Schoonveld backing up Pudz

[BradyJones]

http://www.ironmind.com/ironcms/morenewsv6.php?id=2857#2857

[AaRoNSnider]

Schoonveld is awesome.I thought he had disappeared.

[RyanJohnston]

I don't understand the point of this.

[Zach Snyder]

i don't understand how what he said was being disrespectful to Pudz.

[AaRoNSnider]

I may be wrong but I think Z was given some sort of award for doing more competitions than anyone else.Scoonveld has done more contests than Z,but says that Mariusz has actually done more than the both of them.I could be wrong,but thats what I got from it

[Brian Carley]

I read it and am still a little confused on it all...but I think what Aaron said was right, or atleast I agree with him, it's what I got out of it.

[BradyJones]

I may be wrong but I think Z was given some sort of award for doing more competitions than anyone else.Scoonveld has done more contests than Z,but says that Mariusz has actually done more than the both of them.I could be wrong,but thats what I got from it

yep, karl was saying schoonie has done the most shows in one year, then schoonie says the title probably goes to pudz for that.

[Zach Snyder]

yep, karl was saying schoonie has done the most shows in one year, then schoonie says the title probably goes to pudz for that.

so how is this being disrespectful?

Brian Schoonveld also expressed concern about what he sees as a lack of knowledge about strongman history and some disrespectful comments about Mariusz Pudzianowski, saying “Get your facts right . . . Strongman didn’t start last year.”

it just doesn't make sense to me?

[Richard Reynolds]

it just doesn't make sense to me?
Brian Schoonveld also expressed concern about what he sees as a lack of knowledge about strongman history and some disrespectful comments about Mariusz Pudzianowski, saying “Get your facts right . . . Strongman didn’t start last year.”

can be written this longer way:
Brian Schoonveld also expressed concern about what he sees as a lack of knowledge about strongman history and
Brian Schoonveld also expressed concern about some disrespectful comments about Mariusz Pudzianowski.

So he said “Get your facts right . . . Strongman didn’t start last year.”

[Brian Schoonveld]

I am not disrespecting anybody. I never will in the sport of strongman. I simply stated; Before anybody makes comments on what has or has not happened get the facts straight. Certain people in this world like to promote certain atheletes. That's fine, but before you do check the facts. Big Z is one of the greatest strongmen ever. I never said differently. Derek Poundstone is a great strongman and maybe become one of the greatest ever. You can't deny that. But I think Marius deserves more credit. The man has done 2 or 3 contests in one weekend. That's why I said Marius has probably done more shows in one year than anybody. Both Marius and Big Z have been competing for over ten years. And they both continue to put victories under their belts. To me that is what equals greatness. Ten plus years of some of the most grueling things that the human body can handle. I'm not trying to start things. I just want people to understand that the sport of strongman didn't start last year.
Train Hard. Brian Schoonveld

[Mike Landrich]

I am not disrespecting anybody. I never will in the sport of strongman. I simply stated; Before anybody makes comments on what has or has not happened get the facts straight. Certain people in this world like to promote certain atheletes. That's fine, but before you do check the facts. Big Z is one of the greatest strongmen ever. I never said differently. Derek Poundstone is a great strongman and maybe become one of the greatest ever. You can't deny that. But I think Marius deserves more credit. The man has done 2 or 3 contests in one weekend. That's why I said Marius has probably done more shows in one year than anybody. Both Marius and Big Z have been competing for over ten years. And they both continue to put victories under their belts. To me that is what equals greatness. Ten plus years of some of the most grueling things that the human body can handle. I'm not trying to start things. I just want people to understand that the sport of strongman didn't start last year.
Train Hard. Brian Schoonveld

It's nice to have clarification from the man himself, rather than others putting out their interpretation. Thanks Brian. I (and I'm sure all the others) appreciate what you pros post on here.

[Vincent Dizenzo]

Good to see you are alive and kicking Schoony. I have not run into you in a long time. Hope all is well. Any plans for a return?

[Derek Poundstone]

I think all this is obviously about the Fortissimus committee points ranking system for their decision of athlete of the year in 2008. All things considered, I don’t think it was the total number of contests Z did in 2008, but the fact that he won 16 out of 20 and took runner up in 4. Facts about past years can be disputed but this was athlete of the year 2008, not the century. That being said, comments like "Marius runs laps around his competitors" is inaccurate when the accuracy of other similar comments are being disputed. The Fortissimus committee was looking at 2008, a year when Mariusz had much more on his plate then strongman and thus competed far less then in years past.

Brian, I get the point you are trying to make in regards to the amount of time Marius and Z have been competing. I dont have 10 years of competing under my belt but I do have 6 years of competing in strongman (5 years as a Pro) under my belt and 2 years as a powerlifter. That being said, I have put my time in the sport as well as others. Marius is slowing down and hasn’t been doing as many contest as he has in the past, same goes for Z and when looking at year in review, this will affect how they are looked at. All in all this was athlete of the year 2008 and that was the year they were looking at and rewarding points for, not the athletes past.

On a side note, I wish Mariusz would do the Arnold. From my understanding, he has neither accepted nor passed on his invitation.

Good to see you are alive and kicking Schoony. I have not run into you in a long time. Hope all is well. Any plans for a return?
Hey Vinny, are you still buying Kristins portion of my room at the Arnold so we can cuddle?

[Vince Decker]

I am not disrespecting anybody. I never will in the sport of strongman. I simply stated; Before anybody makes comments on what has or has not happened get the facts straight. Certain people in this world like to promote certain atheletes. That's fine, but before you do check the facts. Big Z is one of the greatest strongmen ever. I never said differently. Derek Poundstone is a great strongman and maybe become one of the greatest ever. You can't deny that. But I think Marius deserves more credit. The man has done 2 or 3 contests in one weekend. That's why I said Marius has probably done more shows in one year than anybody. Both Marius and Big Z have been competing for over ten years. And they both continue to put victories under their belts. To me that is what equals greatness. Ten plus years of some of the most grueling things that the human body can handle. I'm not trying to start things. I just want people to understand that the sport of strongman didn't start last year.
Train Hard. Brian Schoonveld

For some guys (not all) it seems like it's become OK to dis an all time great like Marius for "patriotic" (ie he's not from this country) reasons as much as anything else. Other guys have dissed Derek (a potential all time great) and Marius because of their confidence or whatever. Greats in any sport have amazing self confidence - it's part of what makes them able to perform when it counts. I try to judge these guys and show respect based on what they've done only. I dink around training every week and have done some amateur shows and can't even fathom the level guys like this perform at. I wish everyone would give the respect that is due great strongmen based on what they've accomplished. You can have your favorites, but respect them all.

Not many know enough about the history of the sport either. Guys like Magnus Ver, Gerrit Badenhorst, Jamie Reeves, Gary Taylor, Geoff Capes, JPS, Juoko Ahola, etc were pioneers. Kirit, Coy, Pfister, Schoonveld etc are the American pioneers and deserve mucho respect too.

Schoonie - thanks for posting that, it needed to be said. You're one of the great American strongmen ever and one of the best personalities ever in the sport. I still remember some of the stories Beatty has posted about you - hilarious. You would've been the best Pro ever to train with IMO.

[BradyJones]

I am not disrespecting anybody. I never will in the sport of strongman. I simply stated; Before anybody makes comments on what has or has not happened get the facts straight. Certain people in this world like to promote certain atheletes. That's fine, but before you do check the facts. Big Z is one of the greatest strongmen ever. I never said differently. Derek Poundstone is a great strongman and maybe become one of the greatest ever. You can't deny that. But I think Marius deserves more credit. The man has done 2 or 3 contests in one weekend. That's why I said Marius has probably done more shows in one year than anybody. Both Marius and Big Z have been competing for over ten years. And they both continue to put victories under their belts. To me that is what equals greatness. Ten plus years of some of the most grueling things that the human body can handle. I'm not trying to start things. I just want people to understand that the sport of strongman didn't start last year.
Train Hard. Brian Schoonveld

great post. i agree that is what makes a great strongman, years and years of being competitive with the top guys.

[Zach Snyder]

richard, thanks for clearing that up. It's one of those things i had to read a few times before i got it b/c of the way it was written.

brian, and vince, excellent posts!

[Vincent Dizenzo]

Hey Vinny, are you still buying Kristins portion of my room at the Arnold so we can cuddle?

This is why you will always be number one in my heart. I think Kevin outbid me for your room. Sorry. I hope training is going well.

[Eric Todd]

For some guys (not all) it seems like it's become OK to dis an all time great like Marius for "patriotic" (ie he's not from this country) reasons as much as anything else. Other guys have dissed Derek (a potential all time great) and Marius because of their confidence or whatever. Greats in any sport have amazing self confidence - it's part of what makes them able to perform when it counts. I try to judge these guys and show respect based on what they've done only. I dink around training every week and have done some amateur shows and can't even fathom the level guys like this perform at. I wish everyone would give the respect that is due great strongmen based on what they've accomplished. You can have your favorites, but respect them all.

Not many know enough about the history of the sport either. Guys like Magnus Ver, Gerrit Badenhorst, Jamie Reeves, Gary Taylor, Geoff Capes, JPS, Juoko Ahola, etc were pioneers. Kirit, Coy, Pfister, Schoonveld etc are the American pioneers and deserve mucho respect too.

Schoonie - thanks for posting that, it needed to be said. You're one of the great American strongmen ever and one of the best personalities ever in the sport. I still remember some of the stories Beatty has posted about you - hilarious. You would've been the best Pro ever to train with IMO.



Great post Vince.
ET

[JustinLallemand]

I am not disrespecting anybody. I never will in the sport of strongman. I simply stated; Before anybody makes comments on what has or has not happened get the facts straight. Certain people in this world like to promote certain atheletes. That's fine, but before you do check the facts. Big Z is one of the greatest strongmen ever. I never said differently. Derek Poundstone is a great strongman and maybe become one of the greatest ever. You can't deny that. But I think Marius deserves more credit. The man has done 2 or 3 contests in one weekend. That's why I said Marius has probably done more shows in one year than anybody. Both Marius and Big Z have been competing for over ten years. And they both continue to put victories under their belts. To me that is what equals greatness. Ten plus years of some of the most grueling things that the human body can handle. I'm not trying to start things. I just want people to understand that the sport of strongman didn't start last year.
Train Hard. Brian Schoonveld

Good point man. One thing that I noticed you might not be looking for is...watch 08 WSM and Mariusz on the plane pull. Most people died when it was over. He laid down a half a second, and looked almost completely recovered before they even finished anouncing his time. The guy is a great athelete and a great strongman.

Are you referring to the Strongman of the Year Award? I guess if that's the one, my only question is what has this year looked like between the two. I have no idea. I did see someone posted the criteria in an earlier post....like I said in that one, it's hard to call. Sometimes (or a lot of times) people will let their preferences get in the way too. Z is always cordial while some say Mariusz isn't as much. I have met neither - just summing up some things I have heard. Plus, when a guy is dominant as hell, people start rooting against him....this is a constant in any sport.

[Josh Thigpen]

Truth is Mariusz does more shows then we know about. For instance on his website he only lists competitions that he views as major contests. His contest history on his own site is not an accurate way to calculate how many he has done. Last year in Poland he told me that he is under contract with a company that makes him compete in a certain amount of contests a year. I don't remember how many competitions it was but it was some ridiculous amount. As Schoonie said he sometimes competes in 2 or 3 shows a weekend. In 08 when we competed in Poland vs usa it was 7 events in 2 hours! Then the next day he did another contest with the same events! There are alot of european shows that we never hear about. All that being said, the record of shows in a year may actually go to Jouko Ahola, who did 30 something in a year back in 96 or 97. Yes I am full of this kind of crud. For instance, did you know that the first 600 pound atlas stone was actually made back in 1998 by Chris Mavromatis. He was the promoter of the Strongest man alive contest, and the stone was made of Granite. So sorry to say Ort the first 600 was made in 98. However, you will still be the first to load a six! Alright alright, I'm done.

[DaneGarreau]

Truth is Mariusz does more shows then we know about. For instance on his website he only lists competitions that he views as major contests. His contest history on his own site is not an accurate way to calculate how many he has done. Last year in Poland he told me that he is under contract with a company that makes him compete in a certain amount of contests a year. I don't remember how many competitions it was but it was some ridiculous amount. As Schoonie said he sometimes competes in 2 or 3 shows a weekend. In 08 when we competed in Poland vs usa it was 7 events in 2 hours! Then the next day he did another contest with the same events! There are alot of european shows that we never hear about. All that being said, the record of shows in a year may actually go to Jouko Ahola, who did 30 something in a year back in 96 or 97. Yes I am full of this kind of crud. For instance, did you know that the first 600 pound atlas stone was actually made back in 1998 by Chris Mavromatis. He was the promoter of the Strongest man alive contest, and the stone was made of Granite. So sorry to say Ort the first 600 was made in 98. However, you will still be the first to load a six! Alright alright, I'm done.

Are those two or three competitions a weekend against pro athletes? I mean I know Poland has some good pros, but enough quality guys to have two or three competitions a weekend?

[BradyJones]

All that being said, the record of shows in a year may actually go to Jouko Ahola, who did 30 something in a year back in 96 or 97. .


i have heard that from one of the guys i train with. he competed against jouko back in the late 90's and jouko told him he did 30 one year.

[Eric Todd]

Truth is Mariusz does more shows then we know about. For instance on his website he only lists competitions that he views as major contests. His contest history on his own site is not an accurate way to calculate how many he has done. Last year in Poland he told me that he is under contract with a company that makes him compete in a certain amount of contests a year. I don't remember how many competitions it was but it was some ridiculous amount. As Schoonie said he sometimes competes in 2 or 3 shows a weekend. In 08 when we competed in Poland vs usa it was 7 events in 2 hours! Then the next day he did another contest with the same events! There are alot of european shows that we never hear about. All that being said, the record of shows in a year may actually go to Jouko Ahola, who did 30 something in a year back in 96 or 97. Yes I am full of this kind of crud. For instance, did you know that the first 600 pound atlas stone was actually made back in 1998 by Chris Mavromatis. He was the promoter of the Strongest man alive contest, and the stone was made of Granite. So sorry to say Ort the first 600 was made in 98. However, you will still be the first to load a six! Alright alright, I'm done.


You know Josh, that is what I thought about the 600# stone. I thought I had read it in Milo some time. However, when I talked to the guys in st Louis who bought Movromatis's stones, they had no idea what I was talking about. Any idea where that stone is now?
ET

[TEXAS STONEMAN]

Truth is Mariusz does more shows then we know about. For instance on his website he only lists competitions that he views as major contests. His contest history on his own site is not an accurate way to calculate how many he has done. Last year in Poland he told me that he is under contract with a company that makes him compete in a certain amount of contests a year. I don't remember how many competitions it was but it was some ridiculous amount. As Schoonie said he sometimes competes in 2 or 3 shows a weekend. In 08 when we competed in Poland vs usa it was 7 events in 2 hours! Then the next day he did another contest with the same events! There are alot of european shows that we never hear about. All that being said, the record of shows in a year may actually go to Jouko Ahola, who did 30 something in a year back in 96 or 97. Yes I am full of this kind of crud. For instance, did you know that the first 600 pound atlas stone was actually made back in 1998 by Chris Mavromatis. He was the promoter of the Strongest man alive contest, and the stone was made of Granite. So sorry to say Ort the first 600 was made in 98. However, you will still be the first to load a six! Alright alright, I'm done.

I never really thought mine was the first but I am pretty sure it is the first to have daylight under it! And it will be the first to be loaded to a 48" platform!!!! Get your ass over to the Unit and give this thing a shot.
Back to the original point. There have been a few guys who have done more than 20 contests in a single season but I still think Z deserves the 2008 award. Like was mentioned earlier, it was an award for 2008 not any other year or decade, century... whatever.

[Garrick Daft]

I believe Travis's 600 weighed in a little more then 600, so it just might be the heaviest until someone finds the granite stone and weighs it. :) :) Plus Travis can always have Steve Slater drill the core and add a 1/2 lb here or there to make sure his always weighs the most . :) Who made that granite stone anyways, sounds weird...did they just chisel away at a large block of granite? How did they weigh it? Why did they make it? Is it painted red and sitting out in front of a Target store now? :)

I don't think Paul is saying that Zydrunas's 20 contests in one year is better then anyone in all time... just the best for 2008 and also the best track record with 16 wins and 4 runner ups.. against very tough competition and his 16th year of competition. As far as public documented and verified contest history goes though, Z has the record... which brings me to..

Where is Jouko's contest history, where is Mariusz's, and everyone else's? People say stuff all the time, but it needs to be documented also. Just proves how much organization is still needed in this sport. It will take everyone helping out to get it done since this is an international sport and since the record keeping was mostly done by the competitors themselves.

As far as Mariusz goes... I will try to get his complete contest history after the Arnold is over. If someone else is already looking into it, let me know, because I don't have much time to devote to it...

[Eric Todd]

Okay, I found out today. The 600# granite stone was made for the Strongest Man Alive show many moons ago in St Louis. It was a miscalculation on teh part of the guy who made it-it wasnt supposed to be 600#. Anyhoo, it was boing transported to a demo, and the truuck it was in was in an accident. Apparently too much damage was doen to the stone so it couldnt be salvaged, so it was destroyed. This is coming from the guy who bought Chris Mavromatis's stones and talked to him today.
ET

[Paul F.X. Armstrong]

You know Josh, that is what I thought about the 600# stone. I thought I had read it in Milo some time. However, when I talked to the guys in st Louis who bought Movromatis's stones, they had no idea what I was talking about. Any idea where that stone is now?
ET

You are right--it was in Milo

mavromatis had the 600#stone made but it was a mistake--they stone cutters or designer or somewhere along the line the dimensions were miscalculated

last i heard it fell out of a moving truck and actually broke

[DaneGarreau]

Where is Jouko's contest history, where is Mariusz's, and everyone else's? People say stuff all the time, but it needs to be documented also. Just proves how much organization is still needed in this sport. It will take everyone helping out to get it done since this is an international sport and since the record keeping was mostly done by the competitors themselves.



Agreed. If anyone has any contact with these athletes(or others) have them forward the contest info over to Garrick. It's hard to get due credit for contests when no one has any way of finding out about them.

[Foster Parnell]

http://www.ironmind.com/ironcms/morenewsv6.php?id=2857#2857

OMG brady you would post this

[Garrick Daft]

Some information that was forwarded to me, that I will pass on...

"What follows comes straight from Poland. I received that info last year in May. I was after Mariusz's track record, other than what we could find on his website. While trying to get someone "inside", I came across the Robert Szczepanski's group. What they were saying is that a number of so-called competitions in Poland were in fact "exhibitions", with a few stand-ins. I have further asked a spokesman of the Pudzian Team about facts and numbers. The answer was that "only a few competitions were significant enough to be considered", thus put up on the website."

Still everyone keep digging, as I'm sure we'll find out more about what's going on. Exhibitions or not, it would be nice to know what kind of volume Mariusz was doing.

People should just post the history/contest results here in the forum for any athlete they might be researching.

[DaneGarreau]

Some information that was forwarded to me, that I will pass on...

"What follows comes straight from Poland. I received that info last year in May. I was after Mariusz's track record, other than what we could find on his website. While trying to get someone "inside", I came across the Robert Szczepanski's group. What they were saying is that a number of so-called competitions in Poland were in fact "exhibitions", with a few stand-ins. I have further asked a spokesman of the Pudzian Team about facts and numbers. The answer was that "only a few competitions were significant enough to be considered", thus put up on the website."



This is what I suspected. A contest needs to be a legitimate contest to count towards someone's contest total.

Thanks for posting this Garrick.

[BradyJones]

OMG brady you would post this


your damn right ;)


btw you better kick some a$$ at AZ this weekend bro!!! watch some vids of mariusz going ape and use that for motivation!!!!

[Foster Parnell]

your damn right ;)


btw you better kick some a$$ at AZ this weekend bro!!! watch some vids of mariusz going ape and use that for motivation!!!!

lmao NEVER i will never go to the dark side