Grip strength was front and center at the San Diego FitExpo as IronMind teamed up with Armlifting USA to both veterans and those new to grip competitions a chance to compete on the cornerstone events: Rolling Thunder, CoC Silver Bullet Hold, Apollon’s Axle.

Riccardo Magni won the CoC Silver Bullet Hold with a time of 11.62 seconds using a Captains of Crush No. 3.5 gripper, a performance that also gave Magni the Best Lifter award at the IronMind Visegrip Viking Challenge at the 2018 San Diego FitExpo. IronMind® | Courtesy of Riccardo Magni/Armlifting USA


2018 IronMind ViseGrip Viking Armlifting USA Grip Contest at the San Diego FitExpo
by Riccardo Magni
Secretary General, Armlifting USA

Fourteen competitors gathered in San Diego for the San Diego ViseGrip Viking Armlifting Contest at the San Diego FitExpo on October 28th.  The event featured the core  Armlifting USA events: Rolling Thunder®, Apollon's Axle Double Overhand Deadlift, and the CoC® Silver Bullet Hold.

Two women competed, with Autumn Cote taking best lifter honors.

The men's side had an international flair, with IronMind Teenage Rolling Thunder world record holder Aleksandr Filimonov (Russia) making an appearance. Here in California on vacation, Filiminov did not disappoint: weighing only 88kg, he made quick work of 95kg on Rolling Thunder and gave 101kg a good try, while Riccardo Magni, who has trimmed down and competed in the 110-kg category, made 90.5kg on Rolling Thunder and got some air under 95kg. 

Teenage world record holder on the Rolling Thunder Alexander Filiminov (Russia) hit 95 kg at a bodyweight of 88 kg. IronMind® | Riccardo Magni/Armlifting USA


Both men tied with 175kg on the Apollon's Axle Double Overhand Deadlift, which set the stage for the best lifter awards to be decided by the CoC Silver Bullet Hold. Filimonov got a time of 13.87 seconds on the No. 3 Captains of Crush® gripper, which was good enough to win the Best Lifter in the -100kg class.

Magni went next and narrowly missed the CoC No. 4 Silver Bullet Hold, so he rolled back to the Captains of Crush No. 3.5 gripper, notched a time of 11.62 seconds to win both the event and the Best Lifter award.

Newcomers Lee Martin and professional arm wrestler Derek Smith showed a lot of promise in their very first armlifting contest. Simon Charumonta posted some credible numbers in the lightweight division as well.

Armlifting USA is very happy with the growth of the sport in 2018 and has its sights set on even bigger things to come in 2019!



Competing as a guest lifter, Odd Haugen showed that he is still the top dog when it comes to thick bar, with easy lifts of 110kg on Rolling Thunder and 200kg on the Apollon's Axle.  He had a very good try with 215kg on the Apollon’s Axle, but it was not to be on that day.  With some competition, it is clear that Haugen can lift more, so stay tuned for the 2019 Los Angeles FitExpo, followed by the Arnold Classic Armlifting Championships.

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