No Mariusz Pudz at the Arnold this year! Whaddya Think?

[Tony Christopher]

The following was just posted on IronMind:

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“I’m not ready for the Arnold,” Mariusz told IronMind, “because I have been too busy, doing too much work.”

Widely in demand for exhibitions and seminars, Mariusz Pudzianowski is coming off a hectic schedule and he explained that he does not want to come to the Arnold in less than top condition. ”I am the world champion,” said the three-time MET-Rx World’s Strongest Man winner, “so I must come into a contest ready at 100%, not 75% like in China last year.”

Mariusz said that he is training hard now, preparing for the World Strongman Cup contest in Iran next month.

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Personally, I have no problem with him not doing this or any other contest. He has every right not to do a contest if he feels he's not properly prepared (or frankly for just about any other reason).

However, the statement "I am the world champion ... so I must come into a contest ready at 100%, not 75% like in China last year." kinda bugs me.

First, he's NOT World Champion ... last time I checked that's Pfister (WSMSS) and Savickas (IFSA).

And if you want to call the Arnold's the "unofficial" world championships ... then last time he finished 5th in those.

And I think saying he came into WSM last year at 75% is a backhanded swipe at Phil ... basically saying "the only reason Pfister beat me is because I wasn't at my best".

I didn't hear Mariusz telling people he wasn't in top form BEFORE Pfister kicked his a$$ on the final 2 days of the finals.

[Matt Brouse]

I have more of a problem with ME not competing at the Arnold...I gotta get going!

[Michael Douglas - uk]

Firstly I think Marius has been one of the best strongmen ever to walk the plannet, but at this moment in time i think he would be lucky to get into the top ten, if you included the IFSA guys.
I think Marius has went down hill since he left IFSA and started to compete against a lower standard of strongman, and unfortunatley, it looks as though he is avoiding competing against the IFSA guys, that being said he is no different to phil phister who jumped from the IFSA ship to win wsm, he would never have been IFSA world champ in a million years, noticed an opportunity with WSM and took it.

Marius is a true strongman legend and people are always quick to jump on his back, but i believe he just took his eye of the ball and allowed people to catch up and then overtake him. And it proves my point that to be the best you have to compete against the best !.

I just hope marius regains his hunger and comes back bigger, stronger than ever and if the IFSA guys are not allowed to compete in wsm this year, and no one from IFSA does a phister, then he will win it easily this year and then hopefully concentrate his efforts on next years arnolds.

[Mac Smith]

I'm confused, he's saying he's the world champion. Isn't that Phil Phister and Zydrunas Savickas?

I hate this crap!! It's completely fustrating!!! To me, no matter the events, the winner of the Arnold is the world's strongest man!!! Why, because it invites the winner of the IFSA World Championship, the winner of the WSM, and invites the top heavyweight powerlifters and Oly lifters.

Just my .02. Not that it matters!!!!LOL!!!!

[Paul F.X. Armstrong]

To me, no matter the events, the winner of the Arnold is the world's strongest man!!! Why, because it invites the winner of the IFSA World Championship, the winner of the WSM, and invites the top heavyweight powerlifters and Oly lifters.


Agree.

And this year the events are better than ever.

[Ian Duggan]

I'm confused, he's saying he's the world champion. Isn't that Phil Phister and Zydrunas Savickas?
I assume he's saying that because he's the reigning champion of the World's Strongest Man Super-Series, which does bill itself (or at least it used to) as the hunt to find the world's strongest man.

I hate this crap!! It's completely fustrating!!! To me, no matter the events, the winner of the Arnold is the world's strongest man!!! Why, because it invites the winner of the IFSA World Championship, the winner of the WSM, and invites the top heavyweight powerlifters and Oly lifters.

I think that's a pretty good argument actually. The Arnold has the widest mix of strength athletes, but it definitely seems to favor people with static strength.

It's all just discussion and theory though until we can see all the top athletes in one big competition, ala the WSM finals. When you look at the line up for the Super Series in 2003/4, that's the sort of thing we need to see now. 7 or 8 events throughout the year to determine who are the best 20 or so in the world, and then a big finals. Actually, basically the Super Series as it is just now, but slightly more events and the IFSA athletes in there too.

[Elliot_Storey]

I don't know why there is so much argument about who is the best in the world. All the top athletes deserve the respect they get because they win top contests. Phil never won an IFSA title and Mariusz might not be able to either, but Savickas never won WSM. Comparing the IFSA Championships to WSM to the Arnold is like comparing baseball to cricket or football to rugby.

[ColinStubbert]

The following was just posted on IronMind:

----

“I’m not ready for the Arnold,” Mariusz told IronMind, “because I have been too busy, doing too much work.”

Widely in demand for exhibitions and seminars, Mariusz Pudzianowski is coming off a hectic schedule and he explained that he does not want to come to the Arnold in less than top condition. ”I am the world champion,” said the three-time MET-Rx World’s Strongest Man winner, “so I must come into a contest ready at 100%, not 75% like in China last year.”

Mariusz said that he is training hard now, preparing for the World Strongman Cup contest in Iran next month.

----

Personally, I have no problem with him not doing this or any other contest. He has every right not to do a contest if he feels he's not properly prepared (or frankly for just about any other reason).

However, the statement "I am the world champion ... so I must come into a contest ready at 100%, not 75% like in China last year." kinda bugs me.

First, he's NOT World Champion ... last time I checked that's Pfister (WSMSS) and Savickas (IFSA).

And if you want to call the Arnold's the "unofficial" world championships ... then last time he finished 5th in those.

And I think saying he came into WSM last year at 75% is a backhanded swipe at Phil ... basically saying "the only reason Pfister beat me is because I wasn't at my best".

I didn't hear Mariusz telling people he wasn't in top form BEFORE Pfister kicked his a$$ on the final 2 days of the finals.

IMO a guy who won WSM 3 times is allowed to say hes the world champion

[ColinStubbert]

to add to what I said, if you asked a pro strongman who the man to beat was, they'd probably say Mariusz, even though Pfister won last year.

[Matt Brouse]

I'm confused, he's saying he's the world champion. Isn't that Phil Phister and Zydrunas Savickas?

I hate this crap!! It's completely fustrating!!! To me, no matter the events, the winner of the Arnold is the world's strongest man!!! Why, because it invites the winner of the IFSA World Championship, the winner of the WSM, and invites the top heavyweight powerlifters and Oly lifters.

Just my .02. Not that it matters!!!!LOL!!!!
Wait...I'm pretty sure this conversation just ended. Mac, I agree.

[Ian Duggan]

Comparing the IFSA Championships to WSM to the Arnold is like comparing baseball to cricket or football to rugby.
Hmmmm... I think it's more like comparing Rugby League to Rugby Union.

Yours,

A. Pedant.

[Mac McAlister]

i disagree if you ask a strongman who is the man to beat I think most of us would say big Z or if you ask me i will answer with my heart and say TRAVIS ORTMAYER for american top strongmen. no jock riding just love the intensity he brings and the way he trains.

[Jonathan Creason]

IMO a guy who won WSM 3 times is allowed to say hes the world champion

The New England Patriots have won a few Super Bowls, but I don't think they consider themselves the world champions.

Not trying to start an argument, I'm just saying.

[Mike Landrich]

IMO a guy who won WSM 3 times is allowed to say hes the world champion

Not unless he's the current world champion. This is an example of a man who can't man up and say "the better man won this time. I'll be back next time". He seems incapable of admitting he's not always the best. He makes too many excuses. Besides, why would he not be prepared for the second biggest show of the year? That's like a BB'er saying he forgot to diet for a show.

Only one of his minions would believe that crap

[ColinStubbert]

Not unless he's the current world champion. This is an example of a man who can't man up and say "the better man won this time. I'll be back next time". He seems incapable of admitting he's not always the best. He makes too many excuses. Besides, why would he not be prepared for the second biggest show of the year? That's like a BB'er saying he forgot to diet for a show.

Only one of his minions would believe that crap

alright, alright, I can admit defeat. I was just trying to look at the possible positives of the quote. To be honest it sort of pissed me off too, but I thought I'd be his only advocate this thread but I ain't got the points to back it up.

[Mike Landrich]

alright, alright, I can admit defeat. I was just trying to look at the possible positives of the quote. To be honest it sort of pissed me off too, but I thought I'd be his only advocate this thread but I ain't got the points to back it up.


See, you admitted you were wrong. That makes you more of a man than Marius is if he really believes this crap. Maybe not a better Strongman, yet, but a better man.

[Nikhil Rao]

Mariusz is one of the few strongmen that's an honest to god celebrity. I think he let it get to his head. He should be man enough to admit that though.

[davebeers]

imo the only reason phil won was because marius was not at his best, anyone who has watch him compete could have easily seen that

[ColinStubbert]

imo the only reason phil won was because marius was not at his best, anyone who has watch him compete could have easily seen that

also, in the final stones round that decided the winner, Phil only won by half a second.

And while I agree with you guys that Mariusz is way too cocky, he, just like all other athletes, deserves respect. He's a terrible loser, but he's also one heck of a winner. But he does need to grow up and admit defeat once in a while

[Nikhil Rao]

imo the only reason phil won was because marius was not at his best, anyone who has watch him compete could have easily seen that

Much as I hate to say it, between the IFSA talent drain, various upsets/injuries (Jesse), and others not performing up to par, Phil had a lot less competition than he would have in pretty much any other year.

[ColinStubbert]

Much as I hate to say it, between the IFSA talent drain, various upsets/injuries (Jesse), and others not performing up to par, Phil had a lot less competition than he would have in pretty much any other year.

very true, and I think (to be fair to Phil) he improved a lot between 2005 and 2006 and sort of caught Lord Mariusz by surprise. Mariusz was expecting to waltz in and out with the title and didn't expect Pfister to be as much of a challenge as he was

[Paul F.X. Armstrong]

IMHO it is unfortunate for Phil that Marius isn't competeing.
To me- personally- that is what is disappointing.
Phil placed ahead of Marius @ 2006 Arnold and again at WSM 2006.
If Phil could have beat him again it would have given him 3 in a row.....good street cred. :cool:

Also,IMHO---From a marketing point of view it wouldn't be good for Marius(Met RX) to go to the Arnold and get defeated----- again.
Another loss---whether to Phil or Zavickas,Bendikt,Misha,Virastyuk,Ortamayer or even Siders wouldn't be good for business,IMHO.
This may have played a part in the decision to not compete.


Those Met Rx ads don't ask " what supplements does the second strongest man in the world use" ;)
In sports and business it's not what you have done---it's what have you done lately.

[Barney Shannon]

Mariusz Pudzianowski said “so I must come into a contest ready at 100%, not 75% like in China last year.”

Sounds like he's trying to make excuses for not winning the WSM to me. Mariusz just can't admit that PP was the better athlete that day. Give him a tissue to dry his tears. Just my 2 cents.

[Alex Apostol]

Mariusz makes excuses? LOL. The guy is a freak of nature! Who cares what he says?

[Mac Smith]

Comparing the IFSA Championships to WSM to the Arnold is like comparing baseball to cricket or football to rugby.

That's a ridiculous statement!!! Strongman is strongman. The rules are relatively the same, the implements are relatively the same. Comparing IFSA to WSM is more like comparing soccer leagues or rugby leagues across the world.

[Mac Smith]

imo the only reason phil won was because marius was not at his best, anyone who has watch him compete could have easily seen that


The San Diego Chargers finished the regular season with the best record in the NFL, but the Colts win the world title. It's all about 'ANY GIVEN SUNDAY' and you know that Dave!!!

[Marcelo]

imo the only reason phil won was because marius was not at his best, anyone who has watch him compete could have easily seen that

Agreed. The Arnold isn't what Mariusz is after, he wants the WSM title.

[ClayEdgin]

If I had prior work/family obligations and my training wasn't geared for a specific contest and I didn't feel ready physically or mentally, I wouldn't do it either. I skipped competing in AZ's strongest man for that very reason and caught less flack than Mariusz (but he's a hundred times stronger than me! haha) I also wonder if he said "world champion" or if his translator modified his words somewhat?

[Joshua Davis]

imo the only reason phil won was because marius was not at his best, anyone who has watch him compete could have easily seen that

I hate to agree with you Dave... and as usual, I won't.

Mariusz was doing very well in his qualifier, and for the first series of events at WSM. He got edged out on events that did favor Pfister (with the exception of the car walk, but truck pull and stones especially), and that is why he lost. That's why I don't buy the "Mariusz was not at his best" - he was doing just fine until he got beat, which (to be outright overly-simplistic) is how anyone loses, they get beat. Pfister did just what he had to do to win, and Mariusz, just like after the poor performance at the arnold, was left to make excuses about "work" and whatever else. Mariusz trains and does MetRX promos for a living, Phil won worlds on a Saturday and was back in the station the following Monday.

[Brandon Campbell]

Pudz lost worlds because he slacked on his training simple as that. The ones climbing to get to the top are always more hungry then the one on top. It happens in every sport. Im not a Pudz fan by any means but he wants his title back and is focused on that only right now. I look for him to get it back this year. Expect a bigger and stronger Pudz that we never seen before lol.

Phil wanted to win more then pudz that day. So he did. Nothing fancy happened.

[Elliot_Storey]

I hate to agree with you Dave... and as usual, I won't.

Mariusz was doing very well in his qualifier, and for the first series of events at WSM. He got edged out on events that did favor Pfister (with the exception of the car walk, but truck pull and stones especially), and that is why he lost. That's why I don't buy the "Mariusz was not at his best" - he was doing just fine until he got beat, which (to be outright overly-simplistic) is how anyone loses, they get beat. Pfister did just what he had to do to win, and Mariusz, just like after the poor performance at the arnold, was left to make excuses about "work" and whatever else. Mariusz trains and does MetRX promos for a living, Phil won worlds on a Saturday and was back in the station the following Monday.

I tried to post something very similar earlier, but my connection died. Phil won WSM this year, Mariusz didn't "lose" it so to speak.

[Sahwn Kenny]

every one forgot Phil was a lucky bastard even getting through the qualifying round.

Jannie would have gone through if he didn't injure himself and in the same group Darren saddler would have gone through if he managed to stand the last keg on the platform, knocking 4th place Felix out.

Pudz is the 3 time winner, making a living from this why would you risk it all for one comp if your not ready ??? (may never be ready)

also there is no doubt in my mind that Zavickas would piss all over him at the min.
3- 5th is best he could have hoped for.

there's my two squid's worth.

[Paul F.X. Armstrong]

Mariusz trains and does MetRX promos for a living, Phil won worlds on a Saturday and was back in the station the following Monday.

Wife and kid.Devoted father.
Job.
Does good things for his home town and for his state--- has a schedule of responsibilities himself.

Having a family is an extra job in itself. :)

[Jared Enderton]

bummer.. I was hoping to see a hungrier Pudz. than ever before at the Arnold, and to bounce back and surprise everyone... Like 99% of the people, I doubt he would have won it anyway but it'd still be nice to see.

[Johnathon Conner]

i think someone just needs to post the clip where Mariusz claims that he is in his best shape and there is no one who can beat him.

[Jared Enderton]

I forgot all about that. nice call.

[jay lyttle]

i think he's a #%$$ and he is trying to cheapen pfister's win. i mean of course every time i lost it was because i was out of shape.
every athlete should look at the interview that kaz did when jesse found out that he did'nt make the final. classic and classy jesse no excuses, no bullshit, just that's the way it goes i'm proud of myself and i'll be back.
we know you will jesse, and it's guy's like you that make this sport tick!!!!!!!!!

[Nikhil Rao]

what I was really impressed by was that Jesse NEVER mentioned the hamstring tear he had what? 6 weeks before competition. I didn't find out abt that until after i saw WSM. Then watching it again I was like 'ok I can see it NOW'. But even the fact I had to know he was injured to be able to see his injury was impressive.

Looking for big things from you thisyear Jesse.

[Mike Landrich]

also, in the final stones round that decided the winner, Phil only won by half a second.



Did you watch the finals? If so, you must've noticed that Phil won the last five events consecutively. Marius beat Phil in the first 2 and then Phil took off. Yes, it did come down to the last event and it was close, but only because Phil had done so poorly in the first 2 events. He thumped Marius in 5 of 7 events. If you followed the hype just before the contest, after Marius arrived at the venue, practiced and was "toying" with the 4th rock, but he couldn't press it in the contest. Why not? Didn't the truth live up to the hype?

5 of 7 events, yep it was close.................Phil got lucky.................Marius was sub-par.................Events favored Phil..................It came down to one event..........(I'm helping all of you Marius minions find excuses- notice I said "excuses", not reasons).

Marius is a great strongman, but he is a man like any other, not this demi-God you folks make him out to be, and a man who is in serious need of humility.

[Craig Pfisterer]

This is like Deja Vu. I swear this same discussion came up right after the wsm on brutestrength.com's forum.

[Mike Landrich]

This is like Deja Vu. I swear this same discussion came up right after the wsm on brutestrength.com's forum.


You noticed that too? I just get so annoyed by these guys who can't admit Marius is not ALWAYS the best.

[ColinStubbert]

Pudz lost worlds because he slacked on his training simple as that. The ones climbing to get to the top are always more hungry then the one on top. It happens in every sport. Im not a Pudz fan by any means but he wants his title back and is focused on that only right now. I look for him to get it back this year. Expect a bigger and stronger Pudz that we never seen before lol.

Phil wanted to win more then pudz that day. So he did. Nothing fancy happened.

i couldnt agree more

[Mac Smith]

i couldnt agree more


I couldn't disagree more!!! Mariusz said he was in the best shape of his life. STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR THE MAN!!! He lost to Phil and that's that!!!! 'ANY GIVEN SUNDAY FELLAS, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY!!!'

[Sahwn Kenny]

waiting for the inches by inches speech. ;)

[Brandon Campbell]

I couldn't disagree more!!! Mariusz said he was in the best shape of his life. STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR THE MAN!!! He lost to Phil and that's that!!!! 'ANY GIVEN SUNDAY FELLAS, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY!!!'


lol i didnt make excuses for him, i said phil won on that day. Nothing fancy happened. Phil beat Pudz. Phil wanted it more. So yea any given sunday is right. Phil took down the big dog on that day. But just look for pudz to come back stronger and better this year. Because now hes quite pissed that us americans took the title back LOL. By no means am i saying phil wont be back stronger too.

Just saying pudz has his eye on WSM only most likely

[davebeers]

lol i didnt make excuses for him, i said phil won on that day. Nothing fancy happened. Phil beat Pudz. Phil wanted it more. So yea any given sunday is right. Phil took down the big dog on that day. But just look for pudz to come back stronger and better this year. Because now hes quite pissed that us americans took the title back LOL. By no means am i saying phil wont be back stronger too.

Just saying pudz has his eye on WSM only most likely
any given sunday is true, but imo pudz would take phil on 9 out of 10 sundays

[Joshua Davis]

any given sunday is true, but imo pudz would take phil on 9 out of 10 sundays

But on the Sunday that mattered...

Spilt milk though, we'll see if Mariusz is able to take the title back next year. I still believe the man is a total machine, and ranks up there with MVM for being such a powerful, fast, and mentally powerful strongman.

[Mike Landrich]

But on the Sunday that mattered...

Spilt milk though, we'll see if Mariusz is able to take the title back next year. I still believe the man is a total machine, and ranks up there with MVM for being such a powerful, fast, and mentally powerful strongman.

Marius may take it, but at least now he knows he'll have to work for it. Of course, I bet Phil improves his DL, which was his main weakness. It'll be a good show regardless. But, I still wish Marius had not chosen to skip the Arnold.

[Jim Glover]

Marius isn't competing at the Arnold's for one main reason.

He knows he can't win.

It's not a competition that favors him and if he doesn't compete it doesn't affect and yet if he does compete, like last year, it cast doubt on his so called domination of the sport.

I don't like the fact that he made a lame excuse for losing to Phil but I can respect why he isn't going to the Arnold's since it affects his main job for Met-RX and so affects his money and we all know it's all about the Benjamins.

And who's to say that Marius wasn't misquoted. Does the guy even speak english? Last I heard he was still communicating through an interpreter and that leaves some doubt on the specificity of the quote.

[Mike Landrich]

And who's to say that Marius wasn't misquoted. Does the guy even speak english? Last I heard he was still communicating through an interpreter and that leaves some doubt on the specificity of the quote.

The interpreter is probably more accurate than if he used limited English to communicate. I know I use wrong words all the time when I try to speak French or German, and would welcome an interpreter if I had something important to say. That said, some of the older guys here might remember the Polish interpreter translating Jimmy Carter's "When I left the United States" as "When I escaped from the United States". I was a kid and even then found it funny.