Just in to IronMind®, here is the official start list for FORTISSIMUS 2009, the strongmen who will do battle in "a decathlon of strength" designed to determine the "the undisputed strongest man on earth," said FORTISSIMUS president Paul Ohl.

Here's who is coming to the party:

Derek Poundstone (USA)
Travis Ortmayer (USA)
Dave Ostlund (USA)
Mikhail Koklyaev (Russia)
Andrus Murumets (Estonia)
Agris Kazelniks (Latvia)
Ervin Katona (Serbia)
Mariusz Pudzianowski (Poland)
Zydrunas Savickas* (Lithuania)
Louis-Philippe Jean (Canada)
Christian Savoie (Canada)
Jimmy Marku* (United Kingdom)

*awaiting final confirmation

FORTISSIMUS president Paul Ohl told IronMind®, "The Board of Directors will assess the increase of the field from 12 to 14, with the decision coming by February 9. 2009," and currently these are the competitors in line for those slots if they become available:

Jarno Hams (Netherlands)
to be determined (Australia)

Also, IronMind® was told that the alternates remain to be named.

With what's on the line and considering who's in the lineup, there's little wonder that Paul Ohl calls this, "The Year of the Showdown."