Strength athletics explained

Strength athletics, also known as Strongman competitions, is a sport which tests competitors' strength in a variety of non-traditional ways. Some of the disciplines are similar to those in powerlifting and some powerlifters have also successfully competed in strongman competitions. However, strongman events also test physical endurance to a degree not found in powerlifting or other strength-based sports, such as carrying refrigerators, flipping truck tires, and pulling vehicles with a rope.

Competitions designed to test the strength of participants pre-date recorded history. The Highland games in Scotland are an early example of modern strongman competitions. Circus strongmen also performed feats of strength that were non-traditional or sensationalistic. Strongman competitions like World's Strongest Man began their television popularity in the 1970s.

History

Origins

See also: Highland games, Strongman, Powerlifting and History of physical training and fitness. Strength competitions pre-date written history. The first Olympics (running, throwing, jumping) were believed to be held in 776 BCE.[1] There are records in many civilizations of feats of strength performed by great heroes, perhaps mythological, such as Heracles, Goliath, Orm Storolfsson and Milo of Croton.[2]

Competitions that modern strongman events are modeled on, Scottish Highland Gatherings, were formalized around 1820 by Sir Walter Scott. In 1848, Queen Victoria attended the Braemar Highland Games.[3]

In the 18th and 19th centuries, circus strongmen lent sensationalism to their acts such as bending iron bars, breaking iron chains worn around their chests, and lifting heavy objects.[4] Famous strongmen from this era included Thomas Topham, Eugen Sandow, Louis Cyr, Thomas Inch, Arthur Saxon, Angus MacAskill, and Alexander Zass.

In the 20th century, strength sports such as weightlifting and powerlifting were popularized through the Olympic Games. However, feats of strength akin to the circus performances also gained in popularity. David Prowse (who played Darth Vader in Star Wars) was initially famous in 1964 for his lifting the famed 733lb Dinnie Stones, the first man to do so since Donald Dinnie himself a century earlier.[5]

Television

Perhaps the most famous event is the World's Strongest Man competition, still described by a number of highly respected authorities in the sport as the premier event in strength athletics.[6] [7]

The concept behind "The World's Strongest Men", as it was originally named, was developed in 1977 for CBS by Langstar Inc. David Webster, a Scot who later received an OBE for his services to sport, was the head coordinator of the competition from its inception. Dr Douglas Edmunds, seven-times Scottish shot and discus champion and twice world caber champion,[8] worked with Webster. When Webster retired from his position, Edmunds took over. These two men were responsible for inviting the competitors and choosing the events. They selected men who had shown prowess in the mainstream fields of strength sports and field athletics events, such as shot put, American football, powerlifters, bodybuilders and wrestlers. The idea was to create a spectacle that would test competitors against one another.

The show was enough of a success that it began to be replicated in other countries, such as Britain's Strongest Man (1979). Competitors began shifting from unpaid amateurs to professional strongmen. By the end of the 20th century, and in to the 21st, other strongman programs and events were created such as Strongman Championship hosted by Errol Silverman. Other competitions have been televised, such as the World Muscle Power Championships, World Strongman Challenge, Arnold Strongman Classic, Giants Live, Highlander World Championships, World Strongman Federation, and Europe's Strongest Man.

Common disciplines

There is no set rule about what specific events will occur in a contest, except that to prevent single-event specialists from gaining an advantage, each event will be different (a single contest will not include two squat events, or two overhead lifting events, for example). Normally, a strongman contest comprises five or six events, though at the top level of competition, seven or eight events may be held. Among the most common events are:

Major titles and title holders

YearWorld's Strongest ManWorld Muscle Power ClassicWorld Strongman ChallengeArnold Strongman ClassicEurope's Strongest ManStrongman Super Series/
Pure Strength
World Strongman Cup FederationWorld's Ultimate Strongman/
Fortissimus/
Defi Mark Ten
Strongman Champions LeagueIFSA World ChampionshipsShaw ClassicRogue Invitational
2024Tom Stoltmanalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Mitchell HooperLuke Stoltmanalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Mitchell Hooperalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
2023Mitchell Hooperalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Mitchell HooperPavlo Kordiyakaalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Oskar Ziółkowskialign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Brian ShawMitchell Hooper
2022align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Martins LicisOleksii Novikovalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Aivars Šmaukstelisalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Trey MitchellOleksii Novikov
2021Tom Stoltmanalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Luke Stoltmanalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Oleksii NovikovKelvin de Ruiteralign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Trey MitchellMartins Licis
2020Oleksii Novikovalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Hafþór Júlíus BjörnssonLuke Richardsonalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Oleksii Novikovalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Brian Shawalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
2019Martins Licisalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Hafþór Júlíus BjörnssonHafþór Júlíus Björnssonalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Mateusz KieliszkowskiAivars Šmaukstelisalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
2018Hafþór Júlíus Björnssonalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Hafþór Júlíus BjörnssonHafþór Júlíus Björnssonalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Hafþór Júlíus BjörnssonDainis Zagerisalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
2017Eddie Hallalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Brian ShawHafþór Júlíus Björnssonalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Matjaz Belsakalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
2016Brian Shawalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Žydrūnas SavickasLaurence Shahlaeialign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Dainis Zagerisalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
2015Brian Shawalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Brian ShawHafþór Júlíus Björnssonalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Krzysztof Radzikowskialign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
2014Žydrūnas Savickasalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Žydrūnas SavickasHafþór Júlíus Björnssonalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Martin Wildaueralign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
2013Brian Shawalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Vytautas LalasŽydrūnas Savickasalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Krzysztof Radzikowskialign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
2012Žydrūnas Savickasalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Mike JenkinsŽydrūnas Savickasalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Žydrūnas Savickasalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
2011Brian Shawalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Brian Shawalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Ervin Katonaalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
2010Žydrūnas Savickasalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Derek PoundstoneŽydrūnas SavickasBrian Shawalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Terry Hollandsalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
2009Žydrūnas Savickasalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Derek PoundstoneMariusz PudzianowskiBrian Shawalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Žydrūnas SavickasAndrus Murumetsalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
2008Mariusz Pudzianowskialign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Žydrūnas SavickasMariusz PudzianowskiDerek PoundstoneMariusz PudzianowskiDerek PoundstoneŽydrūnas Savickasalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
2007Mariusz Pudzianowskialign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Žydrūnas SavickasMariusz PudzianowskiMariusz PudzianowskiMariusz Pudzianowskialign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Vasyl Virastyukalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
2006Phil Pfisteralign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Žydrūnas SavickasŽydrūnas Savickasalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Mariusz PudzianowskiMariusz Pudzianowskialign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Žydrūnas Savickasalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
2005Mariusz Pudzianowskialign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Žydrūnas SavickasJarek DymekMariusz PudzianowskiRaivis Vidzisalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Žydrūnas Savickasalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
2004Vasyl VirastyukHugo Girardalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Žydrūnas SavickasMariusz PudzianowskiŽydrūnas SavickasRaivis Vidzisalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
2003Mariusz PudzianowskiHugo GirardMariusz PudzianowskiŽydrūnas SavickasMariusz PudzianowskiMariusz Pudzianowskialign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
2002Mariusz PudzianowskiSvend KarlsenHugo GirardMark HenryMariusz PudzianowskiHugo Girardalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
2001Svend KarlsenHugo GirardMagnus Samuelssonalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Svend KarlsenMagnus Samuelssonalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
2000Janne VirtanenJamie ReevesJanne Virtanenalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Berend Venebergalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
1999Jouko AholaHugo GirardJouko Aholaalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Jouko Aholaalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
1998Magnus SamuelssonJouko AholaMagnus Samuelssonalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Jouko Aholaalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
1997Jouko AholaRaimonds BergmanisMagnús Ver Magnússonalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Riku Kirialign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
1996Magnús Ver MagnússonForbes CowenNathan Jonesalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Riku Kirialign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
1995Magnús Ver MagnússonMagnús Ver MagnússonJouko Aholaalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Riku Kirialign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
1994Magnús Ver MagnússonManfred HoeberlAndrés Guðmundssonalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Hoeberl &<br>Magnússonalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
1993Gary TaylorManfred HoeberlGerrit Badenhorstalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Manfred Hoeberlalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
1992Ted Van Der ParreJamie ReevesJamie Reevesalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"László Feketealign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Mark Higginsalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
1991Magnús Ver MagnússonJón Páll SigmarssonRiku Kirialign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Taylor &<br>Cowanalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Mark Higginsalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
1990Jón Páll SigmarssonJón Páll SigmarssonMark Higginsalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Henning ThorsenKazmaier &<br>Wilsonalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Mark Higginsalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
1989Jamie ReevesJón Páll SigmarssonMark Higginsalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Jamie ReevesÁrnason &<br>Magnússonalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Magnús Ver Magnússonalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
1988Jón Páll SigmarssonBill KazmaierRiku Kirialign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Jamie ReevesKazmaier &<br>Thompsonalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Hjalti Árnasonalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
1987align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Geoff CapesGeoff Capesalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Ab WoldersJón Páll Sigmarssonalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Bill Kazmaieralign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
1986Jón Páll SigmarssonJón Páll Sigmarssonalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Jón Páll Sigmarssonalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Tom Mageealign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
1985Geoff CapesJón Páll Sigmarssonalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Jón Páll Sigmarssonalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Tom Mageealign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
1984Jón Páll Sigmarssonalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Geoff Capesalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Tom Mageealign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
1983Geoff Capesalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Simon Wulfsealign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
1982Bill Kazmaieralign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Geoff Capesalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
1981Bill Kazmaieralign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Lars Hedlundalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
1980Bill Kazmaieralign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"Geoff Capesalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
1979Don Reinhoudtalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
1978Bruce Wilhelmalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"
1977Bruce Wilhelmalign=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"align=center style="background: #C0C0C0;"

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. See, for example, Alfred Mallwitz's article "Cult and Competition Locations at Olympia" p.101 in which he argues that the games may not have started until about 704 BC. Hugh Lee, on the other hand, in his article "The 'First' Olympic Games of 776 B.C.E" p.112, follows an ancient source that claims that there were twenty-seven Olympiads before the first one was recorded in 776. There are no records of Olympic victors extant from earlier than the fifth century BC
  2. Web site: Strongest Men in History Hoisted Cattle and Crushed Stones to Show Their Might.
  3. http://www.crieffhighlandgathering.com/History/ Crieff Highland Gathering
  4. Web site: Notable Strongmen and their fascinating feats of strength. 20 May 2017.
  5. http://www.oldtimestrongman.com/blog/labels/British%20Strongman.html British Strongmen
  6. Web site: World's Strongest Man Update. www.ironmind.com. 15 July 2018.
  7. http://samson-power.com/archived_news.htm samson-power.com/archived_news.htm
  8. Web site: Bring on the war games. HeraldScotland. 15 July 2018.
  9. Web site: Fingal's Fingers – The World's Strongest Man.