Mariusz Pudzianowski won and is going to retire

[Piotr Jaczynski]

Mariusz Pudzianowski (31 yo) after incredible fight won 5th title of World's Strongest Man - nobody had achieved it before. "Dominator" won it and after this season he is going to retire

- I lifted enough in my whole life. I will compete once more on some contest, but it'll be only exhibition/show. Now there is time on personal life, parties - he said in interview with "Super Express" (polish newspaper)

He was fighting with all his strength for the transition to a history. After Plane Pull, Mariusz lost his breath and oxygen mask was needed.

- There have been no wind in me, but I couldn't forgive and that's the reason I'm World's Strongest Man again - Pudzianowski points.

What is he going to do?
- Certainly, I'll find sth. Now, I have to celebrate my success, later I'll think - corresponds with laughing Mariusz.

http://pudzian.pl/

[Jean-Charles Péronnet]

I wish him the best.
He killed some events at the contest and gave his very best all his life.
Hope he will party everything he wants, make a family if he wants one and stay in shape!

[dougie]

Marius is the best strongman to ever walk the plannet, he kicked some serious butt this year to prove he is the greatest.

I wish him all the best and hope we see him return in some capacity.

[Alex Klotz]

Finally, Pudzian Band will reach its full musical potential.

[Clint Darden]

That is too bad...

I've heard the rumor that next year both organizations will meet together for WSM.

[Mike Landrich]

He is a great Strongman. He is smart to retire while on top. We'll always remember him as a champion.

[IdrisH.]

Man, this is a surprize. :eek:

I also wish him the best. He said he will still do strongman though, but just not in a competitive way.

[Matthew White]

Don't count him out yet, I'm thinkin he's just taking some time off. I wouldn't count him out of the game yet.............though I think he could make a decent actor with a little work if he moved on to different occupations.

[Matt Brouse]

Cue: Chris Klavetter.

[BradyJones]

The greatest strength athlete to ever live, without a doubt...... the combination of speed strength stamina and the ability to master every single event in the sport of sm has never been done like he does it and is unmatched today IMO.

I believe whatever he decides to do next in his life he will be sucessful at, just like Arnold.

[Jim Wood]

I just think pudz wants to go out on top and while he is the greatest.

What he has achieved is incredible and with the current field in strongman i don't think anyone will beat his 5 wsm tittles for a long time.

Think he will make a good actor.

[Arnell Castillo]

Finally, Pudzian Band will reach its full musical potential.
they are actually pretty damn good too .

[Matthew White]

The greatest strength athlete to ever live, without a doubt...... the combination of speed strength stamina and the ability to master every single event in the sport of sm has never been done like he does it and is unmatched today IMO.

I believe whatever he decides to do next in his life he will be sucessful at, just like Arnold.

PUDZ COULD BE THE WORLDS STRONGEST GOVERNOR!!! YESH!!! Hehehehe.

[Lesley Gardiner]

If I had a dollar for every athlete who said they are retiring and actually DID retire and stay that way...I could retire.

But if he does then all the best to him on his next pursuits.

[wayne davies]

The greatest strength athlete to ever live, without a doubt...... the combination of speed strength stamina and the ability to master every single event in the sport of sm has never been done like he does it and is unmatched today IMO.

I believe whatever he decides to do next in his life he will be sucessful at, just like Arnold.

Very well said. The greatest strength athlete to ever live, without a doubt.

And what a lot of people have not noted, is that he won this years with a bad calf sprain, and you could really see this when he was doing the stones, as he had to shuffle. Wonder how much more he would have been in front if he was 100%

Mariusz has taken the sport to a new level, and there is no one in his class

The combination of speed, strength and stamina;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppckDRHrhCQ&feature=related

He after winning all he has one, being a millionaire, and after taking this years WSM man with a strained calf, I imagine the hunger has gone, you younger people will not understand this. And now he can do other things he chooses.

He has given me one big buzz over the years, god bless the king of the strongmen
Wayne

[chrisklavette]

Cue: Chris Klavetter.
People already know how psychic I am. Just wait a couple years and I have to dig up, yet another, nostradamus prediction.

[Kevin Klavetter]

People already know how psychic I am. Just wait a couple years and I have to dig up, yet another, nostradamus prediction.

If by dig up you mean pull it out of your rectum :FF:

[Dru Patrick]

That is too bad...

I've heard the rumor that next year both organizations will meet together for WSM.
Hey old buddy, why would it matter? He beat all the IFSA guys before the split.

[Lucjan Zolnierowski]

Update from his site:

He's not retiring, he's merely taking a short break from competing for now. In his words "Sure, winning WSM for the 5th time gave me satisfaction but it will definetly not be my last word".

[Mike Landrich]

Very well said. The greatest strength athlete to ever live, without a doubt.


I'm so happy you said that. Until then I had doubts, but if you said it, it must be true. :BB:


Now for the serious reply. He won WSM 5 times. Guys who have been world-class in multiple strength sports could also qualify as "The greatest strength athlete to ever live". Guys like Mark Henry (OLY and SM), Don Reinhoudt (OLY, PL and SM), Bruce Wilhelm (OLY and SM), Geoff Capes (Shot Put and SM), Zydrunas Savickas (PL and SM), Gary Taylor (BB and SM) all have as much of a claim to the title as does Marius.

Im the meantime, give him all the respect due a 5x WSM winner, but leave out the exaggeration. He deserves respect, not blind adoration.

[JohnCook]

Now for the serious reply. He won WSM 5 times. Guys who have been world-class in multiple strength sports could also qualify as "The greatest strength athlete to ever live". Guys like Mark Henry (OLY and SM), Don Reinhoudt (OLY, PL and SM), Bruce Wilhelm (OLY and SM), Geoff Capes (Shot Put and SM), Zydrunas Savickas (PL and SM), Gary Taylor (BB and SM) all have as much of a claim to the title as does Marius.

Im the meantime, give him all the respect due a 5x WSM winner, but leave out the exaggeration. He deserves respect, not blind adoration.



Agreed 100%. Amen.



Congrats to Pudz on his 5th title. I agree that I think that mark will stand for awhile, the talent level is getting a bit too deep these days for one guy to dominate like that anymore.

[Clint Darden]

Hey old buddy, why would it matter? He beat all the IFSA guys before the split.
And they have beaten him before the split as well as after.

How many times has he beat Vasyl and big Z since the split? Misha?

[Piotr Jaczynski]

And they have beaten him before the split as well as after.

How many times has he beat Vasyl and big Z since the split? Misha?
Always, excluding Arnolds and WSM 2004, where he lost for first time with Vasyl

[Mark A Cummings]

Now for the serious reply. He won WSM 5 times. Guys who have been world-class in multiple strength sports could also qualify as "The greatest strength athlete to ever live". Guys like Mark Henry (OLY and SM), Don Reinhoudt (OLY, PL and SM), Bruce Wilhelm (OLY and SM), Geoff Capes (Shot Put and SM), Zydrunas Savickas (PL and SM), Gary Taylor (BB and SM) all have as much of a claim to the title as does Marius.

Im the meantime, give him all the respect due a 5x WSM winner, but leave out the exaggeration. He deserves respect, not blind adoration.


Let us not forget Bill Kazmaier (PL and 3xWSM) I'm sure I'm not the only one that believes he would have continued winning had he been invited back in 1983.

[Paul E Ohl]

Please note that Mariusz did not make the podium at the 2003 and 2004 World Muscle Power, held in Dolbeau-Mistassini, Québec, Canada. Each time Zydrunas was ahead of him. And that Zydrunas was banged up and still recovering from the terrible surgeries he had gone through not long before.
When I asked Mariusz to analyse his performances he said that all that mattered was his preparation for the WSM. But I vividly remember him struggling with a 367 lbs Farmer's walk ( he managed half the distance). And he never finished the Fingal ( tried to work up the fifth one with his shoulder push). And he couldn't get past 6 reps on the 702 lbs squat.
Back in January of this year, at the Mohegan Sun, he asked me if the events of FORTISSIMUS were good for him. I answered that there were no bad events for a champion like him. So he eagerly signed up for the competition as did Derek, who, by the way, never bothered to ask what the events were.But then in March, after IRONMIND released the news that Zydrunas was in, the next Email I received came from Team Pudzian asking me if it was confirmed that big Z, Koklyaev and Murumets were in. The rest is history.
Meanwhile, nobody can take this 5th win away from Mariusz. He is and will be bankable by any standard.But to be the greatest he will have to step up and meet the final challenge...unless the best there are all retire at the same time. That I do not believe.

[DaneGarreau]

Please note that Mariusz did not make the podium at the 2003 and 2004 World Muscle Power, held in Dolbeau-Mistassini, Québec, Canada. Each time Zydrunas was ahead of him. And that Zydrunas was banged up and still recovering from the terrible surgeries he had gone through not long before.
When I asked Mariusz to analyse his performances he said that all that mattered was his preparation for the WSM. But I vividly remember him struggling with a 367 lbs Farmer's walk ( he managed half the distance). And he never finished the Fingal ( tried to work up the fifth one with his shoulder push). And he couldn't get past 6 reps on the 702 lbs squat.
Back in January of this year, at the Mohegan Sun, he asked me if the events of FORTISSIMUS were good for him. I answered that there were no bad events for a champion like him. So he eagerly signed up for the competition as did Derek, who, by the way, never bothered to ask what the events were.But then in March, after IRONMIND released the news that Zydrunas was in, the next Email I received came from Team Pudzian asking me if it was confirmed that big Z, Koklyaev and Murumets were in. The rest is history.
Meanwhile, nobody can take this 5th win away from Mariusz. He is and will be bankable by any standard.But to be the greatest he will have to step up and meet the final challenge...unless the best there are all retire at the same time. That I do not believe.

Dude, every post of yours gets better and better. Seriously, yours and Garrick Daft's posts are by FAR some of the most informative and entertaining posts on the forum.

Seriously, keep up the good work.

[Wolfgang Hasenmaier]

I`m more impressed with stationary raw strength. Zydrunas is head and shoulders above Mariusz there. Where are the stationary strength records of the dominator? OLWL SHW gold winners are certainly not behind him as athletes and in strength. Reza, his only real rival Weller, Chemerkin and Co. How about the alltime greats in the shot put? I admire all of them not an iota less. But Pudz is the world`s greatest strength athlete among strongmen. He is top pr for pro strongman.

[Paul F.X. Armstrong]

I'm so happy you said that. Until then I had doubts, but if you said it, it must be true. :BB:


Now for the serious reply. He won WSM 5 times. Guys who have been world-class in multiple strength sports could also qualify as "The greatest strength athlete to ever live". Guys like Mark Henry (OLY and SM), Don Reinhoudt (OLY, PL and SM), Bruce Wilhelm (OLY and SM), Geoff Capes (Shot Put and SM), Zydrunas Savickas (PL and SM), Gary Taylor (BB and SM) all have as much of a claim to the title as does Marius.

Im the meantime, give him all the respect due a 5x WSM winner, but leave out the exaggeration. He deserves respect, not blind adoration.

-i feel the multiple strength sport participants get the nod to be classified as the "greatest strength athlete ever".
With,IMO,Kaz or Gary Taylor both participating in other strength sports at a World Class level.
http://www.welshstrongman.com/welshstrongmen.aspx

The International Highland Games list Gary Taylor as a Highland games competitor also but no indication of how well he did.Like Kaz was probably "fairly"proficient at the 56# weight throw for height?

Kaz or Gary as greatest strength athlete ever-?
with Marius as the best 'Worlds Strongest Man Athlete' ever

[BradyJones]

- with Marius as the best 'Worlds Strongest Man Athlete' ever


best to ever complete in the sport of strongman OVERALL, more well rounded than anyone else to ever compete and excellent at EVERY single event in the sport of strongman....

[Jean-Charles Péronnet]

What I'm reading now is incredible.

So Don R, Geoff Capes, Bruce Wilhelm and Gary Taylor deserve the title of brest strength athlete just as Mariusz does?
What did Gary Taylor to get this?
A WSM victory? Mariusz has five.
A body-building record? Useless against Mariusz, who with the same bodyfat ratio might be 25 pounds heavier.
He tried highland games? Wow, Koklyaev tried it too and was the world champion, first comp. Poundstone is a better strongman right now and lost against Mariusz days ago.
What about Wenta, another world champion? He gets beaten by Mariusz at every comp, not matter if he finishes 2nd or 6th.
It should be remembered as well that Mariusz' best sprint for 100m is a very good 11s. Ask any other guy to try it (maybe Arild can, he is a great sprinter).

Mariusz has the best track ever in strongman (although Kaz could have got a terrific one too if not screwed by the fed).

Don R's results are not comparable to Mariusz' either. His powerligting record isn't that high according to his wikipedia page. I'm sure the guy was a beast but let's compare what is comparable. I don't think a 370 lbs clean and jerk would represent a problem for Mariusz.
The guy wasn't Shane Hamman.
If he had taken ping-pong and snooker some guys would say he was a multi-sport athlete.

I'm ok for Kaz and Savickas personnally, because they both have (or had) stamina and good recovery abilities to add to their raw strength, but the other guys simply would not hold a candle to Mariusz.


And let's not forget another point: when Mz finishes first, he doesn't beat by a rep or 0.1 seconds, he destroys the second guy's mark. That was obvious in the power stairs for example. 10 points are not enough when your time is half the third guy's time (who gets 8 points) IMO.

[Kevin Cronin]

Don R's results are not comparable to Mariusz' either. His powerligting record isn't that high according to his wikipedia page.
You do know those are unequipped numbers, right? if you like mariusz as a better strength athlete that's fine, but I just never thought I'd hear a 904 lb squat with just a belt referred to "not that high"

[dave barron]

Misha was not the HG world champion. He set a world record (weighed in light, so it didn't count) in the 56# weight for height. Big difference.
Kaz, JP, Capes and lots of other strongmen have competed in the games too. MVM actually competed in the world championships and took 3rd overall back in the 90s, so add him to your list.

[BradyJones]

Misha was not the HG world champion. He set a world record (weighed in light, so it didn't count) in the 56# weight for height. Big difference.
Kaz, JP, Capes and lots of other strongmen have competed in the games too. MVM actually competed in the world championships and took 3rd overall back in the 90s, so add him to your list.


i dont think anyone denies MVM shouldnt be on the list as one of the best strongman of all time either.... or one of the best strength athletes ever.

[Jean-Charles Péronnet]

You do know those are unequipped numbers, right? if you like mariusz as a better strength athlete that's fine, but I just never thought I'd hear a 904 lb squat with just a belt referred to "not that high"
Very big squat, especially unequipped. But I'm always looking the total as well. Now if everything is unequipped, fine, good numbers.

[chrisklavette]

Mark Henry should also be included in that list.

Powerlifting

* All time world raw (unequipped) squat world record holder (430 Kilograms)[19]

Professional wrestling

* Pro Wrestling Illustrated
o Ranked # 41 of the PWI 500 in 2006[20]
* World Wrestling Federation | World Wrestling Entertainment
o ECW Championship (1 time)[15]
o WWF European Championship (1 time)[4]

Strongman

* Arnold Classic
o Arnold Classic Strongest Man (2002)
* First person to clean and press the inch dumbbell, 175 pounds plus, putting the bell overhead using only his right hand

Weightlifting

* Olympics Games
o Olympic Games team member (1992, 1996)
* Pan American Games
o Pan American Games Silver Medalist (1995)
* Senior American record holder in Snatch, Clean and jerk, and Total (1993-1997)
* Senior National Championship (1993, 1994, 1996)

Has to be one of the most impressive all around resumes.

[Mark A Cummings]

Mark Henry should also be included in that list.

Powerlifting

* All time world raw (unequipped) squat world record holder (430 Kilograms)[19]

Professional wrestling

* Pro Wrestling Illustrated
o Ranked # 41 of the PWI 500 in 2006[20]
* World Wrestling Federation | World Wrestling Entertainment
o ECW Championship (1 time)[15]
o WWF European Championship (1 time)[4]

Strongman

* Arnold Classic
o Arnold Classic Strongest Man (2002)
* First person to clean and press the inch dumbbell, 175 pounds plus, putting the bell overhead using only his right hand

Weightlifting

* Olympics Games
o Olympic Games team member (1992, 1996)
* Pan American Games
o Pan American Games Silver Medalist (1995)
* Senior American record holder in Snatch, Clean and jerk, and Total (1993-1997)
* Senior National Championship (1993, 1994, 1996)

Has to be one of the most impressive all around resumes.

Is Professional Wrestling really considered a strength sport? Not knocking Mark Henry's achievments, but if we're going to include this then we have to include dancing with Mariusz's list of achievements! :M:


Also, Kaz lifted the Inch with one hand from the floor to arms length overhead before Mark Henry.

[chrisklavette]

Is Professional Wrestling really considered a strength sport? Not knocking Mark Henry's achievments, but if we're going to include this then we have to include dancing with Mariusz's list of achievements! :M:


Also, Kaz lifted the Inch with one hand from the floor to arms length overhead before Mark Henry.
Lol. No but Kaz did do a stint in the WWF.
Anways, Mark has won or at least competed in the biggest games in strength sports.
Has anyone aside from Henry hit silver or better in the big 3 strength measures?

[Paul_Koskinen]

What everyone has neglected is the unequaled strength of bodybuilding's Branch Warren (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branch_Warren)!!
:IMHO:

[BradyJones]

Very big squat, especially unequipped. But I'm always looking the total as well. Now if everything is unequipped, fine, good numbers.


definetely its a very big squat

[chrisklavette]

What everyone has neglected is the unequaled strength of bodybuilding's Branch Warren (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branch_Warren)!!
:IMHO:
I need to see some credentials on those numbers. I think we would have heard more about his supposed 1000lb deadlift. Also, 585x15 on squat. Maybe but highly doubtful

[Paul F.X. Armstrong]

What I'm reading now is incredible.

So Don R, Geoff Capes, Bruce Wilhelm and Gary Taylor deserve the title of brest strength athlete just as Mariusz does?
What did Gary Taylor to get this?
A WSM victory? Mariusz has five.
A body-building record? Useless against Mariusz, who with the same bodyfat ratio might be 25 pounds heavier.
He tried highland games? Wow, Koklyaev tried it too and was the world champion, first comp. Poundstone is a better strongman right now and lost against Mariusz days ago.
What about Wenta, another world champion? He gets beaten by Mariusz at every comp, not matter if he finishes 2nd or 6th.
It should be remembered as well that Mariusz' best sprint for 100m is a very good 11s. Ask any other guy to try it (maybe Arild can, he is a great sprinter).

Mariusz has the best track ever in strongman (although Kaz could have got a terrific one too if not screwed by the fed).

Don R's results are not comparable to Mariusz' either. His powerligting record isn't that high according to his wikipedia page. I'm sure the guy was a beast but let's compare what is comparable. I don't think a 370 lbs clean and jerk would represent a problem for Mariusz.
The guy wasn't Shane Hamman.
If he had taken ping-pong and snooker some guys would say he was a multi-sport athlete.

I'm ok for Kaz and Savickas personnally, because they both have (or had) stamina and good recovery abilities to add to their raw strength, but the other guys simply would not hold a candle to Mariusz.


And let's not forget another point: when Mz finishes first, he doesn't beat by a rep or 0.1 seconds, he destroys the second guy's mark. That was obvious in the power stairs for example. 10 points are not enough when your time is half the third guy's time (who gets 8 points) IMO.
-I think of the best strength athlete as someone that has competed in multiple strength related sports.That is how i look upon the subject- it is just my opinion- and obviously you don't feel this way.
i feel the best '"strength athlete"is Taylor or Kaz. There are many other Pro Strongman competitors that could be considered.Other strength athletes that have WON Worlds strongest man: Magnus ver,Don Reinholdt,Jon Pal,Capes,Bruce Wilhelm,Jaimie Reeves all actually competed in other 'Iron'sports.
I will add that If you'd like to take all of gary's powerlifting,bodybuilding and highland games out of the equation he was a world class Olympic lifter with a silver medal in the olympics.This is ,IMO,a huge accomplishment.

Pudz is an amazing strongman,arguably one of the best strongmen competitors ever,but to the best of my knowledge he hasn't competed in Olympic lifting,powerlifting,highland games or bodybuilding.
I may be mistaken.


All the athletes mentioned get my respect.

[Mike Landrich]

All the athletes mentioned get my respect.

Best line in this thread, by far!

[Mike Landrich]

What I'm reading now is incredible.

So Don R, Geoff Capes, Bruce Wilhelm and Gary Taylor deserve the title of brest strength athlete just as Mariusz does?
What did Gary Taylor to get this?
A WSM victory? Mariusz has five.
A body-building record? Useless against Mariusz, who with the same bodyfat ratio might be 25 pounds heavier.
He tried highland games? Wow, Koklyaev tried it too and was the world champion, first comp. Poundstone is a better strongman right now and lost against Mariusz days ago.
What about Wenta, another world champion? He gets beaten by Mariusz at every comp, not matter if he finishes 2nd or 6th.
It should be remembered as well that Mariusz' best sprint for 100m is a very good 11s. Ask any other guy to try it (maybe Arild can, he is a great sprinter).

Mariusz has the best track ever in strongman (although Kaz could have got a terrific one too if not screwed by the fed).

Don R's results are not comparable to Mariusz' either. His powerligting record isn't that high according to his wikipedia page. I'm sure the guy was a beast but let's compare what is comparable. I don't think a 370 lbs clean and jerk would represent a problem for Mariusz.
The guy wasn't Shane Hamman.
If he had taken ping-pong and snooker some guys would say he was a multi-sport athlete.

I'm ok for Kaz and Savickas personnally, because they both have (or had) stamina and good recovery abilities to add to their raw strength, but the other guys simply would not hold a candle to Mariusz.


And let's not forget another point: when Mz finishes first, he doesn't beat by a rep or 0.1 seconds, he destroys the second guy's mark. That was obvious in the power stairs for example. 10 points are not enough when your time is half the third guy's time (who gets 8 points) IMO.


You really seem to like arguing about my posts, so let's just say we agree to disagree.

You are looking back at these guys with many subsequent years of history to compare them to. You apparently are too young to remember how they dominated their respective sports at that time. Comparing anyone's numbers from many years ago to someone today is unfair. Compare their numbers to others of their day. Equipment, training methods and supplementation have changed dramatically in that time.

As for Marius destroying the second guy's mark, you completely missed that mark. He beat Derek by a bobble on Derek's part that cost Derek the contest. Had Derek beaten Marius, the title was his. He didn't destroy anyone, especially in Stones. he came in 3rd.

[Paul_Koskinen]

I need to see some credentials on those numbers. I think we would have heard more about his supposed 1000lb deadlift. Also, 585x15 on squat. Maybe but highly doubtful

Probably a look at his Bicep Curl numbers would hint at the author's overall sincerity.

[Jean-Charles Péronnet]

As for Marius destroying the second guy's mark, you completely missed that mark. He beat Derek by a bobble on Derek's part that cost Derek the contest. Had Derek beaten Marius, the title was his. He didn't destroy anyone, especially in Stones. he came in 3rd.
That's right, I've been disagreeing with you many times.

I read the results many times, thanks.
I hope you understood I was talking about events, not the contest on its global mark. Mariusz destroyed the truck pull, the power stairs, and later the plane pull. He was well ahead of anybody, same as Derek+Mariusz in the car deadlift if I remember well.

[Mike Landrich]

That's right, I've been disagreeing with you many times.

I read the results many times, thanks.
I hope you understood I was talking about events, not the contest on its global mark. Mariusz destroyed the truck pull, the power stairs, and later the plane pull. He was well ahead of anybody, same as Derek+Mariusz in the car deadlift if I remember well.

You think with your heart. You like Marius, therefore you look for his dominance, even where it does not exist. There is no reasoning with emotion. I give up. Think what you will.

[Jason Alencewicz]

you guys both make valid points, I agree with, but

i do not think an accurate assessment of this years competition can be made until we find out the severity of mariusz's injury. Maybe he didn't dominate as he did in past years, but if the injury is serious enough that has to be taken into consideration.

[Mike Landrich]

you guys both make valid points, I agree with, but

i do not think an accurate assessment of this years competition can be made until we find out the severity of mariusz's injury. Maybe he didn't dominate as he did in past years, but if the injury is serious enough that has to be taken into consideration.

Jay
The amount of misinformation generated by Marius will never allow that evaluation. There were other guys injured, most notably Derek, so just taking only his into consideration is, in essence, making an excuse. As if an excuse for coming in first is needed!!

[Dru Patrick]

And they have beaten him before the split as well as after.

How many times has he beat Vasyl and big Z since the split? Misha?

I know he didnt go to Ifsa and play with those guys but in the WSM format I dont think it would matter.

[Mike Landrich]

I know he didnt go to Ifsa and play with those guys but in the WSM format I dont think it would matter.


It did in 2004, the last time they all went head to head
1. V.V.
2. Z.S.
3. M.P. (even before the DQ)

[Paul E Ohl]

Jean-Charles : with regards to your statement as to Mariusz showing the best track record in Strongman you will have to compare with comparables. First, look at Magnus Ver Magnusson's lifetime competition record. It extends to almost 20 years. Add to this his PL credentials. That should ring a bell.
Next, look over Savickas' global competition data. Absolutely amazing. Without even throwing in his six wins at the Arnold Strongman Classic, you still have to assess his string of wins from 2004 to this day. Close to 60 wins that are recorded. 55 consecutives wins. Two IFSA Worlds. To this day, 22 strength world records in different events: log, stones, yoke, one arm press, deadlift, overhead ingot lift.
And, by the way, Jon Pall Sigmarsson was no push over. 4 x WSM, 5 X World Muscle Power. Plus a great PL run in between.
Mon cher Jean-Charles, le devoir de mémoire a ses exigences propres. De même doit-on éviter de confondre l'hypothèse avec le postulat. Pour l'heure, ton exposé au sujet de Mariusz ne saurait être qu'une hypothèse. Et, bien franchement, je doute que ce soit toi qui tenait le chrono marquant un 11 secondes au 100 mètres. Pour en avoir vu d'autres s'entend !

[BradyJones]

Jon Pall Sigmarsson was no push over. 4 x WSM,!


not many give him credit for that 4th title, but nonetheless, technically he did win...

[Dru Patrick]

It did in 2004, the last time they all went head to head
1. V.V.
2. Z.S.
3. M.P. (even before the DQ)

How many times did MP beat BIG Z by insane margins in WSM???And Big Z beat MP at the Arnold EASY. This is common sense that he wins in the lighter SM contest vs Z and Z wins in heavier ones. As far as Vasily he did get him in that last contest and MP got him b4 that so its 1-1, but last I checked MP has 5 WSM and VV has 1 WSM and 1 IFSA. It remains to be seen how VV does but I am expecting him to contest for all the top titles,along with Poundstone.

So we have the 2 all time guys MP n Z that are the best at thier respective events.

Make of it what you will, its always going to be a matter of opinion. The best O lifters will say their top guy in the strongest man alive the best PLers will say their guy is and strongman will debate about events for theirs.

Change 1 event in most WSM or SM contests and you can have a different champion. As anyone that knows anything knows its always about the events.

Personally I like Big Z as best ever. But I cant deny MP his events either. Its all down to a matter of opinion.

Thats why its good to have the WR in something, no debate your the best at that. Everything else you can squirm around with opinions and excuses.

[Hamish Moir]

After following this thread (and other related ones) for some time, it would appear that Mariusz will never get the full credit he deserves from certain quarters as he's not American. Sort of undertstandable on a US-based forum but I think other non-Americans here may be more objective on the subject...

[Piotr Jaczynski]

I think it's time to create "Mariusz Pudzianowski bashing thread" :EP:

[ADAMBAUER]

After following this thread (and other related ones) for some time, it would appear that Mariusz will never get the full credit he deserves from certain quarters as he's not American. Sort of undertstandable on a US-based forum but I think other non-Americans here may be more objective on the subject...
Hammish,I think we all agree that Marius will go down as a legend in this sport. However, there is a sense of Nationalism here on this forum that I see from Americans (myself included) but also from the members from other nations, I think in the end Marius will be acknowleged in the same breath as Kaz, JPS, MVM etc. as far as Marius vs. Big Z it is a dead hourse some people insist on beating. Marius' record speaks for itself, this coming from a dyed in the wool American fan of the sport naturally I will cheer for the Americans over any other nationality. If he does retire, I wish him the best.

[Arnell Castillo]

After following this thread (and other related ones) for some time, it would appear that Mariusz will never get the full credit he deserves from certain quarters as he's not American. Sort of undertstandable on a US-based forum but I think other non-Americans here may be more objective on the subject...
Nah i'm a huge Zydrunas fan,nothing to do with country ,I could care less. lol...I just think Zydrunas is better than Pudz .That's what it comes down to for me .lol... I would love to see them go at it, and then that would prove who's the best .but that sure ain't gonna happen . but I can give credit where credit is due . it takes alot to win 5 titles in any sport let alone a sport that is as brutal and taxing on the body as strongman. Mariuz has done that ,kudos to him . But Big Z is the man , and has to be one of if not the strongest to ever live up to this point in time .
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[Mike Landrich]

not many give him credit for that 4th title, but nonetheless, technically he did win...


Brady
He gets the same credit for that as Marius gets for the titles since the split, which is.........he was WSM that year. Whether or not the level of competition was high enough for a legit title is irrelevant, he won, and that is all that matters.

After following this thread (and other related ones) for some time, it would appear that Mariusz will never get the full credit he deserves from certain quarters as he's not American. Sort of undertstandable on a US-based forum but I think other non-Americans here may be more objective on the subject...

Hamish
How does an American not supporting Marius as the "Strongest man ever in the universe, best strength athlete ever, best at everything" in favor of one of the following: a Lithuanian (Savickas), Ukranian (Vasyl), Brit (Gary Taylor), Icleanders (MVM and JPS) and the two Americans (Kaz and Reinhoudt), equal us not giving non-Americans the full credit they deserve. All most of us are saying is that Marius deserves credit for being 5x champ, but he is not the best at everything that some declare. If one is old enough to remember strength athletics pre-Marius, one has a basis for a comparison. If one is new to the sport, one automatically gives a little extra credit to the current champ and discounts the accomplishments of those who have gone before. The same applies to WSM over IFSA. How many IFSA tv shows have you seen, compared to the number of WSM shows you have seen?

[Matt Makousky]

I think we should start a thread for people to whine about whatever they want. I have seen to many threads turn into whine threads instead of what this forum is really about.
:BB:

or maybe the ones that think they know all can personally contact all of these strongmen and get them together to apease themselves and find out who is the strongest. What if...... What if..... What if....... etc etc etc beat the dead horse and start a new thread on the same topic a few months down the road and we can all put our same opinions down over and over and over again.


Wow this was fun lol :EL:


M2

[Hamish Moir]

Brady
He gets the same credit for that as Marius gets for the titles since the split, which is.........he was WSM that year. Whether or not the level of competition was high enough for a legit title is irrelevant, he won, and that is all that matters.



Hamish
How does an American not supporting Marius as the "Strongest man ever in the universe, best strength athlete ever, best at everything" in favor of one of the following: a Lithuanian (Savickas), Ukranian (Vasyl), Brit (Gary Taylor), Icleanders (MVM and JPS) and the two Americans (Kaz and Reinhoudt), equal us not giving non-Americans the full credit they deserve. All most of us are saying is that Marius deserves credit for being 5x champ, but he is not the best at everything that some declare. If one is old enough to remember strength athletics pre-Marius, one has a basis for a comparison. If one is new to the sport, one automatically gives a little extra credit to the current champ and discounts the accomplishments of those who have gone before. The same applies to WSM over IFSA. How many IFSA tv shows have you seen, compared to the number of WSM shows you have seen?

I was referring more to the general feeling I got from not just the last few pages of this thread but all of it and, indeed, other WSM2008 related threads.

For the record, I am old enough to remember JPS, MVM, Capes, Hamish Davidson (!), BK and others competing. I don't remember thinking that any of them were dominating WSM as much as MP has done, especially given the far greater number and quality of athletes now compared to then.

[Alexander Isakssons]

Outside the very small circle of strongman, and it is ever so small, the entire world knows Mariusz as the world’s strongest man, and they know of no one else, or maybe the odd other name.

Why do not people just except him for what he is, the greatest all round strongman ever.
On competition where you have heavy, light, endurance, and speed all in the same competition, Mariusz dominates, that is what strongman is all about, not just 1RM, but ALL round strongman.

Mariusz has gone down in history as the world’s greatest strongman ever, and there nothing anyone can do about this, why not can some Americas except this?
Someone said Mariusz will have to work hard for his 5TH title this year; WELL he WORKED HARD and WON it, PLEASE NO MORE EXCUSES.
Alexander

[Billy Wolt]

Outside the very small circle of strongman, and it is ever so small, the entire world knows Mariusz as the world’s strongest man, and they know of no one else, or maybe the odd other name.

Why do not people just except him for what he is, the greatest all round strongman ever.
On competition where you have heavy, light, endurance, and speed all in the same competition, Mariusz dominates, that is what strongman is all about, not just 1RM, but ALL round strongman.

Mariusz has gone down in history as the world’s greatest strongman ever, and there nothing anyone can do about this, why not can some Americas except this?
Someone said Mariusz will have to work hard for his 5TH title this year; WELL he WORKED HARD and WON it, PLEASE NO MORE EXCUSES.
Alexander


it has nothing to do with being american....last time i checked, zydrunas was not american. I consider him to the best of all time.

[Scott Markowitz]

My own POV is that we will never definitively know who "the" best ever is, unless and until we invent a time machine and get them all together. Heck, even that might not settle it, since there's still the debate over events.

While I personally don't think Mariusz is the bestest evereverever (my vote is Kaz because of his breadth of competition) I think he's certainly in a small group about whom you can have a serious debate. Kaz, Pudz, Z, MVM, JPS, and maybe 1 or 2 others. This list may expand as future events unfold (if he repeats the performances of this year, Poundstone will be in there, eg) but those guys have earned a spot at the table.

And the 85 Bears still rule.

[Tony Christopher]

The bottom line here is that it's impossible to determine who THE greatest strongman in history is. It's even impossible to determine who THE greatest today is because the world of strongman has become so competitive, with so many great athletes participating, it's no longer possible for one guy to be the best at everything.

A guy with Mariusz's build (low bodyfat, moderate body weight ... by strongman standards) will never match a guy a with Z's build (400 lbs of mass) at the static strength events. But conversely, guys who look like Z will never do powerstairs, Husafelt stone, Conan's wheel etc. as well as people who look like Pudz. Then there are the "all arounders" like Vasyl and Pfister who, while unable to quite match Z at static events, and unable to match Pudz at speed events, can nonetheless come close enough in everything that they occasionally pull of a championship.

So the "who's the best" question on any given day will be settled by what the events are, who avoids injury, and who wants it more on that specific day.

Similarly, when you look at strongmen over time, you CAN say that a modern champion like Mariusz is better at most events than a guy like Kaz or JPS, simply because the sport has "evolved" since those guys competed: better training methods, better nutrition and more event specific practice. You can also say that modern guys face stiffer competition since there is more "depth" in the strongman world (there are probably 25-30 world class strongmen today ... maybe more, as opposed to a hand full in the 70s and 80s). But partially because of that, one can also argue that some of those old masters were more dominant in their day than Mariusz is today (Kaz won 3 WSM titles in a row and then was banned from competing because he was too good!) You can also say that Kaz at his best was better in terms of pure static strength, that is, he would have beaten Marisuz at a powerlifting contest (training and "nutrition" improvements notwithstanding).

So I think the only realistic thing one can say is that 25 years from now, when guys like us are debating "who the greatest strongman ever was" (and yes, the debate will go on and on well after we're gone). The names Kaz, JPS, Magnus Ver etc. will be mentioned as will Pudzianowski and Savickas (and whoever the best of the best happen to be at the time).

[D.J. Satterfield]

Who cares.

Is there a prize for getting the answer right?

[Matt Makousky]

hmmmmm Lance armstrong is the best athlete ever......
no wait Michael Phelps is, wait, where am I lol.
If you can't have a little fun and laugh what is the purpose.
Lets move on please :xo:


M2

[BradyJones]

Brady
He gets the same credit for that as Marius gets for the titles since the split, which is.........he was WSM that year. Whether or not the level of competition was high enough for a legit title is irrelevant, he won, and that is all that matters.






had nothing to do with level of competition, it had to do with CHANGING an event to make a certain someone not win....... but whatever... if's and's or but's dont matter.

[BradyJones]

You can also say that Kaz at his best was better in terms of pure static strength, that is, he would have beaten Marisuz at a powerlifting contest ).



probably wouldn't beat kaz, but at this point nothing would surprise me with pudz... who knows maybe a 2400 single ply total out of him...

[Mike Landrich]

had nothing to do with level of competition, it had to do with CHANGING an event to make a certain someone not win....... but whatever... if's and's or but's dont matter.


I wasn't referring to JPS.......


Outside the very small circle of strongman, and it is ever so small, the entire world knows Mariusz as the world’s strongest man, and they know of no one else, or maybe the odd other name.

On the contrary, they all know the name "MAGNUS", not whether it is MVM or Samuelsson. Marius is "that Polish guy with the really good build". Besides, we're debating it on a Strongman forum, not one in which the "entire world" posts.

[Billy Wolt]

hmmmmm Lance armstrong is the best athlete ever......
no wait Michael Phelps is, wait, where am I lol.
If you can't have a little fun and laugh what is the purpose.
Lets move on please :xo:


M2

Matt, quit beating a dead horse

[Matt Makousky]

lol, the beating is not being done by Matt, but thanks :N:


M2

[Kevin Cronin]

lol, the beating is not being done by Matt, but thanks :N:

M2

I think Billy's saying that the issue of "we're beating a dead horse" is now itself a dead horse.

And if he's not saying it, I will. I think this is actually a pretty fun little debate and I've enjoyed reading it. Nobody who doesnt want to click on it has to click on it.

And for the record Hamish, I think there's a big difference between a pro-american sentiment in a WSM thread - that is, a thread about an int'l comp - and this one. When I was at WSM I was unabashedly rooting for the americans when they were paired up against europeans or canadians - it's an int'l comp, how can you not? That said I was also looking forward to the performances of several europeans - eg, I was very disappointed when I found out Jimmy Marku's heat would be keg deadlifting instead of squatting. I've only seen him drop an atom bomb on the keg squat apparatus once and it still left enough of an impression on me that I remember it.

I dont think it's a nationalist sentiment here. Some people have suggested Kaz - how can you not, he was a 3x champ - but many have suggested Zydrunas. How does a vote for a lithuanian over a pole = nationalism on the yanks' part?

[Paul F.X. Armstrong]

-someone mentioned "best strength athlete ever" so I thought of strongmen with more diversified strength careers-this brought up Gary taylor a former WSM who competed at a very high level in other strength sports.

best 'strongman' ever-?-
no particular order: Magnus ver,Kaz,Pudz,Sigmarson,Savickus.
I'd have to leave Gary taylor out of the list of greatest 'Pro strongmen' ever.

strongest man on the planet-?-now or maybe ever-? ;)
Savickus

[RyanWilson]

I dont think it's a nationalist sentiment here. Some people have suggested Kaz - how can you not, he was a 3x champ - but many have suggested Zydrunas. How does a vote for a lithuanian over a pole = nationalism on the yanks' part?

Quite right. I think that the anti-Pudz stance is based a lot on two main factors:

1. He's won a LOT of shows, and sometimes, people just want to root for the underdogs and those that always seem to just miss the top spot because that's their nature. If it was someone else that had been on top so many times, they'd probably hate on him too.

2. While he's probably a nice guy, Pudz can appear cocky and cold in his demeanor, which doesn't make him all that likeable to a lot of people. I'm sure that the language barrier has a good deal to do with that, not to mention that he's from a place where people don't act the same as we do here, but how you carry yourself in public will impact how people perceive you and ultimately, like you in your sport. Just because he doesn't appear super-friendly at all times doesn't mean he might not be, but appearances make a difference, and if people think he comes off as a jerk compared to other competitors, then they're often going to like him less than other people.

Combine a cold demeanor with a fantastic streak of top finishes, and you've got the recipe for the champion people love to hate, even if he's one of the best ever.

[Billy Wolt]

Quite right. I think that the anti-Pudz stance is based a lot on two main factors:

1. He's won a LOT of shows, and sometimes, people just want to root for the underdogs and those that always seem to just miss the top spot because that's their nature. If it was someone else that had been on top so many times, they'd probably hate on him too.

2. While he's probably a nice guy, Pudz can appear cocky and cold in his demeanor, which doesn't make him all that likeable to a lot of people. I'm sure that the language barrier has a good deal to do with that, not to mention that he's from a place where people don't act the same as we do here, but how you carry yourself in public will impact how people perceive you and ultimately, like you in your sport. Just because he doesn't appear super-friendly at all times doesn't mean he might not be, but appearances make a difference, and if people think he comes off as a jerk compared to other competitors, then they're often going to like him less than other people.

Combine a cold demeanor with a fantastic streak of top finishes, and you've got the recipe for the champion people love to hate, even if he's one of the best ever.


I met him once when he was at a vitamin shoppe after a WSM win signing autographs and pimping metrx....he seemed like a complete douche. Mentioned how the US athletes are lazy, etc etc.

Has nothing to do with him hating americans, he just came off like a jerk. When i worked the floor at MSG SS a couple months ago, every athlete was awesome, except for one... hint: he was an american.

[Matt Brouse]

hint: he was an american.
Well, now I gotta know.

[Ian Duggan]

Another scoop from the National Wolt!

Calling somebody a douche... then saying something like "hint: it was an American" is a pretty good definition of irony.

[Billy Wolt]

Well, now I gotta know.


well, i'm not gonna start dropping names on here :D

[Billy Wolt]

Another scoop from the National Wolt!

Calling somebody a douche... then saying something like "hint: it was an American" is a pretty good definition of irony.


HA!

are you saying that American = douche?

[BradyJones]

-someone mentioned "best strength athlete ever" so I thought of strongmen with more diversified strength careers-this brought up Gary taylor a former WSM who competed at a very high level in other strength sports.

best 'strongman' ever-?-
no particular order: Magnus ver,Kaz,Pudz,Sigmarson,Savickus.
I'd have to leave Gary taylor out of the list of greatest 'Pro strongmen' ever.

strongest man on the planet-?-now or maybe ever-? ;)
Savickus

completely agree with your top 5 strongman ever...

as for the strongest man on the planet, now or ever,

its too hard to narrow it down to one.. no doubt z is one of the strongest, but Henry comes right to my mind as overall incredible brute power.