Is the USA starting to take over strongman?

[Matt Schumann]

maybe im just board but i figured i'd start this topic..... Little by little it seems america is creeping into power of strongman or WSM

05 Jesse comes in 2nd at worlds
06 Phister upsets pudz wins WSM, Pope comes in 3rd
07 Kevin Nee comes in 2nd at mohegan
07 Ostlund Beats Pudz at Venice Beach
07 Team USA beats team world
07 Poundstone comes in 4th at ifsa worlds
08 Poundstone beats Pudz at mohegan

Im sorry if i missed anyone or made any mistakes or anything like that. But ive noticed that since 06 pudz has atleast one loss to an american each year. Just seems like america's on the verge of taking over.....

THis years wsm will probaly be the most anticipated one yet. Pudzianowski will be going up against all 3 americans who have beat him in the past 3 years. Its also very possible for the majority of the top 10 in the WSM finals to be American with Poundstone, Nee, Pope, Ostlund, Phister etc.... and who knows what the Texas Stoneman and Nick Best will do if they end up qualifing for WSM? not to mention the other up and comers in the WSM circuit

[Matt Brouse]

Taking over? Naw, we're just done letting the rest of the world play around. It started here, was dominated here, now we're taking it back.

[Michael Douglas - uk]

maybe im just board but i figured i'd start this topic..... Little by little it seems america is creeping into power of strongman or WSM

05 Jesse comes in 2nd at worlds
06 Phister upsets pudz wins WSM, Pope comes in 3rd
07 Kevin Nee comes in 2nd at mohegan
07 Ostlund Beats Pudz at Venice Beach
07 Team USA beats team world
07 Poundstone comes in 4th at ifsa worlds
08 Poundstone beats Pudz at mohegan

Im sorry if i missed anyone or made any mistakes or anything like that. But ive noticed that since 06 pudz has atleast one loss to an american each year. Just seems like america's on the verge of taking over.....

THis years wsm will probaly be the most anticipated one yet. Pudzianowski will be going up against all 3 americans who have beat him in the past 3 years. Its also very possible for the majority of the top 10 in the WSM finals to be American with Poundstone, Nee, Pope, Ostlund, Phister etc.... and who knows what the Texas Stoneman and Nick Best will do if they end up qualifing for WSM? not to mention the other up and comers in the WSM circuit

Nope !

wsm 07 - 1st pudz
2nd wenta
3rd hollands

IFSA 07 - 1st - viristruk
2nd micha
3rd big z

cant possibly count Super series - the worlds is where it matters ! :M:

I cant see anyone beating pudz at this years wsm,

[Ian Duggan]

Yeah, that's not your strongest argument Matt - Is the USA taking over? To convince you all, I'll list a string of 2nd places... and two firsts. Over 3 years and 7 contests.

And... heaven help me for saying this... Michael is right; you want to judge domination it's got to be at the Worlds and last year, it was a very European affair. Obviously the Super Series events are important, but I don't think anybody comes into those at 100%. Most athletes I've seen talking about them online have said that it's good to get the qualification sorted early and start the preparation for WSM.

The US has got some amazing athletes right now, probably as good as it's been for quite some time, but then so do other countries. And whilst there are several who could be WSM contenders, I think the Eastern Europeans are still the masters at the moment.

As for it starting in the USA Matt B, we were doing stones at the highland games in the old country before you lot were even a nation.

:D

[Scott Markowitz]

I would agree that "taking over" may be a bit premature at this point, but based on where we've been since the late 80s and where we are now, it's fair to say we are reemergent.

we were doing stones at the highland games in the old country before you lot were even a nation.

Yeah, well maybe all the good ones got on a boat. :B:

[Matt Schumann]

Ok maybe "taking over" was to much and this past year at both ifsa and wsm worlds we didnt have a podium finish.. But little by little every year the usa is gaining ground and the reasoning i had for saying such a strong word as "taking over" is that pudz isnt getting younger and he has said on numerous occasions that he wants 5 titles........ So its not unreasonable to say that when pudz retires and the fact that there are so many young americans in WSM now its possible for the USA to dominate...... England will be up there too


Basically, my guess is that the top strongman in the sport today might be close to retirement and there are to many young top americans out there to replace them

[Michael Douglas - uk]

Ok maybe "taking over" was to much and this past year at both ifsa and wsm worlds we didnt have a podium finish.. But little by little every year the usa is gaining ground and the reasoning i had for saying such a strong word as "taking over" is that pudz isnt getting younger and he has said on numerous occasions that he wants 5 titles........ So its not unreasonable to say that when pudz retires and the fact that there are so many young americans in WSM now its possible for the USA to dominate...... England will be up there too


Basically, my guess is that the top strongman in the sport today might be close to retirement and there are to many young top americans out there to replace them

Im not sure if the USA is actually gaining ground, i genuinley think the fed split benefited the americans more than any other nation, as it allowed alot more strongmen to have a chance at competeing, however when the split did happen in 2004/5 the american stongmen who came onto the scene (with respect) were not good enougth and without the split we pobably wouldnt have seen them as they wouldnt have qualified for SS/WSM, I do however agree that the USA have some top guys. The fact that most SS events are held in America also benefits your guys because they dont have to leave the country, where as the likes of Terry, Felix probably had a very long flight and jet lag to contend with.

I would fancy the Uk sending over a team of Hollands, Felix, Oli and Marku to beat the top 4 US guys Phister, Poundstone, Travis and ?

[Michael Douglas - uk]

Yeah, that's not your strongest argument Matt - Is the USA taking over? To convince you all, I'll list a string of 2nd places... and two firsts. Over 3 years and 7 contests.

And... heaven help me for saying this... Michael is right; you want to judge domination it's got to be at the Worlds and last year, it was a very European affair. Obviously the Super Series events are important, but I don't think anybody comes into those at 100%. Most athletes I've seen talking about them online have said that it's good to get the qualification sorted early and start the preparation for WSM.

The US has got some amazing athletes right now, probably as good as it's been for quite some time, but then so do other countries. And whilst there are several who could be WSM contenders, I think the Eastern Europeans are still the masters at the moment.

As for it starting in the USA Matt B, we were doing stones at the highland games in the old country before you lot were even a nation.

:D

Please dont agree with me again, I find it creepy.

[Mike Landrich]

Basically, my guess is that the top strongman in the sport today might be close to retirement and there are to many young top americans out there to replace them

Lithuania and Poland aren't going anywhere soon. Hopefully, the US contingent can beat them consistently, but no one is going to roll over and play dead while we dominate. Besides this is cyclical. 3-4 years ago Canada was a powerhouse and we had few world-class guys.

All that said, I'd love to see an American win WSM again, whether it be Phil, Derek, or anyone. But, I'd also love to see Terry Hollands or any number of other guys do it also.




Please dont agree with me again, I find it creepy.

The word is "disturbing". Its like watching Roosevelt or Churchill shaking hands with Stalin at Yalta. BTW Ian is Roosevelt or Churchill :T:

[Ian Duggan]

The word is "disturbing". Its like watching Roosevelt or Churchill shaking hands with Stalin at Yalta. BTW Ian is Roosevelt or Churchill :T:
Funny you should say that. Many of my favourite quotes are by Churchill.

Like...

"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject."

[TEXAS STONEMAN]

I would fancy the Uk sending over a team of Hollands, Felix, Oli and Marku to beat the top 4 US guys Phister, Poundstone, Travis and ?

Death to you!!! ...and your bloody countrymen. :EP:

[IdrisH.]

Death to you!!! ...and your bloody countrymen. :EP:

:LOL: :LOL: But seriously, I do not think USA is starting to dominate the sport. However, it is becoming a dominant force in the sport like Poland and UK.

[Matt Schumann]

Travis, if you qualify for wsmss at the fit expo are you going to compete at a super series event? just curious to know but if that isnt something thats desided yet its understandable



Death to you!!! ...and your bloody countrymen. :EP:

[-igor-]

we dont have a gym that allows us to train strongman events :mad:
and if there was there wassent enough peaple here to make it run around.

americans are werry lucky that there are so many diffrent peaple there.

[Easton Taylor]

Taking over? Naw, we're just done letting the rest of the world play around. It started here, was dominated here, now we're taking it back.



Enough said.......

[Nick Best]

Well, I would be up for Team USA vs. England. Oli is a great guy had a blast with him in Iceland. It would be great to get Derek, Travis, Van and I on the same team again. Could be interesting.

[johanberggren]

I would fancy the Uk sending over a team of Hollands, Felix, Oli and Marku to beat the top 4 US guys Phister, Poundstone, Travis and ?

And Kevin Nee.

[Ryan Wells]

And Kevin Nee.

...Ostlund

[Matt Brouse]

As for it starting in the USA Matt B, we were doing stones at the highland games in the old country before you lot were even a nation.

So true my friend, but those were the HG. No fingers, no conan's... Easily my second favorite sport however.

[Terry_hollands]

I would say the US taking over is a bit much, however if you took the top 10 guys from each nation I would say America would probably have the best 10.

The SS really does seem to suit the US guys quite a bit purely cause alot of the contests are over there!! No suffering with Jetlag for a contest would be nice!!

[Michael Douglas - uk]

And Kevin Nee.


no !...................

[Michael Douglas - uk]

Well, I would be up for Team USA vs. England. Oli is a great guy had a blast with him in Iceland. It would be great to get Derek, Travis, Van and I on the same team again. Could be interesting.


I hope Oli is back to full fitness for this season as I really believe he is the strongest in the UK and I think that with the current WSM contests he could quite possibly get a podium finish.

Its a shame he doesnt post on here or any of the other forums as i would like to hear his opinions and see which fed he is competiting in. I cant wait for Britains Strongest Man when Oli and Terry battle it out, its going to be a tough contest.

[James Fernandes]

the usa has improved dramatically thats for sure, derek poundstone is the next king to take over in my opinion. However Im sure Terry Hollands has something to say about that.

Also if Oli does get fully fit, hes a strong guy, one of our best overhead lifters, and deadlifters, then Britain will do well at the next WSM

[Terry_hollands]

....................

[Jay Hagadorn]

Thanks for the Ammo though Michael I'll look forward to beating him like I did last time we competed!!

Muaahaahaa!!! :D

Gotta love that comment...

[Kevin Nee]

no !...................

oh shucks... appearantly im not good enough for michael douglas. maybe i should just stop competing.

seriously, no offense to the UK cause i love the place, but why is ever critic i have on youtube videos, internet sites and just in general from the UK. u guys just hate me over there haha. and also ask terry as well, but i had a winning record against him last year in competitions. so i beat the best man on your island, but thats not good enough?

Terry not trying to make it personal cause you know i love you and i will admit you beat me when it counts (WSM) but i just wanna shut this punk kid up.

[Kevin Nee]

The fact that most SS events are held in America also benefits your guys because they dont have to leave the country, where as the likes of Terry, Felix probably had a very long flight and jet lag to contend with.



well if you did some research u ignorant punk. the flight from arizona to mohegan sun is just as long as the flight from the UK to mohegan. we actually live in a country thats not considered an island. so i guess my 2nd place at mohegan is even better now!!! thanks michael douglas your AWESOME!!!! hahaha

[Billy Wolt]

well if you did some research u ignorant punk. the flight from arizona to mohegan sun is just as long as the flight from the UK to mohegan.


but since you didn't cross water and didn't have to go against the jet stream, you were in much better shape :)

[brian kling]

i think its funny how people get the balls to talk trash about someone who could kill them with one hand because they are on the internet and not face to face.

[johanberggren]

we dont have a gym that allows us to train strongman events :mad:
and if there was there wassent enough peaple here to make it run around.

americans are werry lucky that there are so many diffrent peaple there.

Indeed. The mentality among the strongmen in the USA is absolutely fanstastic too, everyone wants too help and it seems like everybody is welcome to join almost any crew :YR: . We don't have this here in Sweden. Shame.

[johanberggren]

oh shucks... appearantly im not good enough for michael douglas. maybe i should just stop competing.

:LOL:

Any idea why they "hate" you so much over there kevin? I mean you seem like a very laid back guy. Witch should make you popular over there/here.

[Matt Schumann]

funny stuff going on here! I did see that video on youtube that someone posted about you kev, thought that was really random that somebody cared enough to do that...... Maybe it was Terry haha!!!


Funy to see the pro's poke fun at each other...... It kind of seems like a few pro's have some sort of rivalry's going on. Ive got the impression as a fan that 2 pro's from the USA who often post on this board have a little bit of a rivalry going on.... One would post a deadlift video and the other would post a video shortly after of them doing the same weight etc.... But we will probaly never get it out of them haha

[Matt Schumann]

yeah Johan that is one thing that is great about this sport in the usa... Everyone seems to want to help one another out etc.... I think because its such a colt type of following around here tje few true fans just have alot in common and get along.




Indeed. The mentality among the strongmen in the USA is absolutely fanstastic too, everyone wants too help and it seems like everybody is welcome to join almost any crew :YR: . We don't have this here in Sweden. Shame.

[Michael Douglas - uk]

He is competing this weekend in Ukraine!! Hopefully he wins and we get to battle it out at the Arnolds!! I can't see that happening though!!

He occasionally posts on SDF!

Thanks for the Ammo though Michael I'll look forward to beating him like I did last time we competed!!


Well i can remember posting that I thought Mark Felix would win Britains Strongest Man and then you went and beat him, so i have been known to get things wrong everynow and then.

[Michael Douglas - uk]

well if you did some research u ignorant punk. the flight from arizona to mohegan sun is just as long as the flight from the UK to mohegan. we actually live in a country thats not considered an island. so i guess my 2nd place at mohegan is even better now!!! thanks michael douglas your AWESOME!!!! hahaha


Ignorant punk ! ha ha is that a bite ? I wasnt being ignorant and i wasnt being disrespectful just imo dont think your 4th best in the US.

[johanberggren]

yeah Johan that is one thing that is great about this sport in the usa... Everyone seems to want to help one another out etc.... I think because its such a colt type of following around here tje few true fans just have alot in common and get along.

Yes probalby, too bad the sport isn't bigger in sweden. I honstely don't see why bodybuilding is SOO much bigget than strongman. We even had the World strongest man over here (magnus) as a front figur. Sure it created a hype for about a year but as soon as he lost his title, the hype was gone. And the sport became forgotten.
But you seem to have a thing going over there, just look at the mohegan in 2005 the audience wasn't that big. But this year holly MOD EDIT.
Anyway i'm thinking of studying in california next year, and hope to experience the hospitality of the american strongman.

[Michael Douglas - uk]

i think its funny how people get the balls to talk trash about someone who could kill them with one hand because they are on the internet and not face to face.


If your comment was directed at me, can you remind me how i was talking trash about someone ?

[JohnCook]

If your comment was directed at me, can you remind me how i was talking trash about someone ?


It's the way you go about saying things dude. Try this, for example.

Instead of typing:

"no !...................."


Type this:

"Although I agree that Kevin is one of the top talents in the US, I disagree that he's the 4th best in the US."


The latter was RESPECTFUL. What you chose to type instead was not, at all. It was completely disrespectful. I don't understand how you can't see this.

[Kevin Nee]

It's the way you go about saying things dude. Try this, for example.

Instead of typing:

"no !...................."


Type this:

"Although I agree that Kevin is one of the top talents in the US, I disagree that he's the 4th best in the US."


The latter was RESPECTFUL. What you chose to type instead was not, at all. It was completely disrespectful. I don't understand how you can't see this.

thank you john! thats exactly how i feel. i dont care if he thinks i am the worst strongman on the planet. but its the way he says it. i dont understand why he is so disrespectful. and then to throw a cheap shot at dave about the double point rule when he was against it the whole time.

i also think he does understand that it is disrespectful. i just dont think he cares...

its just unfortunate that im letting some one make me so mad when his statements dont even matter. im just sick of negative comments and energy coming into a sport that is so positive and filled with good people. we dont need that negativity in this sport

also i do apologize for calling you a punk...i was just frustrated...just please think before you speak

[Jonathan Macfarlane]

Ignorant punk ! ha ha is that a bite ? I wasnt being ignorant and i wasnt being disrespectful just imo dont think your 4th best in the US.


http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/2628/babooveryverybadmanoh1.gif

[Billy Wolt]

If your comment was directed at me, can you remind me how i was talking trash about someone ?

http://i25.tinypic.com/1zezfnt.jpg

[Josh Kamins]

It's not his fault guys, Michael Douglas is a serious actor...

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/MMPH/258493~Michael-Douglas-Posters.jpg

[Jonathan Macfarlane]

Disrespectful?

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/4531/britneyspears3utnx9.gif

I win.

[Michael Douglas - uk]

It's the way you go about saying things dude. Try this, for example.

Instead of typing:

"no !...................."


Type this:

"Although I agree that Kevin is one of the top talents in the US, I disagree that he's the 4th best in the US."


The latter was RESPECTFUL. What you chose to type instead was not, at all. It was completely disrespectful. I don't understand how you can't see this.

I tried typing NO but my message had to be more than 10 characters, hence the !.....................

[Michael Douglas - uk]

It's the way you go about saying things dude. Try this, for example.

Instead of typing:

"no !...................."


Type this:

"Although I agree that Kevin is one of the top talents in the US, I disagree that he's the 4th best in the US."


The latter was RESPECTFUL. What you chose to type instead was not, at all. It was completely disrespectful. I don't understand how you can't see this.


The remark about double points was a joke,

[Kevin Cronin]

I tried typing NO but my message had to be more than 10 characters, hence the !.....................
Oh, so it was the repeated periods that ticked Kevin off. That's so funny because I thought it was the offhanded manner in which you dismissed him ... man, I must be terrible at reading people and social interaction.

Seriously dude, enough with the conspiracy theories. I have said, many times, that I'm a much bigger fan of the STYLE OF SHOW that ifsa presents - although fortunately I like that SS seems to be getting heavier. Venice beach was effing heavy! - and somehow nobody has taken offense to this. Not the pros, nor the fans of the SS style. You just make this statements with no tact whatsoever. I dunno, I probably just wasted 30 seconds of my time, you havent gotten it so far, youre not gonna get it now.

[Terry_hollands]

.......................................

[Michael Douglas - uk]

It's okay Kev Oli is the number 1 in the UK anyway!! so apparently you beat the 2nd best on this Island!!

Don't worry mate we spoke about this before, it's a good thing even if people are talking bad, at least they know who you are and jealousy does funny things to people. Most 22 year olds could only dream of doing what you're doing.


I think your being unfair Terry, this website isnt the Kevin Knee and Terry Hollands appreciation society.
As many people have said before the strongman who post on this website may not necessarily be the best strongmen but it is who people support. In fact I think a member on this forum used the analogy of football teams, the team you support may not necessarily be the best football team but you still support them anyway.
Just because as a strongman fan, i prefer Oli to you doesnt make me a bad person and shouldnt leave me open to critiscisim and personnel insults. I am not a fan of Kevin Knee and that is my opinion and if anyone wants me to go into detail about that then I will, just because i am not a fan shouldnt allow people to insult me.
Am I jealous of you and Kevin of course I am, I would love to be a professional strongman but im not and thats life. I think its time to leave your egos at the door and appreciate that sometimes people will just rate or support different strongman.

[Michael Douglas - uk]

Oh, so it was the repeated periods that ticked Kevin off. That's so funny because I thought it was the offhanded manner in which you dismissed him ... man, I must be terrible at reading people and social interaction.

Seriously dude, enough with the conspiracy theories. I have said, many times, that I'm a much bigger fan of the STYLE OF SHOW that ifsa presents - although fortunately I like that SS seems to be getting heavier. Venice beach was effing heavy! - and somehow nobody has taken offense to this. Not the pros, nor the fans of the SS style. You just make this statements with no tact whatsoever. I dunno, I probably just wasted 30 seconds of my time, you havent gotten it so far, youre not gonna get it now.


I havent even mentioned IFSA, I much prefer the SS shows and WSM last year was better than ever, so in this case I think you are correct in your post when you say " I must be terrible at reading people".

[Jonathan Macfarlane]

I think your being unfair Terry, this website isnt the Kevin Knee and Terry Hollands appreciation society.
As many people have said before the strongman who post on this website may not necessarily be the best strongmen but it is who people support. In fact I think a member on this forum used the analogy of football teams, the team you support may not necessarily be the best football team but you still support them anyway.
Just because as a strongman fan, i prefer Oli to you doesnt make me a bad person and shouldnt leave me open to critiscisim and personnel insults. I am not a fan of Kevin Knee and that is my opinion and if anyone wants me to go into detail about that then I will, just because i am not a fan shouldnt allow people to insult me.
Am I jealous of you and Kevin of course I am, I would love to be a professional strongman but im not and thats life. I think its time to leave your egos at the door and appreciate that sometimes people will just rate or support different strongman.


WHO IS KEVIN KNEE?

Douglas, I'm amazed at your ability to cry 'insult!' when someone makes a comment towards you, but that is contrasted with a complete inability to see your own propensity to insult others. Which is exactly how I naturally am, but had to take a trip to tact school in my teen years. Did me good.

[Ian Duggan]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Jonathan Macfarlane again.

[James Fernandes]

The remark about double points was a joke,

Michael, please man, stop with the rudeness and start behaving like a man, you making us Brits look bad in front of the Americans, and other nationalities.

[Mike Landrich]

Michael, please man, stop with the rudeness and start behaving like a man, you making us Brits look bad in front of the Americans, and other nationalities.

I only hold his actions against the Welsh. :LOL: The rest of you Brits seem OK to me..


Michael
Its not the Kevin Nee (note spelling- misspelling a name is offensive, especially an easy to spell name) and Terry Hollands appreciation society. This is Strongman. Real Strongmen support each other, therefore we support Kevin, Terry and EVERYONE. Positive support does NOT cut one guy down to build up another.

OOPS, just edited my post to add the NOT. It changes the meaning a wee bit :)

[Mike Landrich]

thank you john! thats exactly how i feel. i dont care if he thinks i am the worst strongman on the planet. but its the way he says it. i dont understand why he is so disrespectful. and then to throw a cheap shot at dave about the double point rule when he was against it the whole time.

i also think he does understand that it is disrespectful. i just dont think he cares...

its just unfortunate that im letting some one make me so mad when his statements dont even matter. im just sick of negative comments and energy coming into a sport that is so positive and filled with good people. we dont need that negativity in this sport

also i do apologize for calling you a punk...i was just frustrated...just please think before you speak


Kevin
Guys like him actually are great for you. They give you a lot of exposure and, as they say in Hollywood, "The only bad publicity is no publicity". I think that any of you top guys are capable of winning any show on any given day. That's why you actually compete. If it was as cut and dry as Michael seems to think, they'd just ship trophies to the winners at their homes.

[Brendan Merchant]

I really like the fact that this forum gives us the chance to mingle with the pro's.

There are not many places in any sport where the wannabes can talk to the professionals. I think we need to respect that and be courteous at all times.

I like some strongmen more that others but if I have a point to make I will try and not offend anyone.

[Brendan Merchant]

Kevin you have a PM

I've sent you Michael Douglas home address, a list of cars used and a schedule of his movements. I realise his pic isn't great but its the best I could get. The tree branches kept getting in the way.


:EL:

[Terry_hollands]

...................................

[Terry_hollands]

............................

[Kevin Cronin]

I havent even mentioned IFSA, I much prefer the SS shows and WSM last year was better than ever, so in this case I think you are correct in your post when you say " I must be terrible at reading people".
you mean that you havent mentioned them IN THIS THREAD.

If you decide that you need someone to fulfill your deluded fantasy of being insulted and persecuted, let me know.

[Matt Brouse]

Most 22 year olds could only dream of doing what you're doing.
You're telling me!

I thought Kevin did an excellent job at the Mohegan Sun this year. I mean, he must have, what, with all the camera time he got...

I like the movie American President.

[Matt Schumann]

There are a few things I would like to point out about this......

Our sport of strongman is awesome and very different than any other sport. The fans are a small community and we are fortunate to get to actually communcate our support, questions opinions to the pro's via the forum. How many fans of other sports have it like that?

But at the same time, Pro strongman is a sport and just like the MLB, NFL etc... The fans have their favorites and pro's they dont route for. Pro's from all sports are subjected to positive and negative opinions from ppl all over the world but often do not pay much attention to it. WIth Strongman...... its such a small community that when these opinions start coming out on a forum (where the actual pro's are a part of) its easier for them to take it more personal because its in their face. Im sure its not easy to ignore it!

When I read Michaels Douglases post I can see both sides..... I can definitly see how pro's would be offended. You guys work very hard to get where you are and im assuming you guys come on the forum to comminucate with fans of the sport who appreciate and understand how hard you work opposed to ppl outside the sport who view strongman as a freak show...

I think Michael is a fan of the sport who is obviously opinionated and stands by his opinions. Thats fine but where the pro's are on here and they see his comments it changes from an opinion to being a person insult. I think if the pro's or members are being insulted they should ignore the comments or if there is an option on the forum to block a certain forum members post use it!

I personally dont mind michael but at the same time he isnt saying anything about me haha... I just would hate for the pro's to stop taking part of the forum because of it.

[Michael Douglas - uk]

There are a few things I would like to point out about this......

Our sport of strongman is awesome and very different than any other sport. The fans are a small community and we are fortunate to get to actually communcate our support, questions opinions to the pro's via the forum. How many fans of other sports have it like that?

But at the same time, Pro strongman is a sport and just like the MLB, NFL etc... The fans have their favorites and pro's they dont route for. Pro's from all sports are subjected to positive and negative opinions from ppl all over the world but often do not pay much attention to it. WIth Strongman...... its such a small community that when these opinions start coming out on a forum (where the actual pro's are a part of) its easier for them to take it more personal because its in their face. Im sure its not easy to ignore it!

When I read Michaels Douglases post I can see both sides..... I can definitly see how pro's would be offended. You guys work very hard to get where you are and im assuming you guys come on the forum to comminucate with fans of the sport who appreciate and understand how hard you work opposed to ppl outside the sport who view strongman as a freak show...

I think Michael is a fan of the sport who is obviously opinionated and stands by his opinions. Thats fine but where the pro's are on here and they see his comments it changes from an opinion to being a person insult. I think if the pro's or members are being insulted they should ignore the comments or if there is an option on the forum to block a certain forum members post use it!

I personally dont mind michael but at the same time he isnt saying anything about me haha... I just would hate for the pro's to stop taking part of the forum because of it.

Matt, firsty I apprieate the honesty of your post and think that your absloutley spot on in what your saying.

Terry has took offence to me saying that Oli Tompson is imo the strongest in the UK and has made a sarcastic comment obviously aimed at my direction, i think this is wrong as at the end of the day it was my opinion and I didnt say anything bad about Terry in fact quite the opposite if you read my posts, but as a strongman fan I prefer to watch Oli - simple as that.
Because I said I prefered Oli to Terry doesnt mean that I am saying anything bad about him.
Kevin has took offence because I said no to him being included in a top 4 USA team to face the brits, imo Kevin isnt int he top 4 in the USA and if i was to pick a team then he would not be in it, I wasnt being disrecptful and i did not make a personnel attack at him, and because I dont rate Kevin it doesnt and shouldnt give him the right to make a personnel insult at me, i.e. ignorant jerk ! Remember that as a fan I am entitled to change my opinion and someday I might start supporting Kevin and jump on the one day he will win wsm bandwagon, just like alot of members did with Derek Poundstone.

I am not saying I dislike Kevin or thats hes an ignorant jerk or any other personnel insult that could be aimed at him, all i am saying is that as a stongman i dont support him. Some members on this forum will continue to tell Kevin how great he is and that he will be WSM some day, but thats there choice as they support him as a strongman.

These two guys have insulted me because I choose other strongmen over them its as simple as that, and of course then everyone jumps on the bandwaggon and imo sees it as an opportunity to gain praise from other members by having a go at me.

I have always maintained that its not what I say or how I say it, its what I dont say ! I am never going to be popular on this board because i dont think that the strongmen who post on here are the best in the world, so im not going to continually praise someone and say they are great etc and future WSM winners etc when in my opinion they never will be.

The basis of my argument is purley the fact that I only rate strongmen who I think would qualify for WSM if every competitor was allowed to compete, and right or wrong thats my opinion and I will continue to stand by that, thats almost certainly why I have a preference with IFSA or ex IFSA strongmen. For the record Terry Hollands fits into that catergorie but Kevin Nee does not. No disrespect to Kevin and its not a personnel insult. Im obviously aware of how much time and effort you guys put into dedicating your lifes to this crazy sport that we all love but just beware that because someone doesnt support you it is not them being disrespectful and they are not having a go at you.

Lets end this subject because it is starting to get boring, duggans earned some more points so lets just put an end to it.

[Mike Landrich]

Im sure its not easy to ignore it!

I think if the pro's or members are being insulted they should ignore the comments or if there is an option on the forum to block a certain forum members post use it!



Being attacked by an Internet warrior who doesn't put thimself out on the field as a competitor is ridiculous in a forum where membership is moderated. One of the benefits of this forum is that it is the most mature, respectful board on Strongman. There are plenty of boards that allow, even promote, bashing. Rather than us accepting anyone's offensive posts, perhaps that poster's actions should conform to the rest of the board. That is a problem in modern society. We are always told to accept everyone, no matter how distasteful we find them. Perhaps, we need to return to the days when a little public embarrassment went a long way.

[Matt Parkes]

I know this is going backwards by going back to the original topic but I want to throw my 2cents in about the American strongman scene. Bear in mind I'm not American but have been given the oppourtunity to compete inside the American Pro ranks over the last year. I don't think you can say that America is taking over right now with Europeans dominating the podiums at worlds last year. However I don't think that any nation is anywhere near as deep talent wise. For example America's top 4-5 would be in a good battle with some other sountries top 4-5, the UK comes to mind. However I would expect America's numbers 20-25 to be able to hang with any other countries 10-15. This doesn't make them dominate at the top but the nation's depth allows for a couple things.
When Pro shows are put on in the US even if some of the top guys are missing lots of international caliber guys are still there making it a high level show. Just competing in shows with this talent level makes everybody who attends better. Both through the actually competition and the meals and hotel time where everybody always seems willing to share some training or nutritional tricks with each other. I know it made a huge difference for me with the gains I made last year. The talent pool getting deeper also allows for more of these shows to be put on because its easier for promoters to ensure that they will get enough athletes.
As pointed out a few pages ago the talent depth has also allowed the US to take advantage of the WSM/IFSA split. With 2 top level feds this has allowed the US to put more athletes into international comps and world championships. As mentioned before just going to competitions like these makes you better.
Finally I want to take a quick look at NAS the feeder system to ASC in the US. As far as I know the US is the only country that has both amateur and pro ranks. This has made getting your pro card in the states a highly sought after prize. There are lots of high level amateurs in the states currently battling it out with each other with only a few getting their pro card each year. That means that most guys have put in some serious training and have already battled through some tough contests with tough competition before they even become pros. This makes every new pro in the US an experienced competitor whose proven that they are dedicated enough to great things in the sport. They may take a few years to reach the top of the US pro ranks but they still deepen an already deep talent pool.
Finally the US is the big money market for television and sponsers. This means that WSMSS especially will continue to provide lots of oppourtunities for American athletes to compete especially on American soil. The talent depth of the US allows them to use lots of different guys.
So to sum up I don't think the US is taking over yet. But I wouldn't bet against it over the next 10 years.

[Matt Schumann]

point taken.... Like i said before i can see both sides equally... and im not in a position to really say what to do... I just thought it might be a good idea. I saw something on the board that was an "buddy ignore option" and didnt know if that would be beneficial to the members who have taken offence.
Guess my post was in hope to mediate the problem somehow haha


Being attacked by an Internet warrior who doesn't put thimself out on the field as a competitor is ridiculous in a forum where membership is moderated. One of the benefits of this forum is that it is the most mature, respectful board on Strongman. There are plenty of boards that allow, even promote, bashing. Rather than us accepting anyone's offensive posts, perhaps that poster's actions should conform to the rest of the board. That is a problem in modern society. We are always told to accept everyone, no matter how distasteful we find them. Perhaps, we need to return to the days when a little public embarrassment went a long way.

[Terry_hollands]

.....................................

[Ian Duggan]

If we're going to keep the "Strongman is just like any other sport" theory going...

Let's imagine there was an MLB forum out there, where only about 200 people posted regularly. Now let's pretend that of those 200, about 15 - 20 of them were top professionals, I mean the proper major league guys. They'd come on-line, give hitting, pitching, fielding tips; discuss their last games with regular Joes; and some of them would even keep their logs on this magic fairy tale 'site.

Then a fan comes on, who doesn't play, at any level, heck he doesn't even throw a ball about now and again in the park. And this fan starts saying "if Player X was in the National League, he's easily be the best hitter" and "Pitcher Y isn't as good as Pitcher Z because he's never pitched in the American League," and "this short stop might have just won a golden glove, but this other one who's been out injured all season is better." Or when other people gave informed, well thought out, well phrased opinions, this hypothetical fan would say "NO!" and nothing else.

Now do you think that would be a tad disrespectful? Do you think the pros in question would be a bit pissed at this?

There's a time and a place to state your preference, there's a way to do it too. There are 101 strength forums out there. Why come on one of the few that is 99% practicing Strongmen and state some EDIT, made up, couch potato opinion? And not only that, but it's about stongmen that actually post here?

Get the hell out of here, that's not "just stating your opinion." It's being a thoughtless BUTT-clown. I'm not saying we should bow before the Pros that post on here, but there's just no need to talk about them as if they only there for your amusement.

And Matt P. you're absolutely right. The USA top 4 or 5 would be a match for any coutry in the world, but no other country could come close to the USA's top 25.

[jay lyttle]

we have had a great showing recently and tho i do support the american strongmen i believe it's a little early to say we are taking over. we have to win the BIG ones consistantly! the arnolds, the worlds, pudz gets beat in comps and we write him off, then he shows up at the BIG SHOW and shoves it down our throats. now the future looks brighter than ever with pfister, poundstone,nee,ostlund and others, but we must get them on the same stage as zavickas and pudz and beat them to say we're taking over!

[chad_coy]

Parkes...you are pretty smart for a Canadian!

Constantly improving is what I would say..
..I have been pro since 98 and have competed against the tops in WSM and IFSA....the US has incredible depth and that makes everyone better.....look at the young/new guys....Travis/Best/Poundstone/Shaw-they are pushing the older guys and we either have to get better or move over. Our Depth will make us better in the long run, but we are far from dominating.....the split like many have said helped us because of our depth....as far as Kevin being top 4...when was the last true AMERICA'S where everyone came.....2003/2004......until everyone was at the same show it would be pure speculation to say who would come out on top

[Michael Douglas - uk]

If we're going to keep the "Strongman is just like any other sport" theory going...

Let's imagine there was an MLB forum out there, where only about 200 people posted regularly. Now let's pretend that of those 200, about 15 - 20 of them were top professionals, I mean the proper major league guys. They'd come on-line, give hitting, pitching, fielding tips; discuss their last games with regular Joes; and some of them would even keep their logs on this magic fairy tale 'site.

Then a fan comes on, who doesn't play, at any level, heck he doesn't even throw a ball about now and again in the park. And this fan starts saying "if Player X was in the National League, he's easily be the best hitter" and "Pitcher Y isn't as good as Pitcher Z because he's never pitched in the American League," and "this short stop might have just won a golden glove, but this other one who's been out injured all season is better." Or when other people gave informed, well thought out, well phrased opinions, this hypothetical fan would say "NO!" and nothing else.

Now do you think that would be a tad disrespectful? Do you think the pros in question would be a bit pissed at this?

There's a time and a place to state your preference, there's a way to do it too. There are 101 strength forums out there. Why come on one of the few that is 99% practicing Strongmen and state some EDIT, made up, couch potato opinion? And not only that, but it's about stongmen that actually post here?

Get the hell out of here, that's not "just stating your opinion." It's being a thoughtless BUTT-clown. I'm not saying we should bow before the Pros that post on here, but there's just no need to talk about them as if they only there for your amusement.

And Matt P. you're absolutely right. The USA top 4 or 5 would be a match for any coutry in the world, but no other country could come close to the USA's top 25.

Hang on a minute, all i have said is that I think Oli T is the strongest in Britain and that I dont support Kevin Nee, why dont you try and have your own honest opinion rather than saying things that you know will get you brownie points.
Your not saying "that we should bow down before the pros", thats exactly what you do, you will tell the pros on here how good they are and they will be worlds strongest men etc, but i really wonder whether you really believe this or if your just an arse licking worm !
You telling kevin nee or dave ostlund or anyone else that they are great and that they are going to be WSM imo is far more disrespectful that me saying i dont support them.
Hopefully one day the members of this board will realise just how much arse you lick !


END OF STORY - As I am probably off for a forced 1 months vacation !

[Ian Duggan]

[Gubbins]
Show me one quote, one thing I've said that backs that up.

[Michael Douglas - uk]

Michael, you say about supporting certain strongmen and I have absolutely no problem with that. Like I said support Oli over me anytime I don't expect everyone in the country to want me to win BSM. I did take offence to your comments about him being the best in the country though!! I have nothing but respect for Oli, Jesus we've even trained together in the past. You have nothing to back your arguement up with Michael!! If he is the strongest in the country right now why was it when we competed a few weeks ago I beat him?? Just because he has competed with IFSA doesn't mean he is better than me (I know this is your usual way of judging people).

So c'mon Michael back-up your arguement as to how he is better than me!! Give me your wealth of knowledge on events and what would happen between us if we competed against each other!!

This is not about you supporting him over me, I don't really care if you're supporting me or him so long as you're watching strongman that is cool with me!

Terry - I dont have to explain or justify my reasons why I support Oli T, I am a fan of his.

I am entitled to say what I want and support who I want, I think your a cracking strongman with the potential to be WSM, you come across on tv as a nice bloke and a good ambassador for the sport, but dont insult me because I support someone else.
You know my reasons why I say the things I do and why I favour certain strongmen over others and in truth I dare say you even agree with some of them.

[Steve Kirit]

Parkes...you are pretty smart for a Canadian!

Constantly improving is what I would say..
..I have been pro since 98 and have competed against the tops in WSM and IFSA....the US has incredible depth and that makes everyone better.....look at the young/new guys....Travis/Best/Poundstone/Shaw-they are pushing the older guys and we either have to get better or move over. Our Depth will make us better in the long run, but we are far from dominating.....the split like many have said helped us because of our depth....as far as Kevin being top 4...when was the last true AMERICA'S where everyone came.....2003/2004......until everyone was at the same show it would be pure speculation to say who would come out on top

.................................................

[Terry_hollands]

Terry - I dont have to explain or justify my reasons why I support Oli T, I am a fan of his.

I am entitled to say what I want and support who I want, I think your a cracking strongman with the potential to be WSM, you come across on tv as a nice bloke and a good ambassador for the sport, but dont insult me because I support someone else.
You know my reasons why I say the things I do and why I favour certain strongmen over others and in truth I dare say you even agree with some of them.
You are missing the point of my arguement!! I'm not asking you why you support him, and I'm saying Oli is a good guy and a good strongman. As I stated earlier just cause you support someone doesn't mean you think they are the best!! I myself would be supporting Oli, even if I was in the contest with him. All I asked was you to back up your arguement regarding him being better than me!! Don't think I'm insulting you, I'm asking you a question.

[mark walburn]

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z52/Roger159/threadhijack.jpg

[Josh Kamins]

Mr. Douglas, Kevin NNNNNEEEEEE did compete in IFSA in 2005...just thought I'd let you know...

[Mac Smith]

If we're going to keep the "Strongman is just like any other sport" theory going...

Let's imagine there was an MLB forum out there, where only about 200 people posted regularly. Now let's pretend that of those 200, about 15 - 20 of them were top professionals, I mean the proper major league guys. They'd come on-line, give hitting, pitching, fielding tips; discuss their last games with regular Joes; and some of them would even keep their logs on this magic fairy tale 'site.

Then a fan comes on, who doesn't play, at any level, heck he doesn't even throw a ball about now and again in the park. And this fan starts saying "if Player X was in the National League, he's easily be the best hitter" and "Pitcher Y isn't as good as Pitcher Z because he's never pitched in the American League," and "this short stop might have just won a golden glove, but this other one who's been out injured all season is better." Or when other people gave informed, well thought out, well phrased opinions, this hypothetical fan would say "NO!" and nothing else.

Now do you think that would be a tad disrespectful? Do you think the pros in question would be a bit pissed at this?

There's a time and a place to state your preference, there's a way to do it too. There are 101 strength forums out there. Why come on one of the few that is 99% practicing Strongmen and state some EDIT, made up, couch potato opinion? And not only that, but it's about stongmen that actually post here?

Get the hell out of here, that's not "just stating your opinion." It's being a thoughtless BUTT-clown. I'm not saying we should bow before the Pros that post on here, but there's just no need to talk about them as if they only there for your amusement.

And Matt P. you're absolutely right. The USA top 4 or 5 would be a match for any coutry in the world, but no other country could come close to the USA's top 25.

Interesting theory Ian, if it were true. As a former pro football player, you are told early on not to listen to fan or media criticism. As a matter of fact, most, if not all pros in the 'major' sports don't post on forums, unless its their own and even then their responses are run by their PR people before they are posted. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not defending what Mike has said, but I do defend his right to say what he wants. Its not illegal to be a jerk. All the pros on this site who respond to negative criticisms need to develop thicker skins. This is simply part of being a professional athlete. Do you think that Barry Bonds or T.O, or Kobe, Jordan, Tiger, or Stewart (tried to hit all the major sports) care what fans think? If they do, they will never post it publicly.

One last point. Piling on a kid for his opinion causes more and more people to be afraid to post opinions that don't jive with the status quo and when that happens the forum becomes an suckup fest for guys hoping to gain favor with their idols.

My advice to the forums members who fill the need to defend their idols...don't! Ignore the post. For pros who feel the need to respond to criticism...don't! Did you ever think that mybe this is the kids way to feel better about himself because he has actual pros responding to a nobody? Its an obvious grasp at attention!

[Jonathan Macfarlane]

You are missing the point of my arguement!! I'm not asking you why you support him, and I'm saying Oli is a good guy and a good strongman. As I stated earlier just cause you support someone doesn't mean you think they are the best!! I myself would be supporting Oli, even if I was in the contest with him. All I asked was you to back up your arguement regarding him being better than me!! Don't think I'm insulting you, I'm asking you a question.


Oli is better than you at strongman, because he has a beard, and you don't. Duh!


Thought this was mildly appropriate given Walburn's thread hijack. Coming soon in this thread...

[tom_mcclure]

Well, I would be up for Team USA vs. England. Oli is a great guy had a blast with him in Iceland. It would be great to get Derek, Travis, Van and I on the same team again. Could be interesting.
That's a kick BUTT team!!

[Kevin Nee]

so in 2006 when i was 20 yrs old and much smaller and much weaker and i competed in IFSA american nationals i got 4th place and beat out van, poundstone and nick best, just coming behind travis by a few points......

then last year at WSMSS national aka fit expo, i got second place.....

then at mohhegan sun in 2006 and i had 2nd place going into the last event and bombed by getting a 0...i still get 5th place at 20 yrs and 255 lbs

then i get 2nd place to mariusz at mohegan in 2007 beating out some of the best in the world....

then i get 8th in the world at WSM.....

yea i def dont belong....

and im soory but this will be my last post here...because i guess i dont belong and Jesse would not be happy that some BUTT is creating negativity on his board. its not the fact that you state your opinion...its that you have no basis for your opinion....no facts backing them up....just pure, "because i say so".

this was a great sit for pros to come....but why do you think not many post here anymore...IMO u have ruined a great thing here. and not because your opinion but because you insult pros, u insult my friends, and try to start CRAP all the time.....maybe some people dont like some pros as well as you...but they dont say it because its not polite.

also the point of this website was to interact with good people and learn...not to point fingers. if you want to do that, go to bodybuilding.com

and for the record, i dont believe you are michael douglas, i think you are a past competitor starting CRAP under someone else's name. and if you were a true strongman fan...u would support everyone...this isnt the NFL, MLB, or NHL

[Tom Mutaffis]

Kevin - your stats speak for themselves...

To me debates are meaningless on here, this board is for us to share knowledge - who cares what someone's opinion is unless it is asked for. I am sure plenty of people out there including myself who are very interested in some of your training methodologies and hearing inside info from a top level pro.

[mark walburn]

kevin nee i beleve deadlifted 800 in a meet.....micheal douglas has took a dump in the past few days.....hard to compare.

[Kevin Cronin]

your just an arse licking worm !
... members of this board will realise just how much arse you lick !
END OF STORY - As I am probably off for a forced 1 months vacation !
This board is unlike any other on the internet, for a number of reasons. Among those reasons is the fact that there's a much lower threshold here for getting your thread deleted, or being banned yourself. Sometimes that's a good thing, sometimes it's a bad thing.

The reason I bring this up is that I wonder just why this moron hasn't been banned already? We all know that people have been banned for doing far less. Diesel Weasel was just argumentative and a potty mouth. Hickson was ... well, Hickson was Hickson. Meanwhile, I've had my post edited because I told someone their video was "bad@$$" and somehow Douglas can tell Ian that he's an arse licker - repeatedly. Sure, it's british, but arse = ass!! In context, telling someone that you run your tongue along someones posterior is much more offensive than telling them their video is a synonym for "hardcore." It's a personal attack AND bad language ... what more do I need to say?

Mac posted a few pages back something to the effect that by having Douglas here it kept the board from devolving into a series of conversations where everyone agreed with each other. At first, I thought he was right, but on further reflection, I disagree. There will always be people on different sides of various issues. Off the top of my head I can think of two that I've been involved in in the last week. I disagreed with Paul over the validity of a) the double points system and b) bothering to continue to discuss that system. What was fundamentally different was that in the few posts back and forth, neither of us insulted the other, and in the end we laughed it off. I also disagreed with Liane Blyn's call from Mohegan Sun and posted my reasons why. I went so far as to clarify (I believe in Bob Toth's pics and movie thread) that I didnt think Liane had done it on purpose, nor did I think it reflected badly on her as a person; I simply saw it in the same way that I would a ref in the super bowl calling a bad pass interference penalty, or missing an obvious hold on a 3rd and long - you get the idea.

Douglas seems to miss all that. He has NO IDEA, he simply DOES NOT GET IT. This most recent brouhaha started because someone suggested Kevin as a fourth on an American team, and Douglas' response was no. Not, "Actually, I'd prefer Brian Shaw there." Not "On the whole, I think Nick Best's skills would better complement that team." Just "No!......." Douglas has this paranoid theory that everyone on this board needs to be a sycophant. What he doesnt get is that there's a HUGE difference between rooting FOR someone and rooting AGAINST everyone else. It's an annoying trend that, sad to say, seems to be creeping into the board, by the looks of everyone exulting in Mariusz' defeat. There's a lot of positive energy there for Derek (rightly so, I would hope it goes without saying) but there is also a good deal of schadenfreude in Mariusz' travails.

At any rate, I've already written enough, but let me leave you with this: if it were up to you, with whom would you rather share the board - Michael Douglas-uk or Kevin Nee. I say that not because Kevin's a pro, but because I've never read a post of his and said "What a jerk." I wont pretend that I've ever needed to contact Kevin about a training problem, but I am in a minority in that I dont need the web to have access to pros - I can just wait until Saturday. This is the clearest case I've ever seen of a detriment to a board - Douglas - running off an asset. There's an old saying that once is luck, twice is a coincidence and three times is a trend. This certainly isnt the first, nor the second time that Douglas has been a jerk. And I'm being kind there. Let's not make this ban for one month.

And yes, you're darn right that what I just wrote is a personal attack.

[Jonathan Macfarlane]

After a tense finale, the tribe has spoken. (yes personal insult)

[anton axelsson]

Matt, firsty I apprieate the honesty of your post and think that your absloutley spot on in what your saying.

Terry has took offence to me saying that Oli Tompson is imo the strongest in the UK and has made a sarcastic comment obviously aimed at my direction, i think this is wrong as at the end of the day it was my opinion and I didnt say anything bad about Terry in fact quite the opposite if you read my posts, but as a strongman fan I prefer to watch Oli - simple as that.
Because I said I prefered Oli to Terry doesnt mean that I am saying anything bad about him.
Kevin has took offence because I said no to him being included in a top 4 USA team to face the brits, imo Kevin isnt int he top 4 in the USA and if i was to pick a team then he would not be in it, I wasnt being disrecptful and i did not make a personnel attack at him, and because I dont rate Kevin it doesnt and shouldnt give him the right to make a personnel insult at me, i.e. ignorant jerk ! Remember that as a fan I am entitled to change my opinion and someday I might start supporting Kevin and jump on the one day he will win wsm bandwagon, just like alot of members did with Derek Poundstone.

I am not saying I dislike Kevin or thats hes an ignorant jerk or any other personnel insult that could be aimed at him, all i am saying is that as a stongman i dont support him. Some members on this forum will continue to tell Kevin how great he is and that he will be WSM some day, but thats there choice as they support him as a strongman.

These two guys have insulted me because I choose other strongmen over them its as simple as that, and of course then everyone jumps on the bandwaggon and imo sees it as an opportunity to gain praise from other members by having a go at me.

I have always maintained that its not what I say or how I say it, its what I dont say ! I am never going to be popular on this board because i dont think that the strongmen who post on here are the best in the world, so im not going to continually praise someone and say they are great etc and future WSM winners etc when in my opinion they never will be.

The basis of my argument is purley the fact that I only rate strongmen who I think would qualify for WSM if every competitor was allowed to compete, and right or wrong thats my opinion and I will continue to stand by that, thats almost certainly why I have a preference with IFSA or ex IFSA strongmen. For the record Terry Hollands fits into that catergorie but Kevin Nee does not. No disrespect to Kevin and its not a personnel insult. Im obviously aware of how much time and effort you guys put into dedicating your lifes to this crazy sport that we all love but just beware that because someone doesnt support you it is not them being disrespectful and they are not having a go at you.

Lets end this subject because it is starting to get boring, duggans earned some more points so lets just put an end to it.


well douglas let me say it like this keep your oppinions to your self beacause its obvious to me and everyone here that nobody wants to heer what you have to say, u are rude disrespectfull and imature u can throw insults out there against some of the greatest strongman out there rite now and but as soon as people get rude with u u get all butt hurt. do you eaven compete in strongman??? douglas beacause if u dont u realy should just keep ur trap shut and show some damn respect towrds the guys who do and live for this sport man and im sorry ti inform you that poland has some of the most dominant strongman now next to the us uk not so much ya oli is good but who else do have honestly.... so that being said if ur just fan of the sport just sit back and enjoy the conversations that people here are haveing about strongman specialy the pros
and now please dont try to come back with some smart comback beacause like i said beafore nobody cares :BB:
and kevin and terry dont let him get u so wound up he is a mr wana know it all

[Mike Landrich]

Kevin
I hope you reconsider not posting here. Most of us really respect other competitors, whether pro or amateur and appreciate the advice we get from those of you who are better than us. One little punk shouldn't ruin it for all of us.

I say everyone who agrees with this thread should add Michael Douglas- UK to their IGNORE LIST. He can post, but no one will read what he spews.

Mac, You are one of the guys I truly respect on this board, but I must respectfully disagree with your comparison to the major league sports in this country. Strongman is not just a sport that attracts fans, it is a sport that attracts participants. Almost all other sports you really begin to watch when you are too old to compete or are past the age where competition is practical. Strongman is something you are drawn to as a result of seeing it on TV. As such our pros are not our replacements, they are those whom we wish to replace. That they would share their wisdom and insight is something we should cherish, not discourage by stupid remarks (MD's, not yours).

[MarkSikora]

Regardless of anyone's opinion on Kevin Nee, on the few occasions I have met/talked with him, he is a class act. For a guy so young to be competing at such a high level, he was/is very down to earth and friendly.

Kevin, I sincerely hope you do not stop posting here. It's great having acess to all you pro's, not matter what is said, or what people post up.

Mac-- You too!! Where have you been. I have always enjoyed your posts and insights too. I must have missed you saying you wouldn't be posting as much.

(I have had the pleasure of meeting Mac and his family also. They are also class acts and nice people. )

I love this sport. I have been "involved" for 5 years or so now, and I can truly say, I have only met one or two total buffoons. Everyone else has been very nice and helpful. You can call that being a sychophant if you want, I don't give a crap.

I have competed/hung out in CA, WA, AZ, NM and NV and met people from all over at Nat's. Like I said, 99% of my experiences have been positive. That includes meeting and/or getting to work out with several pros/almost pros.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. No one is entitled to be an arse.

see ya

Mark

[Mac Smith]

Kevin
I hope you reconsider not posting here. Most of us really respect other competitors, whether pro or amateur and appreciate the advice we get from those of you who are better than us. One little punk shouldn't ruin it for all of us.

I say everyone who agrees with this thread should add Michael Douglas- UK to their IGNORE LIST. He can post, but no one will read what he spews.

Mac, You are one of the guys I truly respect on this board, but I must respectfully disagree with your comparison to the major league sports in this country. Strongman is not just a sport that attracts fans, it is a sport that attracts participants. Almost all other sports you really begin to watch when you are too old to compete or are past the age where competition is practical. Strongman is something you are drawn to as a result of seeing it on TV. As such our pros are not our replacements, they are those whom we wish to replace. That they would share their wisdom and insight is something we should cherish, not discourage by stupid remarks (MD's, not yours).

I understand yours and Cronins responses. But like stated earlier, just add the clown to your ignore list. I'm all for banning the dude if he made personal, derogatory attacks against people. I admit I didn't see the ass licking comments. But as far as his opinion is concerned, its just that, an opinion. Plus he does it, obviously, because it gets a rise out of the pros on this forum. If they didn't respond, I'm sure he'd fade away into the sunset. Our resident pros really need to not stoop to level of the likes of MD and Diesel Weasal.

Mike your comment about the difference between strongman and the major sports only applies to guys like you and me, guys who do stand the chance of being pros one day but the vast majority of members of this forum will never be able to earn their pro card.

If everyone took a serious look inside themselves they'd know there IS a tremendous amount of ass kissing that goes on here, but that is to be expected when you have a large number of pros posting. There is nothing wrong with ass kissing...I guess, but don't blast a guy for not doing it. If he doesn't think Nee is the 4th best pro, SO WHAT! He doesn't have to explain why just like Kevin doesn't have to justify why he feels he is.

Remember even the KKK has the right to demonstrate and be heard.

[Scott Markowitz]

Remember even the KKK has the right to demonstrate and be heard.

Not in a private forum. :D

[Matt Schumann]

Wow.. just caugt up on this thread and i see its taken a huge turn. I hope kevin reconsiders because pro's like him make this board great.

[anton axelsson]

now that just sucks that we are loosing some of the pros of the site beacause of one guy who thinks he knows it bettre than everyone else and puts down pro's beacause he has nothing bettre to do with his life its like kevin said he is probably a past competitor that didnt make it and is bittre. poor guy come on kevin and terry dont let this punk get u guys to stop posting here us amatures need u guys here

somebody please just ban him or something he is takeing away the very point of this site

[Nick Best]

Chad Coy has just become one of my favorite people(already was) , he said I was one of the young guys!!!!! At 39 I love it. Tom I also say thanks, being on a team that beat Big Z, Vasyle( yes I know I spelt it wrong. Sorry!), and Andrus was a honor. Kevin you kick BUTT peroid!! Get your arm healthy and do what you do best!!Actions speak far louder than words. Win the whole dam thing.You have sooooooo many years left its not even funny.

Nick

[chad_coy]

Nick....the quote was Young/New....and as far as years on the body.....this will be your 3rd year as a pro so I think you are still young and hey I am still a bit older.
How is your little guy?

[Nick Best]

He is doing great!! He turned 7 Friday, got a hat trick and 4 assists in his hockey game today. How are your kids?

[chad_coy]

Alexa will be 15 in April...Maxx 3 next month and Reis is 7.....Alexa Trains-4 days a week at the gym( Speed School) and does travel VB and track soon. Reis is just waiting for baseball....Maxx just lifts stuff and does whatever Reis does. I guess we have highjacked the thread....see you at St. Pats!

[Kevin Cronin]

Kevin you kick BUTT peroid!!
Thank you Nick, thank you. I just want to say that ...

Get your arm healthy and do what you do best!!
Oh, I see. You were talking to the "other" Kevin :D

[Billy Wolt]

i agree with Mac...this is a sport, and sports are competitive by nature. Everyone can't be the best and not all the fans root for everyone.

MD didn't say anything to personally attack Kevin, he just said "no". If you asked me if i liked the new england patriots, i would say a lot worse that "no". :) His response wasn't directed towards Kevins character, only towards where someone thought he ranked amoung American Strongmen. But after his opinion was stated, everyone jumped on him.

[JohnCook]

i agree with Mac...this is a sport, and sports are competitive by nature. Everyone can't be the best and not all the fans root for everyone.

MD didn't say anything to personally attack Kevin, he just said "no". If you asked me if i liked the new england patriots, i would say a lot worse that "no". :) His response wasn't directed towards Kevins character, only towards where someone thought he ranked amoung American Strongmen. But after his opinion was stated, everyone jumped on him.


Come on man, saying , "no!........" seems pretty disrespectful to me. I don't think anybody should be doing any "arse kissing" or whatever you want to call it....but at least be respectful. Everyone deserves a degree of respect but guys that are devoting their lives to the sport and excelling at an elite level deserve extra respect for their accomplishments. I don't see why that is so much to ask.


The first thing I thought when I read the dude's post is, "Wow, what a jerk."

[Kevin Cronin]

i agree with Mac...this is a sport, and sports are competitive by nature. Everyone can't be the best and not all the fans root for everyone.

MD didn't say anything to personally attack Kevin, he just said "no". If you asked me if i liked the new england patriots, i would say a lot worse that "no". :) His response wasn't directed towards Kevins character, only towards where someone thought he ranked amoung American Strongmen. But after his opinion was stated, everyone jumped on him.
That's bullcrap Billy, and you know it. Disliking a disembodied franchise is a heckuva lot different than DISliking a particular strongman. Douglas tries to pass it off that he "supports" different strongmen. Well that's fine, but if I'm going to say that I think the New York Jets are better than, say, the Cleveland Browns, I'd better have SOMETHING concrete - thomas jones had more yards rushing, the defense gave up fewer red zone points, their opponents had a better winning percentage (I dont know if any of that is true, theyre just examples.)

As I said, if Douglas thought that Shaw, or Best, or any of the other top strongmen were a better fit on a 4 person team, and had reasons to back that up, thats fine. That's SUPPORTING one strongman. But just saying "no" a) doesnt support ANYONE and b) is insulting in that it doesnt even suggest the possibility in engaging an opposing opinion in debate.

Douglas HID behind the idea "well, it's just my opinion, and I'm allowed to express it." Billy, if someone thinks that youre weak and you suck as a strongman, that's their opinion, and theyre entitled to it, but I wouldnt support them typing that all over this board. There is such a thing as freedom of speech, but there's also such a thing as civility and decorum. There's more than one way to get your opinion across.

[Billy Wolt]

Kevin, John,

I suppose your right...he should have at least named 1-2 guys that he thinks are better or maybe why he doesn't think Kevin belongs.

[Dana clipper]

and im sorry but this will be my last post here...


I truly hope this is not true. :confused: I hope this was said in the heat of the moment, and you will reconsider this statment. It would be a shame to loose a great pro and keep a ......well you know the rest. :disgust:

[Garrick Daft]

This is Kevin Nee's house just as much as everyone else here who has been around for a while. Kevin was best friends with Jesse and helped him build and support this house. This Michael Douglas UK, although making some interesting discussion occasionally if taken lighthearted, completely disrespects Kevin Nee in his house. Those who think that is cool, make public your address so we can all go take a crap at your front door and then tell you how much you suck.

Gimme a break, I just read this thread today, but some of the stuff that has been written is a joke. Kevin Nee has better things to do then sit around heehawing with us, but he does it anyways, humbly. To say it is alright to trash him personally in his house is ridiculous and bigheaded.

I made a comment about Steve Mac winning the ASM 2006 on here a while back that I still regret to this day. It is stupid to take away from someone's victory or accomplishments, especially on a public forum. When I met Steve Mac in person, he had every right to smack my head off, yet he was cool as heck. The athletes train and work very freaking hard to eek out what they can, least we can do is show them some respect and honor.

Don't mean to start a fight or anything, and this is targeted towards anyone particular..... I just typed what I was thinking.

[Matt Schumann]

that is so rude and i cant believe you Garrick!

haha J/k , it sucks that kevin doesnt feel comfortable posting on here anymore! Hope he takes some time off from the forum and desides to come back.

I really didnt mean for this thread to take such a hard turn for the worse.... I just noticed all of the great accomplishments that AMerican strongman (definitly Kevin Nee included) are making and wanted to open up the topic to the board to discuss. Next thing you know ppl are banned, pro's have left for good and Garricks starting to scare me:T: ... This post is like Art Mcdermotts gym's name 180


This is Kevin Nee's house just as much as everyone else here who has been around for a while. Kevin was best friends with Jesse and helped him build and support this house. This Michael Douglas UK, although making some interesting discussion occasionally if taken lighthearted, completely disrespects Kevin Nee in his house. Those who think that is cool, make public your address so we can all go take a crap at your front door and then tell you how much you suck.

Gimme a break, I just read this thread today, but some of the stuff that has been written is a joke. Kevin Nee has better things to do then sit around heehawing with us, but he does it anyways, humbly. To say it is alright to trash him personally in his house is ridiculous and bigheaded.

I made a comment about Steve Mac winning the ASM 2006 on here a while back that I still regret to this day. It is stupid to take away from someone's victory or accomplishments, especially on a public forum. When I met Steve Mac in person, he had every right to smack my head off, yet he was cool as heck. The athletes train and work very freaking hard to eek out what they can, least we can do is show them some respect and honor.

Don't mean to start a fight or anything, and this is targeted towards anyone particular..... I just typed what I was thinking.

[Brandon Solis]

I hope Kevin Nee will be back.Hes probably pretty angry right now though, and I cant blame him.To constantly give youre all day after day.To reach the pinnacle of your sport, and then be insulted in a place you come to rest, to converse with like minded individuals, to be amongst your peers. A place where your understood.Youre trying to be a good person, helping people out, share the gift youve been given.Then some rude comment blindsides you.Then what ? Now youre supposed to let it roll off your back because your a pro athlete? Well I dont think you should have to . We are all grown here ( at least most ).And if your big enough to give it then your big enough to suffer the consequence.If a Pro Strongman, Basketball player,putt-putt golfer or whoever insulted me I would have something to say about it, even if I ended up with a putter wraped around my face.Call me a kiss up if you want but it really is a privalage to be able to communicate with so many high level Pro athletes.Thier are so few sports that allow for this.I see these guys on TV and I tell my wife hey you see him thats Travis Ortmayer, or thats Kevin Nee, The list goes on and on.I tell my wife ."hey babe, I could talk with those guys if I wanted".She says" oh ,thats good ".I say "no really ,Im not messing around ". She says "I know ,I believe you, what do you say to them ?" I say, " well I havent talked directly to them ,but I could if I wanted to ".I guess the point is dont ruin a good thing, us 200 pound log pressers need a place like this .

[Mike Landrich]

Mike your comment about the difference between strongman and the major sports only applies to guys like you and me, guys who do stand the chance of being pros one day but the vast majority of members of this forum will never be able to earn their pro card.



Thanks for the vote of confidence, but that boat has sailed for me. 10 years ago, I could've stood a chance of becoming a pro, now I'm content to compete for personal satisfaction.

[Callie Marunde]

I feel like the correct action was taken in banning MDuk.

Can we get over this now???

I will ask Kevin back to the forum. Please dont flood his pm box with messages.


Callie

[jay lyttle]

kevin nee has got nothing to prove to anyone, his career results scream of talent for this sport and he has proven himself time and time again against the best in the world! whats with the bashing? kevin, nick, poundstone i'd walk down any dark alley with you guys!
dont listen to the ugly stuff! you know what you've done, are doing and will do in this sport!

[Guillaume Dupuis]

Way to go Callie!


Can't f with mama bear :)

[Billy Wolt]

I really didnt mean for this thread to take such a hard turn for the worse.... I just noticed all of the great accomplishments that AMerican strongman


com'n Matt, the title of this thread had "flamebait" written all over it :D

[Michael Ambrose]

Mac, You are one of the guys I truly respect on this board, but I must respectfully disagree with your comparison to the major league sports in this country. Strongman is not just a sport that attracts fans, it is a sport that attracts participants. Almost all other sports you really begin to watch when you are too old to compete or are past the age where competition is practical. Strongman is something you are drawn to as a result of seeing it on TV. As such our pros are not our replacements, they are those whom we wish to replace. That they would share their wisdom and insight is something we should cherish, not discourage by stupid remarks

Mike your comment about the difference between strongman and the major sports only applies to guys like you and me, guys who do stand the chance of being pros one day but the vast majority of members of this forum will never be able to earn their pro card.

Mac, I agree more with Mike on this. The vast majority of the crowd and the recent Mohegan Sun Super Series was by far filled with members of the iron games... be it bodybuilding, powerlifting, highland games, olympic lifting or strongman. I'd venture to say that portion of the crowd was between 50-66% of the people there. To quote a buddy of mine... "I've never seen so many jacked up people in one place before". I do not think that strongman has been around long enough nor has the ability to attract fans in the same vein as professional sports teams. Some teams have existed for close to a century... local fans are there and often support the teams in good times and bad. Compare that to strongman where a 20 year career in the limelight would be considered long term. Many of the fans and athletes (be it strongman or other strength sports) have not had the 'history' that can be associated with pro sports teams. As such, you get drwan into the iron sports. I myself went through bodybuilding (hey - it was the 80's _ I want to be HOOOOGE), powerlifting (competetive) and now strongman (competetive). Am I capable of earning a procard... who knows. Is it likely, I'd venture ot say not likely. I'm doing it for personal growth and satisfaction. if that entails a procard - great! If it means I move onto highland games or other strength sports, so be it. I guess my overall point is that this is still more of an underground sport, reagrdless of TV coverage and some well known athletes. Those who compete and follow are of a different ilk than your run of the mill pro team sports fans (imo).

And to all the pros and high level amateurs on here... Ignore the bs. I hope you all continue to support the sport, amateurs, newbies and fans by posting here. It is the interaction here, on this forum with you, ( which is normally within very respectful limits) that makes this board and the sport overall unique and special.

[ecxtreme]

I would not under estimate the pudz. though...he is a monster and has tricks...

[johanberggren]

he is a monster and has tricks...

Who doesn't?