Time was when it was no exaggeration to say that Bulgaria produced the most feared weightlifters in the world, as the small Balkan country became a dominant player on the international weightlifting stage.


Demir Demirev brought home a bronze medal - the only medal garnered by the Bulgarian men's team at the 2006 World Weightlifting Championships . . . quite a change from not so long ago. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Those were the glory days, when fabled Bulgarian weightlifting coach Ivan Abadjiev measured his successes not just in terms of gold medals and world records, but also in terms of such lofty standards as triple-bodyweight clean and jerks. Rocked by doping scandals, and its programs, coaches, athletes and overall resources siphoned off after the fall of communism, things have not been easy for the Bulgarian Weightlifting Federation of late. What's next for this national team with such a rich tradition of lifting really big weights?

General Secretary Stefan Botev told IronMind that just as the Bulgarian weightlifting team did not perform up to its historic standards at the 2006 World Weightlifting Championships, one should not expect spectacular performances at the 2007 European Weightlifting Championships, either. However, Botev said, the team is aiming for a markedly improved level at the 2007 World Weightlifting Championships, which is a qualifier for the 2008 Olympic Games, a fact that tends to guarantee that teams will do their best to get all hands, and the biggest guns, on deck.

Considering that Magnus Samuelsson has won the World's Strongest Man contest and is known as having the world's strongest arms and grip, not to mention what he can bench press, you would think that he'd be content to rest on his laurels.


Never one to coast, Magnus Samuelsson, shown competing at Hugo Girard's 2004 World Muscle Power Championships, is accelerating an already very successful career. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Quite the opposite, though, because the man who is undoubtedly among the most commercially-successful strongmen is always thinking of and working on new projects, and the latest will be a new TV series that he sees as a lot fun: Things might start off at the Samuelsson family farm and then the action continues as Magnus drives, for example, his '77 Firebird, goes to the gym and ends up back home in the kitchen, cooking something to eat . . . all in the spirit of having a good time. Magnus said that his idea is to strive for things that allow him "to combine what I like with work and can make a job out of it," and part of the idea behind this TV series is to provide a counterpoint to the stereotype that huge guys take themselves too seriously . . . "We will use humor," Magnus told IronMind.

His back is still borderline, but Magnus said that while he "can't promise it right now," he hopes to be 100% ready for competition this year, with the goal of winning the World's Strongest Man contest again.

Mark Philippi has just been added to the field at the WSMSS Mohegan Sun Grand Prix.


"I'm happy to be back," Mark Philippi said about his return to the WSMSS Mohegan Sun Grand Prix. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

The seven-time World's Strongest Man competitor ("hoping to make it eight") said, "I'm happy to be back . . . the events are solid for me and I'm looking forward to doing well." Quick to praise the other competitors, Mark added, "There are no slouches in that field."

Known as one of the deadliest deadlifters in strongman, Mark Philippi recently opened a top notch training facility in Las Vegas - the Philippi Sports Institute - and he is busy making some selective hiring decisions as he continues to expand. Besides his record as a competitive powerlifter and strongman, Philippi's credentials are so solid that he teaches kinesiology at the University of Nevada - Las Vegas.

Dedicated to training top athletes and people who want to train like top athletes, the Philippi Institute has a client base that ranges from 12 year olds to professional sports stars, so if you're in the Las Vegas area and want to improve in your sport or just train like a big leaguer, stop by.

Two-time World's Strongest Man winner Jouko Ahola is set to begin his fourth movie, which is based on the Winter War - quite a story in itself, because when Russia invaded Finland in 1939, the Finns, even though vastly outnumbered, fought back so ferociously that they held off the assault.


Not an armchair expert, when Jouko Ahola - head equipment guru for the 2006 MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest - had to set up the power stairs, he just carried the implements over himself. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Jouko told IronMind that it's "kind of a horror movie," with ties to a true story, and shooting begins in Lithuania in April.

"I'm training hard," Jouko said, "weigh about 108 or 109 kg and look quite good." Although he said "I'm not training heavy," when prodded, the two-time World's Strongest Man winner said that he can still deadlift 300 kg . . . "always!"

Summer Pierson won the Women's Highland Games World Championships in Mesa, Arizona this weekend and Ryan Vierra took top honors in the Men's pros.

Athletics chair Ryan Seckman told IronMind, "Saturday we had over 40 athletes, including 10 of the top Men's Pros, finishing as follows:

1. Ryan Vierra
2. Larry Brock
3. Sean Betz
4. Harrison Bailey
5. Dave Brown
6. Andrew Hobson
7. Jason Johnston
8. Lannie Pullon
9. Mark Valenti
10. Brent Abbott

On Sunday we had our other group of 40 athletes including 7 of the top women finishing as follows:

Womens World Champion Scottish Highland Games

1. Summer Pierson
2. Mindy Lincoln
3. Kate Mason
4. Kim Hoke
5. Lacy Johnson
6. Emily Burchett
7. Jackie Grieg

"We had over 15,000 spectators over the two days."

Evidently, the early start on Friday didn't hurt Ryan Vierra. Congratulations, all!

St. Louis has been flexing its muscles again.


Rick Fowler designed commemorative tickets for the USAPL Men's Nationals in St. Louis this summer, with a different ticket for each of the three days of competition. Brad Gillingham is one of the three lifters who is honored this way: "We are very proud of Brad and what he has accomplished," Rick Fowler told IronMind. Artwork courtesy of Rick Fowler.

Last Friday, "We held a benefit for the St. Louis Police Department Powerlifting Team wh will be traveling to Australia for the Police Worlds," Rick Fowler told IronMind.� "As part of the entertainment, Brad Manion, who is our local grip expert did some bending.� He has followed a lot of what�John Brookfield and others have done and is very inspired by all of their feats.� He has done plenty of bending at our contests, but never anything on the clock until now.

Brad brought fifty 60-penny nails and it was his goal to see if he could bend all 50 of them them in less than 20 minutes.� With over 100 Police Supporters cheering him,�I timed him and Brad tore through them in just under 10 minutes!� It was very well received and the Police were appreciative of him doing his demonstration.� Afterwards several people, kids included, came up to get a nail as a souvenir."

Also, Rick said, "Pat Rankin's God, Guys and Guts was a huge success this weekend.� 24 competitors entered this fundraiser for Pat's church, Have Bible Will Travel.� There was a band, food, and the God Squad performed traditional feats of strength. Justin Wheeler won the Lightweights and Jared Davis won the Heavyweights.� We would like to thank Wayne Eilermann for his support in this event.� It would not have been possible without Wayne's generosity." For full results, please check: http://www.usaplnationals.com/godGuysGuts/index.html

Rick said that Wayne Eilermann wasn't just instrumental in supporting this event - he's the one who originally suggested it to Pat. Rick also explained that the proceeds from the contest go into the Benevolence Fund at Pat's church and they are used to help families make ends meet. "This money is for people in serious need . . . this could help put food on the table," Rick said.

And coming up in July in St., Louis, Rick said, is the USAPL Men's National Championships. If you get lost in the alphabet soup of powerlifting federations, just remember that this is the gateway to the IPF World Championships. "This is the fifth time we are holding this event in St. Louis," said Rick. "I've been coming to this since 1988, when I was 18. I'm married to it." For full details on this contest, please check the official website:

http://www.usaplnationals.com/2007mensNationals/index.shtml

IronMind has received the official list of events for the World's Strongest Man Super Series Mohegan Sun Grand Prix.

Fourteen competitors will begin the six-event contest, and the field will be cut to ten competitors after the first three events and then cut to eight competitors for the final two events.

Super Yoke Carry (14 athletes, seven heats): 400 kg/880 pounds for 30 meters/100 feet
Mohegan Sun Viking Press (14 athletes, seven heats): uses slot machines; may be pressed or push pressed (not jerked)
Atlas Stones (14 athletes, seven heats): six stones will be loaded (285 to 420 pounds)
Car Dead Lift (ten athletes, five heats): parallel handles, bare hands, for reps, single ply suit ok
Hercules Hold (eight athletes, four heats): two cars on opposing ramps
Power Medley (eight athletes, four heats): 900-pound tire flip (four times), 900-pound frame carry for 50 feet

The WSMSS Mohegan Sun Grand Prix is the first qualifier for the 2007 MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest and it is scheduled for April 22 at the Mohegan Sun Casino & Hotel.

Laine Snook, the world record holder in the Rolling Thunder reported some contest highlights from the Grip Supermatch held this weekend.

"I went down to the grip supermatch in Gloucester on Saturday and met up with David and Elizabeth Horne again after six years . . . the only one who appeared to have aged was me.

Theo Burggraaf put on a fantastic display on the V-bar, 186.5 kilos, or in pounds, HEAVY! I think that Theo should get a special mention for this fantastic lift.

I went to the match to see what Steve Gardener had in the tank on the Rolling Thunder, and in the excitement was asked to make an attempt on the Millenium dumbbell. It is a beast of a thing! However, age and good looks won the day and I deadlifted it twice. I am quite pleased, but feel that I could do much better with some exposure to the dumbbell.

After lifting the�dumbbell I had a go at the no. 4 COC and came very close to closing it with each hand, probably 1/8th of an inch off with both left and right. I will give this my full attention after I try for a big lift at David's contest on April 7th."

Laine's modesty aside, his assault on the Millenium Dumbbell was very impressive, so who knows what he will do it after he's had a chance to train on it a bit, and when Laine turns his full attention to the No. 4 Captains of Crush gripper, we expect that 1/8-inch gap to disappear.

Boston - Christian Cantwell took home the national indoor shot title tonight, along with a check for $25,000 as the winner of the Visa Championship Indoor Series.


Not a bad day for Christian Cantwell - two firsts and a check for $25,000. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Cantwell threw 21.72 meters for first place at the 2007 AT&T USA Indoor Track & Field Championships today. Reese Hoffa was second, with 21.21 meters, and Dan Taylor was third, with 20.32 meters.

If you are in the UK, or at least get Channel 5 from the UK, run for your TV and turn it on because "The Making of the World's Strongest Man" is set to air at midnight (GMT) tonight.

This program is said to provide "unique insights into the making of the WSM event. It follows athletes through their medicals, familiarization to events and behind the scenes pre- and post-competition."

The show includes interviews with Bill Kazmaier, Jouko Aholo, Mariusz Pudzianowski, Svend Karlsen, Jesse Marunde, Terry Hollands and Colin Bryce, so if you're a WSM fan living in the UK, run for your TV . . . we hear that this show "is not to be missed!"

IFSA's top eight grand prix events will be the basis for 32 hours of programming on Eurosport this year, Christian Fennell told IronMind.

Fennell, who is IFSA's Managing Director, emphasized that this series is in addition to what was already scheduled: 26 one-half hour programs that will reach one-half billion households. The Eurosport series will give IFSA coverage every two weeks for the year, said Fennell, and it will reach over 100 million households.

Also, watch for the 2007 IFSA calendar on the official IFSA website (http://ifsastrongman.com) shortly, and Fennell told IronMind that it includes 47 events with a combined prize list of $700,000. "It's all about putting on events and putting money in guys' pockets," said Fennell.

Boston - America's best hammer thrower, A.G. Krueger, backed up his 2006 victory in the 35-pound weight with a repeat today at the 2007 AT&T USA Indoor Track & Field Championships.


A.G. Kruger on his way to repeating as the 35-pound weight champion at the AT&T USA Indoor Track & Field Championships today. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Kruger hit 78 feet eleven inches today, not quite up to the 80 feet he was hoping for, but still a throw he was happy with. Kruger said that he's still looking for 80 feet in the 35-pound weight and he's hoping to go over 80 meters in the hammer this year, adding that he would like to have to have two or three fellow Americans keeping him company at this level.

The 28-year old Kruger is coached by four-time Olympian Jud Logan. Kruger he said that his throwing volume is way up this year, and that he has been training his lower body once a week, doing power snatches, power cleans and squats - "that's all."

Defending Highland Games World Champion Ryan Vierra was among the travelers awaiting the dreaded 6:00 am flights at Sacramento International Airport today - Ryan was on his way to Mesa, Arizona for his first Highland Games of 2007.


Ryan Vierra, weighing about 326 pounds, had to be stronger than any other two passengers awaiting early morning flights at Sacramento International Airport today. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Ryan said that he has been taking a new approach to his off-season training and his strength is way up. And it's good that he has such a mighty foundation in place because Ryan Vierra will be a marked man at this year's Highland Games World Championships in particular - they will be in Scotland and a number of people, Dr. Douglas Edmunds among them, thinks it is high time that the title return to the other side of the pond.

Ryan said that he feels better than he has in ten years and that realizing that he had gout, getting it treated, and cleaning up his diet, adding five or six protein drinks a day and making the changes in his training are the keys to his off-season successes. And when Ryan steps on the field, look for the larger, as well as the improved, version: He's weighing 23 stone 3, or 326 pounds.


Ryan said he has switched to a hook grip on his throws - partly to get ready for competing in Scotland this summer and partly because he's always looking for a better way to do things. Ryan's thumb has taken a pounding, but he said it's working great for him. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

He was casual about it at the GNC Grip Gauntlet at the 2004 Show of Strength in Atlanta . . . low-gearing his way through a No. 3 Captains of Crush gripper in a way that left Wade Gillingham and Randall Strossen saying, "Joe Kinney!"


It was like child's play for Tex Henderson: Under the strictest conditions with just about every witness you would love to have there, Tex Henderson "demolished" the No. 3 Captains of Crush gripper last summer. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Then, at Sorinex, no less, surrounded by everyone there for the Diesel Crew's 2006 Global Grip Challenge, Tex Henderson demonstrated what a world-class crushing grip is all about: He certified on the No. 3 Captains of Crush, demolishing the vaunted No. 3 with such ease and under such strict conditions that the grip world was left asking, "Who is this guy and how did he get so strong"

Hang on, though, because you know that there's a lot more fuel in Tex's tank, and so when he got his hands on a No. 3.5 Captains of Crush gripper, after a couple of tries, Tex told IronMind he closed it . . . and this was done in the same style as his otherworldly grip performances you have already heard about.

Not a bad way to follow up on what he did at Sorinex last summer and a nice complement to winning the South Atlantic strongman contest last weekend - keep your eye on Tex because the best is yet to come.


Will Millman - the man who invited Tex to the 2006 Global Grip Challenge, so that he could demolish a No. 3 Captains of Crush gripper in front of some of the top names in the grip world - and the man himself . . . Tex Henderson, one of the absolute top performers in the world of grip strength. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

His name and his credentials speak for themselves, so take a moment and read what Magnus Ver Magnusson has to say about strongman.


Vintage Ver: He's not kidding when he says that he took them all on, in everything, and won . . . Magnus Ver Magnusson versus Nathan "Megaman" Jones in the Pole Push at the 1995 World Muscle Power Championships (see MILO for the full report). Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

"Hi Randy,

I just have to comment on some things just posted on your site. I have the highest respect for all strength athletes and all its champions in the past, present,�or in the future and I do not wish to put anyone down and I am not going to say how�one is better than the other. Every man is entitled to his opinion, so here is mine.

All strongmen and their champions have their strengths and their weaknesses, and nobody today can say I am [the] undisputed [champion]. At least in my days I can say I competed against �all the best and defeated �all the best, not just once but numerous times. �I believe that when you are competing in a strongman show it is to find out who is the strongest and is fast and has endurance, not the other way around (fastest, endurance, strongest). You also posted last week or so on Odd Haugen's contest and how it was definitely going to be extremely heavy! So was he also having a brute strength contest or a strongman contest? The same person also commented years ago about how the Arnold Strongman contest does not test true strength, but yet that is indeed what the Arnold Strongman contest does. I don't think anyone can argue with that.

Remember, the sport is to find the "World's Strongest Man," not the fastest man, or marathon runners. Now let's not forget the fact that the strongmen today are better prepared for these events than we were some years ago, so weights have gone up due to event training. I put together the events for the last IFSA Worlds, and I think they test just about every muscle in your body and [they] test speed and test endurance. If we were only putting in power events wouldn't we then have a squat?

Here is the list; you judge for yourself people.

Farmers Walk: time, 125kg, 75m�
Block lift overhead; medley�
Lighter Atlas Stones; 120, 140, 150, 160, 170 kg�
Block lift overhead; max weight��
Shield Carry for Distance; 182.5kg��
Log Lift; reps, 125kg �
Deadlift/Apollon Axle; reps, 320kg ��
Medley, Tire Flip + Block Loading����
Log Lift; max weight������
Deadlift/Giant Barbell; reps, 320kg���
Farmer's Walk; 160kg, �����
Wheel Barrow; ����
Deadlift Hold���
Super Yoke; time, 410kg, 30m���
Conan's Wheel ��
Heavier Atlas Stones; 140, 150, 160, 170, 180kg

Yours in strength,

Magn�s Ver Magn�sson
Undisputed 4x Worlds Strongest Man"

World's Strongest Man Super Series commentator Colin Bryce calls it, "the greatest one-day strongman show in the world," which is quite a billing, but but when the curtain rises at the Mohegan Sun on April 22, the winners of ten World's Strongest Man titles will be in the room.


Local kid makes good: Kevin Nee works some magic with the stones at the 2006 Mohegan Sun Grand Prix. Kevin will back as part of another all-star lineup this year. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Here's the official lineup, which was just released to IronMind:

Mariusz Pudzianowski
Janne Virtanen
Oli Thompson
Terry Hollands
Mark Felix
Vlad Ahlizov
Jessen Paulin
Louis-Philippe Jean
Don Pope
Kevin Nee
Karl Gillingham
Josh Thigpen
Jason Bergman
Sam McMahon

If that's not enough big names, Svend Karlsen will be working as the World's Strongest Man Super Series Expert Commentator and the great Bill Kazmaier will be the emcee.

For full details on the Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort, including ticket information, please check www.mohegansun.com .

The Ministry of Muscle gym in Aylesford will be holding "Britain's Most Powerful Man competitions over the next few months."

Four qualifiers will be held (February 25, April 1, May 6 and May 17) and "the top two from each qualifier will go through to the final to be held on 5th August. Also invited to the final will be the current Britain's Strongest Man and the UK Strongest Man."

"This is a strongman based competition and there will six events in each qualifier. Events will be decided on the day to prevent anyone having an unfair advantage. Events will be picked out of a hat by the athletes on the day�so that the show is transparent.

The events will be chosen from this list:

Log Press
Deadlift
Tyre Flip
Truck Pull
Super Yoke
Stones
Farmers Walk
Loading event
Squatting event
Carrying event

There will be prize money and decent trophies for all of the qualifiers and for the final. Bring family and friends for a quality competition and good day out."

For details please email Steve or Gina at ministryofmuscle@aol.com .

Magnus Samuelsson wasted no time and hid in no corners when asked about the idea of the top three strongmen from the IFSA World Championships competing against the top three finishers from the World's Strongest Man contest.


Magnus Samuelsson, and Zydrunas Savickas, in the farmers walk portion of the opening day medley at the 2004 MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

"Why don't they come to World's Strongest Man if they are so good? World's Strongest Man is the contest everybody wants to win," Samuelsson told IronMind.

Samuelsson explained that he found it interesting that "after IFSA first tried to get people away from World's Strongest Man, now they want unification . . . it is because it is not working and they realize that they have no future."

Samuelsson said that the IFSA approach - the same events over and over again, with an emphasis on just brute strength, is not in the tradition of the great strongman contests: "World's Strongest Man has always tested a combination of speed, strength and endurance," said Samuelsson.

Jarek Dymek's proposal that was reported by IronMind last week has generated a lot of interest and one of the people to comment was IFSA Managing Director Christian Fennell, who would like to see Dymek's idea developed.


Nobody will argue that Zydrunas Savickas, the reigning IFSA world champion, is just plain flat-out strong and in Christian Fennell's proposal, the top three from the 2006 IFSA World Championships would compete against the top three from the 2006 World's Strongest Man contest - each side would choose three events, and the Atlas Stones would be included as the seventh. The losing side would pay US$25,000. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Fennell told IronMind that "the idea of a head-to-head contest is an interesting one," and the format Fennell proposed is this:

"In an attempt to gauge individual strength and depth of strength from each side, we look at having the IFSA Strongman 2006 World Championship podium versus the SS/TWI 2006 podium with each side selecting three events plus the all-time hallmark strongman event, the Atlas Stones, included � I thought it might make things a little more interesting if the losing side paid the winning side athletes $25,000USD."

Asked why not more prize money, Fennell said that this should be done in the spirit of keeping things friendly, and that if the prize money got too high, that might make things a little too serious.

What do you think?

He's back from Hollywood, where he shot a Coors Light commercial . . . Magnus Ver Magnusson, four-time World's Strongest Man winner, will soon be gracing your TV screen.

Saying that it should be out soon, Magnus Ver was happy about the way the shoot had gone, and even though he already is said to be the strongman with the highest name recognition in the world, landing a Coors Light commercial should boost his stock even more.

Magnus Ver also confirmed that Benedikt Magnusson has pulled out of the Arnold strongman contest.

Saying that Benedikt was injured, Magnus Ver explained that they would rather pull out now than show up and possibly not compete or compete at less than 100%.

Doing himself proud, Karl Gillingham just won the MET-Rx All-American Strongman Challenge at the FitExpo in Pasadena.

Kevin Nee was second, Jason Bergmman was third, Dave Ostlund was fourth, Odd Haugen was fifth and Sam McMahon was sixth - all six of these competitors are guaranteed to be invited to a World's Strongest Man Super Series Grand Prix, and by virtue of winning this contest, Karl Gillingham is expected to be invited to the Arnold strongman contest as well.

Coming into the final day of the MET-Rx All-American Strongman Challenge at the FitExpo in Pasadena, Karl Gillingham is hanging onto his lead, but Kevin Nee is pushing him hard.

Dave Ostlund is in third place, followed by Jason Bergman, Sam McMahon and then Odd Haugen, rounding out the top six.

Today is the final day and the top six competitors will be invited to a World's Strongest Man Super Series Grand Prix, which is the gateway to the 2007 MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest.

Considering the thousands of people who have tried the GNC Grip Gauntlet, it means something that Wade Gillingham has only been really impressed a few times - and one of those was last night.


Vache Sevajian, with a torn pec no less, came within half an inch of closing a No. 4 Captains of Crush gripper at the GNC Grip Gauntlet yesterday and, also with a legal start, he dominated a No. 3 CoC straight from the package. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

20-year old Vache Sevajian came over to the GNC booth and asked to try his hand at the Captains of Crush grippers - Wade said he was skeptical and wondered "Who is this guy" and figured it was going to be another case of more bluster or bravado than horsepower, but when Vache crushed the No. 3 and clamped down a No. 4 to about one-half inch, out came the Captains of Crush card for a legal start, a brand new No. 3 Captains of Crush gripper was opened on the spot and guess who slammed it shut and then stood there holding it?

Wade Gillingham is a pretty calm guy, but he came running out of the Expo Hall at the FitExpo to track down Randall Strossen at the strongman competition. "You want to see something?!" he said; and so here we go, just like with Tex Henderson, out of the blue, a guy comes along who has absolutely devastating grip strength, and it's all the more impressive because it comes in the package of big but modest guy who is about as far from a grip specialist as one could imagine.

And to top things off, Vache also completed the GNC Grip Gauntlet - it was quite a night for this young man.

Don't worry about having just changed jobs, coming off limited training or even being on the mature side of 40, because Karl Gillingham is in the lead after the the first day of the strongman competition at the FitExpo.


Karl Gillingham wrapped up the first day of strongman competition at the FitExpo holding onto first place. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

There might be something to cold weather training, because fellow Minnesotan Dave Ostlund is in second place. Kevin Nee is in third, followed by Odd Haugen and then Same McMahon.

The action continues at the FitExpo today and if you're an aspiring competitor or just want to learn more about strongman while enjoying a terrific contest, be sure to stop by - besides his entertainment value while behind a microphone, Jesse Marunde is providing the sort of expert color commentary that will be appreciated by competitors and fans alike.

IFSA Strongman makes no bones about claiming that its athletes are the top strongmen - responding to this perspective and some pointed IFSA comments, ace Polish strongman Jarek Dymek has a proposal that could settle the matter.


Jarek Dymek on the car deadlift at the 2006 MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest. "We are not boys, but bulls," said the Polish strongman star. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

To date, the Arnold strongman contest has been the only common meeting ground for IFSA and non-IFSA strongmen, but because the Arnold is not a typical strongman contest - with its preference for events that are far less dynamic than usual - some would argue that it's not really a good test.

Instead, listen to what Jarek Dymek proposes: "We will pick four events and they can pick four events and then we will see . . . We are not boys, but bulls," Dymek said, referring to the IFSA characterization of the strongmen outside its federation.

While the appearance of multiple strongman federations has created division and friction in the relatively small world of strongman, Dymek's proposal seems to carry merit not only in terms of casting more light on who can really do what, but it also seems capable of benefiting all who participate in such a contest . . . an interesting variation to the approach currently in place.

And lest Jarek Dymek fans think their man is purely a strongman strategist these days, rest assured that he is training hard with the hope of turning in some impressive performances in what he told IronMind might be his last season as a competitor.

"I'm not ready for the Arnold," Mariusz told IronMind, "because I have been too busy, doing too much work."

Widely in demand for exhibitions and seminars, Mariusz Pudzianowski is coming off a hectic schedule and he explained that he does not want to come to the Arnold in less than top condition. "I am the world champion," said the three-time MET-Rx World's Strongest Man winner, "so I must come into a contest ready at 100%, not 75% like in China last year."

Mariusz said that he is training hard now, preparing for the World Strongman Cup contest in Iran next month.

IronMind has just received direct confirmation that Mariusz Pudzianowski will not be competing in this year's Arnold Strongman competition.



Mariusz Pudzianowski prepares for the Fingal's Fingers at the 2006 MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Mariusz Pudzianowski is more than even the three-time MET-Rx World's Strongest Man winner - he is a huge star to strongman fans worldwide and his appearance at a strongman competition is a guaranteed draw.

More details are expected to follow.

Good news for all budding and established grip strength stars because if you want to get certified on the No. 3 (or No. 4!) Captains of Crush® gripper or on the IronMind Red Nail at the FitExpo this weekend, not only can you do it, but you will have honor of Wade Gillingham being your official referee . . . at the GNC Grip Gauntlet.


Wade Gillingham struts his stuff at the GNC Grip Gauntlet at the 2006 Arnold - see Wade in action at the FitExpo this weekend, and if you're feeling strong and would like to have some fun, give the Grip Gauntlet a run. If you're feeling extra strong, get certified on the No. 3 or No. 4 CoC gripper or on the IronMind Red Nail while you're there. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Wade "The Blob King" Gillingham, the reigning master of the GNC Grip Gauntlet - the world's largest, best established grip strength contest - will be doing the honors at the FitExpo in Pasadena, California this weekend for anyone who's got what it takes to get certified on the No. 3 or No. 4 Captains of Crush Gripper or on the IronMind Red Nail. The rules are available here:

Captains of Crush Certification

Red Nail Certification

Certification on the Captains of Crush No. 3 or No. 4 gives internationally-recognized bragging rights in the world of grip strength and certification on the IronMind Red Nail is the benchmark for short bending - these are very challenging feats of strength and anyone who succeeds adds a real feather to his cap.

The GNC Grip Gauntlet is a fun way to see how much grip strength you are packing around - no smoke and mirrors, just a good time on legitimate feats of grip strength that will let you see how mighty your fingers really are: Stop by the GNC booth and shake hands with the Captains of Crush grippers, the Rolling Thunder and the Blob.

England's Laine Snook, the world record holder on the Rolling Thunder®, has plans for more big accomplishments in the grip strength world and beyond.


Laine Snook, world record holder on the Rolling Thunder and a man who can clean the Inch Dumbbell, as well as give the No. 4 Captains of Crush® gripper a real workout, honored IronMind with a visit last year. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Laine told IronMind, "Training is going well, and I hope that I can increase my best on the Rolling Thunder," which is saying something since Laine's world record stands at a whopping 274.2 pounds, done at Pullum Sports last year. But wait, there's more, because Laine added, " I also am giving the Inch dumbbell some serious attention - I have managed to clean it now for two reps and I have a mad notion that five reps is possible . . . we will see."

At the risk of sounding like a late-night TV commercial, there's still more, because this man with proven grip strength extraordinaire added, "I have made good gains on the COC4 and would say that I am in the same area as Tex [Henderson] at the moment," which is a modest way of saying that Laine is knocking on the door of conquering the No. 4 Captains of Crush gripper.

Proving that he's a man of many talents, Laine, who comes from a throwing background, also told IronMind, "I plan to make a return to Highland Games this season," adding, "it will be nice to meet up with old friends again."

Want some merchandise from your favorite strongman contest or federation?

If so, from the look of things, 2007 will give you a lot of options for spending your money.

IFSA has taken the lead bringing out its program, saying: "IFSA Strongman is the world's most renowned Strongman association having exclusive contractual rights to all the top Strongman athletes in the world . . . to satisfy demands of their worldwide audience, IFSA Strongman has recently launched Strongmanstore.com to market their official gear to fans."

Meanwhile, World's Strongest Man Super Series, which initiated an on-site merchandising program as part of its Meet and Greet event at the 2006 Mohegan Sun Grand Prix, is expected to ramp up that event at the 2007 Mohegan Sun Grand Prix.

And over at World's Strongest Man - where the contest's history, status and coverage speak for themselves - it has been reported that a merchandising program is currently being evaluated, with the statement that the official website www.theworldsstrongestman.com will announce the launch of such a program.

Hossein Rezazadeh told IronMind that he has resumed training and has his eye set on the 2007 World Weightlifting Championships and the 2008 Olympics.


The front squat is a staple for Olympic-style weightlifters, and a good barometer of true leg strength. Think you have strong lower limbs? Guess how much Hossein Rezazdeh front squats after being back in training for just one month. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Last year, the World Weightlifting Championships were in October, followed two months later by the Asian Games, so after his gold medal performances at both competitions, Hossein Rezazadeh took a well-deserved rest. Now, with just a month of training under his belt, the two-time Olympic gold medalist and IronMind's pick for the "King of the Jungle" crown is already front squatting 300 kg . . . no wonder this man holds all the weightlifting world records in the superheavyweight class. On the lifts themselves, Rezazadeh told IronMind that he has gone up to 180 kg in the snatch and 230 kg in the clean and jerk.

Not departing from his signature style, Odd Haugen's choice of events for the MET-Rx All-American Strongman Challenge can be described with one five-letter word: h-e-a-v-y.


Karl Gillingham gives the Apollon's Axle some air time at the 2006 WSMSS Mohegan Sun Grand Prix - see Karl and other top American strongmen pit themselves against this and other heavy challenges at the FitExpo, in Pasadena, February 16 - 18. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

The action begins when the FitExpo opens its doors a week from Friday (February 16), and the first event is a farmer's walk: 335 pounds/152 kg per hand for 40 meters with one turn, with multiple drops permitted. Keep those legs moving, because next up is a 400-kg/880-pound yoke, on a 20-meter course, and to finish things off on Friday, a strongman classic: a truck pull with a harness and rope.

On Saturday, all the competitors will have a chance to compete on the main stage, as they attack a 400-pound, 10-1/2 inch log, which they will press for reps, before the field is cut to the top twelve.

Another strongman classic, stone loading is next, but with six stones, the heaviest of which is 205 kg, things will definitely be out of the ordinary. The platform heights range from 66 inches down to 50 inches and the stones must be loaded in order, beginning with the 140-kg stone and working up to the big one. Saturday finishes off with a deadlift medley, which can be done in any order: 600-pound giant fishing pole, 300-kg Apollon's Axle deadlift, 705-pound regular (powerlifting) deadlift and 805-pound side handle deadlift, with the handles nine inches off the ground.

Medley madness continues on Sunday, with a heavy mix of overhead challenges: a 330-pound, 12-inch diameter, 9-foot long log; the Circus dumbbell (with its three-inch diameter handle) loaded to 180 pounds; a 300-pound field stone; a 353-pound Apollon's Axle. And, wrapping things up, a carrying medley comprises a 160-kg suitcase-style farmer's walk, a 175-kg cylinder-style farmer's walk, and a 900-pound frame carry.

For full details, please check the FitExpo's official website: http://www.thefitexpo.com/events/strength.html .

The top six competitors from this contest will be invited to a World's Strongest Man Super Series contest, which is the gateway to qualifying for the 2007 MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest.

When his patella tendon blew last year, Hugo Girard dropped like a stone, but why let a little thing like that keep you out of strongman competition?


Guess who's coming back to strongman competition this year? Hugo Girard says he will compete in the WSMSS/Viking Power Challenge . . . on his way to the World's Strongest Man contest. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

You certainly don't if your name is Hugo Girard, who said he will compete at the World's Strongest Man Super Series Viking Power Challenge run by Svend and Lene Karlsen in Norway on July 7th.

"I'm going to be ready," Hugo told IronMind. "Right now, I am about four weeks out from beginning event training . . . I have clearance from the doctor."

The Canadian strongman who makes the Inch dumbbell look like a baby rattle said that he is weighing about 322 pounds, and he's pretty trim, too.

"Everything is going according to plan," Hugo said, and even though he has been focusing on high-volume training, his comment was, "I feel pretty strong."

"We have a strategy," Hugo said. "It's to be really strong for World's Strongest Man . . . we're going to give it another shot."

Tapping its ranks of former top weightlifters to fill its highest coaching positions, the Iranian Weightlifting Federation (IRIWF) is, at least for the moment, turning to its own resources as it rebuilds its team following the doping debacle last year.


One of the most muscular lifters you'll ever see, Hossein Tavakoli was the 2000 Olympic gold medalist in the 105-kg category. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Hossein Tavakoli, gold medalist in the 105-kg category at the Sydney Olympics and Hadi Panizvan, 2002 Asian Games silver medalist (85-kg category), are coaching Iran's junior team, and Koroush Bagheri, 2001 world champion at 94-kg, is one of the two coaches of the Iranian senior men's weightlifting team.

Bulgarian coach Yordan Ivanov had been dismissed as the IRIWF senior men's coach last year, following nine positives in an unannounced WADA doping control, a development that put the Iranian weightlifting team into a rebuilding mode. In other Iranian weightlifting developments, former IRIWF president Ali Moradi was just re-elected as general secretary of the Asian Weightlifting Federation (AWF), at the AWF Electoral Congress in Macau last week.

Make it a triple - the World's Strongest Man Super Series will be celebrating its third anniversary at the Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort on April 22 and while invitations to the athletes are just being prepared now, expect an all-star lineup matching this world class venue and top tier strongman event . . . this is where the journey to the 2007 MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest begins.


World's Strongest Man winner Mariusz Pudzianowski was huge hit at the 2006 WSMSS Mohegan Sun Grand Prix, and WSMSS Tour Director Jesper Albanson said that fans can expect top strongman talent again this year. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

The World's Strongest Man Super Series is the qualification vehicle for the MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest and just so you know the stakes involved at the Mohegan Sun Grand Prix, the top four competitors will qualify for a slot at the 2007 MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest.

WSMSS Tour Director Jesper Albanson told IronMind that he is looking forward to building on the foundation established at the Mohegan Sun in 2005 and 2006, and he has every expectation that he will achieve a new high water mark this year.

Tickets will be available through www.ticketmaster.com and the Mohegan Sun Box Office, with a tentative ticket release date of February 12. For full details on the Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort, including ticket information, please check www.mohegansun.com .