Battling intense heat and a tough group of competitors, Steve Kirit won the IFSA US National Strongman Championships in St. Louis.

Kirit, who was strong in all events, besides picking up the title, thereby qualified for this year's World's Strongest Man show, which will be filmed in Malaysia in September.

Also qualifying were Johnny Perry, second place, Karl Gillingham, third place, Brian Schoonveld, fourth place, and Jesse Marunde, fifth place.  Remaining places, in order, were Chad Smith, Walt Gogola, Mark Philippi, Phil Pfister, Matt Matheny, Ken Brown, Brian Neese, Pat Mc Gettigan, Jared Spybrook, Art Mc Dermott, Brett Latta.