Aivars Šmaukstelis Explained

Aivars Šmaukstelis
Birth Date:20 September 1987
Nationality:Latvian
Height:[1] [2]
Weight:NaNabbr=onNaNabbr=on[3]
Medaltemplates:

Aivars Šmaukstelis (born 20 September 1987) is a Latvian strongman.[1] Having competed in 73 International strongman competitions, he has won 26 of them, making him the fifth most decorated strongman in history behind Žydrūnas Savickas, Mariusz Pudzianowski, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson and Brian Shaw.[4]

Career

Šmaukstelis began his career at the age of 16 as a powerlifter. After training for a couple of years, he achieved a personal best of 800 kg (1,764 lb) total (equipped/ multi ply category) at the age of 18.[5] Following advice from his coach, he tried strongman and progressively excelled, winning Latvia's Strongest Man and entering the Strongman Champions League hailing from its IFSA roots.[6] It gave Šmaukstelis the opportunity for international exposure, competing against the best strongmen in the world.

Having competed prolifically in the Strongman Champions League since 2014 throughout many Grand Prix competitions in Latvia, Germany, Netherlands, Finland, Norway, Serbia, Russia, Poland, Romania, Gibraltar, Bosnia and Herzegovina and England, Šmaukstelis won 15 international titles, 11 silver and 4 bronze medals.[1] His other international titles include World Strongman Championships, Marijampolė International, Pasaulio Taurė, Savickas Classic and Dainis Zageris Cup. He is also a World's Strongest Man 8th-place and 10th-place winner (2020 & 2024),[3] two time World's Ultimate Strongman bronze medalist (2020 & 2021), Europe's Strongest Man silver (2024) and bronze medalist (2023) and Giants Live strongman classic silver medalist (2022).

Šmaukstelis is a well rounded strongman with several strong events. With 14 career stone event wins out of 29, he is the seventh greatest stone lifter in history.[7] Together with a noteworthy grip strength, he is also noted for his prowess in distance and endurance based events.[5] He also holds the Guinness World Records for the fastest 10 x kegs keg toss (18–25 kg) over a 15-foot bar in 21.02 seconds[8] and fastest 15 steps Power Stairs with 225 kg (496 lb).

Personal records

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Aivars Šmaukstelis. 8 July 2023. Strongman Archives. 17 June 2023.
  2. Web site: Aivars Šmaukstelis - Latvia. 8 July 2023. M.L.O. Nutrition. 30 March 2022.
  3. Web site: ATHLETES: Aivars Šmaukstelis. 8 July 2023. worldsstrongestman.com. 30 May 2023.
  4. Web site: Strongman Archives - Athletes. 8 July 2023. Strongman Archives. 17 June 2022.
  5. Web site: AIVARS ŠMAUKSTELIS. 8 July 2023. Giants Live. 7 December 2022.
  6. Web site: AIVARS SMAUKSTELIS WINS THE WORLD TITLE. 8 July 2023. Strongman Champions League. 18 December 2022.
  7. Web site: Most Successful Athletes: Stones. July 8, 2023. Strongman Archives. July 7, 2023.
  8. Web site: Fastest time to toss 10 kegs (male). 8 July 2023. Guinness World Records. 28 February 2023.