Amatuer Plat+ at the Arnold, winner get's invite to 2011

[Matt Schumann]

<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=779 align=center height=700><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 bgColor=#cc0033 align=middle>Monday, May 04, 2009 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=bigboldtext align=left>Amateur Strongmen: Qualify for the Arnold by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2009 IronMind

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodytext>American Strongman Corporation (ASC) president Dione Wessels has announced that “the first Platinum-Plus show for the 2010 season will be in Columbus, Ohio, during the Arnold Classic Weekend.”

“We are very excited to be part of the Arnold Classic. Our athletes have competed there since the inception of the Arnold Strongman event. American Strongman Pro Derek Poundstone won the event this year,” said Wessels.

According to the official ASC press release, this competition “will be open to NAS (North American Strongman) competitors and international amateurs,” and ASC vice president Mike Johnston is quoted as saying, “This is just another opportunity for the American Strongman pro to amateur system to be on center stage. An amateur athlete will get a chance to win an ASC Pro-Card on the biggest fitness stage in the world.” And here’s the carrot: “The new ASC Pro will also get a guaranteed invite to the 2011 Arnold Strongman event,” said Johnston.

IronMind asked how this would fit in with the Arnold Strongman contest run by Terry Todd and ASC president Dione Wessels explained, “It is in conjunction with Terry's contest. The amateurs will compete Friday morning and then on Sunday. The overall winner will get a guaranteed spot to the 2011 pro contest that Terry runs.”

Asked if an invitation one year out was a little long, Wessels told IronMind, “Yes, but the winner would also get his pro card and be invited to compete in other shows through out the season.”

Given the way ASC was positioned in the official statement, IronMind asked Wessels a follow-up question about whether ASC and NAS were becoming one organization and Wessels, said, “No, NAS will continue to be the feeder to ASC. Because of athletes such as Derek [Poundstone], Travis [Ortmayer], Van Hatfield, Brian Shaw, and many others, the system has proven that it works. I am not trying to take anything away from any promoter anywhere; we just want to see the sport grow globally while working with other promoters in giving their athletes some of the same opportunities that they extend to the American athletes. This time, it is just on an amateur level. Of course we will continue to do things on a merit basis.”

Stay tuned for more details.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Kevin Cronin]

My brain just melted.

[DaveMihalov]

Def. going to be my 2nd plat+ show as a HW!!!

[Brandon Campbell]

If i dont go pro in San diego OFF TO TEH ARNOLD I GO!

[DaveMihalov]

If i dont go pro in San diego OFF TO TEH ARNOLD I GO!

What about Dallas? I'm going to give it a try I think as of right now..

[Brandon Campbell]

What about Dallas? I'm going to give it a try I think as of right now..

That depends on my schedule, I would love to go but things might be busy for me around then with coaching football and all that.

[Alex.Truman]

Is this a hw only plat+ show? I loved the arnold, and I'd love to compete in that atmosphere.

[davebeers]

Def. going to be my 2nd plat+ show as a HW!!!

you better go eat something!

[DaveMihalov]

you better go eat something!

LOL.. don't you worry I will..

[Ryan Bracewell]

That would be bad ass, but I do not plan on being eligible for that comp. But if by some chance I am, then I will be there.

[Jay Hagadorn]

That would be bad ass, but I do not plan on being eligible for that comp. But if by some chance I am, then I will be there.

You just set yourself up for failure there...I WILL NOT B ELIGIBLE for that comp! PERIOD:N:

[Ryan Bracewell]

You just set yourself up for failure there...I WILL NOT B ELIGIBLE for that comp! PERIOD:N:

Nah, just don't want to sound cocky.:D

[matthewvincent]

hhhmmm a plat plus that is arnold style.... heavy stationary... for the most part... yeah!!! Hate to break it to you Ryan but there is not way you'll still be eligible...

[AndrewPalmer]

Well, I can't say I don't hope to have a pro-card before that, but I guess there are worse things than getting to make the attempt in front of everyone in my home town.

I'm a little confused about the international thing though. Is the plan to only have 4 pro-cards each year but to open that up internationally as well? I guess we'll get more explanation of that over the next year.

[chrisklavette]

I remember bringing this idea up on this board prior to the 2008 Arnold. I mentioned it to Dione and she said with the political logistics this idea would almost never be able to happen.

Your welcome future pro card holder :EL:

[Jonathan Macfarlane]

The problem is... how do you define an International Amateur? Just like in Highland games, I got invited to Am worlds and I had to explain that I'd received maybe $2k prizemoney at that point, and even if you come 8th at our shows you'd get $200. That was enough to make me a professional even though I was 19.

[Kevin Cronin]

The problem is... how do you define an International Amateur? Just like in Highland games, I got invited to Am worlds and I had to explain that I'd received maybe $2k prizemoney at that point, and even if you come 8th at our shows you'd get $200. That was enough to make me a professional even though I was 19.

At 07 LW pro nats Danny Anderson from Sweden (FREAKhouse!) competed. They did two separate scoresheets, one with Danny, one without. Not saying that's how they'd do it here, but maybe. I'm also guessing that for someone who was a legit int'l, a ASC pro card wouldnt be worth much, so why would they even award it? like maybe you could compete Jono, but would they say that someone who had to travel half the globe each year just to compete was eligible? I dunno, maybe, maybe not. Are you thinking of coming?

[Jonathan Macfarlane]

At 07 LW pro nats Danny Anderson from Sweden (FREAKhouse!) competed. They did two separate scoresheets, one with Danny, one without. Not saying that's how they'd do it here, but maybe. I'm also guessing that for someone who was a legit int'l, a ASC pro card wouldnt be worth much, so why would they even award it? like maybe you could compete Jono, but would they say that someone who had to travel half the globe each year just to compete was eligible? I dunno, maybe, maybe not. Are you thinking of coming?

........................

[kenneth nowicki]

Hmm, international athletes...

[barabas47]

At 07 LW pro nats Danny Anderson from Sweden (FREAKhouse!) competed. They did two separate scoresheets, one with Danny, one without. Not saying that's how they'd do it here, but maybe. I'm also guessing that for someone who was a legit int'l, a ASC pro card wouldnt be worth much, so why would they even award it? like maybe you could compete Jono, but would they say that someone who had to travel half the globe each year just to compete was eligible? I dunno, maybe, maybe not. Are you thinking of coming?

Danny gave all us LW american pros a good a$$ whoopin. It was not even funny. There was his score then all of ours like 30 points below. He could have sat out the final 3 events and stil won. He just plain dominated.
Although he will admit to you that he lost the pose down to BARABAS. but by a narrow margin

[rickfreitag]

Danny gave all us LW american pros a good a$$ whoopin. It was not even funny. There was his score then all of ours like 30 points below. He could have sat out the final 3 events and stil won. He just plain dominated.
Although he will admit to you that he lost the pose down to BARABAS. but by a narrow margin

As I remember it he won with easy margin, but not because he won all events. He was the most balanced though.

[barabas47]

As I remember it he won with easy margin, but not because he won all events. He was the most balanced though.

I paid him not to win all the events. It was 105K Americas Strongest Man, sort of looks funny when the guy from Sweeden comes over and wins all 7 events of so. He was only allowed to win 5 events as part of our deal. You owe me for that!!!

[tim bolin]

this just makes me wonder what weights/ equipment will they use and what venue?maybe the coliseum at the fairgrounds? or up on the main stage at the expo hall (that would be sweet).

big tim

[Alex.Truman]

this just makes me wonder what weights/ equipment will they use and what venue?maybe the coliseum at the fairgrounds? or up on the main stage at the expo hall (that would be sweet).

big tim

From what I understand, it will be friday and sunday. Friday will not be on the stage, and I do not know where they are having it. Sunday the top 10 from friday will compete on stage at the expo.

That is if I understood what I read on the anvil properly.

[Andrew.Cook]

There is a lot of room in the convention center, really space isn't a problem I wouldn't think. Especially if you are talking about setting something up Friday morning and then hauling it away until Sunday.

[Evan Hansmann]

I'll be there.

[Kevin Cronin]

From the Anvil

after numerous conference calls, we have finally reached a concensus on the Amatuer contest at the Arnold. We are working with other countries on qualifiers for their athletes. This will be a great opportunity for amatuer athletes to compete against amatuer international athletes around the globe. Athletes will have to qualify for the Arnold and there will be a limit of 50 athletes. It will be a two day contest, and the winner will get invited to the Arnold Strongman (Pro) for 2011. Right now those that will qualify are: top three 105k LW Pro's for the 105k ASM, the winner of the Dallas contest (plat plus), the top ten HW from NAS Nats, and the LW winner from NAS nats (15 slots) will qualify. Other slots will be filled from the list of NAS Nats (alternates), international competitions, and the 105k winner in a number of countries. Confirmaed countries participating are Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Iceland, Australia, Estonia, Finland, Amsterdam, Poland,and Germany. The latest press release from the Arnold Sports Festival Committee can be read here: http://www.nastrongmaninc.com/news/news_item.asp?NewsID=166

[Kevin Cronin]

And also...

Arnold Sports Festival Welcomes Amatuer Strongman Contest



THE ARNOLD AMATEUR STRONGMAN WELCOMES NEW STRENGTH ATHLETES TO THE 2010 ARNOLD SPORTS FESTIVAL

Amateurs Perform Amazing Feats of Strength March 5 & 7, 2010

Columbus, Ohio – North American Strongman, Inc., the premiere governing body for amateur strongman athletes, will join forces with The Arnold Sports Festival to present the 2010 Arnold Amateur Strongman. The event will be held Friday, March 5 and Sunday, March 7 at The Greater Columbus Convention Center.

The competition will feature a selection of up to 50 amateur strongman athletes from around the world. Ten top amateur strongmen from the United States and Canada are expected to compete, including Texas’s Ryan Bracewell and Dan Harrison of California.

“The Arnold Amateur Strongman will present an international selection of elite amateur competitors from the USA, Canada, Latvia, Russia, Australia, Iceland, South Africa, Lithuania, and more,” said Dione Wessels, President & CEO of American Strongman. “We are honored to join Jim Lorimer and The Arnold Sports Festival in the presentation of this thrilling new event.”

The Arnold Amateur Strongman will not conflict with the annual Arnold Strongman Classic, which will be held at different times on Friday and Saturday.

“My committee and I are in full support of this new event,” said Dr. Terry Todd, director of the Arnold Strongman Classic. “In fact, we intend to invite the winner of the event to take part in the 2011 Arnold Strongman Classic.”

Wessels added, “A number of competitive events are under consideration for the competition including the Yoke Walk, a Farmer’s Carry, Atlas Stones, two overhead events, a deadlift event, and a possible 2-3 part carry and drag medley.”

Athletes will qualify for the Arnold Amateur Strongman at July’s America’s Strongest Man contest in Bangor, Maine and October’s Amateur National Championships in Lafayette, Louisiana. Additional spots will be determined in partnership with sanctioning bodies across the world.

Sponsors for the annual Arnold Strongman events include MHP and Supro. Additional sponsors are anticipated in support of the amateur event.

The 2010 Arnold Sports Festival is the largest multi-sport Festival in the nation, presenting 17,000 athletes competing in 40 sports & events. The
Festival hosts the 700 booth Arnold Fitness EXPO welcoming 170,000 fitness enthusiasts annually.

Tickets to the 2010 Arnold Sports Festival are available at Ticketmaster.com/arnold and by telephone at 800-745-3000. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, June 24, 2010. Visitor admission to the 2010 Arnold Amateur Strongman is available with the daily $10 Arnold EXPO ticket. For festival and sponsor information visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com

Media Contact:

Suzanne Irwin Media Relations-Tele: 614.431.2600

Dione Wessels-CEO-314-565-5970

Dr. Terry Todd- Director-Tele: 512.494.5000

Arnold Sports Festival North American Strongman Arnold Strongman Contest

Sirwin@Arnoldexpo.com
dione@americanstrongman.com
ttjt@centurytel.net

[Michael Love]

That is very cool!

[James Deffinbaugh]

I'm a little confused - are they using the term amateur to mean "a person who engages in a study, sport, or other activity for pleasure rather than for financial benefit or professional reasons" rather than "not having an ASC pro card"? A lot of the qualifying spots look like they're being given to pros.
Update: The Ironmind article says "America’s Strongest Man contest in Bangor, Maine" but I think that's the 105K ASMs, and Dione said the winners of Dallas and Amateur Nationals will be considered Amateurs until their first pro contest. So it all works out I guess.

[Ryan Bracewell]

I'm a little confused - are they using the term amateur to mean "a person who engages in a study, sport, or other activity for pleasure rather than for financial benefit or professional reasons" rather than "not having an ASC pro card"? A lot of the qualifying spots look like they're being given to pros.

From what i saw on the Anvil, they are saying that anyone that has not competed in a Pro contest is an Amateur. So the winner of the Dallas Plat+ can compete in the Arnold Am contest unless they compete in a Pro show before the Arnold.

[Jonathan Macfarlane]

Alan Kliese from Aussie has been confirmed for this show. He'll probably be beating me something silly next month in Sydney.

[DaneGarreau]

From what i saw on the Anvil, they are saying that anyone that has not competed in a Pro contest is an Amateur. So the winner of the Dallas Plat+ can compete in the Arnold Am contest unless they compete in a Pro show before the Arnold.

So, theoritically a person could win the Dallas PlatPlus, thus earning his pro card, and still compete in the "amateur" Arnold?

Just want to make sure I understand that correctly.

[Garrick Daft]

The way I read/understand it is that any international can compete in the contest and only amateurs in the US can. Since there is no real established amateur/professional classification overseas, just for argurments sake because we know that he never would, but what prevents someone like Mariusz Pudzianowski from competing in this amateur Arnold if he was willing to pay his own way and accept no prize money. So it sounds like 3 LW Pros will be allowed to compete, 10 NAS Amateurs, and then up to 40 international athletes as long as they can pay their own way because it is an amateur contest with no pro type benefits of prize money, flight, room and board etc...

Anyway it shakes out I think this is great for NAS, the ASC and everyone involved!! I hope for great success and I also am glad to see that the LW Pros get a chance to step into a big show and get some more respect.

[D.J. Satterfield]

So, theoritically a person could win the Dallas PlatPlus, thus earning his pro card, and still compete in the "amateur" Arnold?

Just want to make sure I understand that correctly.

That is how I read it too Dane. That doesn't make much sense as they are still a HW Pro, regardless of whether or not they have competed.

[Scott Porter]

Danny gave all us LW american pros a good a$$ whoopin. It was not even funny. There was his score then all of ours like 30 points below. He could have sat out the final 3 events and stil won. He just plain dominated.
Although he will admit to you that he lost the pose down to BARABAS. but by a narrow margin

Danny was a freak. His deadlift was most impressive. I was ahead of him in points after Day 1 though, but I bombed two events on Day 2. Even if I had done well on those 2 events (conans and log), he still would have won the overall. He pulled 880 from 14"!!!

As Rick said, he had no weaknesses that day. I think his worst event was the first one, the farmers/yoke/tire medley.

[barabas47]

Danny was a freak. His deadlift was most impressive. I was ahead of him in points after Day 1 though, but I bombed two events on Day 2. Even if I had done well on those 2 events (conans and log), he still would have won the overall. He pulled 880 from 14"!!!

As Rick said, he had no weaknesses that day. I think his worst event was the first one, the farmers/yoke/tire medley.

Scott,

Spoke to Danny earlier today and he is probably going to be in America this fall around September, possbily Vegas. Maybe we can arrange an American rematch.