Zydrunas Savickas - Honored with Strongman of the Year 2008

[Garrick Daft]

I think this is great! Zydrunas was honored by Paul Ohl and Fortissimus with the Strongman of the Year 2008! From what I hear, Zydrunas will be at the Arnold, along with Vasyl Virastyuk, to observe the competition and the athletes. Another rumor is that Zydrunas promised his girlfriend that he would not compete in 2009 until she had a ring on her finger... so maybe a Z Wedding soon??!!
--------------------------

Zydrunas Savickas Wins Fortissimus Strongman of the Year Award by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2009 IronMind


Explaining to IronMind that their work involves “making a sport of a sport,” Paul Ohl, president of Fortissimus, announced the organization’s Strongman of the Year award - with Zydrunas Savickas getting the top honors for 2008.

Zydrunas Savickas, a name synonymous with victory at the Arnold strongman contest and the log lift world record, has just won the Fortissimus Strongman of the year award. Photo courtesy of Marcel Mostert.

“This award recognizes the strength athlete with the most outstanding accomplishments during the entire year,” according to Ohl’s statement.

“A selection committee has reviewed performances of world-class strength athletes on the basis of four criteria:

Level of competitions
Track record during the entire year
Value of each accomplishment
Record-breaking performances”

“Three strength athletes were selected:

Mariusz Pudzianowski of Poland (historical fifth World’s Strongest Man);
Derek Poundstone of the USA (first strongman ever to reach all three podiums during the same year (Arnold Strongman Classic, Fortissimus and World’s Strongest Man);
Zydrunas Savickas of Lithuania (first strongman ever to win six consecutive Arnold’s, first strongman ever to establish five strength world records during the same year, first strongman ever to enter 125 professional strongman contests (August 23, 2008, in Marijampolé, Lithuania, first strongman ever to enter 20 contests in a single year, with 16 wins and 4 runner up places)”

“The recommendation was unanimous,” Paul Ohl’s statement concluded: “Zydrunas Savickas is named 2008 Strongman of the Year.”
-------------------------

[Richard Reynolds]

I think big Z is strongman of the decade, but DP was strongman of the year in 2008, imho.

[Alex Klotz]

I don't think Paul Ohl has the authority to singlehandedly make that claim, although it depends who is on his committee. I'd also give the nod to Derek, he won Fortissimus, alllmmmoooost won World's Strongest Man, and came second in the Arnold, and won a bunch of WSM qualifiers. Zydrunas won the Arnolds, came second in Fortissimus, but didn't compete in WSM, but he won a bunch of smaller shows.

[Andrew Czaczkowski]

Savickas is to fat to be strongman of decade.:LOL: Pudzianowski was did in the past something around 30 pro competition a year and for sure more then 200 in his life!!!!

[Garrick Daft]

Zydrunas Savickas was just named "Best Lithuanian Non-Olympic Sport Athlete of the Year 2008" in his home country today. An incredible award considering how well loved the sport of basketball is in Lithuania.

To all those who say that Mariusz or whoever has competed more then Zydrunas, please provide the data to back it up. I know that it is tough to do, and to be accurate. Zydrunas's full contest history has been laid out, maybe missing a couple contests here or there. But so far I have not been able to get an accurate or complete listing of Mariusz's history, though 60 contests is a good start. Competing 30 times in one year would be a an amazing accomplishment.. that is more then twice a month, every month, for the whole year. I know Travis Ortmayer competed 14 times in 2006 during his sophmore professional year... and that was no easy accomplishment for him. Dave Ostlund competed 13 times during his 2005 season. Bill Kazmaier has competed a lot more then is documented also.

[Ryan Ellis]

I also think that Derek should be strongman of the year, But it looks good on Z anyhow.

[Richard Reynolds]

I should revise my remark. Big Z has a good case for being strongman of the decade. It would basically be between him and Marius.
Still, DP had the best year in 2008.
I think big Z is strongman of the decade, but DP was strongman of the year in 2008, imho.

[Knelly]

Congrats to Big Z. He is one hell of a competitor. Hmmm I'll have to see how that "ring" situation works out for him! :M:

[Garrick Daft]

I don't think Paul Ohl has the authority to singlehandedly make that claim, although it depends who is on his committee. I'd also give the nod to Derek, he won Fortissimus, alllmmmoooost won World's Strongest Man, and came second in the Arnold, and won a bunch of WSM qualifiers. Zydrunas won the Arnolds, came second in Fortissimus, but didn't compete in WSM, but he won a bunch of smaller shows.
---
"FORTISSIMUS is not a one man show. We have a Board of Directors of 13 members. We also have an Executive that overseers the main course of action of the Corporation.

We had this decided some weeks ago. Yes I spearheaded the committee, but this is an initiative that should have been promoted a long time ago. One mandate we have is to promote the sport of strongman. We do it and reach out to the world strength community. In 2008, we set our sights to setting up an all-inclusive competition. We did. This year we take another step, a huge one. We will raise the bar.

One more thing. The award IS NOT for lifetime achievement. This is to be well understood. It honors the best of 2008. Looking at the track records of the three men, given the criteria ( 4 ), Zydrunas was the unanimous choice."
---
This is information Paul Ohl has said himself...

[Elliot_Storey]

I can't argue that Zydrunas shouldn't have been selected - flip a coin to decide among those three in my opinion. My problem is that Fortissimus named him athlete of the year! Who won that competition anyway? "Hey Pittsburgh Steelers, we know you won the Super Bowl, but the team of the year was the Cardinals, nice try."

[Elliot_Storey]

On another note, great reporting Garrick. Seriously, without you, no one would have a clue what goes on in this sport.

[Knelly]

Hey Everyone,
I contacted Paul to try and clear a few things up with how the decision was made. This is what Paul said:

1. Following events were considered: Arnold's Strongman, Fortissimus, WSM, Super-Series, Strongman Champions League Grand Prix , World Log Lift Championships.( No Nationals).

2. First ten competitors all credited by a point system

3. Arnold's, Fortissimus and WSM, all scored on a 100 points scale

4. Super Series and SCL Grand Prix, all scored on a 50 points scale

5. World Log Lift Championships scored on a 50 points scale

6. Following competitors finished in top 6 ( Not in order ) : Ortmayer, Katona, Koklyaev, Poundstone, Pudzianowski, Savickas.

7. Total points and final ranking:

1) Savickas : 525 points

2) Poundstone : 365 points

3) Pudzianowski: 145 points

Informations received from FORTISSIMUS WORLD STRENGTH organization.

[Daniel Evans]

Zydrunas won the Arnolds, came second in Fortissimus, but didn't compete in WSM, but he won a bunch of smaller shows.

Just because it isn't on TV in America SCL is not a "smaller show". One look at the competitor list will confirm that fact.

[Garrick Daft]

I don't think Paul Ohl has the authority to singlehandedly make that claim, although it depends who is on his committee. I'd also give the nod to Derek, he won Fortissimus, alllmmmoooost won World's Strongest Man, and came second in the Arnold, and won a bunch of WSM qualifiers. Zydrunas won the Arnolds, came second in Fortissimus, but didn't compete in WSM, but he won a bunch of smaller shows.
lol, what smaller shows are you talking about? The Strongman Champions League? The league where Mikhail Koklyaev, Andrus Murumets, Ervin Katona, Travis Ortmayer, Agris Kazelniks, and many others compete? Also, read Kristins post above, Zydrunas was not jut plucked out of thin air, rather a committee assigned point values to a range of criteria, did the math, and Zydrunas came out on top. Who can argue? Zydrunas competed more and Zydrunas won more.
Zydrunas was not invited to WSM... he did not have the chance to compete in this World Level competition, why not?? Why not Mikhail Koklyaev, Andrus, Ervin and the rest... why were they not given a chance to compete at WSM?

BTW, this year March 1st will be Zydrunas's 17th year since he started competing in 1992. It will be Mariusz's 10th year competing on May 1st.

[Ryan Ellis]

Hey Everyone,
I contacted Paul to try and clear a few things up with how the decision was made. This is what Paul said:

1. Following events were considered: Arnold's Strongman, Fortissimus, WSM, Super-Series, Strongman Champions League Grand Prix , World Log Lift Championships.( No Nationals).

2. First ten competitors all credited by a point system

3. Arnold's, Fortissimus and WSM, all scored on a 100 points scale

4. Super Series and SCL Grand Prix, all scored on a 50 points scale

5. World Log Lift Championships scored on a 50 points scale

6. Following competitors finished in top 6 ( Not in order ) : Ortmayer, Katona, Koklyaev, Poundstone, Pudzianowski, Savickas.

7. Total points and final ranking:

1) Savickas : 525 points

2) Poundstone : 365 points

3) Pudzianowski: 145 points

Informations received from FORTISSIMUS WORLD STRENGTH organization.



Thanks for that. It definitley makes things more clear.

Edit. Also, I think that the Fortissimus competition, and The Strongman of the Year award should not be compared. Although they are both by the Fortissimus World Strength org, I think they are 2 different entities, and should be treated as such.

[DaneGarreau]

Zydrunas Savickas was just named "Best Lithuanian Non-Olympic Sport Athlete of the Year 2008" in his home country today. An incredible award considering how well loved the sport of basketball is in Lithuania.



I believe Zydrunas Savickas won this award a few years ago as well. Incredible as you said, considering Zydrunas Ilguaskas was playing with the Cleveland Caviliers in the NBA playoffs at the same time.

[Easton Taylor]

Hahaha, read my sig..........

[JustinLallemand]

I don't have stats or anything good like that. But when I hear Kaz and Big Z tell each other they were/are the best of all time, that's pretty freaking convincing. (I understand this is of the year though.)

As far as the biggest jump to the top 10 - say breakout year, Poundstone had a huge year in 08. I'd probably say Koklyaev in '07. (Just rough guesses on my part admittedly.)

I just know it's pretty awesome when a guy doesn't mess around with placing lower than third in pretty much any show he does, lol. And you didn't know much about them before that....but again, some of you guys are much better and are almost scouts when it comes to this stuff. I'd say a lot of people heard of Misha before strongman, just not me. I'm kind of new at this stuff altogether, unless I get credit for always watching WSM as a kid....

Ultimately, it's like anything that's at all subjective. You will always have disagreements. What about '09 breakout year? I have a guess, but maybe better for another thread.