Jouko Ahola...
by Randall J. Strossen, IronMind Enterprises, Inc. © 1999
Jouko Ahola (Finland), who won the 1997 "World's Strongest Man" competition and was second in last year's event, set an unofficial world record in the Stones of Strength yesterday. Ahola lifted a 215 kg stone and placed it 1.11 meters off the ground in Kangasala, Finland. Ahola is considered to be a favorite to win this year's "World's Strongest Man" competition.