Because "it's a long contest," Magnus Samuelsson explained how pacing is critical for success at World's Strongest Man.


Magnus Samuelsson, getting ready to squat at the 2004 World's Strongest Man contest. Magnus, who won the contest in 1998 and has been on the podium a few more times as well, says that he is really looking forward to this year's competition. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

The events in the finals this year are ones that Magnus said are good for him, but as has often been the case in the past, he explained, it's tough to get through the qualifying round, and much depends on which heat he is in.

"I need to survive the first week," Magnus said and get into the finals, which are "a really good set up" for his strengths.

He came into last year's contest weighing about 154 kg, Magnus Samuelsson said, but this year, he expects to weigh about 150 kg, and from this point forward, all of his training is focused on honing his preparation for World's Strongest Man. Right now, Magnus said he is working out once or twice a day.

Mariusz Pudzianowski is going to be on the short list of favorites, as will be Phil Pfister, said Magnus. "And then there are the veterans, like Janne [Virtanen], who can do really well . . . I would like to think of myself as belonging to that group."