The world’s Strongest Man is one of the best recognized international events in the field of strength athletics held annually. It is organized by TWI and IMG Media Company and is held towards the end of September each year. It is an event awaited by a number of athletes around the world who have dedicatedly practiced to exhibit their skills on a global platform.
Met RX Strongest Man can boast of a remarkable history dating back to 1977, when the event pioneered the world’s first strength sport competition in the field of athletics. Ever since, it has been developed as a series of exceptional and outstanding tests of strength with a view to select the world’s strongest man in strength athletics. The competition has been hosted in various spectacular locations such as Mauritius, Zambia, Morocco, Malaysia, Iceland and China.
Qualification Criteria:
Competitors qualify based on top order of placing at the World’s Strongest Man Super Series or are invited on the basis of top placements in elite National and International Competitions. Twenty-five contestants participate across five heats and the top two in each category go through to the finals.
The event sponsor is Met RX and the prize is known as the Met RX Trophy. Nordic countries have dominated the competition for several years and the present years have seen a growth in competitors from European Nations. In 2001, Met RX Strongest Man was held along with the World’s strongest Woman. Women compete in the same discipline as men but use lighter weights.
Celebrated figures associated with the contest are Bill Kazmaier, Jon Pall Sigmarsson, Magnus Ver Magnusson and Mariusz Pudzianowski. Each of them captured multiple titles and is known as the greatest Champion of all times. Their contribution to the sport of strength athletics has been humungous in terms of dedication and promotion.
America and Met RX Strongest Man:
The dominion of America in World Strongest Man began at Universal Studios when Bruce Wilhelm became the first American to earn the prestigious title. He was a former Olympic Weightlifter from the United States and won the title again in 1978. Don Reinhoudt was the winner in the following year and Bill Kazmaier became a legend after winning the competition for three consecutive years from 1980 through 1982.
Geoff Capes, a participant from England was the first non-American to be the World’s Strongest Man in 1983. This former Olympic shot-putter later earned the title again in 1985.
Jon-Pall Sigmarsson from Iceland won four championships between 1984 and 1990. Magnus Ver Magnusson is another unforgettable name in the field of strength athletics in the 90s. He too, won four titles from 1994 to 1996 and is regarded as the first modern strength athlete.
Scandinavian countries weren’t left far behind. Jouko Ahola of Finland won a pair of championships in 1997 and 1999. Magnus Sammuelsson from Sweden, Janne Virtanen of Finland and Svend Karlsen of Norway won respective titles of their own.
Events in Met RX Strongest Man:
There are various events that make the competition extremely challenging as well as exciting. These Include:
Loading: Five heavy weight objects weighing 220-360 lbs are loaded on to a trunk bed or a similar platform over a course of about 50 ft.
Farmer’s Walk: Under this category, competitors are supposed to carry heavy weight objects (275-375 lbs) in each hand for a set distance. The one who completes the task first is winner.
Atlas Stones: Five heavy weight round stones increasing in weight from 220-352 lbs are placed on top of high platforms. The path is around 16-33 ft long. This is often the final event.
Tug Of War: this takes place on a one-on-one basis. The one who is defeated is eliminated.
Crucifix: Weights are held out at each side for as long as possible.
Duck walk: This includes carrying a 400 lb pot with a handle suspended between the legs over a set distance.
Yoke Walk: This comprises of carrying a yoke across the shoulders made out of a crossbar and two weighted uprights weighing approx. 904 lbs. This needs to be carried across a set course.
Log Throw: This involves throwing a 5 m long log for a distance or height over a bar.
Truck Pulling: Vehicles such as trucks, trams, boxcars, buses or planes are pulled across a 100 ft distance by hand as fast as possible.
Power Stairs: This involves lifting a series of three duck walk implements weighing from 400 – 600 lbs step by step to the top of a pile of stairs.
A number of enthusiasts participate in the competition each year. It is with great dedication and hard work that one can emerge winner in such contests as they are a test of strength and willpower at the same time.