Strongman fans, it's time to start training your hands - not just for increased grip strength, but also because the 2008 MET-Rx World's Strongest Man broadcasts are drawing near and you want to be fully remote-ready when the curtain rises.


It was the first event in the finals of the 2008 MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest and Mariusz Pudzianowski is about to put the pedal to the metal. Randall J. Strossen photo.

Leading up to this year's MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest were four World's Strongest Man Super Series Grand Prix competitions, and here is their Channel 5 (UK) broadcast schedule:

Friday, November 28 - Mohegan Sun Grand Prix (USA) - 8 p.m.
Friday, December 5 - Madison Square Gardens Grand Prix (USA) - 8 p.m.
Friday, December 12 - Viking Power Challenge (Norway) - 8 p.m.
Friday, December 19 - Sweden Grand Prix (Sweden) - 8 p.m.

And with those preliminaries taken care of, here's the schedule for the 2008 MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest.

On Channel 5 (UK):
Sunday, December 28 - Heat 1 - 8 p.m.
Monday, December 29 - Heat 2 - 8 p.m.
Tuesday, December 30 - Heat 3 - 8 p.m.
Wednesday, December 31 - Heat 4 - 8 p.m.
Thursday, January 1 - Heat 5 - 8 p.m. Friday, January 2 - Final - 8 p.m.

The 2008 Met-Rx World's Strongest Man - ESPN 2 (USA):

Thursday, December 25
Show 1: 7 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Show 2: 7:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Show 3: 8 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Show 4: 8:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Show 5: 9 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Show 6: 9:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Show 7: 10 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Show 8: 10:30 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Show 9: 11 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. Show 10: 11:30 p.m. - 12 p.m.
Show 11: 12 p.m. - 1 a.m.

The 2008 Met-Rx World's Strongest Man - ESPN (USA):

Sunday, December 28
Show 1: 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Show 2: 1:30 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Show 3: 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Show 4: 2:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Show 5: 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Show 6: 3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Show 7: 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Show 8: 4:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Show 9: 5 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Show 10: 5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Show 11: 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Although these times were given to IronMind directly by IMG, please double check local broadcast schedules - you won't want to miss any of these shows.

That's what the expectation is when the big boys of the strongman world line up at the Strongman Champions League Log Lift World Championships: the current world record, 210 kg, will be broken, and maybe more than once.


When Zydrunas Savickas broke his own world record in the log with this 210-kg lift, he told IronMind that he had more gas in the tank. Photo courtesy of Ilkka Kinnunen.

Hometown hero Zydrunas Savickas has branded his name on log lift world record book, and when he set his current mark of 210 kg, he told IronMind that it was easy. His size and strength aside, we thought it reasonable to accept this appraisal since Zydrunas has a personal best of 220 kg, and given that his stated plan is to keep breaking the world record in 2.5-kg increments, he told IronMind earlier this year that his next step will be with 212.5 kg.

Show time is drawing nearer, with the Strongman Champions League Log Lift World Championships set for November 16, in Lithuania, with a live broadcast on Eurosport.

Mike Pockoski got the win and Eric Frasure continued on his hot streak - Francis Brebner has filed this report on the Richmond Highland Games.


Eric Frasure spun his way to a dizzying 19' 6" in the weight over the bar. James J. Shaffer photo.


The Richmond Highland Games by Francis Brebner

It was a three-way battle of throwing this weekend between Eric Frasure, Kerry Overfelt, and Mike Pockoski at the Richmond Highland Games. Despite the rain, twenty-five thousand spectators were steadfast as they cheered on their favorite athletes throughout the competition.

In the opening round of the 16-lb. open stone, Dave Barron ripped a massive putt of 55' 3" for first place, leaving Baron well pleased with a personal best; in second was Chris Chafin at 51' 9" and in third, Eric Frasure at 51'.

Going next to the 25-lb. Braemar stone, Mike Pockoski marginally won with a putt of 40' 5", with Mike Zolkiewicz in second at 39' 4-1/2", and Mark Valenti in third at 38' 7".

In the 56-lb. weight for distance, Frasure, showing great form this season in this event, came through with a winning distance of 45' 9"; second was Kerry Overfelt with an impressive throw of 43' 7-1/2". Chris Chafin, who is making his name known to us in the throwing world, placed third with nice toss of 41' 10".

But in the 28-lb. weight for distance, Kerry Overfelt pulled up a gear on Frasure, just narrowly pipping him with his final throw of 87' 8" for the win, with Frasure in second by just a shave at 87' 5", and Mike Pockoski in third at 82' 6".

In the 22-lb. hammer, it was Overfelt again who took a win under his belt with 112' 2". Pockoski landed in second with 110' 2", and Frasure was surprisingly in third at 109' 4".

Looking at the caber event, this was by no means an easy caber at 20' and 130 lb., with Pockoski being the only athlete to turn the big stick, with a 10:30 toss; in second was Overfelt at 88 degrees, and in third, Dave Barron at 85 degrees.

The 20-lb. sheaf was won by Frasure, who was in a league of his own clearing a height of 29'. Pockoski was in second with 26', and Mark Valenti in third with 23'.

The 56-lb. weight over the bar was very exciting, with Frasure much surprised to say the least by his clearing a height of 19' 6", which is the third best height ever to be recorded in the spin. Second was Overfelt with 17', and third was Chris Chafin on countback also with 17'.

Frasure said, "I was really surprised to clear that height. I have been training smarter in the weight room and would have to give credit to my strength coaches Mike Yartin and Mike Golden, who have been putting me through the ropes, so to speak. Already we are focusing on next year's season and will begin our game plan as soon as the season ends. I feel very confident with the coaches I have behind me that my throwing will be considerably on the rise, with a eye to being the first athlete to go over 50' in the 56-lb. weight for distance and possibly 100' in the 28-lb. weight for distance."

Final placing:

1. Mike Pockoski 59 points
2. Eric Frasure 57
3. Kerry Overfelt 54
4. Chris Chafin 39
5. Mark Valenti 38
6. Dave Barron 35.5
7. Mike Zolkiewicz 32
8. Chris St. Clair 29.5
9. Lucas McKay 19

Noting that Arnold Schwarzenegger was able to move from the bodybuilding world to movies and politics, Jyrki Rantanen noted that in Finland, "We have to do this separately."


2000 World's Strongest Man winner Janne Virtanen on the Axle at the 2008 WSM Super Series Madison Square Garden Grand Prix. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

"Jouko [Ahola] is taking care of the movie business and Janne Virtanen was [just] elected to the local [Janakkala] council," reported Rantanen. And while there were many reasons why Janne Virtanen wanted to get involved in politics, one of the most important was to improve the sports facilities. Also, Janne said that he believes that a strongman competitor "must have other goals in his life than just competing."

And talking about competing, our favorite Janakkala councilman "will be doing some comps next year."

In response to the recent inquiries IronMind has received about the status of the Bill Kazmaier film, we talked to producer Hjalti Arnason.


"And the ground quaked under his feet . . . ." Now the man with the microphone at the world's top strongman contests, Bill Kazmaier still sports the commanding appearance that undoubtedly froze the blood of many of his competitors. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Hjalti Arnason, who produced the Jon Pall film, makes no bones about why he wants to make a film about Bill Kazmaier, saying of The Kaz, "He's the biggest name in the business."

Bill Kazmaier came into the 1980 World's Strongest Man contest as the defending IPF world champion, and that was when he ran up a string of three consecutive World's Strongest Man titles. In addition to those victories, Bill Kazmaier was an IPF world record holder.

And then there's what he looks like.

"His physique is out of this world," Arnason said of Kazmaier. "His appearance . . . the way he looked . . . was so different from anybody else," and even today, old enough to qualify for an AARP membership, Bill Kazmaier looks every bit of the legend that precedes him.

Arnason's film is in the works, but opportunities might still exist for investors who would like to play a part in this project, as the scope of this movie is not insignificant.

With his film on Jon Pall Sigmarsson, Larger Than Life, Hjalti Arnason has already moved strongman biopics to a higher plane, and that matches the break-out status Arnason gives to Kazmaier, requiring a film that is something more than a list of weights, sets and reps.

"What motivated him" Arnason asked. "Bill raised the bar. Why? How" said Arnason, framing what he sees as his film's natural territory. "I want this story to be told."

Combine the best efforts of Steve Slater, Wes Sims and Willie Wessels, and it's no surprise that last weekend's North American Strongman (NAS) Buckeye Classic strongman competition was such a hit.

Steve Slater, of Slater Hardware and Slater Stones fame, told IronMind that the name was chosen because�they "wanted to bring back some of the classic equipment�that the pioneers of strongman once used. Big globe, shot-loadable dumbbells, real wood strongman logs and rustic huge�wood timbers for farmers walk got the attention of many amateur athletes, not to mention Atlas Stones as heavy as over 500 lb."

"The proceeds went to the local Hammer House Youth Boxing Club operated by MMA fighter Wes Sims. The club has been Wes's dream since he started MMA. He keeps the kids off the streets and in the gym where they belong, making a huge difference in their lives now and hopefully forever�in the future."

"Special thanks goes out to Mr. Viperpower himself, Derek Poundstone. Derek volunteered his time to�fly to the show to help judge, coach and inspire the spectators, along with the athletes, by doing 400-lb. timber farmers walk in each hand; walking around 60 ft. or so, with a turn, then holding the timbers for a while just to give the crowd a little more than what they paid for. They went crazy! To top it off, in the warm-up room he threw�390 on a wood�log�and stuck overhead it like the champion he is."

Here are the winners:

Lucjan Zolnierowski - lightweight teen
Derick Scott - heavyweight teen
Chris Muir - 200-lb. class
Chris Berry - 220-lb. class
Jeff Spencer - 265-lb. class
Brad Ardrey - 300-lb. class
Matthew Dawson - superheavyweight class

"After the Worlds [the World's Strongest Man contest], when I came back home after 17 days in the U.S., I started thinking when I came back with US$3600 for the eighth place in the Worlds," Arild Haugen said, as he explained what led to his decision to leave strongman for better opportunities in boxing.


Them's fightin' words: "You want it where?!" Arild Haugen begs to differ with an official's call made during the Atlas Stones at Fortissimus earlier this year. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

"I love strongman, the people in this sport are great, but I sacrifice so much for so little. This is my job, and I am probably one of the 20 best guys in the world, but still there is no money. It is hard work, and all you get back is a little bit of honor from people that are training themselves. I have been in quite many shows at an age of 22, and see how the different competitions are, and I want more and have bigger dreams in my life."

"I got a very good offer if I started boxing. Just to sign the contract I will earn more than I have done so far in strongman, and I love the sport: I used to box before."

"I realized if you want to live out this dream, you will have to do it now and not wait until you are 30 years old . . . Then it's too late in boxing, but I still can come back to strongman whenever I want. There are no age limits in strongman."

"I still haven't signed the contract yet, but I am sure it will turn out very well. So I guess and hope I will be �The World's Strongest Boxer.'"

"I want to thank all the strongman fans all over the world and wish my competitors good luck in the future!"

"A new age has begun for �The Hulk'."

A couple of days ago, IronMind heard a rumor that Arild Haugen was leaving strongman for boxing and we have been in touch with Arild since then - awaiting his go-ahead to make to this announcement officially and on the record.


Arild Haugen made his North American debut in strongman this summer, competing at Fortissimus, where things did not go perfectly for the personable Norwegian strongman with the physique of a bodybuilder, but Haugen moved forward, and capped off his impressive season by making it into the finals of the 2008 World's Strongest Man contest. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Arild Haugen has had a memorable year in strongman, showing flashes of brilliance that give credence to his stated goal of winning the World's Strongest Man contest in 2010. And he will always be remembered for his other-worldly performance on the Atlas Stones at this year's World's Strongest Man contest, so dominating that they caused head referee Colin Bryce to say, "If some of these other guys regard themselves as �King of the Stones," that must make Arild �Emperor.'"

Quick to thank his friends, family, fans and sponsors for their support, Arild Haugen cited the high demands of strongman compared to its relatively low payoff and said that as he was presented alternatives ranging from dancing to MMA, he finally chose to sign a contract to become a professional boxer and that will be his focus in 2009.

IronMind expects more details to follow.

Looking toward continued expansion, the 2009 Highlander Challenge is tentatively scheduled for filming on July 14 -15 and the 18 - 19, and among the top competitors asked to reserve these dates are Sean Betz, Larry Brock, Sebastian Wenta, Aaron Neighbour, Johannes Arsjo, Mikhail Koklyaev, Dave Barron, Mike Zolkiewizc, Wout Zijlstra and Scott Rider.


Sebastian Wenta takes a walk on the wild side at the 2008 World's Strongest Man contest. Wenta is the 2007 and 2008 Highlander Challenge world champion. Will he three-peat in 2009? Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

"The series has attracted record TV audiences here in the UK and has attracted considerable interest at the MIPTV festival in Cannes last week," according to the organizers. "Our official distributor is CANAMEDIA, who will also be dealing with the DVD distribution in the near future."

Gregor Edmunds, who has been working hard on this series with his father, Douglas, said, "This is the biggest opportunity we have of establishing our sport as a worldwide media event, and hopefully leading athletes will be recognised and receive appropriate rewards."

The Stone Mountain Highland Games saw a lot of top performances; Francis Brebner has filed this report for IronMind.


Eric Frasure broke his own world record in the sheaf toss. James J. Shaffer photo.


Stone Mountain Highland Games by Francis Brebner

Eighty thousand spectators witnessed world records and field records tumble�this weekend at the Stone Mountain Highland Games,�by the hands of�young Eric Frasure and Bert Sorin, who are�fast making�names for themselves in the sport of Highland Games.In the 28-lb. Braemar standing putt,�Bert Sorin was in a league of his own with a putt of�39' 10-1/2" for the win and a new field record, beating�Petur Gudmunsson's (of Iceland) previous record of 39' 5" set in 2001 at Stone Mountain. In second was�Craig Smith at�35' 10", and in third was�Larry Brock at 35' 3-1/2".

In the 56-lb. weight for distance,�Larry Brock landed a massive throw of�47' 9" that took the win over�Frasure,�who had a throw of 46' 10-1/2" for second; in third was�Kerry Overfelt at�45'1-1/2".

In the 28-lb. weight for distance,�Frasure dominated the event with a crushing throw of 89'11" for the win and established a new field record,�beating the old record set by Larry Brock in 2007 at 88' 6-1/2". Brock was second at�86' 4", and Overfelt was third at�84' 4-1/2".

The 16-lb. hammer was most interesting as this was the first year it was introduced at Stone Mountain, with�Sorin taking yet another win with a throw of�138' 3" and establishing a�field record for the first year. Second was�Brock at�133' 8" and third,�Frasure at�131' 4".

Going into the caber event, with the 19', 135-lb. stick,�it was Craig Smith's 11:00 toss that took the win, with�Brock in second with a�2:00 toss and�Chris St. Clair�in third with 2:30.

The 20-lb.�sheaf toss was an exciting event that saw�Eric Frasure establish a new world record with a throw of 36', beating his previous world record of 35' 10", which he set at Stone Mountain last year. Second was�Overfelt�at 33' and third was�Brock at 28'.

But this was not the end of Frasure's record-breaking streak. In the�56-lb weight-over-bar,�Frasure thrilled the crowds by�setting a new field record of 19', smashing his own record throw of 18' set in 2007. In second place�on countback, there was�a two-way�tie between�Brock and�Overfelt at�18', and in fourth place was Chris Chafin, who also hit 18'.

Final results:

1. Larry Brock - 54 points
2. Eric Frasure - 50 points
3. Kerry Overfelt - 47.5 points

Frasure said that he had a great weekend of Games: "The crowd just loved the throwing and got behind us during the whole competition, and after the competition ended, we were just swarmed by the spectators asking us for autographs and signing their t-shirts. It was great."

"It was a tough line-up of athletes, and I�was very happy with my performances�and establishing several ground records, but especially with the sheaf toss, setting a new world record. I give credit to Mike Yartin and also to Coach Mike Golden, Director of Strength and Conditioning at East Carolina University, who have helped me a lot."

"I am looking forward to my next Games in Richmond, Virginia, next weekend and hope that I can produce more performances like the ones I have done here."

The Strongman Champions League reportedly has already signed up ten competitions for 2009, with the possibility of adding up to two more.


The Strongman Champions League is on a roll: the World Log Lift Championships are next month and the series has reportedly already has ten contests in place for 2009. Logo courtesy of Strongman Champions League.

The Strongman Champions League has called for all the best strongmen in the world to compete in its series, which is open to all athletes who are capable of meeting the challenge of what is being positioned as the most demanding series in strongman.

And speaking of the Strongman Champions League, IronMind understands that things are going well with preparations for the World Log Lifting Championships in Lithuania on November 16, a competition that is slated for a live broadcast on Eurosport at 3:00 p.m. (15.00) local time. Coinciding with that contest, the Strongman Champions League plans to launch a website that will include such things rules, video clips, photos and reports.

This coming Friday, October 24, at 10 p.m., the Strongman Champions League - Finland will air on Eurosport, and this is the contest where Marcel Mostert says, "We can see the real comeback of Misha Koklyaev, after his injury at the Arnold."


Mikhail ("Misha") Koklyaev (center) flanked by Strongman Champions League kingpins Marcel Mostert (left) and Ilkka Kinnunen (right). Photo courtesy of Marcel Mostert.

Mihkail "Misha" Koklyaev won the Strongman Champions League competition in Kokkola, Finland in September, marking his return to top form.

There will be several replays of this contest, as well, Mostert told IronMind, and on October 27, Eurosport will broadcast the Strongman Champions League - Lithuania.

"We have been broadcasting on Eurosport every week for the last six weeks, and getting great reports from it," Mostert said.

On November 9, FIT Barbell Club is putting on the 2008 Golden West Open - the "longest running weightlifting meet in the USA," Rob Earwicker told IronMind.


Second-generation PWA lifter Brian Wilhelm continues a family tradition of being big, fast and strong. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

And if you can't get to the meet in person, don't worry because Earwicker explained, "We are going to host the meet live online, so everyone around the world can watch."

Incidentally, as big as this meet is in itself, it is also a last-chance qualifier for the 2008 American Open, and it leads up to 2009 Junior Nationals, which FIT Barbell will be running in Daly City, California next March.

IronMind has just received the Eurosport broadcast schedule for the 2008 World's Strongest Man Super Series (WSMSS) Madison Square Garden Grand Prix and the 2008 WSMSS Viking Power Challenge.


World's Strongest Man Super Series brought strongman to Madison Square Garden in June, where Travis Ortmayer won the title even if he lamented not being able to load this final stone. This was quite a contest and whether you saw it in person or not, the Eurosport coverage will capture your attention. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

The first broadcast of the WSMSS Madison Square Garden Grand Prix is scheduled for October 31, with repeat broadcasts on November 1 and November 18. Although it is listed as "Sweden," IronMind has been told that the Eurosport broadcast on December 26 is, in fact, the 2008 WSMSS Viking Power Challenge from Norway. Please check local schedules to confirm these details, as well as the actual broadcast times.

Also, strongman fans looking for Super Series on the web will be happy to know that IronMind was told by a source close to the matter that, "We did not receive a notification about our domain name registry expiration, so the Super Series home on the web will now be www.strongman-superseries.com," and that "it will take about a week to have the site up again."

The Iron October sports festival in Chelyabinsk, Russia will feature a strongman competition "hosted by Uralstrong and its president, Dmitry Kononets," IronMind learned today.


Uralstrong is bringing strongman to Chelyabinsk, Russia on October 19. Artwork courtesy of Dmitry Kononets and Vlad Redkin.

Uralstrong is World Strongman Federation's Russian partner, WSF president Vlad Redkin explained to IronMind, and the two organizations have close ties. The Russian Cup is scheduled for October 19 and the competitors will be drawn from across the country:

1. Sergey Golubev, Moscow
2. Roman Gavrusik, Krasnoyarsk
3. Mikhail Shivlyakov, Kiselevsk
4. Sergey Kharlamov, Perm
5. Sergey Bykov, Yuzhno-Uralsk
6. Rinat Tugushev, Saratov
7. Evgenij Stametov, Chelyabinsk
8. Alexei Krivosheya, Chelyabinsk
9. Aleksandr Sosnin, Trekhgornyj
10. Valery Chernozubov, Yekaterinburg

The events are listed as:

1. Medley: tire flip + loading
2. Fingal fingers
3. Shield carry: 150 kg
4. Axle deadlift: 5 cm bar, 300 kg for reps, 75 seсonds
5. Log lift: 130 kg for reps, 75 seconds
6. Telehandler (telescopic fork lift) pull

Prize money is listed at over $10000.

Today, John Brookfield gave IronMind the details on the big truck pull he and Jon Bruney have planned in a few weeks.

"On Saturday November 1, in Fairmont, North Carolina, at 2:00 in the afternoon," John Brookfield said, this mighty two-man team "will be pulling a semi-truck for the distance of one full mile for a world record." Forget the smoke and mirrors, because Brookfield said that he and Bruney will be "using only their physical strength and mental fortitude."

This powerhouse pair "have pulled the distance of one mile on several occasions; however this time they will be increasing the pulling weight to over thirty five thousand pounds and pushing themselves to� pull the one-mile course as quickly as possible."

John Brookfield urges everyone to come out and walk beside the team, and support them in this their efforts, saying that this great test of endurance will be a world record performance.

"You should never say �never,'" Magnus Samuelsson said, commenting on his announced retirement from the World's Strongest Man contest, but the man known to strongman fans worldwide told IronMind that he plans to compete in some Grand Prix events next year "if I feel like it."


1998 World's Strongest Man winner Magnus Samuelsson has been called the owner of the world's strongest arms, and that includes his forearms and his hands: Magnus Samuelsson is certified on the Captains of Crush® No. 4 Gripper and is a past world record holder on the Rolling Thunder®. His arms are bigger and stronger than the average person's legs, so when he does a truck pull, we're tempted to call him the man with four legs. Randall J. Strossen photo.

For all the activity in recent years, Samuelsson said that things haven't really changed that much in strongman, and besides noting it as "the original," Samuelsson said that the World's Strongest Man contest is in a class by itself: "Everything else is just a cheap imitation." And to drive home his point about how WSM is set apart from all other strongman contests, Samuelsson estimates that he has competed in roughly 150 strongman Grand Prix contests over his career, "but I am not known for that. I am known because I competed in the World's Strongest Man contest 13 times," and with a little prodding he added, "and won it once."

Driving home his point about the attacks that can develop in strongman, just as elsewhere, Samuelsson drew on a political analogy.

"It's easier to develop hate than deal with a problem," Samuelsson told IronMind. "It's always easy to develop hate for a person or a thing," he said, adding that, "When you are at the top, you are alone, but the people attacking you always travel in packs."

The Wal-Mart Sports Experience Family Festival is all about having hands-on fun in the world of sports, fitness and training, so how's this for a great way to meet those goals: the MET-Rx Wrist Roller and Crucifix Challenge.


Officer Tim Sheppard gives the MET-Rx Crucifix Challenge a run for its money. Photo courtesy of Francis Brebner.

Francis Brebner filed this report for IronMind:


Wal-Mart Sports Experience Family Festival 2008: The MET-Rx Crucifix and Wrist Roller Challenge by Francis Brebner

The Met-Rx booth at this year's Wal-Mart Sports Experience Family Festival was once again inundated with entrants for the Crucifix and Wrist Roller Challenge.

Colin Forbes�recorded the fastest�time for the Wrist Roller Challenge, reeling in the weighted 22-lb. Met-Rx bucket in a record�time of 11.98 seconds.


Colin Forbes posted the fastest time on the MET-Rx Wrist Roller Challenge. Photo courtesy of Francis Brebner.

The Crucifix Challenge consisted of two buckets each filled with 22 lb. of Met-Rx protein held at arms' length and at shoulder height for the longest time possible.

Before the doors even opened to the public,�the local policemen on duty could not resist the challenge, and�officer Tim Sheppard�recorded�a notable time of 55 seconds in the Crucifix Challenge.

The overall winner at the end of the day was a father of four, Kevin Ziggler,�who blew all the young beefcakes away with an outstanding time of 1 minute 44 seconds, which was done under the strictest judging conditions.

Kevin�was happy to have won the Met-Rx�Strength Challenge and�a six months' supply of free Met-Rx products. Kevin said, "I look forward to coming back next year and hopefully winning the Challenge again and another six months' supply of MET-Rx."


Kevin Ziggler held on for the win, getting a load of MET-Rx products for his efforts. Photo courtesy of Francis Brebner.

M&M, as in Mike and Mindy or Mr. and Mrs, Pockosi took top honors at the Ventura, California Highland Games this weekend and Francis Brebner has filed this report for IronMind.


Mindy Pockoski was red hot at the Pleasanton Highland Games (presented by the Caledonian Club of San Francisco), where she won every event and broke one world record. This past weekend, she continued her roll at the Ventura Highland Games. Randall J. Strossen photo.


Ventura Highland Games by Francis Brebner

It was double delight this weekend at the Ventura Highland Games in Southern California as both husband and wife Mike and Mindy Pockoski took top honors.

Mindy, who is the current woman's world champion, established two new world records, with her top marks in the 14-lb. and the 28-lb. weight for distance. The first world record to tumble for Mindy was the 28-lb. weight for distance, breaking the record set by former women's Highland Games world champion Shannon Hartnett in Fergus, Ontario in 2000. Shannon's record was 47' 11-1/2".

Mindy added several inches to this distance with a throw of 48' 2-1/2" to establish a new world record.

The second world record to topple for Mindy was the 14-lb. weight for distance, where she broke her own record (88' 2") set at the Greensboro Highland Games earlier this year. Mindy improved on this with a distance of 88' 7-1/2".

Husband Mike Pockoski dominated the men's pro division, winning the 16-lb. open stone with a distance of 50' 4". In second place was Harrison Bailey with 48' 5", and Ryan Vierra was third with 46' 6". In the 22-lb. Braemar stone, Mike Pockoski won again with 39' 1-1/2"; Bailey was second with 38' 7-1/2", and Vierra was third with 38' 6".

The 16-lb. hammer was hard fought between Ryan Vierra and Mike Pockoski, which thrilled the crowd, and it was Pockoski, with a winning throw of 134' 2", who took the victory. Vierra had to settle for second with 128' 2", and Bailey was in third with 118' 2".

In the heavy hammer, Pockoski showed great form again, throwing the hammer 110' for the win. Vierra was second with 97' 2", and Bailey was third with 96' 5".

The 28-lb. weight for distance was also very close, with Pockoski coming out on top, with the winning throw of 80' 5" over Vierra, who had to settle for second with a throw of 80'. Bailey was third with 76' 2-1/2".

In the 56-lb, weight for distance, Pockoski narrowly took the win over Vierra, with a throw of 42' 2". Vierra was second with 41' 6", and Bailey was third with 40' 5".

In the caber, which was 19' long and weighed 130 lb., Pockoski once again notched a victory, with a toss of 11:50. In second was Vierra with 12:15, and in third was Bailey with 11:45.

In the final event of the competition, the 56-lb. weight over the bar, it was Bailey who came into his own, winning the event at a height of 17'. Ryan Vierra, Mike Pockoski and Andrew Hobson all tied at 16'.

Mike Pockoski was first overall, followed by Bailey in second and Vierra in third.

World Strongman Federation founder and president Vlad Redkin told IronMind today, "We plan the final WSF [World Strongman Federation] World Cup competition on 13 December in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia."


Vlad Redkin's World Strongman Federation has its season finale set for December 13, with 20,000 euros and a big title on the line. Artwork courtesy of Vlad Redkin/World Strongman Federation.

Once again, the World Strongman Federation will be featuring some of the top names on the professional strongman circuit:

1. Mariusz Pudzianowski (Poland)
2. Elbrus Nigmatullin (Russia)
3. Tarmo Mitt (Estonia)
4. Dave Ostlund (USA)
5. Janne Virtanen (Finland)
6. Stojan Todorchev (Bulgaria)
7. Rolands Gulbis (Latvia)
8. Vladimir Muravlev (Ukraine)
9. Louis-Philippe Jean (Canada)
10. Dmitry Kononets (Russia)
11. Sergej Rjumin (Belarus)

In addition, three more competitors are to be named, Redkin said, with one coming from Europe, one from Iran and one from Russia.


Here is the list of events:

1. Farmer's walk: 2 x 140 kg, 50 meters for time
2. Log lift: 140 kg for reps/truck pull: 25 meters
3. Deadlift hold: car, for time
4. Medley: duck walk (200 kg for 20 meters) + tires flips (380 kg, 6 flips)
5. Conan's wheel: 380 kg
6. Atlas stones: 120 kg - 180 kg

Also worthy of note is the location for this competition as it will be held in the new tennis center that was dedicated on September 24 in Khanty-Mansiysk (administrative center of Khanty-Mansi Autononomous Okrug): a nearly 16000 square meter (over 140,000 square feet) facility that features seven tennis courts, and seating for 3,500 spectators around the center court.


This state of the art tennis center in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia will be hosting the World Strongman Federation World Cup finale. Image courtesy of Vlad Redkin.

Prize money for this World Strongman Federation competition is 20,000 euros, said Vlad.

Here are the cumulative points for the top four competitors thus far in the 2007 - 2008 WSF World Cup season (ten contests):

1. Elbrus Nigmatullin (Russia) - 43 points
2. Stojan Todorchev (Bulgaria) - 41 points
3. Mariusz Pudzjanowski (Poland) - 40 points
4. Tarmo Mitt (Estonia) - 35 points

"We plan to broadcast this contest worldwide on Eurosport!" said Redkin. And as far as a prediction goes, Redkin told IronMind: "The fighting [battle] will be great of course - Mariusz, Janne, Elbrus, Dave or Tarmo?!"

Calling it "the oldest and most prestigious and sought-after arm wrestling title in New York," Gene Camp, president of NY Arm Wrestling Association, announced the 31st Annual White Castle Empire State Golden Arm Tournament of Champions.

Set for Port Authority Bus Terminal at 12:30 p.m. on November 13, this contest will draw some big names in the arm wrestling world, and Camp said he expects over 100 competitors to be vying for $5,000 in cash and prizes. Along with the overall places, "Male and female �Strongest Arm' MVPs will be crowned and the NYC Arm Wrestler of the year will be chosen," said Camp.

For full details, please check the the official NYCARMS website.

Wal-Mart will be once again hosting the 2008 Arkansas Athletes Outreach (AAO) Sports Experience Family Festival, and Highland Games stars Francis Brebner and Mike Smith will be featured in the MET-Rx booth.


Francis Brebner, now retired from competition, remains active in the Highland Games. Brebner is a former SGA Highland Games world champion�and he also won the IHGF World Games. Brebner won the World Caber Championships seven times; and he simultaneously held the world records in both the 28- and the 56-pound weight for distance. Randall J. Strossen photo.

The AAO Sports Experience showcases the benefits of fitness, sports and healthy lifestyles.

Teresa Hartle and Grace Grimes, event organizers for MET-Rx, will again feature Highland Games champions Francis Brebner (Scotland/California) and Mike Smith (Oklahoma) in this year's festival, of which MET-Rx is a major sponsor. These powerful Highland Games athletes will run a small competition for the attendees, in which they can win free MET-Rx products and gym bags. Last year MET-Rx did a crucifix challenge for time, which went over very well with the crowd; in fact, it was the most popular booth at the event last year! This year, there will be an added event, a wrist roller challenge.

The festival runs from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm in Fayetteville, Arkansas, this Saturday, October 11.

The International Highland Games Federation (IHGF)�has confirmed that Antigonish, Nova Scotia (Canada) will host the 2009 IHGF World Highland Games Team Championships July 18 - 19.


David Webster, OBE, hard at work compiling scores before hitting the field to call the action at the 2008 Pleasanton Highland Games (presented by the Caledonian Club of San Francisco). Randall J. Strossen photo.

The following weekend (July 25 -26) the IHGF will be front and center in Edinburgh, Scotland, hosting its World Highland Games Championships, and IronMind has been told by someone close to the discussions that there "is a very strong�possibility of another major event taking place the week after" the IHGF World Highland Games Championships. This situation leads to "the possibility of all three events being filmed for cable TV, which will be good for the promotion of our sport and its athletes," IronMind was told.

The World Team Championships�will consist of six teams of two each, coming from around the world and competing in eight of the traditional Highland Games scoring events. "There is considerable competition�between the different countries,�and this concept will be developed in future years," said David Webster, OBE, president of the IHGF.

Both�Francis Brebner and Ryan Vierra, who are also heavily involved in organizing and�promoting�IHGF Highland Games events, have said how much they enjoyed competing at Antigonsh�in past Highland Games championships�events, and how�much they are�looking forward to returning to Antigonish for next year's IHGF World Team Championships.�

Matthias Steiner's storybook performance at the recent Olympics brought to mind what Al Michaels said when the unheralded USA hockey team upset the powerhouse Soviet team in Lake Placid: "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!"

The IronMind world is eminently physical - focused on such things as lifting, throwing, carrying, and bending. Starting with our company name, though, it should be clear that we see what goes on in between your ears as central to how you do with your performances in the strength world.

If your performances are flagging and you are looking for a fresh way to add some octane to your training, one that will enrich your life in multiple ways, be sure to read Steve Jeck's latest offering in "From The Quarry" - this is Steve Jeck's on-line column of thought pieces that will fire your neurons for better results in the gym and on the field.

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.

"Strongman has not yet had its breakthrough," Super Series founder and president Ulf Bengtsson told IronMind, as he commented on plans for Super Series to expand in 2009.

Bengtsson said that one of his top priorities is "to make a stronger platform for Super Series in America," and that his group has reached an agreement with another organization that would facilitate this, although the deal has not been formally completed. "We intend to have our 2009 schedule announced by the end of this month," Bengtsson told IronMind, showing his confidence that the final pieces would soon be put in place.

Beyond simply expanding the strongman series he started, Bengtsson said he sees strongman overall evolving, with a lot of upside potential.

Noting that he wanted "Super Series to move strongman forward in the best way possible," Bengtsson said that the traditional package needs a breakthrough. "TV [alone] will never make it" if strongman is to become more of a sport. "For strongmen to compete as athletes, we need live arenas. We need to treat strongman as a sport and protect those values," said Bengtsson.

Super Series chairman of the board Odd Haugen confirmed that an agreement had been reached in principle with another organization, but that a contract had not been signed yet.

Nonetheless, Super Series will be returning to the Mohegan Sun and to Madison Square Garden in 2009, for a minimum of two competitions in the United States, Haugen said. Two European events are also definitely on the schedule, said Haugen, and Super Series is in conversations that might lead to an expansion into Asia in 2009, as well. If the deal that is on the table right now goes through, this minimum schedule will be expanded, said Haugen, with additional competitions to be held in the United States next year.

Going six for six is always a thrill for a weightlifter, but when you do it at the Olympics, it's even better.


Much to his delight, Evengy Chigishev completed this 250-kg clean and jerk at the 2008 Olympics, putting an exclamation point on a perfect performance by the personable Russian weightlifter. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Continuing where he left off in his last installment, top American weightlifting coach Jim Schmitz reviews perfect performances at recent Olympics, including Beijing 2008.

To read the latest "Schmitz on the Lifts," go to the Training Articles button at the top of the IronMind home page and select "Schmitz on the Lifts," or follow this link.

We have just added the latest John Brookfield Grip Tip: "Towel Training for Power."

Talk about one-stop shopping - now you can train with your towel and then put it to more good use after your shower.

Follow the link to John Brookfield's Grip Tip from the Training Articles button at the top of the IronMind homepage or click here.

When 2006 World's Strongest Man winner Phil Pfister first announced his plans to hold an America's Strongest Man contest for this year, it caused quite a stir.


Moving major minerals: Everyone enjoys the beach, but when Dave Ostlund won the 2007 Muscle Beach Grand Prix, he didn't do it by playing in the sand. Ostlund finished third in this year's MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest, adding another feather to his cap. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

After all, it wasn't just an impressive-sounding title: the contest was going to be open to all comers, it would be drug tested, and it offered US$10,000 to the winner, along with an invitation to the MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest - all told, it was quite a package that Phil Pfister had put together.

As it turned out, the contest did not materialize as Pfister's hometown of Charleston, West Virginia was asked to host the 2008 MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest instead. But now Pfister has reintroduced the topic of West Virginia hosting the America's Strongest Man contest, and while all the details have not been announced yet, the prospect of sending all three podium finishers from the 2009 America's Strongest Man to the 2009 MET-Rx World's Strongest Man is such a big selling point that it will make a lot of people want to join the party.

Although this is subject to change, there are several established entry routes to the World's Strongest Man contest: returning as the defending champion, qualifying through a WSM Super Series Grand Prix event, winning a designated national strongman championship, and being selected as a wild card. Currently, even though Americans were prevalent in the field of the 2008 MET-Rx World's Strongest Man contest and two made the podium - Derek Poundstone and Dave Ostlund - both earned their invitations through WSM Super Series, but as Dave Ostlund pointed out, "Super Series is basically an international series and it would be nice for Americans to have a way to qualify for World's Strongest Man directly."

Considering the size of the carrot, it should be expected that America's Strongest Man will draw a lot of attention, and every aspiring American strongman who sees himself as the next WSM title contender would like to throw his hat in the ring, so how to decide who gets invited to compete in the 2009 America's Strongest Man?

Several clear possibilities exist. For example, a list comprising what is is seen as the top American strongmen could be used, and invitations could issued starting at the top and working down until all the places are filled. This approach could include top competitors on the professional circuit and could maybe open things up to some guys who have not quite hit this level yet - for example, while ASC pro cards may be seen by some as a remnant of the days of IFSA-USA, the concept of strongmen working their way up a ladder holds merit, especially when the field of competitors expands and the stakes increase, so some way of rating past performances can add value to the vetting process.

Alternatively, the contest organizers could either hold regional qualifiers, not unlike the system leading up to Britain's Strongest Man, and these could be run, for example, as either independently organized contests (possibly letting different promoters bid on the right to hold such a contest), or through an agreement with NAS, which has the pieces in place to coordinate at least the operational aspects of this sort of contest.

A third option is that the field could be opened up and an initial qualifying round could eliminate all but the top competitors, who would then go on to the finals.

Each of these options seems viable and could lend itself to a dramatic buildup, although the last one seems to offer the most potential . . . a walk-on who few knew about slays the field in the qualifying round, reaches the podium in America's Strongest Man, goes on to win World's Strongest Man and, five movie deals later, runs for governor, wins and lives happily ever after.

The FitExpo is California's largest fitness event and the 2009 edition will once again feature Odd Haugen's All-American Strongman Challenge.


Odd Haugen on the log press at the 2008 All-American Strongman Challenge, a strongman contest he founded and which will be returning to the 2009 FitExpo. Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Although he said the details are not yet set, contest founder Odd Haugen told IronMind today that the contest is "open to all American pros," and that contest name aside, the organizers "will also accept some international competitors." In addition, Haugen confirmed that the "prize money is $10,000," which puts the contest in the upper tier for American strongman contests. Perhaps even more attractive, the winner of this strongman contest is guaranteed an invitation to a 2009 World's Strongest Man Super Series Grand Prix, a principal gateway to gaining an invitation to compete in the 2009 World's Strongest Man contest.

Although the All-American Strongman Challenge will start with a broad base of competitors, expect the field to be whittled down during the contest, as Haugen also told IronMind,�"There will probably be three qualifying events [to] cut the field to 12 [competitors], and [then] four final events."

The FitExpo, sponsored by Gaspari Nutrition and Bodybuilding.com, is scheduled for January 24 - 25, so make your plans to attend. For full event details, please check the official FitExpo