Power News 2-2012

POWER NEWS UNITED STRONGMEN®

# 2 - May 2012

THE FITTEST STRENGTH MAGAZINE ON EARTH™

Powerful Magazine for Strongman / Woman, Fitness, Highland Games and Grip Sport Athletes

ARNOLD SPECIAL Arnold Strongman Classic Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships Arnold Sports Festival 2012

World´s Strongest Man Experience™, Adriane WIlson and much more

FROM THE EDITOR The year 2012 have started with great

for major events, but we rather

speed and it is time for our second Power

grow up slow than publish

News with Arnold theme

empty promises.

Our first issue was a success and along with the fact, that we found already new

Articles In this second issue we are

writers for this second one, we strongly

focusing to Arnold Sports

believe, that we are building something big,

Festival, but we also have a

what helps everyone in these sports.

great contest coverages

Brands, Respect and Devolopment

from World´s Strongest Man

In this issue we also write about the

Experience™ - King of the

brands in the sport along with the

Castle™ along with the report

respect..both of them are definitely needed to

from Norway´s Fitness Expo.

develop the strength sports bigger & better.

Brands, Respect and Development.

As usual we want to raise up

United Strongmen®/Competitions

the beautiful ladies from the strength events

United Strongmen® is now a registered

and in this issue we introduce the 3-time

trademark in EU and for the rest of the world it

Highland Games World Champion Adriane

is also a trademark. We are in a slow process

Wilson (Blewitt).

of building up things, but we don´t´want to

On the negative side we ( I ) also

hurry - even the development already has been

comment the situation on powerlifting world in

quite fast. Securing the brand officially is one

Finland.

part of the plan, where we do things

Our next issue will be out in September.

professionally, build up the ground where the

Have a sunny, strong summer!

respect is one of the key factors of

Jyrki Rantanen, Editor in Chief

THANK YOU!

For the new writers and co-operators since the first issue! Thank You also for everyone, who have given their support on this - the warmness and number of positive feedback tell US, that we are on the right road!

development.

Respect is not only for the brands, it is for the athletes also - that´s why we don´t rush to announce more competitions to our calendar unless we have some certain proof that the competitions will take it´s place when mentioned. For example, there has been plenty of inquiries about 105kg competitions for 2012 and it´s no secred, that we are planning one but we want things to be sure until give it out.

That´s why in our contracts with the organizers we have a term, that in case of cancellation of the event for any reason the minimum prize money is paid to the athletes as an compensation. Yes, it is not big bucks from months of training, but it´s an act of respect.

2/ 2012 INDEX 2.

From the editor & index.

3.

Arnold Strongman Classic.

4.

Arnold Strongman Classic 5.

3-time World Champion, Adriane Wilson.

6.

Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships.

7.-10.

King of the Castle™ - A True WSM Experience™.

11.

Fitnessmessen 2012, Norway.

12.-13. Queen of the Castle™.

14.

Arnold Sports Festival.

15.

Arnold Expo 16.-17. Arnold Fitness results.

18.

19.

Brands, Respect & Development in strongman.

20.

Finnish Powerlifting Fed.- Athletes First..

That´s also a term, which limits our organizers

This magazine is published by United Strongmen®. All photos © United Strongmen®, if nothing else mentioned.

All rights reserved. In the cover photo Mike Jenkins winning the Austrian Oak log lift in Arnold Strongman Classic 2012.

UNITED STRONGMEN® P.O.BOX 55 13101 HÄMEENLINNA FINLAND www.unitedstrongmen.com info@unitedstrongmen.com

POWER NEWS THE FITTEST STRENGTH MAGAZINE ON EARTH™

ARNOLD STRONGMAN CLASSIC 2012 Arnold Strongman Classic was one of the heaviest, or maybe the alltime heaviest strongman competition on earth, when it comes to the weights....

208kg / 177kg axle wheels, 116kg dumbbell, some 500kg deadlifts, 208 / 177 kg logs from the rack and 400 kg timber carry..

This year the competition included three winners from previous years along with tough challengers...

The competition started with the heavy Apollon´s wheels where the contestants had to clean the axle as many times as possible and they could choose if to go with 208kg or 177kg...The competition was waited to be a match between last years winner Brian Shaw and multi-time winner Saviskas.

As usual Saviskas took the lead by winning the event with 4 reps before Koklayev (3 reps). In the wheels Brian Shaw teared off his bicep, but still continued thru all the events in pain, managing still for overall 4th place.

Arnold Strongman Classic

2012 1. Mike Jenkins 2. Derek Pundstone 3. Zydrunas Saviscas 4. Brian Shaw (injured) 5. Mike Burke 6. Mikhail Koklayev 7. Laurence Shahlaei 8. Terry Hollands 9. Travis Ortmayer 10. Hafbor Julius Björnsson

The reigning World´s Strongest Man™ Brian Shaw jumped off from the floor with 256 lbs dumbbell under surveillance eye of 4-time WSM Magnus Ver Magnusson

The second event for the day was the dumbbell lift with 116kg and the this one was clearly dominated by Jenkins (7 reps) and Shaw (5reps).

Also

Saviskas did many good attempts, but failured in proper lock-out.

The second day for the competition started with Austrian Oak log loft, where the competitors had to lift from the rack neither 208kg or 179kg thich wooden log as many reps as possible. In the beginning half of the guys were already passing the big one and the rest had just good or not so good attempts until Big Z stepped in - as he is the man, who one would wait to lift any log in the world, he proved to be worth of wait and locked one rep, but with agony.

After seeing Z´s pain with the weight, no one waited to see any lifts anymore, but hungry Mike Jenkins was thinking differently...he stepped in and nailed 2 reps and had some room for the third one also...total domination in the pressing events. From the ”light” log lifters worth of mention are Shaw with 7 reps and Derek with 6.

On the last day at the expo it was time for the traditional Hummer time deadlift and again we witnessed some history there as Zydrunas pulled up new WR weights for the event: 1117 lbs! And he did it with his 2nd attempt, so there was no arguments about, who was the king of the deadlift that day.

Prior the timber carry Saviskas had the lead, but this time the 400kg load without straps was too much and he had to let go from the brightest medals. The Timber carry was again won by Jenkins.

1117 lbs!!!

ADRIANE WILSON

ADRIANE WILSON (BLEWITT)

by Jyrki Rantanen

3 time World Highland Games Champion 1. What is your height, weight, age? (sorry, had to ask :) I am 5'10", 175lbs. and 31 years old 2.You are a multi talentd athlete - shot put, highland games, grip events...did I forget something?

I competed in all the throwing events in college (shot put, discus, hammer, javelin) but played softball and golf from the time I was little girl.

3. How do you mix your training for different sports? Of course shot put and stone put are similar, but it is a big difference in training?

The shot put and stone compliment each other very well in the technique of the throw but the weight training tends to have some differences.

In preparation for the heavy events I stick to the basics: squats, bench, pulls. I will include more Olympic lifting in preparation for a shot put competition. The reason the weight training is a little more general with the heavy events is that I tend to concentrate on the technique of the highland game throws and get in the volume of throwing for the 9 events.

4. Did you practice other sports in your youth?

I played softball and started golfing when I was 8 years old and my family enjoyed weekends on our boat in the summertime. I used to be a pretty good waterskiier!

5. How is your dream about spot to Olympics? Will you be able to make it?

I was inspired to train for the Olympic Games by my college coach, Jud Logan. Coach Logan was a four-time Olympian in the hammer throw and developed me as a competitive athlete. My first experience with my Olympic dream was watching Coach Logan qualify for his fourth Olympic game at the age of 40 in the summer of 2000. I did not have the qualifying mark to compete in the Olympic Trials but traveled to Sacramento, California. I was overwhelmed with the talented athletes and couldn't wait to compete at that level. I continued my collegiate training at Ashland University and post collegiate career and qualified for the 2004, 2008, and now the 2012 US Olympic Trials in the women's shot put. I know it will be tough to finish in the top three at the US Olympic Trials this summer but that is why it is the hardest team to make!

6. Your career has one win over the others and it´s the cancer - can you tell us a little bit about it.

Photos courtesy of Adriane Wilson (Blevitt).

I was nearly finished with my undergraduate degree and beginning my fall conditioning in September 2003. I was having difficulty breathing and when I finally got it checked out, Xrays and CATscans revealed I had a mass covering two-thirds of my chest pressing on my heart and lungs. Within weeks I had begun chemotherapy treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I was only 23 years old. My chemo protocol lasted 6 months and knocked me down physically and mentally. Only a few months prior to the diagnosis I was ranked in the top four in the United States and suddenly I had difficulty making it through the day with the nausea. However, with the incredible support of my Mother, family, Coach Logan and my teammates, I was able to train through the treatment and still finish 5th at the 2004 Olympic Trials.

7. How the disease effected you as an athlete?

The setback definitely changed my perspective in life. I realized what was really important in my life. I wanted to live my life to the fullest and never regret.

8. You are one of the best ones in the world when counting together HG and T&F which one you see heavier as a sport?

Thank you, Jyrki! I have been really fortunate to train with many talented athletes and coaches. Track and field will always rank pretty high in my heart. Track developed me as an athlete and inspired me to represent my country in the highest athletic honor. However, the highland games rekindled my desire to compete and opened my eyes to a new culture and fabulous group of people. I have met so many wonderful people around the world wearing a kilt!

9. Do/Did you have any idols in your events?

Coach Logan will always be my role model.

He is an excellent athlete, coach, teacher and friend. He taught me to constantly be a student of my sport.

I really appreciate my time training with John Godina in Arizona. He will always be one of my favorite athletes to study. His technique is impeccable competitive spirit so as long as my body will allow it, I will tape up, chalk up, shoe up, kilt up and be the best at and his character as a person is unbeatable!

10. How long you are planning to compete and are you thinking of any other events?

I will compete as long as I can! I have always had a competitive spirit so as long as my body will allow it, I will tape up, chalk up, shoe up, kilt up and be the best athlete I can be!

ARNOLD AMATEUR STRONGMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2012 Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championchips were held in Columbus, Ohio during the Arnold Sports Festival.

In the competition, which was organized

by ASC there was some 50 competitor from numerous countries fighting for the top10 spots to the finals.

As in world class competition should be, the events were quite heavy for amateurs and all the way from the start some competitors proved their ability to move towards pro arenas.

The qualifying events were log lift (147kg), Medley (Yoke 380kg, sack 90kg and farmers 160kg), Car deadlift (Ford Focus with extra weight in the trunk) and Husafell carry with 180kg.

After those four events top10 competitors edged to the finals, which were held on the main stage of the festival after one resting day between for the competitors.

The final events included Dumbbell Medley: Thomas Inch, 10” 86 kg, 12” 91kg and 14” 95kg. Odd objects loading race (4 objects) and last, but not least 190kg stone over the bar (137cm).

Along with other speakers the finals were hosted by the legendary WSM Bill Kazmaier, who proved his verbal skills more than well.

The finals were also tight when looking the points between 4th-10th place, but in overall the whole competition was a show for Adam Scherr, who did not do any mistakes and had the pedal against the metal for two days.

Adam is a great showman and his outlook is also for great show in strongman.

Along with Adam, Kenneth Nowicki and Jacob Prody surprised many with their performances due they are more like lightweight competitors.

For more photos and info about the competition, please visit American Strongman Corporation pages: www.americanstrongman.com.

1. Adam Scherr, USA 64.2 pts 2. Mikhail Shiviyakov, RUS 54.7 pts 3. Tomas Rodrigues, USA 47.5 pts 4. Steve Schmidt, USA 41.3 pts 5. Jacob Bodi, USA 41.3 pts 6. Bartiomiej Bak, Poland 39.8 pts 7. Kenneth Nowicki, Scotland 38.8 pts 8. Luke Skaarup, USA 38.6pts 9. Chad Kurian, USA 37.9 pts 10. Lauri Nami, Estonia 36.8 pts

Left: The Champion Adam Scherr and the Adam show in car deadlift.

Above: Almost a lightweight Kennet Nowicki sprinting with 180kg ”Husafell”.

Above2: ASC President Dione Wessels and Mike Johnston awarding the winner.

United Strongmen® organized the first ever World´s Strongest Man Experience™ in Hämeenlinna, Finland.

The venue was medieval castle of Häme and the full event included also Queen of the Castle competition for ladies...Enjoy the photos from the following pages along with the event by event report.

HAFBOR IS THE KING OF THE CASTLE!!!

King of the Castle™ - A True World´s Strongest Man Experience™ The first ever WSM Experience in Finland was held in the atmosphere of Häme medieval castle in Hämeenlinna city (http://www.nba.fi/en/museums/ hame_castle). 8 athletes from 5 different countries started the competition under the surveillance eye of Magnus Ver Magnusson, who was the head referee for the competition.

Weight over the bar medley The event showed quite much the direction for the competition - the huge Icelanders Hafbor Julius Björsson and Stefan Sölvi Petursson dominated the event, while others struggled to get all objects over the near5 meter high bar (Along with the Haffi and Stefan, only Rolands Gulbis from Latvia managed all 3 weights over the bar).

Medley: farmers walk (2x130kg)/sack loading (120,150kg) medley, where this time Stefan was the man, while winning his country mate by 0.15 seconds, followed by again Gulbis and Nicolai Hansen from Denmark.

Arm over arm pull: In this event there was old cannon in a sled and the competitors had to pull it for 15 meters - A former WSM finalist Tarmo Mitt and Finland´s Antti Mourujärvi started their rise on this event by taking out the 2ndand 3rd place behing Haffi, who made the cannon "fly" 6 seconds faster than any other competitor.

Left: Raising Finnish strongman Antti Mourujärvi stuggled in the opening event, but climbed to the podium in the end.

Middle: 2011 Finland´s Strongest Man winner Jarno Jokinen gave all out in arm over arm event.

Right: Former WSM Finalist from Estonia, Tarmo Mitt proved once again his ability to still do great performances.

Left: 4-time World´s Strongest Man™ Magnus Ver Magnusson in the interview with Finnish Pin-Up model Sini Tarkkinen.

Below: Iceland´s Stefan Sölvi Petursson proving, that there´s a new era of showmen coming from Iceland in the foot steps of JPS and MVM. Below left: Along with being the King of the Castle, Haffi was the King of the Stones.

Log Lift: The log lift was done inside of the old cannon tower and again the competition was dominated by Stefan and Haffi, who shared the top place with successful 160kg lifts, followed by Hansen and Mitt (150kg).

Deadlift: Was a super heavy apparatus including a VW Caddy and the lifting high even lower than regular bar. The opening weight was approx 300kg and during each rep the weight was raised in order of 340-370-390. The winner of the event was Hafbor Julius Björnsson with good 370kg lift.

Atlas Stones: The set was maybe the heaviest ever used in a strongman competition - 8 stones, all carried from the distance of 3 metres and the weights were: 110-130-140-140-140-160-160-180....most of the competitors had huge problems after 5 stones, but Finland´s Mourujärvi proved his fighter spirit and lifted 6 stones under 90 seconds and the effort was worth of it due he raised up to 3rd place in overall. Like in the, whole competition the King was Haffi, who did 7 stones in a time of 1.47, but due the time limit of 2 minutes he left the big one to the ground.

Final Placings: 1. Haffi Björnsson 7,5 pts 2. Stefan Sölvi Petursson 16,5 pts 3. Antti Mourujärvi 27 pts 4. Tarmo Mitt 30,5 pts 5. Nicolai Hansen 31,5 pts 6. Rolands Gulbis 32 pts 7. Jarno Jokinen 33 pts 8. MIka Jaakola 38 pts

The rocky podium of Häme Castle, the winner Hafbor Julius Björnsson (middle), 2nd Stefan Sölvi Petursson (left) and 3rd Antti Mourujärvi (right).

In overall the competition was a success and the crowd loved the foreign visitors along with the competition was filmed was Nelonen Pro channel in Finland and it will also be available in DVD format from the official WSM store after some months.

For 2013 there already some new WSM action planned for Hämeenlinna´s historic atmosphere along with the Queen of the Castle™ competition for ladies.

Fitnessmessen 2012, Norway by Nils Kjetil Sande The biggest annual Fitness convention in Norway was held in Lillestøm the weekend 10.th and 11.th of February. It housed a lot of stands from wellestablished brands in the fitness and bodybuilding sector, supplements and training equipment, and of course thousands of people wanting to see what’s new in the business. In addition, it was arranged a Strongman competition, and that’s what I was there to watch.

On the second day of the convention it was time to kick off the first Strongman competition of the year in Norway. Nineteen Strongman of quite different level were ready to fight and Espen Aune, Norways Strongest Man 2011 was brought in to be head judge and former World Strongest Man (2001), Svend Viking Karlsen, as speaker.

First event was truck pull, but since the competition was held indoor and with a slippery floor, the truck was changed out with a much smaller and easier Toyota Hiace.

Second event was farmers walk with 120 kg for maximum distance, with a turn every 25 meters.

Third event was the 80 kg giant dumbbell that was used in the Norway Strongest Man 2010 competition.

Fourth and last event was a pretty easy tire that weight 350 kg, but on the slippery floor, it was a big load for many of the competitors.

The big favorite in the competition, Bjørn Andre Solvang, that is predicted to become Norway’s Strongest Man, maybe already in 2012, took an early lead and won 3 of the 4 events, and got a comfortable victory in the contest.

I spoke to Bjørn Andre Solvang after the contest.

Congratulation on a solid win in your first competition of the year! What’s your next goal?

Thank you! My next goal is to win Norway strongest man this year and go to World strongest man. The way I see it, it’s when I win the Norway strongest man it all starts in my Strongman career.

You came on 3.th place in Norway strongest man last year, and you are going for the win this year, and who will be your biggest competitors?

I’ll fight even harder to get to the top of the podium this year, and I’ll focus on not doing the small, stupid mistakes I did last year cost me valuable points.

My biggest competitors will be Espen Aune, Lars Rørbakken and Ole Martin Hansen, I’ll take them down, one by one.

Where do you see yourself in Stongman in 3-4 years?

Hard to say, but my main goal is not getting any injury, focus on my weaknesses and getting stronger and better in all events. My long term goal is to be as good as I can get, and as so many other strongman, to become World strongest man on day.

What are your personal bests in Squat: 305kg raw Deadlift: 360kg raw Benchpress: 240kg raw Loglift: 190kg Results of the competition: 1. Bjørn Andre Solvang 74,5 poeng 2. Vidar Vikøyr 60,5 poeng 3. Øyvind Rein 60 poeng 4. Anders Bull 57 poeng 5. Henrik Hilde 44 poeng 6. Jøgen Aukland 43 poeng 7. Tommy Grønnbakken 41,5 poeng 8. Odd Kvernberg 41 poeng 9. Torbjørn Farmen 32 poeng 10. Sigbjørn Sønderland 31 poeng 11. Morten Halvorsen 28,5 poeng 12. Jores Pongu 22,5 poeng 13. Andreas Møller 19 poeng 14. Espen Edvardsen 15 poeng 15. John Vegar Solvang 14 poeng 16. Trond Jørgensen 10 poeng DNF Tom Wangen DNF Håvard Huse DNF Glenn Libekk

In the photo the winner Björn Andre Solvang. Photo by Nils Kjetil Sande.

Queen of the Castle™ A Finnish newcomer surprised the older and more experienced ladies in the Queen of the Castle 2012 competition, where Finland´s Annina Saine won 3 out of 5 events, but proved her mortality in the other events, while Sweden´s very experienced Anki Öberg raged to 2nd place in overall, only 0,5 points behind Annina.

The 3rd podium spot went to the iron griplady from Finland, Jaana Tanner before Niina Jumppanen, Bryndis Olafsdottir, Alina Leisiö and Leena Nurminen.

In the big photo Annina Saine sprinting towards a great start for strongwoman career.

In the small photo Anki Öberg hunting Annina in the Volkswagen Amarok arm over arm event.

Queen of the Castle 2012 Queen of the Castle was ment to be a warm-up for WSM Experience and kind of training competition for finnish ladies, but it growed up to an international strongwoman match, which will continure in bigger format for 2013.

Along with 5 top names from Finland the field included 5 time Iceland´s Strongest Woman Bryndis Olafsdottir and World´s Strongest Woman medalist from Sweden, Anki Öberg. The finns included almost all top names from the country except Kati Luoto, who is recovering from knee injury.

The day started with the log lift, where the competitors had to chooce 70 kg or 50 kg log for reps and with 1 rep of 70kg, the competitor edged out all 50 kg lifters. In the event a newcomer from Finland, Annina Saine had a thundering start for her strongwoman career as she won the first event she ever performed in a strongwoman contest. The result was 6 reps with 70kg, followed by Bryndis with 4 and Anki with 2.

The competition was planned heavy as it was a testing event for upcoming United Strongmen® Women´s World Championships and the heavy format continued in the second event, where the ladies had to carry 63 kg farmers walk implament for 12 meters and then fight back with 103 kg in each hand. Again a top performance from Saine, followed by Finnish grip strengt legend Jaana Tanner.

Arm over Arm with Volkswagen Amarok continued the fast competition and a slight uphill in the end made it a little more harder.

This was a perfect time for Anki to start raising in the sheet, while she beat the followers from Finland; Alina Leisiö and Jaana Tanner with 3 seconds margin.

The tire flip was former training tire for Heini Koivuniemi, who told that the training tire was a lot heavier than the ones they used to have in WSW. In this 6 flips competition it was 3rd win for Annina, who took the brighest spot and was leading the competition before the last event.

In the finald event, the competitors had to pick up from the ground 84kg Ironmind sack and carry it as far as possible. In the last event, the multitime runner up in Finland´s Strongest Woman, Niina Jumppanen proved her raising shape and beat the whole group with a distance of 54,95 metres.

In overall the competition had a very close ending due 6 out of 7 ladies were inside of 4 points in the end and this time the newcomer Annina Saine had the glory to be the first Queen of the Castle.

1. Annina Saine, Finland 16 pts 2. Anki Öberg, Sweden 16,5 pts 3. Jaana Tanner, Finland 18 pts 4. Niina Jumppanen, Finland 19 pts 5. Bryndis Olafsdottir, Iceland 20 pts 6. Alina Leisiö, Finland 20 pts 7. Leena Nurminen, Finland 30,5 pts The competition was partly filmed for King of the Castle/World´s Strongest Man Experience for Nelonen Pro sport channel and the program will be sold as DVD later this year.

Left: Bryndis started well with 2nd place in the log lift. Right: Niina Jumppanen took the points in Ironmind sack carry under surveillance eye of Magnus Ver Magnusson and cheer from Heini Koivuniemi.

ARNOLD SPORTS FESTIVAL

Arnold Sport Festival, the largest body/strength/fitness happening in the world with nearly 200 000 spectators, nearly 45 different events and over 18 000 athletes gathers the champs from differents sports to the same venue in Columbus, Ohio (USA).

Up left: Lou ”HULK” Ferrigno is still in awesome shape.

Left,down: Forever young David Webster refereed the Strongman Classic as usual - in a kilt.

Up, right: US Weightlifting Olympic trials and Jackie Berube.

Middle: as usual, Iceland produces strongman and beautiful women Alexandra Sif Nikulasdottir.

Below: Arnold Sport Festival isn´t just tanned muscles and raw power there´s over 40 other events also.

Arnold Expo - A must see venue with all the brands, babes and icons.

!

ARNOLD SPORTS FESTIVAL

ARNOLD SPORTS FESTIVAL 2012, Fitness results: Ms. International: 1.Yaxeni Origuen Garcia, USA 2. Debi Laszewski, USA 3. Alina Popa, Romania 4. Cathy LeFrancois, Canada 5. Kim Buck, USA 6. Brigita Brezovac, Slovenia 7. Alevtina Goroshinskaya, Russia 8. Maria Rita Bello 9. Kim Perez, USA 10.Monique Jones, USA 11.Zoa Linsey, Canada 12.Maria Segura, Mexico 13.Tina Chandler, USA 14.Geraldine Morgan, USA Ms. Figure International 1. Nicole Wilkins, USA 2. Erin Stern, USA 3. Candice Keene, USA 4. Ava Cowan, USA 5. Heather Dees, USA 6. Teresa Anthony, USA 7. Larissa Reis, Brazil 8. Cheryl Brown, USA 9. Gennifer Strobo, USA 10.Krissy Chin, USA 11.Jelena Abbou, USA 12.Latisha Wilder, USA 13.Sue Knott, USA 14.Raquel Hernandez, Spain 15.Gloria Tarpley, USA 16.Alicia Harris, USA

Fitness International: 1.Adele Garcia, USA 2.Camala Rodriques, USA 3.Oksana Grishina, Russia 4.Bethany Cisternino, USA 5.Tanji Johnson, USA 6.Myriam Capes, Canada 7.Kizzy Vaines, UK 8.Tina Durkin, USA 9.Danielle Ruban, Canada 10.Jodi Boam, Canada 11.Julie Palmer, USA 12.Regiane Da Silva, Germany 13.Kayde Puckett, USA 14.Allison Ethier, Canada 15.Sheri Vucick, USA 16.Diana Monteiro, Brazil Ms. Bikini International: 1. Sonia Gonzales, USA 2. India Paulino, USA 3. Nicole Nagrani, USA 4. Jamie Baird, USA 5. Nathalie Melo, USA 6. Juliana Daniell, USA 7. Diana Graham, USA 8. Jessica Paxson, USA 9. Candyce Graham, USA 10.Monique Ricardo, USA 11.Natalie Pennington, USA 12.Jennifer Andrews, USA (tie) 12. Lexi Kaufman, USA (tie) 14. Christina Vargas, USA 15. Tianna Ta, USA 16. Abigail Burrows, USA (tie) 16. Jessica Jessie, USA (tie)

ARNOLD AMATEUR FITNESS Overall Amateur Fitness winner: Melinda Szabo of Hungary Other winners of the Arnold Amateur Fitness Championship include: Up to 163cm: 1st Melinda Szabo, Hungary; 2nd Amy Nichols, USA; 3rd Shannon Goering, USA; 4th Janaina Barbosa De Matos, Brazil; 5th Mary Stockbridge, USA. Over 163cm: 1st Marta Aguiar, Uruguay; 2nd Fiona Harris, Canada; 3rd Olga Guryeva, Russia; 4th Rebecca Clem, USA; 5th Shannon Gill, USA. Overall Amateur Figure winner: Olga Gallardo of Mexico Other winners of the Arnold Amateur Figure Championship include: Class A, up to 155cm: 1st Jacqueline Thomas, USA; 2nd Nelu Millican, USA; 3rd Amber Miles, USA; 4th Kerlande Martial, USA; 5th Mary Carriedo, Canada.

Class B up to 159cm: 1st Iara Vieira, Brazil; 2nd Kelly Booth-Hater, USA; 3rd Kris Lynn Smith, USA; 4th Sandra Tacza Zapata, Peru; 5th Katie Noval, USA. Class C, up to 163cm: 1st Olga Gallardo, Mexico; 2nd Zory Garasimchuk, USA; 3rd Bruna de Costa Miyagui, Brazil; 4th Jyl Marie Stoltenberg, USA; 5th Tia Borbely, USA. Class D, up to 167cm: 1st Stephanie Matthews, USA; 2nd Danielle Ferreira, USA; 3rd Susann Cardot, USA; 4th Teagan Posey-Benson, USA; 5th Jessie Hilgenberg, USA. Class E, up to 170cm: 1st Alessandra Barata, Brazil; 2nd Allison Moyer, USA; 3rd Meni Moskowski, USA; 4th Samantha Dunbar, Australia; 5th Caroline Zawadski, Brazil.

Class F, over 170cm: Tia Trent, USA; 2nd Viavra Centeno; 3rd Kelsey Boe, USA; 4th Tina Anderson, USA; 5th Dawn Bailey, USA. Overall Amateur Figure Masters winner: Nina-Marie Richter of South Africa Other winners of the Arnold Amateur Figure Masters Championship include: Short Class: Lynn Nichols, USA; 2nd Marli Rodrigues; 3rd Tracy Grogg, USA; 4th Angie Morales, USA; 5th Nicole Wilkenfeld, USA. Medium Class: 1st Tiffany Karnig, USA; 2nd Brenda Lauver, USA; 3rd Lenora Angels, USA, 4th Yvonne Melendrez, USA; 5th Viviana Smerilli, USA. Tall Class: 1st Nina-Marie Richter, South Africa; 2nd Emi Perez, Spain; 3rd Yolanda Slaughter, USA; 4th Valerie Richman, Canada; 5th Sheila Salinas, USA. Overall Amateur Bikini winner: Ashley Kaltwasser of USA Other winners of the Arnold Amateur Bikini Championships include: Class A, up to 155cm: 1st Francine Slobodnik, USA; 2nd Elspeth Dana, USA; 3rd Jessica Fletcher, USA; 4th Samantha Maycock, USA; 5th Kerin Mertini, USA. Class B, up to 159cm: 1st Gemmalyn Crosby, USA; 2nd Lauren Russel, USA; 3rd Danesa Robles, USA; 4th Melanie Velasquez, USA; 5th Rachel Greba, USA. Class C, up to 163cm: 1st Catherine Textoris, USA; 2nd Oksana Pavlova, Ukraine, 3rd Jessica De Francesca, USA; 4th Midori Rutledge, Canada; 5th Martine Gauthier, Canada.

Class D, up to 167cm: 1st Ashley Kaltwasser, USA; 2nd Marcia Goncales, Brazil; 3rd Carrie Hensman, Canada; 4th Magret Edda Gnarr, Iceland; 5th Holly Barker, Canada.

Class E, up to 170cm: 1st Nikola Weiterova, Slovakia; 2nd Olga Svyrdova, USA; 3rd Magnea Gunnarsdottir, Iceland; 4thRita Catolino, Canada; 5th Laura Markle, USA. Class F, over 170cm: 1st Dagbjort Gudbrandsdottir, Iceland; 2nd Adalheidur Yr Olafsdottir, Iceland; 3rd Anna Virmajoki, Finland; 4th Jessica Pendergrast, New Zealand; 5th Nakita Nedd, USA.

Lef:,Overall Amateur Fitness winner Melinda Szabo from Hungary.

Middle:Overall Amateur Figure winner Olga Gallardo from Mexico.

Right: Figure, Class E winner Alessandra Barata, Brazil

BACKROOM PHOTO COLLECTION

STRONGMAN BRANDS, RESPECT and DEVELOPMENT Most of us are aware, that doing strongman and organizing competitions is not quite like rocket science, but still it also has certain rules which are written or not.

In the beginning of the year there was a big noise about a competition in Abu Dhabi due it occured, that there was some rude misuse about WSM (World´s Strongest Man™) brand.

Let´s not go deeply to the lawayer side, but the basic rule is that ”if you are building up a burger place - you just can not name it McDonals”.

Yes, there´s differences in the eye of law when it is neither registered trademark, or just a claimed trademark, but anyway when something is marked with ®, ™, © or is for example a registered company name or supplementary company name, which gives protection in certain country be sure, not to use those names in your competition or product without written permission from the owner.

In the second part we come to the respect side - no matter of how do you feel about persons, but don´t try to invent the bicycle again. This is meaning, that if someone has done for example 20 yrs. the competition xxx (country) strongest man - is there a really any sense to start doing xxx strongman nationals on the side? Yes, this is a free world (partly) and you can build-up competitions almost anywhere, but think it from the development point of the sport - ask yourself a question, what I can do to make this better without causing no disrespect to the brands that already excist? For example in that xxx-country, no one can say, that you must co-operate with some other organizer (for example that xxx strongest man organizer), but no one can´t say that for the development of the sport it could be usuful..

So, when having a burning desire to build up a competition, don´t find a way to co-operate with the ones there´s is already...what to do?

Invent something new, what makes the sport grow in your country for example make some xxx-city GP, your country vs neighbour country etc..if you have the contacts to the competitors, ability to do it in overall, sponsors, who can stop you?

And that way you can be one part of the development of the sport anyway, if you are getting sponsors - propably they are aware of the sport

World´s Strongest Man™ is the oldest and most respected brand in strongman business.

because of the xxx strongest man, so their work over the years is helping you - the more sponsors you get, the more publicity you get, it´s all good for each of you and it´s without harming each other - this sport can be build up together, without working together. (but working together it can be even bigger).

TOP 5 rules when building up a competition etc.

1. Respect WSM and other brands 2. Respect athletes 3. Invent something new - don´t be a copycat 4. Check the dates - don´t build up big events to the same date in same country.

5. Remember to build up publicity for your event - www, fb etc. it all is good for you and good for the sport, when even 1 new person founds the sport.

Everyone should also remember, that this sport is born from it.

FINNISH POWERLIFTING FEDERATION - ALL BENEFITS TO THE ATHLETES?

By Jyrki Rantanen Finnish Powerlifting Federation, mentioned later as FPF (Finland´s IPF) is of course doing marketable work against the doping problem and that´s good, but in this case the actions seems to be more like personal chase, where innocent parties are losing money and possible spots, what they have earned.

I don´t know how well this in known internationally, but in Finland we one powerlifting expert, who has lifetime ban due failures in doping tests (IPF) and because of this we haven´t seen his company selling products in Finnish powerlifting nationals. The company imports IPFapproved lifting gears to Finland.

The argument for this action, that it would not been ethical and it would be very understandable if the FPF would act the same way to all directions, but in the front page of FPF websites, there logo/link advertisement from a company, which is also own by another man, who have been banned due doping issues.

Would it more ethical to not co-operate with anybody, who have been banned? Of course there can be split hairs, that another has only two year ban but it does not take away the stamp of ”doping-athlete”, which is forever - at least from the ethic point of view.

The reason, why I started writing this article was that there´s athletes and other innocent parties suffering financially about the actions - which is not nice in event, where the athletes has to pay their own way to World Championships etc. due the poor financial situation in the organization. ”You know, that if you belong to the team xxxx, it takes away your spot in national team with 99% certainty” - this was a part from the bulletin, what one lifter published about the situation, where he had to cancel his membership to the team xxxx and it was told him in the middle of powerlifting Finnish nationals.

After seeing this, I contacted FPF and got a fast respond from the secretary (Jari Rantapelkonen).

In the answer they corrected some mistakes in my message and that was right thing to do and they also delivered me a link to judgment from the year 2008, which was based on the conflicts between those parties (the banned lifter and FPF).

After reading the message and the judgment, I sent the next questions to the FPF secteraty Rantapelkonen and also the chairman Kalevi Sorsa: - The reason, why I took part to this topic, was the athletes benefits, so in my point of view it is reasonable that XXXX is not selling his products in your national championships, even though he is a importer for IPF-approved gears and as far as I have understood this has taken care with the way, that another company is there selling XXXX´s products.

The reason I started to make this public is, that your decisions should not affect to the athletes, if they have got their spots to the national team with clean history in doping control and by winning the spot via qualification limits etc. The matter, that XXXX´s company is sponsoring athletes should not be a problem in no circumstances - specially in the sport, where athletes has to pay their own way to the competitions. XXXX is not working as a coach or anything like that.

”The person, who is banned, can not represent In the end I have to say, that I did not send this sport organization or other community which is text for proof-reading to FPF like they asked - I engaged to antidopingrules in competitions, felt it is my freedom of speach to publish this organizations or in other event which is engaged way.. to antidopingrules. To take part as an athlete to sport organization´s (engaged to antidoping Jyrki Rantanen rules) competitions etc......in government, official, Founder coach, doctor or other support person” United Strongmen® When thinking with so called ”countrysense”, what many strength athlete represent :), all of these actions should only target to the banned person.

Could you specify, why FPF athletes could not have Athletes First? support financial (or worth) support from the company, which is it´s own juridical person (corporation), even it´s part-owner is banned? In that case the penalty is targeted along with the banned person a: the athlete, b: other owners of the corporation, c: the corporation.

Another question I hope to get adjustment is about training blogs in internet? Even it would be in XXXX´s corporations pages. If FPF is preventing athletes writing for example with a threat of dumping him from the national team, would that be agains liberty of speech?

On top of these questions I would like to suggest FPF to abstain from any actions, which are limiting athletes opportunities to get support - no matter who is the owner of the company.

After the deadline I got for example the next answer from FPF: ”In overall healthy life values and sporty virtues are the factors, which have influenced to the rules, guidelines and suggestions of FPF. We see that valuable sport/sporty activity is more than just financial values. In sport, including powerlifting has to be other contents also. Our community members have expressed,that they feel that ethicts is very important value. That´s why the federation wants to forward good values of sport in action, not only in speeches.

For federation and athlete, making choices is part of the life. The totality resolves.

In overall, we think the same that punishments should be targeted only to the persons, who have done wrong. It´s of course unfortunate, that for example judgments of the courts, federation doping judgments or in overall different, lighter decisions results are affecting to outsiders, too.

At least indirect. There are many examples. I take one common example, which is a little far from here, but works well in conceit level. Let´s assume, that small 5-year old son´s dad has made a crime. Dad goes to the prison. The same boy loses his manly role model and breeder. The boy don´t have the father at home anymore. The boy gets the punishment, even the crime is not his fault and the only person who should be punished should be the maker, the dad. The crime made by father, suffers many others than this innocent boy”, told FPF secretary.

As a personal opinion I have to say, that this action sound more like personal hunt, than actions from the organization which is cherishing the benefits of the athletes and the sport, longlasting principles of the sport. As an another personal opinion, the example is taken from quite far away..

THE FITTEST STRENGTH MAGAZINE ON EARTH™

POWER NEWS THE FITTEST STRENGTH MAGAZINE ON EARTH™ # 3 is coming out in September 2012