Holy. Guacamole.

[Ian Duggan]

A decathlon of strength over two days? (http://www.ironmind.com/ironcms/morenewsv6.php?id=2220#2220) Woo!

This sounds insane - 8 of the best strength athletes, picked based on their performances over the last two years, competing for a big wad of cash and cool trophy. Winner of this could have a genuine claim to being the world's strongest man.

So, given that there are no further details emerging, let's jump the gun and act, as always, like we know best.

:D

Pick your 8 athletes, regardless of federation affiliation, and pick your 10 events.

If you can be bothered.

I'll throw my hat in the ring when I've time to think about it...

[Tony Christopher]

Sounds pretty darn cool.

So who would you invite?

My list would have to be as follows (considering performances over the past 2 years, as the rules state).

Top 8 to be Invited

Savickas
Vasyl
Misha
Pudz
Pfister
Blekadis
Muramets
Poundstone

8 Alternates

Wenta
Hollands
Pope
Felix
Szepanski
Magnus S
Mitt
Ostlund

I could see an argument for a couple of guys (Felix, Hollands and Wenta in particular) being chosen over Poundstone since he was a force largely only in 2007 (and a virtual unknown in 2006) but I put him in the top 8 because I believe he's stronger than any of the alternates RIGHT NOW.

[Wes Richardson]

You gotta put Rezazedah in their and probably chigishev, dobrev and a few powerlifters also i'm sure.

[lhprop1]

You gotta put Rezazedah in their and probably chigishev, dobrev and a few powerlifters also i'm sure.

And being in Canada, Rezazedeh might be able to get in. I would love to see him do something like this, but with some proper training first.

[Jamie McEwan]

You gotta put Rezazedah in their and probably chigishev, dobrev and a few powerlifters also i'm sure.

Since it is a strongman contest, I see no reason why any powerlifter or Olympic lifter should get an invite. If it's the top eight in the world then there's no room for lifters with little to no experience or credentials in strongman.

I say just take the top four from WSM and the top four from IFSA.

[Easton Taylor]

:YT: but IFSA will scream bloody murder about it.......no cross decking.........but in reality it would show who has the strongest athletes......

[Paul_Koskinen]

Here's to a true selection among the world's strongest men! :D

Too bold - should I turn it down some??

[Easton Taylor]

:YT: I would tone that down......

[Matt Schumann]

Thats probaly the best answer... top 4 from each. Good opinion



Since it is a strongman contest, I see no reason why any powerlifter or Olympic lifter should get an invite. If it's the top eight in the world then there's no room for lifters with little to no experience or credentials in strongman.

I say just take the top four from WSM and the top four from IFSA.

[Ian Duggan]

Yeah, assuming it's meant purely as a strongman contest, I don't think there shoud be anybody that hasn't competed regularly in strongman over the last two years.

So for me that would be...

Mariusz
Savickas
Wenta
Hollands
Poundstone
Misha
Pfister
Virastyuk

I'm sure I've missed somebody though. Prepare for this list to be edited sometime in the next few hours...

[Darin Heltemes]

And being in Canada, Rezazedeh might be able to get in. I would love to see him do something like this, but with some proper training first.
Even if it was in the US, they let his country's president, Ahmadinejad, in and he openly supports terrorism. What's to stop a world champion Olympian from entering?

On topic, I don't see any reason not to invite some of the worlds strongest men from other sports. There's no guarantee they would accept, but if they did, it could potentially take the sport to a whole new level. There are some impressive records held by strongmen, but the best deadlifts and OH are from guys outside of the the sport. Rezzazedeh has even been referenced many times as the world's strongest man. I say, give guys like him a chance to prove it. The only potential downside could be, of course, timeliness of invitations so they could prepare. But if they're truly strong, it'll show on the field regardless--not saying they should show at the last minute without any idea what they're up against. I've seen a few big guys train events for the first time and put up very impressive numbers.

[rob meulenberg]

On topic, I don't see any reason not to invite some of the worlds strongest men from other sports. There's no guarantee they would accept, but if they did, it could potentially take the sport to a whole new level.

If this is the case, then why not invite Big Z to the next Olympic games?

Or maybe invite Pfister to the next IPF Worlds?

How come our sport is the only strength sport seen as a sideshow where people think you can just jump right in and be a star?

[Kevin Cronin]

If this is the case, then why not invite Big Z to the next Olympic games?

Or maybe invite Pfister to the next IPF Worlds?

How come our sport is the only strength sport seen as a sideshow where people think you can just jump right in and be a star?

Because it's by invitation and not by qualification. This isnt ASM, which had qualifiers, nor the IFSA world championships which had qualifiers, it's invitation-only.

EDIT to add: Not that I would have any problem with Zydrunas in the next IPF worlds. That would be pretty cool.

[Jonathan Macfarlane]

No offence to Reza or other guys, but I honestly think given their Oly lifts, Misha would make them look silly, and he's not even the best strongman around.

Rezazadeh- 213snatch 263kg clean and jerk
Koklyaev- 210 sn -250

Koklyaev seems to be able to hit a 240 CJ whenever he wants, Reza has to seriously peak to hit more than 250 and will no doubt be lacking footspeed in a big way. In short, if Misha can't beat Vasyl and sometimes Savikas, don't think too many others will.

Would be good to watch though.

[Matt Brouse]

How come our sport is the only strength sport seen as a sideshow where people think you can just jump right in and be a star?
Because in some regard, it is...Brian Siders, Brad Gillingham...seems there have been a few others at Arnold's and whatnot. Crossover guys and invites. It sort of adds a dynamic to competitive field that you don't find in many other sports. Also, perhaps perpetuates the 'carnival' element, however.


Wasn't Zydrunas an IPF guy years ago, when Brad Gillingham was starting to frequent the podium but the big Z man couldn't pass the drug tests or something?
Dunno, seem to recall hearing of that somewhere...before my time for sure.

[Jamie McEwan]

I don't see any reason not to invite some of the worlds strongest men from other sports. There's no guarantee they would accept, but if they did, it could potentially take the sport to a whole new level. There are some impressive records held by strongmen, but the best deadlifts and OH are from guys outside of the the sport.

It actually makes our sport less legitimate. If this is the top eight in the world, and it's a strongman contest, then that's who should be let in. Not inviting the "actual" top eight makes it seem like Reza Zedeh, for example, is better than the other options.

To cover the last point, I'm very confident that Reza Zedeh would get crushed in the log by Zydrunas. Even Bennedikt Magnusson has shown that in some strongman versions of the deadlift he can't win. Not saying Benni's not a great strongman, because he is.

If you want to push for strongman's legitimacy let the guys like Reza Zedeh qualify by doing strongman contests, not by getting novelty invites. This is, of course, a moot point because Reza Zedeh will most likely never compete in strongman.

[Kevin Cronin]

It actually makes our sport less legitimate. If this is the top eight in the world, and it's a strongman contest, then that's who should be let in. Not inviting the "actual" top eight makes it seem like Reza Zedeh, for example, is better than the other options.

To cover the last point, I'm very confident that Reza Zedeh would get crushed in the log by Zydrunas. Even Bennedikt Magnusson has shown that in some strongman versions of the deadlift he can't win. Not saying Benni's not a great strongman, because he is.

If you want to push for strongman's legitimacy let the guys like Reza Zedeh qualify by doing strongman contests, not by getting novelty invites. This is, of course, a moot point because Reza Zedeh will most likely never compete in strongman.

What do you mean by legitimacy? I guarantee the IOC never comes calling, and i doubt that having other strong guys in strongman would harm public perception. I mean, strongman USED to be about finding a bunch of really strong guys from OTHER sports - PL, highland games, BBing, OL - and seeing who had the most STRENGTH as opposed to the best technique.

Things changed forever when Ahola started event training, and it's nto a good thing, its not a bad thing, it just is what it is. i know that personally my numbers shot up the first few times using equipment when I "learned" how to press a log, walk with a yoke etc etc etc The problem is with the wording of the announcement. It's unclear whether the contest is looking to name the strongest man or the best strongman (i would also add that those two titles - strongest man and best strongman - may well belong to the same man)

[Mike Pelosi]

Nice post Kevin. I knew I liked you for a reason.

[Jonathan Macfarlane]

Nice post Kevin. I knew I liked you for a reason.


Buns of steel?

[Jonathan Macfarlane]

From Ironmind

More on Fortissimus by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2007 IronMind


Paul Ohl, Chairman of the Fortissimus (Louis Cyr World Strength Challenge 2008), has given IronMind a statement that addresses some of the questions that have already arisen about this just-announced strongman contest.

“For the first time ever, a strongman competition will link the past, honoring both a legendary figure - Louis Cyr - and some traditional events. This is why the invited athletes will compete to the end, with no qualification heats to reduce the field.

This will also be the highest-prized competition (financially speaking) ever held on Canadian grounds.

The LOUIS CYR WORLD STRENGTH CHALLENGE is meant to become a Classic. The promoters have therefore made a bid to stage the event for the next three years with an option on a multiyear carry-over.

Invitations to the selected strength athletes will be sent out by the end of November 2007.”

[Darin Heltemes]

Kevin and a couple other guys have pretty much summed it up IMO. Strongman's founding purpose was to find and distinguish the world's strongest men. If Savickas, Koklyaev, Pfister or any other strongman dominates, than it can only add legitimacy to the sport. However, as Kevin mentioned a lot of strongmen came from "OTHER sports - PL, highland games, BBing, OL "

The Louis Cyr Strength Challenge seems to be a special exhibition, not a no doors barred free ticket to compete in the WSM or IFSA world's, etc. IMO it's an opportunity to at least try to get guys that under normal circumstances wouldn't cross over. This has the advantage of potentially bringing fresh competition, broadening the fan base which in the U.S. strongman badly needs, and also bringing in more money which all federations badly need. Strongman would benefit greatly from this IMO.

[Easton Taylor]

I agree.......it should be interesting to see who shows up and or is invited ....the money is pretty good.

[Wes Richardson]

Since it is a strongman contest, I see no reason why any powerlifter or Olympic lifter should get an invite. If it's the top eight in the world then there's no room for lifters with little to no experience or credentials in strongman.

I say just take the top four from WSM and the top four from IFSA.

I didn't click the link but the original post said nothing of being a 'Strongman' Contest. So I figured it wasn't limited to only 'Strongman' competitors. I thought it would be more like the Arnold Strongman contest which is the best imo.

Wes

[Matt Brouse]

I'll be waiting for my invitation.

[BradyJones]

No offence to Reza or other guys, but I honestly think given their Oly lifts, Misha would make them look silly, and he's not even the best strongman around.

Rezazadeh- 213snatch 263kg clean and jerk
Koklyaev- 210 sn -250

Koklyaev seems to be able to hit a 240 CJ whenever he wants, Reza has to seriously peak to hit more than 250 and will no doubt be lacking footspeed in a big way. In short, if Misha can't beat Vasyl and sometimes Savikas, don't think too many others will.

Would be good to watch though.


im sure reza can hit 240 at anytime as well and probably in his sleep too.. reza is stronger in the oly lifts and i think he would do similar to how misha does in ifsa if reza decided to switch over to strongman type stuff...

[Daniel Dase]

Just to kinda kill the conversation about Reza, he is curretly injured, and I doubt he will be able to recover and train to get to the point where he could compete against the top strongmen in time for the contest.

[Matt Brouse]

Just to kinda kill the conversation about Reza, he is curretly injured, and I doubt he will be able to recover and train to get to the point where he could compete against the top strongmen in time for the contest.
Yeah, I thought he was sidelined at this years world champs. Kind of a moot point for this year anyway.

[BradyJones]

i heard that he was in a car accident but he wasn't hurt, is that what you were referring too?

[jay lyttle]

i think karl gillingham belongs on that list

[Jamie McEwan]

Strongman has changed to the point where people do have to train the events to win. Olympic lifting was founded on the idea of finding out who the strongest man was, just like powerlifting. You know what? Those guys that do win in those individual sports have put in the time mastering their individual "events".

Should we invite the top hammer thrower, shot putter, and discus thrower in the world as well? How about Jay Cutler? Should he get an invite? How about some Olympic wrestlers or some players from the NFL? Then it would be like 1977's WSM, and true to strongman's original purpose.

I have no problem with crossover athletes. They do add to the competitive base that can only better strongman. They should have to qualify for a strongman contest that supposedly picks the top eight in the world, however. It is, after all, a strongman contest.

From Ironmind:
IronMind had reported that a major strongman contest set in Canada and honoring the great Louis Cyr was under discussion for 2008

[Joshua Davis]

Who cares what strongman's original purpose was? That's all subjective and waaay to open for debate.

Strongman has evolved into it's own. It was a niche sport when no one prepared for it. Why should we break down strongman for some bygone (and subjective) concept of the "sport's roots" instead of thinking of what the sport could/should/would be in the future?

[Jake Peeterse]

I personally think that barring the invitation portion this could be another WSM. Pretty sure the invites will go by wins as well as popularity. With cash like that up for grabs the promoters want as much pub as possible. Just what I would do...

[Jamie McEwan]

Who cares what strongman's original purpose was? That's all subjective and waaay to open for debate.
Strongman has evolved into it's own. It was a niche sport when no one prepared for it. Why should we break down strongman for some bygone (and subjective) concept of the "sport's roots" instead of thinking of what the sport could/should/would be in the future?


Well said.

[Kevin Cronin]

Who cares what strongman's original purpose was? That's all subjective and waaay to open for debate.

Strongman has evolved into it's own. It was a niche sport when no one prepared for it. Why should we break down strongman for some bygone (and subjective) concept of the "sport's roots" instead of thinking of what the sport could/should/would be in the future?

Well said.

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. I fail to see how anyone could have a problem with Bolton, Reza, Siders, Thompson, a high level highland games guy or a high level thrower getting an invite to this. If anything theyre coming at it from a disadvantage, lacking the years of specific event training in favor of specific training for their sport.

You really give a crap about who has the better technique on an event like stones or tire as opposed to who is the strongest? I'm so baffled I can't even come up wiht a coherent response. You think that with a title like "World's Strongest Man" that the original purpose was "subjective" and "open for debate?" Strongman should have an open invitation to every freak in the world, not turn into some treehouse club with a sign saying "Memb3r's Only" on the front

Jamie, you quoted part of the press release - why not quote teh whole thing?

”It just came out from Québec City and it will be a blockbuster in the world of strongmen events in 2008. As it will be the year of the 400th anniversary of the founding of historical Québec, the oldest fortified city in North America, part of UNESCO's patrimonial sites and cradle of the French culture in America as well as the 110th anniversary of the founding of the Louis Cyr's Big Circus, considered as the forefather of Le Cirque du Soleil of world fame, a world-class strength competition will be held in the first days of August 2008.

THE LOUIS CYR WORLD STRENGTH CHALLENGE 2008 also referred to as THE DECATHLON OF STRENGTH: Held over two days, the competition will host 8 strength athletes (invited on the basis of their track record of the past two years). All expenses paid.

Price money will amount to some $50 000 US.

The winner will be awarded the FORTISSIMUS trophy (this is the Latin word meaning THE STRONGEST), A BRONZE SCULPTURE of considerable value, representing Louis Cyr's one arm dumbell press as performed in 1892 at the Royal Aquarium Hall in London, UK.

First ever, the competition will honour the long tradition of stone lifting with an astounding final event called THE CIRCLE OF STONES.

The competition will be held under the LOUIS CYR BIG TOP, a venue that will be set up to honor the former Louis Cyr circus.

The detailed events, including competition rules, will be disclosed by April 15th and sent out, by May 1st to all competitors.”

“For the first time ever, a strongman competition will link the past, honoring both a legendary figure - Louis Cyr - and some traditional events. This is why the invited athletes will compete to the end, with no qualification heats to reduce the field.

This will also be the highest-prized competition (financially speaking) ever held on Canadian grounds.

The LOUIS CYR WORLD STRENGTH CHALLENGE is meant to become a Classic. The promoters have therefore made a bid to stage the event for the next three years with an option on a multiyear carry-over.

Invitations to the selected strength athletes will be sent out by the end of November 2007.
Look, I am all for having qualifiers and then sticking to them. I have heard some shady stuff about the way that competitors for some shows are chosen, mostly that someone should be invited because of his popularity and the draw he would create - even tho that would mean UN-inviting a competitor who had already qualified (that someone turned it down out of fairness.) But when you have a show that is specifically by invitation - how about an olympic gold medal or an IPF or WPO championship? I'd say that ought to be good qualification

[Tony Christopher]

Because this is to be a BY INVITATION only STRONGMAN contest, the top 8 STRONGMEN (not "strength athletes") should be invited.

If you had a Louis Cyr Olympic Lifting by invitation contest Bolton and Z should not get invites.

If it was a Louis Cyr Powerlifting by invitation contest, Z and Reza should not get invites.

If it was a Louis Cyr by invitation 100m dash contest, the NFLs fastest receiver, or the quickest guy in baseball, or the best 200m man in the world should not get invites.

If it was a Louis Cyr by invitation tennis tournament, we shouldn't invite the world's best squash and raquetball players.

Clear enough?

[Kevin Cronin]

Because this is to be a BY INVITATION only STRONGMAN contest, the top 8 STRONGMEN (not "strength athletes") should be invited.

If you had a Louis Cyr Olympic Lifting by invitation contest Bolton and Z should not get invites.

If it was a Louis Cyr Powerlifting by invitation contest, Z and Reza should not get invites.

If it was a Louis Cyr by invitation 100m dash contest, the NFLs fastest receiver, or the quickest guy in baseball, or the best 200m man in the world should not get invites.

If it was a Louis Cyr by invitation tennis tournament, we shouldn't invite the world's best squash and raquetball players.

Clear enough?

How's this for "clear enough" ... the press release put out BY THE ORGANIZERS made reference to strength athletes, not JUST strongmen. If they want to invite strength athletes, that's their decision. If that displeases you, take it up with them, I'm sure they'd love to hear from you.

Just because you're not a strongman that doesnt mean you arent a strong man.

And by the way, you're wrong that Zydrunas shouldnt get an invite to some imaginary Louis Cyr Powerlifting contest. I'd say a silver medal at IPF world is more than credible enough to get you an invite. That's without even taking into consideration the fact that he's stronger now.

[Joshua Davis]

I'm so baffled I can't even come up wiht a coherent response. You think that with a title like "World's Strongest Man" that the original purpose was "subjective" and "open for debate?" Strongman should have an open invitation to every freak in the world, not turn into some treehouse club with a sign saying "Memb3r's Only" on the front

Oh for pete's sake dude, "World's Strongest Man" is the title of a freaking television show. I'm pretty disappointed that "Last One Standing" isn't about a standing competition to see who can stand up the longest.

Strongman is it's own sport.

Strongman's present popularity may have been born from said television show, but WSM is only a part of it.

Even from a different perspective, imagine if the rules that govern the superbowl have to be applied to your backyard throwing with your son, or small league games?

[Daniel Dase]

Oh for pete's sake dude, "World's Strongest Man" is the title of a freaking television show. I'm pretty disappointed that "Last One Standing" isn't about a standing competition to see who can stand up the longest.

Strongman is it's own sport.

Strongman's present popularity may have been born from said television show, but WSM is only a part of it.

I believe that top level strongman contests should send invites to all top level strength atheletes that have a legit claim to being the Worlds Strongest Man.

I don't believe anybody complained when Mark Henry and Andy Bolton got invited to the first Arnold Classic, both of whom weren't even "strongmen" but rather an olympic lifter and a powerlifter (in Marks case he was both of these).

Again no one complained when Istan Arvi and Brain Sniders got invited to later Arnold Classics, it even gave the contest a more of a legit feeling to it to have more strength athletes there.


I don't understand what the big deal is with you guys crying about people outside of "strongman" getting invited to a top level contest to see who the strongest is. It isn't like they are going to pick out random bums on the street, they would pick people who have been on the top for awhile. People like Andy Bolton and Reza in my opinion deserve an invite to strongman contests because they have both shown they have a legit claim to being the Worlds Strongest.


But you know, people who aren't strongmen can't win at a strongman contest.
Mark Henry the powerlifter and olympic weightlifter never won the Arnold Classic.
Geoff Capes the shot putter never won Worlds Strongest Man.
Bill Kazmaier the powerlifter never won Worlds Strongest Man.
And of course Jon Pall Sigmarsson the bodybuilder never won that contest either.

[Jamie McEwan]

I've come to think of the term "strength athlete" as synonymous with "strongman" or "strongwoman".

As mentioned, the athletes from outside of the sport would be at a disadvantage in a strongman contest. They would come in with minimal experience in the events. Unfortunately, although I do think it'd be cool to see someone like Reza Zedeh at a contest like this, inviting him implies that, even if he came last, he was the "eighth best" in the world. Even if it is just a title, this is how it would appear to lay spectators and viewers if this is televised.

I would hate to see someone like Derek Poundstone, Phil Pfister, or Terry Hollands not get an invite to this because they selected Bolton instead.

[Matt Brouse]

Hold on. Wait a second. Who cares...

[Ian Duggan]

In many ways, I regret starting this.

It seems almost typical of all things strength related. Here's an amazing sounding contest coming up, with the potential to be, if not a new WSM / IFSA Worlds, then at least to the level of the Arnold... and we've got half a page of predictions / contest talk and three and a half pages of arguing over the definition of "strength athlete."

You can't define the word "strong" as finely as you're trying to do, let alone the phrase "strength athlete."