World's Strongest Man
From Free net encyclopedia
World's Strongest Man is the most important annual international event in strength athletics. Organised by the International Federation of Strength Athletes (IFSA), it is held around the end of September each year. Thirty contestants take part across five heats; the top two in each go through to the final. The event sponsor is Met-Rx and the top prize is known as the Met-Rx Trophy. For many years the competition was dominated by the Nordic countries; however, the early years of the present decade have seen a growth in the number of strongman competitors from eastern Europe. In 2003 Mariusz Pudzianowski retained the title by the greatest margin ever recorded.
The World's Strongest Woman contest was held alongside the men's competition starting in 2001. Women compete in the same disciplines as the men, but using weights which are 20 to 30% lighter.
List of champions
List of Commonly Used Events
There are a number of events that make up each competition. The events used in each individual contest must vary in order to prevent favoring certain types of competitors.
- Farmer's Walk-- Competitors carry heavy objects weighing about 245 lb in each hand for a set distance, and compete for the fastest time.
- Car Walk-- A car with roof and floor removed, weighing about 775-880 lb. is carried with harnesses as far as possible.
- Loading-- Five heavy objects weighing 220-335 lb. are loaded onto a truck bed or onto some kind of platform over a course of about 50 ft.
- McGlashen Stones-- Five heavy round stones weighing 220-335 lb. each are put on top of high barrels. The course is about 16-33 ft. long.
- Truck Pulling-- Up to 6 cars are tied together on a rope and are pulled across a 100 ft. course by hand as fast as possible. Also, the vehicles may be pulled with a harness around the shoulders.
- Log-Press / Stone-Press-- The heaviest possible load is pressed overhead or a lighter weight is used for repetitions.
- Stone Lift-- The heaviest possible stone is lifted to shoulder height or over the head.
- Log Throw / Caber toss-- A five meter long log is thrown for distance or for height over a bar.
- Tug of War-- One on one tug of war in a single-elimination tournament. Competitors pair-off based on their current point standings.
- Pole Pushing-- One on one pole pushing in a Sumo-style ring in a single-elimination tournament. The pole has handles at either end.
- Crucifix-- Weights are held straight out at each side for as long a time as possible.
- Squat-- Squatting large weights, like 900 lb. of bricks, or a platform full of 10 or 15 children.
- Deadlift-- Lifting weights up to about 1,100 lb. straight off the ground until knees lock in a standing position.
(Source: former StrongestMan.COM website, Bill Henderson)