Armlifting USA debuted at the Mr. Olympia and came out of the blocks roaring as the first event, the CoC Silver Bullet Hold, “produced several world class performances,” Armlifting USA’s Riccardo Magni told IronMind.

To put these performances in context, four of the 21 competitors posted times on this event using the Captains of Crush No. 4 gripper, and Oklahoma’s Stephen Andersen “clocked a massive 18.35 seconds,” said Magni. “On the women's side, Julia Williams, 5-time medalist at the 2019 APL Armlifting World Championships, is turning into a bit of a gripper guru, registering a time of 19.53 seconds with the Captains of Crush No. 2 gripper.

“The second event was the Rolling Thunder.  Adam Glass did not disappoint, registering a super solid 100kg weighing 98kg and Steve Millard was right behind him with 97.5 kg at 98-kg bodyweight.  Newcomer and former pro strongman Tom McClure debuted with an impressive 103kg.  On the women's side, Sardana Osipova posted a world class 50kg lift at a bodyweight of 60kg.

Sardana Osipova won the women’s class overall and her performance included a “a world-class 50-kg lift on the Rolling Thunder at a bodyweight of 60 kg.” IronMind® | Courtesy of Riccardo Magni


“Apollon's Axle was a fantastic battle in the 90-kg class, with Mike Rogowski victorious with a lift of 147.5kg.  Had he done this in St. Petersburg in May, he would have found himself with a bronze medal for his efforts. Top lifts were 180kg by Glass and McClure. Osipova and Williams had a great battle and tied with 87.5kg, excellent results for women of their size.


“The Saxon Bar proved to be tricky for many people.  Danny Faulkner lifted a world class 80kg at 78kg, only to be bested by Mike Rogowski who pulled 90kg!!  Both lifts would have been podium finishes in St. Petersburg.  Adam Glass and Steve Millard proved to be in another world on this one, tying with a massive 112.5kg. 

“In the overall contest, regardless of bodyweight, the women's class top 3 were 1) Sardana Osipova, 2) Tina Chapman, and 3) Julia Williams. The top three for the men, in order, were Glass, Millard and McClure," said Magni.

“Athletes seemed to enjoy this super location,” said Magni, who organized the competition and finished fourth overall. "The energy was high throughout the day and the huge crowd seemed to help the athletes make PR after PR.  We will definitely be back!”

Please visit Armlifting USA for full contest results.

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