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by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2009 IronMind
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Let's just be frank here: IronMind has a list of people in mind who are our favorites for top honors in the grip strength world in 2009. One of the people we are betting on for some sensational performances is Laine Snook, and today he made good, once again, by deadlifting a pair of Millennium Dumbbells.  Most grip guys would be proud to deadlift a replica Inch dumbbell, but that's mere child's play for Laine Snook who, earlier today, deadlifted a pair of Millennium Dumbbells. Photo courtesy of Laine Snook. Laine Snook first hit IronMind's radar screen when he certified on the Captains of Crush® No. 3 Gripper, which he officially closed under the watchful eye of no less a figure in the strength world than World's Strongest Man winner Jamie Reeves. For an encore, Laine went on to break the world record in the Rolling Thunder®, and along the way he has been elevating a variety of thick-handled dumbbells in ways that had previously defied all comers. For all this, though, the feeling around here is that Laine is on a roll, and he is just starting to produce some marks that will astound the grip world. Laine broke the good news of his latest conquest, telling IronMind, "I have just done a double Millennium deadlift in front of a small crowd. I had this lift on my list of �things to do' in 2008 - and only just managed it. I collected Steve Gardener's Millennium at the weekend so that I could have a go before the end of the year. I had 2 failures (back) before finally getting it. I will do it again hopefully in the next few weeks - I needed to get this out of the way so I can concentrate my efforts on more demanding lifts." As for detail on this pair of brutes, Laine provided the following details: "My Millennium copy weighs 234 lb., and Steve Gardener's original weighs 230 lb. The handle is the same diameter as the Inch [2-3/8"], but is 1 inch longer." "I have had three previous attempts at getting this deadlift - on 8 November, at the BHSA annual get-together, at Steve's Gym on Gloucester in early December and again at Steve's Gym on the 20th - all close, but not completed. I collected Steve's Millennium last weekend and fully intended to get the lift done by the end of this year. "I had three attempts today: the first was halfway up, and on the second, the right dumbbell hit my thigh and it blew out of my hand. I am pleased to say that the third went where it was meant to - all the way. I did manage to return the dumbbells to the floor under control." "I will do the lift again in the next few weeks, and then I will dedicate myself to getting some big feats done with both the Inch dumbbell and the Millennium. By the way, I haven't forgotten about the Rolling Thunder." Congratulations, Laine - nice way to finish off the year and set the stage for 2009! |
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by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2009 IronMind
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He's got five victories at the MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest and is easily the most successful athlete in the sport both on and off the field, but don't think Polish strongman star Mariusz Pudzianowski is hanging up his harness just yet - he told IronMind that he wants to win the 2009 World's Strongest Man contest . . . and there's more to the story.
His mere presence is a game changer in strongman - he draws in fans like a magnet and makes most competitors assume they are competing for second place at best. When Mariusz Pudzianowski won the 2008 MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest, he made strongman history, again. Randall J. Strossen photo.
Backing up a bit, the state of Mariusz Pudzianowski's calf and knee was the subject of much speculation going into the 2008 MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest (how bad was the injury? did Mariusz have surgery? was this going to halt his march toward a record fifth World's Strongest Man title?), so what does Mariusz have to say on the subject?
The injury, Mariusz told IronMind, was from a strongman contest in Poland, which he said, "I just try to cure. Now, since WSM, I have free time . . . only for rest and relax[ation]. I didn't make the operation and I think I will try to take more care of my calf and my knee. I need more rest and good medical care."
"I think that one or two months free without any strong effort or load is good for my injury rehabilitation," Mariusz continued, saying that he would resume training tomorrow (January 1, 2009), but he noted, "I will start my training very slowly."
And this training of which Mariusz Pudzianowski speaks is motivated by a clear image of who he is and what he does: �I will be back to strongman game. You know that my job is to be a strongman. I like it and I will try to do what is the best. I will hope for next WSM title in 2009.�
Setting the stage for more big things to follow, Mariusz Pudzianowski added, �To all readers of IronMind�s News, I wish in 2009 New Year more strength every day and more trust in strongman.� ) |
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by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2009 IronMind
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David Webster, OBE, president of the International Highland Games Federation (IHGF), announced that the European Highland Games Championships will be returning to Bressuire, France again next year.  Francis Brebner checks a measurement at the Pleasanton Highland Games (put on by the Caledonian Club of San Francisco). Brebner will be refereeing at the 2009 IHGF European Championships. Randall J. Strossen photo. Mr. Webster confirmed that an agreement between Jean Louis of the Bressuire Games Committee and the IHGF had been signed, and that the competition is scheduled for June 13 - 14. According to an IHGF statement, Bressuire first hosted the IHGF European Championships in 2003 and drew 2,000 spectators, especially impressive since that was Bressuire's very first official Highland Games, even if the city had previously hosted several throwing exhibitions. Since then, attendance has swelled to over 8,000 spectators at the 2008 IHGF European Highland Games Championships, which IHGF officials told IronMind "is in big part due to all the hard work of the Bressuire Organizing Committee and the support of their sponsors such as Bouvet and Ladubay."
"The Games are set in what can only be described as one of the best locations ever seen for staging a championships event," IHGF referee Francis Brebner told IronMind. "The contest is held on the grounds of a 1000-year old castle, which gives a realistic, ancient and traditional feel to the whole event." Saying that, "No doubt, this will be the best European representations ever assembled for the championships, and should prove to be a very electrifying indeed," Brebner listed the following competitors for next year's contest: Gregor Edmunds (Scotland), Craig Sinclair (Scotland), Stephen King (Scotland), Craig Smith (Scotland), Scot Rider (England), Tommy Debrun (Belgium), Hans Lolkemo (Holland), Auden Jonsson (Iceland), Antony Lordie (Switzerland), Geir Standall (Norway), and Dariusz Slowik (Poland). The IHGF is working to increase television coverage of the Highland Games, and IronMind was told, "If all goes as planned with filming for�next year, the�IHGF European Championships will be filmed for cable TV, giving the athletes and the sport vast media exposure." Ryan Vierra shared Francis Brebner's enthusiasm about this announcement, and both men said they were "delighted in seeing the European Championships returning to France. There is no doubt that Bressuire is one of the best Games on European Highland Games circuit, and as Bressuire moves forward with future planned IHGF sanctioned events, this will only promote and advance their Games even more on a worldwide scale." |
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by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2009 IronMind
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Some strongman competitors are probably looking at it as potentially being their biggest Christmas present: Zydrunas Savickas might not be competing in the 2009 Arnold strongman contest.  Zydrunas Savickas has had an unbreakable grip on the Arnold strongman contest, so if he sits out the 2009 competition, someone might think Santa Claus lives in Lithuania. Randall J. Strossen photo. Zydrunas Savickas has got six Arnold strongman titles to his credit, a record that seems unlikely to be broken by anyone on the horizon, but the big man himself might be giving someone else a chance to leave with next year's title. When he had merely won the Arnold strongman contest three times, Zydrunas Savickas seemed guaranteed a major role in strongman history, but when he pushed his record to six , it began to seem as if 1) the Big Z was going to win until he decided to quit entering and 2) he had established a record that might never be broken. And right now, the door might be opening for the next winner of this prestigious strongman title, because Zydrunas Savickas is continuing to say that he has not yet decided whether of not he will be competing in Columbus next year: "I am not decided yet," he told IronMind. "I will decide later. Now I have just one plan, to have rest after a few years very intensive and hard seasons." |
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by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2009 IronMind
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Commenting on yesterday's announcement from Fortissimus World Strength, top professional strongman Travis "Texas Stoneman" Ortmayer told IronMind, "I just read the article and all I can say is WOW!""
Things didn't go according to plan for Travis Ortmayer at Fortissimus 2008, but don't think he left with anything but the highest praise for the contest and its hosts. IronMind has a feeling that the Texas Stoneman will be back with a vengeance in 2009. Randall J. Strossen photo.
Originally, Monsieur Ohl came out in true French-Canadian fashion and stated, almost arrogantly, that "Fortissimus would be the greatest contest of all time. Well, the way these people work on their show year round speaks volumes about their will to make that statement a reality," said Ortmayer.
Fortissimus was right up there with the best contests I have ever competed in, and now that they are putting all the proceeds back into the prize purse, well, that should bring up everyone's game!
"I for one can't wait to return to Quèbec and improve upon my sorry fifth place finish from last year!"
And to give added impetus to yesterday's statement and Ortmayer's sentiments, Fortissimus World Strength has reinforced its position regarding prize money: "The decision with regards to investing all profits of the sales of the 2008 FORTISSIMUS DVD and the broadcast TV rights will be a recurrent policy of the corporation, which has also set the principle that 50% of the current budget of the competition will be alloted to prize money," Fortissimus president Paul Ohl told IronMind.
At this rate, 'Plus de bonnes novelles de Quèbec,' will become a universally understood phrase in the strongman world.) |
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by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2009 IronMind
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With Louis Cyr scholar and strongman devotee Paul Ohl heading up the effort, a village in Qu�bec declared its intention to launch a novel strongman contest in a big way; and that's exactly what it happened last June, when Mayor Carl Dub� welcomed Fortissimus 2008 to Notre Dame du Rosaire, filling le chapiteau with thousands of spectators who came to watch many of the world's top strongmen perform: Zydrunas Savickas, Derek Poundstone, Andrus Murumets, Travis Ortmayer, Mikhail Koklyaev, Louis-Philippe Jean, Ervin Katona, Sebastian Wenta, Arild Haugen, Stefan Solvi Petursson, Christian Savoie, Dominic Filiou, and Mark Felix.  Paul Ohl (left) created interest in Fortissimus that went beyond the strongman world, as the local press gave the event tremendous coverage. Randall J. Strossen photo. It's fair to say that Fortissimus made quite a splash in the strongman world when it debuted this year, but there is more good news in store for the strongman competitors and fans alike because IronMind has received official confirmation that FORTISSIMUS will be back, with a new contract for 2009, 2010 and 2011. "A three-year deal with the Regional Community of Montmagny, Qu�bec; a new location; [and] a partnership reaching overseas are amongst other decisions," were among the results coming from of its most recent board meeting, Fortissimus World Strength told IronMind. Also, "Marcel Catellier, the chief commissioner (prefect) of the Regional Community of Montmagny, has been elected chairman of the board, in charge of the general administration of the new corporation . . . [and] Paul Ohl has been elected as president of FORTISSIMUS 2009 . . . [and will once again] "head the competition." "We have said from the beginning that FORTISSIMUS' top priority would always be the strength athletes over any other matter. It remains our main commitment," Paul Ohl told IronMind. "To that effect, we have decided officially that all the profits resulting from the sales of the 2008 FORTISSIMUS DVD and from TV broadcast rights will be immediately invested so to increase by a considerable amount the prize money of 2009. We feel that this money is the athletes' rightful share and we are acting accordingly." |
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by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2009 IronMind
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Maybe add the word "why," but regardless, take a minute to let Steve Jeck explain how the answer to this simple question is a primary determinant of whether or not you're making training progress.  Sarah Palin got the masses to focus on her glasses, but Steve Jeck was ahead of his time letting his choice of eyewear make a powerful statement, as he sports his Yuri Vlasov-bohemian-intellectual look. Randall J. Strossen photo. Follow the menu from the Training Articles button at the top of the IronMind homepage to Steve Jeck's "From the Quarry" or click here. |
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by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2009 IronMind
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"Power Extreme Federation of Russia under the sponsorship of Ford Company celebrated in a grandiose way the coming Christmas," with a major strongman contest, Ekaterina Mayorskaya reported to IronMind via a prepared statement.
"On that day in the international expositions center Crocus EXPO took place at the same time two happenings - IVth stage of All-Russia Championship of Power Extreme and a tournament of amateur athletes. The public could enjoy the competition of participating athletes in 12 exercises - 6 for professionals and 6 for amateurs. In this power extreme marathon which lasted six hours, took part twenty six athletes altogether."
Results among professionals:�
1. Koklyaev (Chelyabinsk) - 70 points
2. Glushko (Krasnodar) - 52
3. Kalinichenko (Stroitel) - 49
4. Kolmakov (Omsk) - 47.5
5. Mancerov (Omsk) - 46
6. Sydorychev (Ivanovo) - 40
7. Poleshshuk (Moscow) - 38.5
8. Samsonov (Vladimyr) - 36.5
9. Snegyrev (Stavropol) - 34.50
10. Razenkov (Tula)- 24
11. Ekshtayn (Moscow) - 18
12. Velybekov (Stavropol) - 8
Results among amateurs:
1. Ivashkin - 80.5
2. Mateyko - 72.5
3. Gavrylenko - 62.5
4. Abdulaev - 60
5. Ermikov - 47.5
6. Bugaenko - 44.5
7. Krasotkin -
39.5
8. Tormozov - 34
9. Udin - 32.5
10. Kondratiev - 29
11. Cukanov - 29
12. Olyachenko - 22.5
13. Lysenok - 22
14. Gusev - 3
"
The closure of the 2008 season the Power Extreme Federation of Russia will celebrate in February." |
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by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2009 IronMind
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TVN Poland has bought the broadcast rights for Fortissimus 2008, with Fortissimus World Strength confirming for IronMind that the deal had been made.  Continuing on its roll, Fortissimus 2008 will be broadcast on Polish TV. Artwork courtesy of Paul Ohl. "The deal includes exclusive terrestrial TV rights, pay cable and pay satellite in the Polish language; retransmission via cable networks and Internet; and the rights to take multiplex runs during the entire year 2009," IronMind was told by a Fortissimus World Strength spokesman who was close to the negotiations. "The scope of the license allows TVN Poland to convert the program into 2 x 60 minutes format in order to meet the technical specifications of the Polish market." |
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by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2009 IronMind
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Jouni Pakarinen has just been certified on the No. 3 Captains of Crush® Gripper, making it official - he has world-class grip strength.  Congratulations to Jouni Pakarinen - he's just been certified on the Captains of Crush® No. 3 Gripper. Sakari Selkainaho was the official referee and he told IronMind, "The #3 certification was very easy to judge. It was the most solid effort I have seen here. Just like another day at the office for Jouni." And with this notch in his belt, Jouni Pakarinen is looking to add another, saying, "My next target is CoC#3.5 certification." IronMind would also like to say a special thanks to Juha Harju for his valuable help with this Captains of Crush® gripper certification. Congratulations, Jouni, your name has been added to the official list of men certified on the Captains of Crush® No. 3 Gripper. Way to go! |
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by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2009 IronMind
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The Strongman Champions League, which just brought its website live on Thursday, has held the first of its qualifying events today, and it was won by Jarno Hams (Holland).  Today, Strongman Champions League held the first of its qualifying contests, a concept that Strongman Champions League co-founder Marcel Mostert told IronMind would be more fully developed in 2009, bringing new talent into strongman. Logo courtesy of Marcel Mostert. This was a six-event contest: truck pull, farmer's walk (160 kg/hand), yoke (405 kg), log lift (140 kg/reps), Hercules hold (cars), and Atlas stones (130 kg - 175 kg). Here are the top five: 1. Jarno Hams (Holland) 45 points 2. Ervin Katona (Serbia) 44 3. Steve MacDonald (United States of America) 43 4. Jimmy Laureis (Belgium) 41 5. Pedro Moraeira (Spain) 34 First place paid, 2,000 Euros (about US$2700), second place paid 1,000 Euros (about US$1350) and third place paid 600 Euros (about US$800). Marcel Mostert told IronMind that his co-organizer, Juan Carlos, would well have gotten a top place, but he broke a finger one week ago and could not compete. "The top two from this contest, Jarno Hams and Ervin Katona, have qualified for invitations to 2009 Strongman Champions League contests," Mostert said, adding that invitations might go lower as well. This was the first qualifier run by Strongman Champions League, and it is a concept that Mostert plans to develop as it fits with his strategy of seeking new strongman talent: "We are always looking for new people to come into our competitions . . . We look for strong, good people who are unknown." Mostert said that he was very happy with the way today's contest ran, noting that about 2,500 spectators turned out to watch the action in Los Barrios, Spain, and he was quick to praise co-organizer Juan Carlos. Watch for more complete coverage of this contest on the newly-launched Strongman Champions League website. |
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by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2009 IronMind
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Explaining that the popularity of strongman is only increasing in Norway, 2001 World's Strongest Man winner Svend Karlsen told IronMind today that he bought the Norwegian television rights for the 2008 MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest.  Not quite as big as when he was a top strongman competitor, Svend Karlsen has been developing a number of strongman-related business ventures. Randall J. Strossen photo. Svend said that he is expecting the six-show series to run in Norway in February or March 2009, with all the programs geared toward the Norwegian market. Also on the Viking's plate next year are once again running Norway's Strongest Man and Viking Power Challenge, and, yes, Svend's long-awaited kidney transplant has now been scheduled: February 16 is the big date, Svend told IronMind, but it could be moved up if there is a cancelation ahead of his appointment. |
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by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2009 IronMind
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Olympic weightlifting coach Jim Schmitz says, "Your �power zone' is your ideal bodyweight for your best physical performance in your chosen sport."  Whatever their various sizes and shapes, most top Olympic-style weightlifter have bulging quads. This is 77-kg competitor Oleg Perepechenov (Russia) in the warmup room at the 2008 European Weightlifting Championships. Randall J. Strossen photo. Whether you think this merely sounds like an intriguing concept or recognize that it might be a key to unlocking your next round of gains, be sure to read the latest "Schmitz on the Lifts" by going to the Training Articles button at the top of the IronMind home page and selecting "Schmitz on the Lifts," or by clicking here. |
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by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2009 IronMind
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Saying that Strongman Champions League has nothing to do with IFSA, Marcel Mostert told IronMind, "We have our own logo, we have our own brand, we do our own competitions."  Quite possibly the strongest man on the professional strongman circuit, Zydrunas Savickas had a big year competing in the Strongman Champions League this season. Photo courtesy of Lina Kirkliauskaite. And to get a better sense of what Strongman Champions League is all about, be sure to visit its new website, which is scheduled to go live on Thursday. Video clips, results, history, photos, competitor profiles and the competition calendar will be among the featured material, according to Mostert. Starting Thursday, you should be able to click here to see what |
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by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2009 IronMind
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The Fortissimus DVD has arrived and it's ready to ship.
Derek Poundstone earns his name at Fortissimus 2008. Randall J. Strossen photo.
Fortissimus, the strongman contest with historic roots, is also the strongman contest that made strongman history with many of its unique features.
And whether or not you had the pleasure of being in Notre Dame du Rosaire, Quebéc this summer, if you are a strongman competitor, organizer or fan, you are bound to enjoy this DVD. If you would like to add this to your Christmas list, here's how you order a copy: Fortissimus DVD.
Enjoy!) |
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by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2009 IronMind
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The holidays are good time to remember those who would benefit from a helping hand - and your contribution needn't be something huge or something necessarily sent halfway around the world to do a lot of good . . . and one cause that is close to home for many of us is the Jesse Marunde Memorial Fund.  Always a crowd pleaser, Jesse Marunde worked the other side of the microphone at the big strongman contest at the 2007 FitExpo. Randall J. Strossen photo. Jesse Marunde first made a big splash at IronMind when J. V. Askem introduced Jesse to us, and Jesse was certified on the Captains of Crush® No. 3 Gripper at the ripe old age of 18 - which led to Jesse being dubbed "The First Teenage Captains of Crush" when J. V. wrote the official report for the September 1998 issue of MILO. This was only the beginning for Jesse, who went on to become a formidable strongman, and his grip strength was among the top in the world. When Jesse Marunde was taken from us far before we were ready to let him go, he left a big hole in a lot of lives, and if you are able, one way to help out is to make a contribution to Jesse's memorial fund: First Federal Savings Bank Jesse Marunde Memorial 333 N. Sequim Avenue Sequim, WA� 98382 USA Tel: +1-360-683-3886 At Jesse's memorial service, his true-blue friend Sarge exhorted all of us to go out and do a set of squats for Jesse, and in that same spirit, put some extra effort into your next gripper workout, too, and if you are able, remember the Jesse Marunde Memorial Fund. |
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by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2009 IronMind
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Columbus, Ohio - They might be part of the transportation team, or maybe they are a physician or the chairperson of one of the many sports on the program of the world's largest multi-sport fitness expo, but what they had in common was brimming enthusiasm and a commitment to make the 2009 Arnold Sports Festival the best ever.  Jim Lorimer - the man who created the Arnold Sports Festival - addresses the committee chairpersons meeting. Randall J. Strossen photo. On the strength side of things, USAPL president Dr. Larry Maile said that after its successful debut at the 2008 Arnold, USAPL was looking forward to returning to the 2009 Arnold with the same four events: pro deadlift, pro bench press, raw three-lift meet, and American pro invitational. Dr. Maile also mentioned the USAPL's interest in expanding its raw competition. Megan Tornstrom DeFourny reported on Columbus Weightlifting Club's plans for its ever-growing competition, which is adding a masters competition to its plate this year, complementing its existing competitions for juniors, seniors and youths. Dr. Randall Strossen summarized the dramatic rise of Matthias Steiner to Olympic weightlifting champion this year, and reported on IronMind's plans for presenting the 2008 German men's Olympic weightlifting team - featuring Matthias Steiner - on the main expo hall stage on Saturday afternoon, March 7. Steiner is the reigning Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist in weightlifting, which Strossen explained gives him historical claim to the title of being "the strongest man in the world." From arm wrestling to sumo, the 2009 Arnold Sports Festival has something for just about every strength fan, and for full details, please visit its official website. |
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by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2009 IronMind
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Arizona is hosting the 2008 North American Open Weightlifting Championships December 5 - 7, and besides being a terrific meet to attend as a spectator, there are also some openings for volunteers who would like to help with anything from setting up to being as United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) chaperone.  Lift, coach, cheer or load - choose your role and join in the action at the 2008 North American Open Weightlifting Championships. Artwork courtesy of Joe Micela. If you would like to see some of the top Olympic-style weightlifters in North America, here is your chance, and Team Arizona Weightlifting president Joe Micela told IronMind that besides "trying to put on a great meet, [we will] hopefully keep some [more] national meets out West." The 2008 North American Open Weightlifting Championships will be held at the San Marcos Crowne Plaza Golf Resort in Chandler, Arizona, December 5 - 7. For more information, please email info@performance.net or call Joe Micela at 480-813-5477. |
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