INTERVIEW: 2008 Log Lift World Championships

[Clint Darden]

For those that don't know, the Strongman Champions League will be running the 2008 Log Lift World Championships this Sunday, LIVE on EuroSport!

I plan on recording it and watching it as soon as I get in from the gym!

I had the opportunity to talk to Marcel Mostert, formerly of IFSA, who is currently running the League. He has been the man who has ran nearly every IFSA show over the last 10 years maybe? Maybe more.

Rough Start List:
1. Zydrunas Savickas (Lithuania)
2. Vidas Blekaitis (Lithuania)
3. Oleksandr Pekanov (Ukraine)
4. Mikhail Koklyaev (Russia)
5. Sebastian Wenta (Poland)
6. Jarno Hams (Holland)
7. Tobias Ide (Germany)
8. Igor Pedan (Russia)
9. Ervin Katona (Serbia)
10. Agris Kazelniks or Raivis Vidzis (Latvia)*
11. Jason Kristal (USA)
12. Oleksandr Lashyn (Ukraine)

Featuring US$30,000 in prize money, this contest will set the stage for a major assault on Zydrunas Savickas’s world record in this event, which stands at 210 kg. The starting weight will be 175 kg.

1. A round system will be used.
2. There will be three attempts per competitor.
3. Arms must be straight, locked out, and the weight held overhead for one second.
4. Feet must be in a line at the completion of the lift.
5. The log may not be returned (dropped) behind the lifter.
6. “Not allowed to use the head for lifting.”
7. The competitor must stay on the marked platform.
8. There will be a 60-second time limit per attempt.

YouTube Video Interview Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAoDCUWGl6E

More interviews to come. I plan to interview Marcel next week after the contest as well as a lot of people involved in Strongman over the next several months.

Clint

[Easton Taylor]

I really dont see anyone beating Z in this competition. I will be rooting for Z and secertly for Kristal!

[Orie Barnett]

Clint,
Its Orie from Xenia, Ohio, Can you record it for me also?
Jerry "Cheese" says "Hello"; the last I talked to him...
Let me know,
Orie
Do you still have your videos?

[Clint Darden]

Clint,
Its Orie from Xenia, Ohio, Can you record it for me also?
Jerry "Cheese" says "Hello"; the last I talked to him...
Let me know,
Orie
Do you still have your videos?

I do plan to record it, but at times there are issues with VHS recorders and our TV system here and often they only record in Greek (the first language on the TV).

Do I still have my videos? Of course...I still watch them (most of them are worn out!).

[Clint Darden]

I really dont see anyone beating Z in this competition. I will be rooting for Z and secertly for Kristal!

Just as Marcel said in the interview...It is Big Z's contest to win or lose but he could have a slightly off day and there are at least 3 other guy capable of hitting 200kg + on any given CONTEST day.

[Matt Schumann]

Iron mind just put out something mentioning that there were some last minute changes.. Dont see Jason K's name on there anymore.... Bummer.



<TABLE height=700 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=779 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=bodytext vAlign=top><TABLE class=bodytext width=641 align=center></TD></TR><TBODY><TR><TD class=bodytext></TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=menudate align=middle bgColor=#cc0033>Friday, November 14, 2008 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=bigboldtext align=left>Strongman Champions League: World Log Lift Championships by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2008 IronMind

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodytext>It might not be in there with the Atlas Stones or a Truck Pull, but the image of a huge guy lifting a “log” has its roots in strongman going back at least as far as the 1980 World’s Strongest Man contest, where the mighty Bill Kazmaier hoisted 157 kg, and from there, things have just grown.

http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/system/galleries/ironmind/scl-loglift_lg.jpg (http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/system/galleries/ironmind/scl-loglift_lg.jpg)
This weekend, Zydrunas Savickas has a chance to break his own world record in the log lift for the third time this year. Artwork courtesy of Ilkka Kinnunen.

Following Kazmaier moving the top lift from 157 kg to 170 kg over the next eight years, according to research by Paul Ohl and Marcel Mostert, the mantle of the world’s best on the log was passed to Jamie Reeves, always known for his strong shoulders. Reeves got the top mark up to 180 kg in 1992, where it stayed for a decade until Svend Karlsen slapped another 5 kg on the record in 2002, and then Raimunds Bergmanis raised it another 5 kg in 2003.

With that prelude, the age of Zydrunas Savickas was ushered in, and the Lithuanian strongman wasted no time bringing the record to 200 kg in 2004, 205 kg in 2006 and this year, so far, he has broken the record two more times, with marks of 207.5 and 210.

Earlier this year, Zydrunas told IronMind that he expected to do <A href="http://www.ironmind.com/ironcms/morenewsv6.php?id=2592" target=”_parent”>212.5 kg next, so keep your eyes on the ball this Sunday and see if the Big Z gets his Big 3 in 2008.

With a couple of last minute changes in the competitor lineup due to injuries, here’s who is on board for the inaugural Strongman Championship League World Log Lift Championships:

Zydrunas Savickas (Lithuania)
Mikhail Koklyaev (Russia)
Ervin Katona (Serbia)
Sebastian Wenta (Poland)
Oleksandr Lashyn (Ukraine)
Tobias Ide ( Germany)
Agris Kazelniks (Latvia)
Oleksandr Pekanaov (Ukraine)
Krzysztof Radzikowski (Poland)
Saulius Brusokas (Lithuania)

Marcel Mostert, who is picking Zydrunas Savickas, Kryzytof Radzikowski and Mikhail Koklaev for the podium, was unrepentant in his optimism about this weekend’s event.

“We are looking forward to the first live strongman event ever broadcast in 52 countries,” Mostert told IronMind. And with the log lift world record in serious danger of being axed, Mostert called it like this: “Again a new standard for log lifting will be established with this world championship, and I predict it will inspire a lot of strongman to go in a few years to 225 kg . . . which will mean that if you are under 200 kg, you are not a top log lifter anymore!” ("")</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Clint Darden]

Thanks Matt...

I also like your signature.

That was a quote from me in the "Viper Video"...lol

[Billy Wolt]

will this be on in the us?

[Clint Darden]

will this be on in the us?

As far as I know...no. Only EuroSport.

Not for sure, but from talking with Marcel, it should be viewable from their new website that will be up next week.

[Darin Heltemes]

Big Z isn't even planning on maxing out. I'm curious what his angle is. He doesn't seem like the type to have a big ego, but planning on moving the record up by only 2.5kg a year when he can do more seems a little arrogant. Why not go for a PR?

[Topi Frifeldt]

Big Z isn't even planning on maxing out. I'm curious what his angle is. He doesn't seem like the type to have a big ego, but planning on moving the record up by only 2.5kg a year when he can do more seems a little arrogant. Why not go for a PR?


Probably for the same reason that Bubka or Isinbajeva didn't/don't put on the max height immediately.. :T:

[Topi Frifeldt]

Big Z isn't even planning on maxing out. I'm curious what his angle is. He doesn't seem like the type to have a big ego, but planning on moving the record up by only 2.5kg a year when he can do more seems a little arrogant. Why not go for a PR?


Probably for the same reason that Bubka or Isinbajeva didn't put the max height immediately.. :T:

[Wolfgang Hasenmaier]

The big Z is anything but arrogant

[dcarroll]

Darin, the state may be paying him cash bonuses every time he breaks the record, other then that I don't have any idea.

[Clint Darden]

Big Z isn't even planning on maxing out. I'm curious what his angle is. He doesn't seem like the type to have a big ego, but planning on moving the record up by only 2.5kg a year when he can do more seems a little arrogant. Why not go for a PR?

Why would you think that he doesn't plan on maxing out?

Claims to have a personal gym best of 220kg.

[Darin Heltemes]

Darin, the state may be paying him cash bonuses every time he breaks the record, other then that I don't have any idea.
That's a good possibility.
Why would you think that he doesn't plan on maxing out?

Claims to have a personal gym best of 220kg.
Well, I suppose this up coming contest could test his plan. I guess I mistakenly said per year, but his plan is still in 2.5kg increments:

"200 kg in 2004, 205 kg in 2006 and this year, so far, he has broken the record two more times, with marks of 207.5 and 210"

"Now, though, the Lithuanian strongman has a very straightforward plan: boosting the world world record in 2.5-kg increments. “So my next step must be 212.5 kg,” said Savickas. And lest you think this is idle chatter, Zydrunas Savickas is already making plans for his next world record attempt on the log."

[Mike Landrich]

Why would you think that he doesn't plan on maxing out?

Claims to have a personal gym best of 220kg.


Because at 220, he might miss the lift. At 212.5, he has less of a chance of doing so. The object of competing is to win a contest, not miss a lift in an effort to "max out". Now if he had already won the contest with his second lift and maxed on his 3rd, it would be a different story

[Darin Heltemes]

Because at 220, he might miss the lift. At 212.5, he has less of a chance of doing so. The object of competing is to win a contest, not miss a lift in an effort to "max out". Now if he had already won the contest with his second lift and maxed on his 3rd, it would be a different story
Right, I wouldn't expect anyone to go 100% on their first lift, that's just asking for trouble. I imagine most, if not all, the guys will take a token lift. But, even if Big Z did start at 212.5 (and won) he still won't reach his personal best at his planned 2.5kg increments. 220 was also his PR two years ago. That leaves a lot of time for improvement.

[Mike Landrich]

Right, I wouldn't expect anyone to go 100% on their first lift, that's just asking for trouble. I imagine most, if not all, the guys will take a token lift. But, even if Big Z did start at 212.5 (and won) he still won't reach his personal best at his planned 2.5kg increments. 220 was also his PR two years ago. That leaves a lot of time for improvement.


It's easy to say when you're not competing. He doesn't have to prove anything to any of us, so why risk injury? Like no one on this board has ever done just enough to win...............

[Darin Heltemes]

It's easy to say when you're not competing. He doesn't have to prove anything to any of us, so why risk injury? Like no one on this board has ever done just enough to win...............
I liked Doug's answer.....

[dcarroll]

Hey Guys, am I missing something?, I thought the Championships was today? Any results yet?

[Topi Frifeldt]

It's on in 3 hours..

[Clint Darden]

Pekanov, expected to do well, missed all 3 attempts.

3 Way Tie for 2nd Place
195kg
Sebastain Wenta
Oleksander Lashyn
Misha Koklyaev

1st Place
Zavickas, 200kg (2nd attempt) Missed 212.5 on his 3rd and 4th attempt

Contest was VERY well run. Fast and looked GREAT!!!!

The video footage that I got is VERY poor quality though.

[Clint Darden]

...and almost every single athlete missed their 3rd attempt. I believe Misha missed his 1st and 3rd attempts (200kg).

It looked like big Z gave it his all and 212.5kg was not in the cards.

[Ryan Carey]

How did Jason Krystal do?

[Clint Darden]

How did Jason Krystal do?

He wasn't there. On TV it said that he pulled out of the competition and did not make the trip.

I'll have the full scoop next week in a new Interview.

[Jean-Charles Péronnet]

I'm gonna say...disappointing.
Well, a 200 kg log is great, but I expected more from a single-event comp.

[Dennis Ruygrok]

With all the hype that went in to this comp and judgin by the results, the whole thing sounded BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORING. No records broken and only one guy hitting 200kg.

[Clint Darden]

I still thought it looked good. First LIVE event ever Internationally broadcast?

[Mike Landrich]

Right, I wouldn't expect anyone to go 100% on their first lift, that's just asking for trouble. I imagine most, if not all, the guys will take a token lift. But, even if Big Z did start at 212.5 (and won) he still won't reach his personal best at his planned 2.5kg increments. 220 was also his PR two years ago. That leaves a lot of time for improvement.

The results speak volumes explaining why you open low and get an opener in, before trying near maximum lifts. He did what he had to do to win, although he did not break any personal bests.


I wonder if the logs were different than the usual logs used by IFSA, either balanced differently or a different length/diameter?

[Darin Heltemes]

Right, I wouldn't expect anyone to go 100% on their first lift, that's just asking for trouble. I imagine most, if not all, the guys will take a token lift. But, even if Big Z did start at 212.5 (and won) he still won't reach his personal best at his planned 2.5kg increments. 220 was also his PR two years ago. That leaves a lot of time for improvement.The results speak volumes explaining why you open low and get an opener in, before trying near maximum lifts.
Right, I wouldn't expect anyone to go 100% on their first lift, that's just asking for trouble. I imagine most, if not all, the guys will take a token lift. But, even if Big Z did start at 212.5 (and won) he still won't reach his personal best at his planned 2.5kg increments. 220 was also his PR two years ago. That leaves a lot of time for improvement.
It speaks volumes that I already said that.

Anyway, good job to Big Z. If he gave his all, that's all that matters.

[Clint Darden]

The results speak volumes explaining why you open low and get an opener in, before trying near maximum lifts. He did what he had to do to win, although he did not break any personal bests.


I wonder if the logs were different than the usual logs used by IFSA, either balanced differently or a different length/diameter?

The log used was the IFSA Chrome log. It looked like the athletes were putting some type of tacky or glue either on the log or their chests because as the day went on, as the log would roll up their chest...their shirt was sticking to the log.

His opener of 190 or 195 looked ROUGH! His 200kg lift looked like a joke. His first shot at 215.5 went up fast, then stalled over his head (think it touched his head) then it want backwards.

He came back 2 minutes later to get close once again but not make it.

Misha looked a little off, missing his 1st and 3rd attempts I believe. It looked like where they had the safety blocks for the log were interfering where his feet would land on the "jerk". His feet go OUT to drop under the log and on one attempt he actually hit the safety block and knocked it over with his foot.

Hopefully next year they can either do this closer to the "season" but I have a feeling that they will be back better than ever (the entire organization) next year so it could be difficult to fit a contest like this in, with so many big athletes there.