Žydrūnas Savickas Explained

Žydrūnas Savickas
Nickname:Big Z[1]
Birth Date:15 July 1975
Birth Place:Biržai, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union
Occupation:Strongman, powerlifter
Spouse:
    Website:Official website
    Height:191 cm[2]
    Weight:1700NaN0 – 1820NaN0[3]
    Show-Medals:yes
    Medaltemplates:[4]

    Žydrūnas Savickas (in Lithuanian pronounced as /ʑiːˈdrûːnɐs sɐˈvʲɪtskɐs/; born July 15, 1975) is a Lithuanian powerlifter and professional strongman. Due to his 84 international wins in major international strongman competitions including four World's Strongest Man championships, eight Arnold Strongman Classic championships, two IFSA Strongman World Championships, and over 70 world records, he is widely regarded as the greatest strength athlete of all time.[5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

    Career

    Žydrūnas Savickas first became interested in strength sports after watching a Lithuanian strongman contest on TV in 1989.[3] [10] Three years later, he took part in that same strongman contest and defeated a number of older and more experienced competitors. At age 17, Savickas began to train in powerlifting. In his second powerlifting contest, he broke all the Lithuanian records.[11] In 1998, Savickas won his first Lithuania's Strongest Man contest.[11] He would later go on to win this contest a total of 17 times, with the latest coming in 2022.[12] Savickas then competed in the 1998 and 2000 World's Strongest Man contests, but failed to qualify for the finals both times. He won the silver medal in the World powerlifting championship in Japan with a total of 1020kg (2,250lb),[4] just 2.5kg (05.5lb) behind Brad Gillingham.[13]

    2001–2008

    In 2001, a contest in the Faroe Islands dealt Savickas a major setback, as he tore both patellar tendons during the Conan's Wheel event. Many believed that the extent of the injury meant that his career was over.[10] However, nine months later, Savickas won the Lithuanian powerlifting championships and a short time later, he also won the 2002 Lithuania's Strongest Man contest.[11] Savickas would go on to finish in 2nd place at the 2002 World's Strongest Man in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He would finish in 2nd place five more times in 2003, 2004, 2011, 2013 and 2015 and 1st place at the 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014 World's Strongest Man contests. Savickas won the Arnold Strongman Classic six consecutive times from 2003 to 2008.[3] Savickas won the IFSA European Championships in 2005 which qualified him for the IFSA World Championships.[14] In September 2005, he broke three world records and won the IFSA Strongman World Championships in Quebec, Canada.[15] In December 2005, Savickas won the IFSA World Team Championships with Team Europe and won the IFSA World Championships for the 2nd time in 2006 in Reykjavík, Iceland.[15] On October 24, 2005, Savickas represented Lithuania in a team competition with Vidas Blekaitis, Saulius Brusokas, and Vilius Petrauskas. Team Lithuania placed 5th overall at the IFSA World's Strongest Nation contest in Ukraine. In September 2007, Savickas finished in 3rd place at the last ever IFSA World Championships behind runner-up Mikhail Koklyaev and champion Vasyl Virastyuk in Geumsan, South Korea.[16] Savickas won 5 out of the 7 total contests during the inaugural 2008 Strongman Champions League season and won the 2008 overall title 58 points ahead of second-place finisher Ervin Katona.[17]

    2009–2010

    In June 2009, Savickas won Fortissimus after finishing runner-up in 2008 behind Derek Poundstone.[18] On October 3, 2009, Savickas won the 2009 World's Strongest Man competition ahead of defending champion and five-time winner Mariusz Pudzianowski. He had not competed at WSM since 2004. On the set of Lo Show dei Record in Rome, Italy on April 1, 2010, Savickas set a record of 70 metres (229 ft 7 in) for the longest distance carrying a 300 kg yoke. The record was part of the Italian TV series Lo Show dei Record.[19] In June 2010, Savickas won the Europe's Strongest Man competition. In September 2010, Savickas and Brian Shaw tied for points at the 2010 World's Strongest Man competition, but Savickas won the championship on countback.[20] He also set a new world record for the Giant Wooden Log Lift by lifting 210kg (460lb). Savickas also won the World Log Lift Championships in 2008, 2009, and 2011 (no contest was held in 2010).

    2011

    In April 2011, Savickas set a new Guinness World Record performing a 20-meter Farmer's Walk in 7.55 seconds with 150kg (330lb) implements in each hand. The event was broadcast on the Guinness TV show in Europe.[21] Savickas won five Strongman Champions League events during the 2011/2012 season, in Finland in March 2011, Germany on April 16, 2011,[22] the SCL Semi-finals in Canada in October 2011, Latvia in November 2011 and the SCL Finals in Sarajevo, Bosnia on February 7, 2012.[23] Ervin Katona won the overall championships, with Savickas as the runner-up.[24] During the SCL Finals in Sarajevo, Savickas set a new world record in the Log Lift with 215kg (474lb).[24] This was his 7th consecutive world record in the Log Lift, not including his world record in the Giant Wooden Log Lift set at the 2010 World's Strongest Man contest.[25] In September 2011, Savickas lost his WSM crown to Brian Shaw at the 2011 World's Strongest Man contest at Wingate University, North Carolina, coming in second place for the fourth time.

    2012

    Savickas won the 2012 Europe's Strongest Man contest on June 23, 2012, his second ESM title after winning in 2010.[26] Savickas also set a new world record in the Log Lift with a lift of 216kg (476lb). This was his 8th consecutive Log Lift world record.[26] Savickas won 11 of the 14 Strongman Champions League contests in the 2012 season and won the overall championships title.[27] During the SCL Holland event, Savickas set another world record in the Log Lift with a lift of 217.5kg (479.5lb).[28] This was Savickas' third Log Lift world record in 2012 and 9th consecutive Log Lift world record. On October 1, 2012, Savickas regained the WSM crown by winning the 2012 World's Strongest Man contest in Los Angeles, California.[29] This was Savickas' third WSM title, and became the fifth competitor in WSM history to win three or more WSM titles. Savickas also set a new Log Lift world record in the finals with a lift of 220 kg (484 lb).[30] [31] On October 7, 2012, Savickas won the 2012 World Log Lift Championships[32] which was held at the same venue as the SCL Savickas Classic event.[33] This was his fourth consecutive World Log Lift Championships title.

    2013

    Savickas won his inaugural 2013 contest, the Strongman Champions League Holland event held in Kalkar, Germany on June 22, 2013.[34] [35] Savickas also attempted a new Log Lift world record of 221kg (487lb), but failed to lockout the weight overhead.[35] Savickas won seven SCL contests in the 2013 season and came second in the overall championships behind Krzysztof Radzikowski.[36] On June 29, 2013, Savickas won his third Europe's Strongest Man title.[37] He also set a new Log Lift world record with a lift of 221kg (487lb).[37] In August 2013, Savickas finished second in the 2013 World's Strongest Man contest behind Brian Shaw.

    2014

    At Giants Live Poland, Savickas set a new world record on the Log Lift for 227kg (500lb). In the 2014 World's Strongest Man, he managed to win his fourth title with just half a point difference over the second placed Hafthór Júlíus Björnsson. He became the oldest WSM winner in history, at 38 years and 258 days. Zydrunas also set a new world record in the giant barbell squat event by squatting 329kg (725lb) for 15 repetitions.

    Savickas also won the 2014 Arnold Strongman Classic, edging out perennial rival Brian Shaw.[38]

    2015

    Savickas placed 2nd in both the 2015 Arnold Strongman Classic and the 2015 World's Strongest Man competitions, this year losing to Brian Shaw. He also won the 2015 World Log Lift Championship.

    2016

    Savickas again won the 2016 Arnold Strongman Classic, a record 8th time. However, Savickas would miss the 2016 World's Strongest Man competition because of a back injury.[39]

    2017

    In 2017, Savickas returned to the World's Strongest Man competition. While he made the finals, he was hampered by past injuries, and finished in 9th place. This was the first time he placed lower than 2nd at WSM since the year 2000.

    2018

    Savickas placed 4th in the 2018 Europe's Strongest Man and 10th overall in the 2018 World's Strongest Man.

    Personal records

    Powerlifting

    Done in official powerlifting competitions under IPF rules (single-ply equipment).

    Strongman

    During training:

    Legacy

    In his career which spanned 25 years facing 3 generations of strongmen, Žydrūnas has competed in more competitions than anyone else (153) and has won more international competitions than anyone else (84) as well.[52] His winning percentage of 55% is seconded only to Mariusz Pudzianowski. However, the winning streak and number of victories of Žydrūnas Savickas, as evidenced by nearly 250 trophies and 200 medals, may never be matched.[53] During an interview with strongman analyst Laurence Shahlaei in 2020, Žydrūnas said that Mariusz Pudzianowski, Svend Karlsen, Derek Poundstone, Brian Shaw and Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson are the 5 greatest strongmen he has competed against.[54] In brief, Žydrūnas has dominated the following competitions:

    Achievements

    International & National Competitive Record – [1st (130),2nd (32),3rd (22) – Out of Total(218)]
    International wins: 84 from 153 competitions, National wins: 46 from 65 competitions

    Professional1st2nd3rd4th5th6th7th8th9th10th11th12thTotal
    Lithuanian46 9 4 121265
    International842318942312322153
    Combined13032221063312522218

    Political career

    Savickas entered politics as a member of the Liberal and Centre Union and expressed interest to run for office since 2008.[55] In 2012, he explained that participating in politics was a "pastime", as he saw his sporting career as his free time and didn't understand what sportsmen are "supposed to do all day".[56]

    In 2011, he joined the nonpartisan team of former Mayor of Vilnius, Artūras Zuokas, and won a seat in the Vilnius municipal council in the 2011 local elections.[57] He stated that he does not have large political ambitions and will be an "observer".[58] During his time in office, he led a councillor group on promoting culture and combating alcoholism.[59]

    He ran with Zuokas's political party YES in the Biržai-Kupiškis constituency in the 2012 parliamentary election,[60] however, he did not get to the second round. After it merged with the Liberal and Centre Union to form the Lithuanian Freedom Union, he joined the Liberal Movement instead.[61] He ran as their candidate in the Naujoji Vilnia constituency in the 2016 parliamentary election.[62] Describing his political views as a candidate to the Seimas, he identified as a businessman as well as a sportsman, and expressed his desire to lower taxes and reduce the bureaucratic apparatus.[63]

    From 2020 onwards, he has been accused of spreading misinformation about George Soros, Antifa,[64] and the COVID-19 vaccine.[65] In 2020, it was reported that he was a moderator of a Lithuanian QAnon conspiracy theory group on Facebook.[66] He was one of the leaders of an anti-restriction protest during the commemmoration of the January Events in 2022 and described the pandemic controls of the Šimonytė Cabinet as a "dictatorship" and "anti-constitutional",[67] which got members of the municipal council in his home town Biržai to propose revoking his honorary citizenship.[68]

    He switched to the Lithuanian Regions Party and was elected to the council of Molėtai District Municipality on their list in 2023.[69]

    Personal life

    Savickas married his longtime girlfriend Jurgita Savickienė on July 24, 2010, in Lithuania.[70]

    At the end of September 2010, a biography entitled Žydrūnas Savickas – žmogus iš geležies (Žydrūnas Savickas – A Man Of Iron) was published in Lithuania.[71]

    Zydrunas Savickas has a YouTube channel where he talks on strongman related topics such as recovery, diet, and training habits. In June 2021, Žydrūnas and his wife Jurgita got divorced.

    He got married for a second time on October 12, 2022, in Molėtai taking Brigita Lacytė to be his spouse.[72]

    See also

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Zydrunas Savickas . . January 4, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140905090513/http://theworldsstrongestman.com/athletes/zydrunas-savickas/ . September 5, 2014.
    2. Web site: Žydrūnas Savickas . strongmanarchives.com . Bill Henderson . November 13, 2022 . May 8, 2023.
    3. Web site: Žydrūnas Savickas . . April 8, 2018.
    4. Web site: Savickas Žydrūnas . AllPowerlifting . January 4, 2021.
    5. Book: Savickas . Zydrünas . Born to be Strong: The Incredible True Story of the Strongest Man Who Has Ever Lived . Hall . Eddie . October 11, 2021 . Independently published . 979-8-4947-1930-0 . King . Robbie . English . Fernandez . Alfonso.
    6. Web site: Zydrunas Savickas, the Greatest Ever . Iron Mind . December 14, 2017 . February 21, 2021.
    7. Web site: Watch Zydrunas Savickas Crush 2020 Lithuania's Strongest Man . Barbend . December 10, 2020 . February 21, 2021.
    8. Web site: Zydrunas Savickas is the Greatest . Ultimate Strongman . November 8, 2017 . February 21, 2021.
    9. Web site: Zydrunas Savickas is the Greatest . Lithuania Travel . February 21, 2021.
    10. Web site: Legends of WSM: Žydrūnas Savickas . Strongman.org . January 27, 2014 . January 5, 2021.
    11. Web site: Zydrunas Savickas, LIT – Strongman & Powerlifter . Irish Strength Association . February 8, 2015 . January 5, 2021.
    12. Web site: Strongman Archives - 2022 Lithuania's Strongest Man . June 20, 2023 . strongmanarchives.com.
    13. Web site: Throwback To Zydrunas Savickas' Epic Powerlifting Performance . BarBend . Jake . Boly . May 31, 2018 . January 5, 2021.
    14. Web site: Zydrunas Savickas: Unstoppable at the IFSA European Championships Today . . Randall J. . Strossen . July 17, 2005 . January 5, 2021.
    15. Web site: Previous News – 2006 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20070107084832/http://www.ifsastrongman.com/previousNews/ . January 7, 2007 . dead.
    16. Web site: Vasyl Virastyuk Wins IFSA World Championships . . Randall J. . Strossen . September 15, 2007 . January 5, 2021.
    17. Web site: Results and Rankings 2008 . . January 5, 2021.
    18. Web site: Fortissimus 2009: Bigger and Better . IronMind . Randall J. . Strossen . June 29, 2009 . January 6, 2021.
    19. Web site: Longest distance carrying a 300 kg yoke . April 1, 2010 . . en-GB . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200108103531/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/longest-distance-carrying-a-300-kg-yoke/ . January 8, 2020 . January 4, 2021.
    20. Web site: World's Strongest Man Archive . . January 5, 2021 . See 2010 Final – Sun City – South Africa.
    21. Web site: Zydrunas Savickas Sets New Guinness World Record . . Randall J. . Strossen . April 15, 2011 . January 4, 2021.
    22. Web site: Zydrunas Savickas Wins SCL GERMANY (FIBO POWER) . . Randall J. . Strossen . April 18, 2011 . January 4, 2021.
    23. Web site: Results and Rankings 2011 . . January 6, 2021.
    24. Web site: Ervin Katona Wins SCL World Championships . . Randall J. . Strossen . February 8, 2012 . January 4, 2021.
    25. Web site: Zydrunas Savickas Breaks Log Lift World Record at the World's Strongest Man Contest . . Randall J. . Strossen . September 21, 2010 . January 4, 2021.
    26. Web site: Zydrunas Savickas Wins Europe's Strongest Man . . Randall J. . Strossen . June 23, 2012 . January 4, 2021.
    27. Web site: Results and Rankings 2012 . . January 18, 2021.
    28. Web site: SCL Holland: World Record, Dutch Record in the Log Lift . . Randall J. . Strossen . July 2, 2012 . January 18, 2021.
    29. Web site: Zydrunas Savickas: World's Strongest Man Winner . . Randall J. . Strossen . October 1, 2012 . January 4, 2021.
    30. Web site: WSM Finals: Zydrunas Savickas Breaks Log Lift World Record . . Randall J. . Strossen . September 30, 2012 . January 4, 2021.
    31. Web site: Heaviest log press . . September 30, 2012 . January 4, 2021.
    32. Web site: Zydrunas Savickas Double Victory in Lithuania . . Randall J. . Strossen . October 8, 2012 . January 4, 2021.
    33. Web site: SCL Gets Ready for the Savickas Strongman Classic . . Randall J. . Strossen . October 3, 2012 . January 19, 2021.
    34. Web site: "Killer Lineup" for SCL Holland . . Randall J. . Strossen . June 18, 2013 . January 19, 2021.
    35. Web site: SCL–Holland: Zydrunas Savickas Gets First Win in 2013 and "Thor" Gets a World Record . . Randall J. . Strossen . June 25, 2013 . January 4, 2021.
    36. Web site: Results and Rankings 2013 . Strongman Champions League . January 19, 2021.
    37. Web site: Savickas wins Europe's Strongest Man 2013 . . August 11, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130710011855/http://www.giants-live.com/a/id/102/Savickas-wins-Europe's-Strongest-Man-2013.html . July 10, 2013.
    38. Web site: Strongman Archives - 2014 Arnold Strongman Classic . June 20, 2023 . strongmanarchives.com.
    39. Web site: Gill . Michael . July 18, 2016 . Who Will Become The World's Strongest Man in 2016? . June 29, 2023 . BarBend . en-US.
    40. Web site: Žydrūnas Savickas . Open Powerlifting . January 5, 2021.
    41. Web site: Zydrunas Savickas: 215-kg Axle and Watch for More . . Randall J . Strossen . October 31, 2010 . January 4, 2021.
    42. Web site: 2011 World's Strongest Man Final . YouTube . March 20, 2012 . March 25, 2022.
    43. Web site: World's Strongest Man Podcast . Audioboom.com . March 2, 2023.
    44. Book: Guinness World Records 2016 . September 10, 2015 . January 4, 2021 . . 9781910561034 . 208.
    45. Web site: Big Z deadlift training in garage . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/mvUNJrDgnpk . December 21, 2021 . live. . April 13, 2020 . January 4, 2021.
    46. Web site: [ENG/PL SUB] Real Power odc. 1 Zydrunas Savickas x Krzysztof Radzikowski ]. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/mKK2fzyvxWQ . December 21, 2021 . live. . December 17, 2019 . May 17, 2020 . See from 5:58.
    47. Web site: Big Z Q&A . YouTube . July 20, 2020 . Zydrunas Savickas BIG Z . July 24, 2022.
    48. Web site: Big Z and Martins Licis Talk Squat PRs [400kg x 5 REPS] ]. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/pjwSrIyecyk . December 21, 2021 . live. . November 6, 2019 . January 4, 2021.
    49. Web site: Records . Zydrunas Savickas . March 1, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101129041954/http://savickas.lt/sport/records/ . November 29, 2010 . dead.
    50. Web site: Zydrunas Savickas interview - Physical Advancement . Marunde Muscle . December 31, 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160313093719/https://www.marunde-muscle.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5735 . March 13, 2016 . March 1, 2016 . dead.
    51. Web site: Real Power odc. 1 Zydrunas Savickas x Krzysztof Radzikowski . YouTube . December 17, 2019 . Real Pharm . July 26, 2022.
    52. Web site: Strongman Archives - Athletes. April 6, 2022. Strongman Archives. April 5, 2022.
    53. Web site: Is Zydrunas the Greatest Strongman of all Time? Talking Strongman. September 26, 2020. Big Loz Official. April 15, 2022.
    54. Web site: Is Zydrunas the Greatest Strongman of all Time? Talking Strongman Clips. September 26, 2020. Big Loz Official. April 15, 2022.
    55. Web site: Galiūnas Ž.Savickas: mano ateitis - politikoje . Lithuanian . April 29, 2008.
    56. News: Politinės karjeros siekiantis Žydrūnas Savickas: sportą laikau laisvalaikiu, nežinau, ką sportininkai veikia visą dieną . November 21, 2012 . 15min.lt . Lithuanian.
    57. Web site: A.Zuokas į valdžią bandys grįžti padedamas Ž.Savicko . Delfi . Lithuanian . January 22, 2011.
    58. Web site: Stipriausiu pasaulio žmogumi tituluojamas Žydrūnas Savickas dirbs Vilniaus savivaldybės taryboje . 15min.lt . Lithuanian . February 28, 2011.
    59. Web site: Grigaliūnaitė . Violeta . Žydrūnas Savickas vadovaus Vilniaus tarybos narių grupei, kuri kurs kultūringesnę sostinę . 15min.lt . Lithuanian . January 15, 2013.
    60. Web site: Žydrūnas Savickas . Supreme Electoral Commission of Lithuania . Lithuanian . 2012.
    61. Web site: Žydrūnas Savickas tapo Liberalų sąjūdžio nariu . Liberal Movement . Lithuanian . September 10, 2015.
    62. Web site: Žydrūnas Savickas . Supreme Electoral Commission of Lithuania . Lithuanian . 2016.
    63. Web site: Žydrūnas Savickas, stipriausias pasaulio žmogus . Liberal Movement . Lithuanian . June 21, 2016.
    64. Web site: Lietuvos stipruolis įžvelgia sąmokslą: už protestų ir riaušių JAV regi turtuolio ranką . Delfi . Lithuanian . June 2, 2020.
    65. Web site: Lietuvos galiūnas klaidina, esą pandemija siekiama žmonių kontrolės, kaukės naikina smegenų ląsteles . Delfi . Lithuanian . November 25, 2020.
    66. Web site: Bakaitė . Jurga . LRT FACTS. Deep state conspiracy theory coming to Lithuania . LRT . August 10, 2020.
    67. Web site: Jakubauskas . Ramūnas . Prie Seimo po Sausio 13-osios minėjimo surengtas protestas: jame – apie 750 žmonių . Delfi . Lithuanian . January 13, 2022.
    68. Web site: Sausio 13-osios proteste prie Seimo dalyvavęs Žydrūnas Savickas gali prarasti garbės piliečio vardą . Delfi . Lithuanian . January 25, 2022.
    69. Web site: Žydrūnas Savickas . Supreme Electoral Commission of Lithuania . Lithuanian . 2023.
    70. Web site: Zydrunas Savickas Ties the Knot: World's Strongest Man Gets Married . . Randall J. . Strossen . July 26, 2010 . January 4, 2021.
    71. Book: Guginis, Andrius . January 1, 2010 . Žydrūnas Savickas – žmogus iš geležies . Žydrūnas Savickas – A Man Of Iron . Lithuanian . Metafora . 978-609-408-104-0.
    72. News: Antrąkart susituokė Žydrūnas Savickas: Molėtuose vedė sportininkę Brigitą Lacytę . October 12, 2022 . 15min . October 12, 2022 . lt.

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