World's Strongest Man
World's Strongest Man is the most important annual international event in
strength athletics. Organized by by IMG Media (TWI), it is held around the end of September each year. Competitors qualify through the
World's Strongest Man Super Series. 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 a margin of 20 points; the second greatest margin ever recorded. In 1980 Bill Kazmaier (USA) won this event by a margin of 23.5 points.
The
World's Strongest Woman contest was held alongside the men's competition starting in
2001. Women compete in the same disciplines as men, but using weights which are 20 to 30% lighter.
| Year | Champion | Location | | 1977 | Bruce Wilhelm | Universal Studios, Hollywood, California |
| 1978 | Bruce Wilhelm | Universal Studios, Hollywood, California |
| 1979 | Don Reinhoudt | Universal Studios, Hollywood, California |
| 1980 | Bill Kazmaier | New Jersey |
| 1981 | Bill Kazmaier | Magic Mountain, California |
| 1982 | Bill Kazmaier | Magic Mountain, California |
| 1983 | Geoff Capes | Christchurch, New Zealand |
| 1984 | Jón Páll Sigmarsson | Mora, Sweden, Sweden |
| 1985 | Geoff Capes | Cascais, Portugal |
| 1986 | Jón Páll Sigmarsson | Nice, France |
| 1987 | Competition not held |
| 1988 | Jón Páll Sigmarsson | Budapest, Hungary |
| 1989 | Jamie Reeves | San Sebastian, Spain |
| 1990 | Jón Páll Sigmarsson | Joensuu, Finland |
| 1991 | Magnús Ver Magnússon | Tenerife, Canary Islands |
| 1992 | Ted van der Parre | Iceland |
| 1993 | Gary Taylor | Orange, France |
| 1994 | Magnús Ver Magnússon | Sun City, South Africa |
| 1995 | Magnús Ver Magnússon | The Bahamas |
| 1996 | Magnús Ver Magnússon | Port Louis, Mauritius |
| 1997 | Jouko Ahola | Primm, Nevada |
| 1998 | Magnus Samuelsson | Tangier, Morocco |
| 1999 | Jouko Ahola | Malta |
| 2000 | Janne Virtanen | Sun City, South Africa |
| 2001 | Svend Karlsen | Victoria Falls, Zambia |
| 2002 | Mariusz Pudzianowski | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| 2003 | Mariusz Pudzianowski | Victoria Falls, Zambia |
| 2004 | Vasyl Virastyuk | Nassau, Paradise Island, The Bahamas |
| 2005 | Mariusz Pudzianowski | | People's Republic of China |
Chengdu, China |
| 2006 | | | People's Republic of China |
Sanya, China |
There are a number of events that make up each competition. The events used in each individual contest vary in order to prevent favoring certain types of competitors.
* Farmer's Walk - Competitors carry heavy objects weighing from 275 - 375 lb in each hand for a set distance, and compete for the fastest time. A variation involves use of a heavy frame with parallel handles.
* Yoke Walk - A yoke, composed of a crossbar and two weighted uprights and weighing about 775-880 lb is carried across the shoulders for a set distance.
* Loading - Five heavy objects weighing 220-360 lb are loaded onto a truck bed or a similar platform over a course of about 50 ft.
* McGlashen Stones / Atlas Stones - Five heavy round stones weighing from 265-400 lb each are put on top of high platforms. The course is about 16-33 ft. long. In recent competition this is typically the final event.
* Husafell Stone - a flat, somewhat triangular rock weighing around 400 lb is carried high on the chest for distance.
* Duck Walk - a 400 lb pot with a handle is carried, suspended between the legs, over a set course.
* Power Stairs - a series of three Duck Walk implements ranging from 400-600 lb are lifted, step by step, to the top of a flight of stairs.
* Truck Pulling - Vehicles such as transport trucks, trams, boxcars or airplanes 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.
* 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.
* 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. A common variation entails weights being held out in front, using either one or both hands.
*
Squat - Squatting large weights, like 900 lb of bricks, a car, or a platform full of 10 or 15 children.
*
Deadlift - Lifting weights or vehicles up to about 1,100 lb straight off the ground until knees lock in a standing position.
References
*Former StrongestMan.COM website (Bill Henderson)
*Source for Log Throw - Chris Benigni
*
Official Site*
Table of final results 1978-current*
Former Official Site (inactive since 2000)
