was like coming into the Arnold Strongman, where his fans were disappointed that he didn't produce a top performance.

According to someone very familiar with the situation, Mariusz trained for about two hours a day, first thing in the morning, and then did exhibitions, had photo sessions, was in meetings, etc. until about 11:00 p.m. each weekday. On the weekends, he would do three or four exhibitions a day, often having to drive hours from one to another.

This hectic appearance schedule, which is the result of fame stemming from his World's Strongest Man titles, certainly has added greatly to the fortune of Mariusz Pudzianowski - thought to be the top earning professional strongman on the circuit - but it has meant that he simply cannot come into each contest in top condition.

The Arnold Strongman was just such a casualty; but even so, to get an idea of why Mariusz Pudzianowski scores so high in peer reviews, consider that the opening event at this year's Arnold was the make-or-break Timber Carry, which only Mariusz and all-time top deadlifter Benedikt Magnusson completed. And when you consider what Mariusz running at 85% can do, is it any surprise that he has announced that he is eager to compete against the top strongmen from the Arnold again?

Anyone want to guess who Mariusz is predicting will win?

Kevin Meskew's Power Palace is the site of several upcoming meets, but one that is sure to spark in the interest of all you steel-handed Southern Californians is his Iron Grip Decathlon Challenge.

Set for April 29 in Chatsworth, Kevin says the "competition is open to any athlete (but need not be athletic)," and while strong hands would be a definite plus if you want to place well, everyone can have a good time. Events include such classics as Captains of Crush® Grippers, the IronMind® Hub and Rolling Thunder, and some events like a heavy wrist roll that you don't run into every day.

For details, please contact Kevin Meskew at (818) 899-7555 or warrior01@earthlink.net While you're at it, ask Kevin about his strict curl contest (April 1) and his Iron Warrior "Festival of Strength Decathlon" (May 13).

Congratulations to John Beatty, who just made IronMind®'s Red Nail™ Roster, marking his official success with this benchmark feat of short bending.

If John needed extra zip for his bend, he had the right environment: He took it for a ride at the Arnold, where you can find a sea of strong guys and plenty of enthusiasm to help you get stoked for a big effort.

Recognizing John's success, IronMind® is happy to add his name to the Red Nail Roster.


Congratulations, John!

Svend "Viking Power" Karlsen - one of the world's most recognized professional strongmen - told IronMind that he will be competing at the just-announced World's Strongest Man Super Series Mohegan Sun Grand Prix.


Svend Karlsen given the Fridge Carry a run for its money at the 2004 World's Strongest Man contest (Paradise Island, Bahamas). IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Karlsen, who won the World's Strongest Man contest in 2001, showed that he was serious when he said that he would definitely be competing in WSM Super Series contests this year when he announced his intention to be at the Mohegan Sun Grand Prix on June 1. Already "back to almost maximum power in the gym," Karlsen said that he plans to begin event training in a couple of weeks - right now, there is over a meter of snow on the ground at his home, which makes training outside a bit difficult, even if you are a Viking.

World Class Events, which produced the Arnold Strongman Classic earlier this month, has announced that the next World's Strongest Man Super Series contest will be held at the Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort on June 1 and just as last year, this will serve as a qualifier for the upcoming MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest.

Ulf Bengtsson, of World Class Events, said that "Two additional venues will soon be announced for this year's calendar. Through the outstanding relation with TWI, the world's largest independent producer and distributor of sports programming, the WSM Super Series will continue to grow in stature, award its own WSM Super Series Champion title and ultimately deliver the best athletes in the world to the ultimate event: TWI's MET-Rx World's Strongest Man."

The latest Jim Schmitz on the Lifts column gives you the lowdown on the set and rep schemes that three-time US Olympic Weightlifting Team coach Jim Schmitz has found most productive.


You might not get as strong as Bunyami Sudas (Turkey), who cleaned and jerked 227.5 kg in the 105-kg category at the 2005 European Weightlifting Championships (Sofia, Bulgaria), but if you follow Jim Schmitz's advice, chances are that you'll get a lot stronger than you are. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.
 

You might not have a coach of Jim's experience in your neighborhood, but here's a way to put his knowledge to work in your own training.

You can follow this link to Jim Schmitz's Schmitz on the Lifts series, or from the IronMind homepage go to the Training Articles link.

 

The World's Strongest Man Super Series, along with additional wild card positions, will be used in the 2006 MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest.


2004 World's Strongest Man winner Vasyl Virastyuk, bangs away on the overhead safe lift (Paradise Island, Bahamas). IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

This is the same process that was used in 2005, when Mariusz Pudzianowski won the title, and while the contest is months away, the buzz about this year's WSM competition has already begun.

David Horne - just elected chairman - told IronMind® that the World Hand Strength Association was formed yesterday.

"It's really in its infancy right now," Horne told IronMind®. "So far we have voted the various members of the council in, and had our first meeting."

James "Smitty" Smith, Jedd Johnson, Richard Sorin, Wade Gillingham, Bob Lipinski, David Horne, Steve Gardener, Mikael Siversson, Arne Persson, Florian Kellersmaann, Theo Burggraaff, David Hurzeler and Arthur Antonopoulos are the committee members, Horne said.

In a repeat of their duel at the FitExpo last month, Travis Ortmayer and Jesse Marunde battled it out in Columbia, South Carolina today and just as in Pasadena, Ortmayer got the win.

Calling Ortmayer "unbelievably strong," Odd Haugen said the deadlift was the go-ahead event for Ortmayer - nobody else could get a single rep, while Ortmayer hit a triple.

Jon Andersen finished in third place and Geoff Dolan was in fourth. Along with Ortmayer, Marunde and Andersen, Odd Haugen and Derek Poundstone qualified for the nationals.

Haugen had high praise for the contest, calling it "well-run" and saying "Mike Johnson and crew did a fantastic job . . . good crowd . . . very appreciative. The hospitality was great."

"Although the top five will qualify for Nationals in July, there is still a race for first place here in Columbia," said Dione Wessels.


The guys line up in South Carolina. IronMind® | Dione Wessels photo.

Things kicked off last night with the Green's Beverage Trolley Pull, which was won by Jesse Marunde. In what Wessels called "the gruesome medley," which included a 900-pound yoke and 550-pound chain drag, Jon Andersen emerged with top honors.

Coming into today's final four events, Jon Andersen and Geoff Dolan are tied for first, followed by Jesse Marunde, Travis Ortmayer and Jason Lawson - the only amateur to complete both of yesterday's events.

Although extreme bodyweight training expert Brad Johnson is the first to say that there is "no real substitute" for actually climbing a rope, this month he explains an alternative way to reap many of the same sorts of benefits.

And once again, Johnson has not forgotten the mere mortals who lack his horsepower but would like to give this movement a try, as he explains how to ease into it.
 

Read on at Brad Johnson's Extreme Bodyweight Training page.
 

"It's that time of year again, when the resonating THUD of huge men in 'mawashis' signals the arrival of spring," said USA Sumo's Matt Anderson.


Whether or not you have had the good fortune of attending one of sumo's Grand Tournaments, such as this one in Tokyo, don't think sumo, Southern California and spring don't mix. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.
 

The fourth annual U.S. Sumo Open will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center April 9.

"For hundreds of years, the strongest men/samurai from rival villages would decide battles based on their performance inside the dojo," Anderson said, adding that this year, teams representing Norway, Germany, Mongolia, Bulgaria will be competing with the best in the United States. For further information, please visit the USA Sumo website.

For what Sean Prince and Jason Deane went through, their certification on the IronMind® Red Nail™ should count not only as a feat of superior short bending, but also as a display of significant stamina.

We tip our hats to Sean and Jason not just for succeeding on this benchmark short bend, but also for handling more than their share of bumps in the road as their certification - through absolutely no fault of theirs - went from days to weeks to months. We often say that patience and persistence will help you make amazing progress in your training and if there have ever been two guys who displayed these qualities on this renowned feat of strength, it's Sean Prince and Jason Deane.

Recognizing their accomplishment, IronMind® is proud to add Sean Prince and Jason Deane to the IronMind Red Nail Roster.


Congratulations, guys!

After banging out ten reps with the replica Inch dumbbell at the 2005 Arnold Strongman contest, Hugo Girard was in Japan to do more.


Hugo Girard on his way to ten reps with the replica Inch Dumbbell at the 2005 Arnold. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.
 

As part of a group of athletes selected to break world records in their disciplines, Girard had his sights set on exceeding the mark set at last year's Arnold, and after banging out eight reps with his right arm, he switched to his left arm and did another four reps.

"I think I could have done more," Girard told IronMind®, but explained that his goal was to break the record - not necessarily put it absolutely as high as he could. Nonetheless, Girard was very happy with his performance, especially because he said that he weighed about 35 pounds less than he did at the 2005 Arnold.

Girard went to great lengths to say how gracious his hosts had been and how much he enjoyed his first visit to Japan: "One week is too short . . . I will have to come back."

Steve Jeck - a multifaceted guy - talks chain of command this month in his column "From the Quarry."

So take a couple of minutes to listen up to the man who put the Inver Stone on the map and who has inspired guys to do their best in the gym, on the field and, most recently, in their jobs. Go directly to Steve Jeck's "From the Quarry" or from the IronMind home page, follow the link from Training Articles.

 

Some exercises are nearly good for nothing and others are good for a lot of things at once.

John Brookfield serves up one of the latter this month as he discusses a movement that can add size to your forearms while improving your hand health and strengthening your grip at the same time. Want to give it try?

Follow this link to John Brookfield's Grip Tip, or from the IronMind® home page go to the Training Articles link.
 

Svend "Viking Power" Karlsen told IronMind that Pro Strongman Norway is an organization "by the athletes and for the athletes."


Svend "Viking Power" Karlsen deadlifts on the Apollon's Axle at the 2003 Hawaiian Grand Prix. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.
 

"We don't organize events . . . we just choose athletes" for international competitions explained the World's Strongest Man winner. "World Strongest Man Super Series and World Strongman Cup - they will work with us," Karlsen said, referring to two highly visible organizers of strongman competitions. Rather than restricting the movement of its athletes, Karlsen said that members of Pro Strongman Norway can compete when and where they choose: "We are just an umbrella organization," said Karlsen.

Although he said that he preferred not to mention specific names, Karlsen said that the international response to this sort of idea - a strongman federation run by the competitors themselves - has been very positive.

As part of a multi-sport assault on world records, Hugo Girard is on his way to Japan, where he will attempt to destroy the record for overhead lifts on the Inch dumbbell.

At the 2005 Arnold Strongman contest, Girard, along with Brian Siders and Glenn Ross, banged out ten reps overhead on a replica Inch dumbbell, and Girard hopes to leave that impressive number in the dust. Girard is considered one of the top pressers on the international strongman circuit, with such feats as a world record on the Apollon's Axle to his credit.

Columbus - Standing six feet nine inches tall and weighing over 350 pounds, Bulgaria's Velichio Cholakov certainly looked equal to the task.

In 1970, the World Weightlifting Championships were held in Columbus, Ohio and it was there that Vasily Alexeev became the first man to clean and jerk 500 pounds - the weightlifting equivalent of running a four-minute mile. Since then, nobody has equaled that lift in Columbus - until yesterday, when the 2004 Olympic bronze medalist did on the main stage of the Expo Hall at the Arnold Classic, a feat that earned him a standing ovation.

Cholakov's performance was part of an exhibition of specially-invited top weightlifters from around the world: Le Maosheng from China (2004 Olympics, silver medalist and world recorder holder in the clean and jerk), Georgi Asanidze (2004 Olympics gold medallist) and the big man himself.

As part of those 1970 World Weightlifting Championships, Jim Lorimer went to great lengths to bring in a young Austrian bodybuilder named Arnold Schwarzenegger for the Mr. World contest - and that is where and how the fitness expo extravaganza known worldwide as simply The Arnold began.

Columbus - Speaking to a packed house at the Veteran's Memorial Theater last night, California Governor California Arnold Schwarzenegger urged everyone to reach out.

"Fitness is for everybody," said Governor Schwarzenegger, explaining that some people, maybe due to mental or physical disabilities or economic hardship, cannot normally go to the gym. Asking everyone to set aside some time for those with such special needs, Governor Schwarzenegger said that some gyms have certain hours each week for just such purposes, and he urged those in attendance to do something similar.

Columbus - It never really seemed to be in doubt, as Zydrunas Savickas won his fourth consecutive Arnold Strongman title tonight.

The 2005 IFSA world champion proved his mettle today, first by breaking the Hummer deadlift world record with an extra attempt at 1,000 pounds and then by matching the best effort of the night on the final event, the Circus dumbbell, a brute that at first looked unliftable.

Brian Siders was the first competitor to get the massive dumbbell overhead, making one rep, and then Phil Pfister blew open the door with his mighty six-rep success. Mikael Koklyaev matched Pfister's performance, as did Savickas.

Vasyl Virastyuck was second overall, Koklyaev was third and Pfister was fourth.

Columbus - After the first event in the second day of the Arnold Strongman contest, the order remains unchanged from yesterday.

After the Yoke, Savickas leads with 36-1/2 points, followed by Virastyuck at 32 and Koklyaev at 29-1/2.

Columbus - Speaking tonight at the athletes' meeting for the Arnold Strongman contest, Dr. Terry Todd said that this "has been a very challenging year," and added, "we are on the verge of a historic contest."

Describing how his goal had been to bring together the best weightlifters, powerlifters and strongmen, Todd said that "there is no question that we have the world's best strongmen," pointing to a field that includes three-time Arnold Strongman winner Zydrunas Savickas, who is also the 2005 IFSA world champion, and 2005 World's Strongest Man winner Mariusz Pudzianowski. Todd highlighted the accomplishments of Brian Siders and Benedikt Mangnusson in powerlifting, and the recent performance of Mikael Koklyaev in weightlifting to round out his point.

"This is the closest we have ever come and might be the closest we ever will come" to fulfilling the original goal, Todd said, of bringing together the very best competitors from across the strength world.