Explaining to IronMind® that their work involves "making a sport of a sport," Paul Ohl, president of Fortissimus, announced the organization's Strongman of the Year award - with Zydrunas Savickas getting the top honors for 2008.


Zydrunas Savickas, a name synonymous with victory at the Arnold strongman contest and the log lift world record, has just won the Fortissimus Strongman of the year award. IronMind® | Photo courtesy of Marcel Mostert.

"This award recognizes the strength athlete with the most outstanding accomplishments during the entire year," according to Ohl's statement.

"A selection committee has reviewed performances of world-class strength athletes on the basis of four criteria:

Level of competitions
Track record during the entire year
Value of each accomplishment
Record-breaking performances

"Three strength athletes were selected: Mariusz Pudzianowski of Poland (historical fifth World's Strongest Man); Derek Poundstone of the USA (first strongman ever to reach all three podiums during the same year (Arnold Strongman Classic, Fortissimus and World's Strongest Man); Zydrunas Savickas of Lithuania (first strongman ever to win six consecutive Arnold's, first strongman ever to establish five strength world records during the same year, first strongman ever to enter 125 professional strongman contests (August 23, 2008, in Marijampol, Lithuania), first strongman ever to enter 20 contests in a single year, with 16 wins and 4 runner-up places)."

"The recommendation was unanimous," Paul Ohl's statement concluded: "Zydrunas Savickas is named 2008 Strongman of the Year."