Poundstone competing at WSMSS Madison Square Garden

[James Deffinbaugh]

http://www.ironmind.com/ironcms/morenewsv6.php?id=2385#2385

Which means he's not going to compete at the ASC America's Strongest Man contest held the same day.

I'm sure it was a tough decision.

[Matt Brouse]

Well, he got one, time to get the other.

Rock it Derek!

[Matt Schumann]

Wait, so does this mean he will not be competing at Fortissimus? The weekend after? Please correct me if im wrong, but wouldnt be crazy to compete in 2 shows of this caliber in 2 consecutive weekends?

[Garrick Daft]

Wait, so does this mean he will not be competing at Fortissimus? The weekend after? Please correct me if im wrong, but wouldnt be crazy to compete in 2 shows of this caliber in 2 consecutive weekends?
Derek, Travis, Mariusz, and whatever other athletes competing in Fortissimus are all confronted with this challenge. It is either ASM or MSG the week before F-mus for the Americans, and for Mariusz...haha do you really think the SS will easily allow Mariusz to skip MSG!! He guarantees seats will be filled!

[Derek Poundstone]

Wait, so does this mean he will not be competing at Fortissimus? The weekend after? Please correct me if im wrong, but wouldnt be crazy to compete in 2 shows of this caliber in 2 consecutive weekends?
In 2006 Travis, Van Hatfield, Jon Andersen and I all competed in ASM then then 9 days later started our first day, of three, competing in Worlds Strongest Nation in the Ukraine which had 17 events total!! So I think Travis and I are pretty well used to this sorta thing. I actually kinda like the idea.

As far as the decision, it was a very difficult one to make. I knew about MSG since January and just this week made a decision and gave notice to Dione and Jesper.

[Matt Schumann]

Oh allright... When all of these events were annouced I remember thinking "wow 3 major strongman contest 3 weeks in a row...." and i was wondering if MSG and Phil's show's participants would be spread thin because of Fortissimus.

I was especially suprised considering the crazy events that fortissimus has that anyone would want to compete the weekend before. But hey.. 2 good pro contest in 2 weeks.... thats great


In 2006 Travis, Van Hatfield, Jon Andersen and I all competed in ASM then then 9 days later started our first day, of three, competing in Worlds Strongest Nation in the Ukraine which had 17 events total!! So I think Travis and I are pretty well used to this sorta thing. I actually kinda like the idea.

As far as the decision, it was a very difficult one to make. I knew about MSG since January and just this week made a decision and gave notice to Dione and Jesper.

[James Deffinbaugh]

There's a Strongman Champions League contest in Bulgaria on June 21st as well. I don't know whether or not Z is going to be there... but more than likely all the top guys will be in the same position for Fortissimus.

Thanks for the comment Derek.

[Jared Enderton]

wow, what a dilemna for them all. that is too bad. oh well, the fans will get to see some sick numbers 2 weekends in a row haha!

[Derek Poundstone]

One thing I would like to point out is that missing ASM is a huge heart breaker for me!! I remember giving all the US pro's that missed it last year grief, and now I'm the one being a hipocrit!! It's really upsetting for me but whom ever wins the title will be forever known as the 2008 ASM!! I'm hoping Big Tom McClure competes as he will give everyone a run for their money and keep the title in CT, where it belongs!! For those disappointed (not to many), I wish some of the nay sayers on this forum and else where could spend a day in my life!! It's quite interesting as those that know me really well can tell you, Garrick being one of the (un) lucky few!! The deciding factor was my sometimes iffy back!! Any day could be my last day training, let alone competing. I've suffered so many injuries that I no longer wish for the best but expect the worst. Just a week ago I re-injured my back doing OHP'ing and could hardly walk for two days because of this (but I did hit an OHP PR!!). People close to me know about these injuries because they supported me and have helped me thought them to the to the point wheer I hit two more PR’s this Saturday after injuring my bac the week befre hitting a PR!! This in largly is due in part to the constant push by the very brutal and unforgiving CT Strength crew!! My neuro-surgeon, they guy who said I would never lift anything heavy again, wants me to do a published medical study because he's absolutely amazed that I can compete at the level that I do despite my back injury!! What makes me so dangerous to all the other competitors is the fact that have nothing to lose, I compete because I want to and I can, just like 99% of the guys (and gals) on this forum!! I have a great career (Police) a great business (my apartment building) and hobby that most guys would dream of! What propels me in life is the pursuit of perfection, I WILL NOT STOP SHORT OF THIS, MARK MY WORDS!! If you watch me or have watched me compete, you will always be guaranteed to enjoy yourself as I will leave a part of myself on that stage!! Let the 2008 strongman seasong be the one that defines me as a Strongman!!


Derek

[Jeremy Valles]

Very well said, Derek. Good luck at the Garden. as well as the rest of the year. Watching you at the Mohegan Sun, I know you will succeed as the world strongest man!!

[Jean-Charles Péronnet]

Waoh Derek your words are awesome! Very impressive declarations when you're on the right mood ! By the way, what is your business about? Did you buy a complete building and are you renting the flats now?

[Mike Westerling]

Dont worry about what anyone says. Just keep kicking it the way you have! I pray you figure out how to keep the back healthy so you will have a nice long career int his sport!
-Mike

[Steve Kirit]

Poundstone and the rest of the young guys who have been competing outside WSM deserve the exposure that the ESPN show gives. The very, very small number of us who actually know who the best guys are and which championships they happen to be competing in is nothing compared to the millions who watch WSM on ESPN.

I got 7th in the world at the first IFSA championships in 2004 but the only show people saw was WSM 2004 later and all three events I did on it before I blew my back out.

The WSM show can make athletes heroes to the general public.