Power News 1-2012

POWER NEWS UNITED STRONGMEN™

# 1 - Janyary 2012

THE FITTEST STRENGTH MAGAZINE ON EARTH™

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

WSM BRIAN SHAW

ICELAND SPECIAL Jón Páll Sigmarsson Classic WBFF European Championships Iceland´s Strongest Woman Icelandic Health & Fitness Expo

GOES TO

500kg

Rosa Björg

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FROM THE EDITOR Welcome to the world of United

having good ideas to develop

Strongmen™! Along with our webpage,

our events. In this first issue our

Facebook and Youtube channel this online

supporter Aussie Power

maganize is our way to offer better services for

Strength Media is starting to

strength world. And don´t worry if some of our

introduce their system for

photos are not in HD quality or the language is

strongman grading. Standards

not perfect...we support ”strongman english”

- they won´t just show up

and even a lower quality photo from good contest is better than no photo at all :) Of course we are improving US, but to make it possible to offer free services to our fans we can not go out with all expenses in the start, but I promise we will get bigger and better...And as a proof from that we have some great example photos from Zoie Carter-Ingham in page 15 along with our cover background.

In our magazine we of course inform about the actions by US, but we also do plenty of contest coverages, personal bios and much more. We don´t care about organizations, we care about athletes and sports...so, it does not matter if you are a member of US or some other strongman organization, IFBB or WBBF, IPF or WPO etc. - if you like the sports - we are happy to offer our magazine to you - Free of charge.

Iceland theme Our first issue is honorating Iceland along with many other topics like 25 years history of Finland´s Strongest Man competition etc....We have inside contest coverage from Jón Páll Sigmarsson Classic, Iceland´s Strongest Woman and WBBF´s European Championships . Along those we are introducing Rosa Björg, who won the WBBF European title just a little over a year after his baby was born.

Strongfit™ Our magazine also supports another strength related organizations, which are

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

All rights reserved. Cover photo © Zoie Carter-Ingham (background) and United Strongmen™ (Brian Shaw).

- someone has to create them.

Future

IFBB or WBBF? We don´t care.

Our plan is to have at least 3 issues for 2012, but for

THANK YOU!

2013 the number will raise up to 6, so the magazine is ”on the air” every second month.

We are looking strength related persons around the globe, who are not afraid to start writing about the sport they love. If you have any interest on writing or you want to share

Special Thanks to all co-operators, supporters, Council members, FB fans, Timo, Yvette, Zoie and everybody else, who have been a part of this creating project of United Strongmen™ - We are on the right road!

great photos about good strength/fitness themes you are welcome to contact US (info@unitedstrongmen.com).

Yours in Strength, Jyrki Rantanen, Editor in Chief

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1/ 2012 INDEX From the editor & index.

Jón Páll Sigmarsson Classic.

What is United Strongmen™?

Rosa Björg, from motherhood to championship shape.

Iceland´s Strongest Woman 2011.

King of the Castle™ - A True WSM Experience™ Ironmind Grip Classic Tour 2012.

Finland´s Strongest Man - 25 years of action.

Finland´s Strongest Man - 25 years of action.

Finland´s Strongest Man - 25 years of action.

WBFF European Championships 2011.

Strongfit™.

Strongfit™.

Strength photography by Zoie Carter-Ingham.

Icelandic Health & Fitness Expo.

IHGF going around the globe.

Giants Live Starting from Down Under The World´s Strongest Man Amateur Series Advertisements

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

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POWER NEWS THE FITTEST STRENGTH MAGAZINE ON EARTH™

JÓN PÀLL SIGMARSSON CLASSIC To salute Icelandic Strongman heritage and the memory of legendary Jón Páll Sigmarsson (4xWSM) Hjalti Árnason organized 2nd Jón Páll Sigmarsson Classic competition in Reykjavik during Icelandic Health and Fitness Expo 4th-6th, November 2011.

The list of competitors was short, but very nameless: Brian Shaw, Laurence Shahlaei, Mark Felix, Hafbjor Julius Björnsson and Pall Logason.

The competition started with Farmers walk (2x200kg) for 18 meters sprint including a turn followed by arm over arm sledge.

In farmers the fastest was Laurence Shahlaei followed by Shaw. A part of the competitors were telling that the arm over arm apparatus felt really heavy, but in the end there was the reigning World´s Strongest Man Brian Shaw, who pulled the sledge like a toy.

For the second day the organizer Arnason had planned 3 events: Circus Dumbbell (105kg), DL max in apparatus and the stones (later in the evening).

WSM BRIAN SHAW & 500kg The reigning World´s Strongest Man™ Brian Shaw pulled huge 500kg (see the cover photo) deadlift apparatus lift in Reykjavik.

Followed by Laurence Shahlaei and Hafbjor Julius Björnsson.

To make the audience realize, what kind of power the competitors are having the dumbbell press was staged to a platform, but soon after Hafbjor´s performance of 2 reps they had to move the event to the floor due the dropping weight was too heavy for the platform. In the floor level Shahlaei managed 4 full reps and Brian Shaw followed with the

Jón Páll Sigmarsson Classic

2012

same numbers.

1. Brian Shaw 2. Laurence Shahlaei 3. Pall Logason 4. Hafbjor Julius Björnsson 5. Mark Felix (injured)

Pall Logason pushed his way to success in DB lift

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The final event in the Expo Stage was the deadlift, where the competitors had to lift a trailer with a bar look a like handle. The opening weight was 320kg and the competitors had to lift each weight to move forward. At this point one of the favorites for DL, Mark Felix had to pull out due small injury in his leg. Pall Logason did good efforts in every events, but when the weight moved nearer to 400kg he had to admit that the gravity was stonger. Hafbjor made a nice personal bests with success with over 400kg, but nearer to 450 there as only Laurence and Brian to go. 460kg on to the bar and both made solid lifts, but it already appeared that Shahlaei was near his limits. The referees and remaining athletes decited to attempt 500kg to brake the magical barrier - Laurence had a big effort on it, but managed to haul it up only a few inches. Known for the huge ability for DL, the final competitor WSM Brian Shaw pulled those unbelievable numbers like nothing and gave the crowd a very good reason to go crazy.

After DL Shaw already nailed his victory for this competition (also) and that was good due it helped the organizer Árnason with a decicion later to end the competition without the stones due the evening show with bodybuilding and fitness went overtime and it was not safe to lift stones at midnight anymore.

WHAT IS UNITED STRONGMEN™?

UNITED STRONGMEN™ is a government body for the sport of strongman/women around the world and it also has a close eye for other great strength and fitness sports, too. ”We are not the sole government - We are THE government, which develop the sport of strongman/women to correct direction”.

No fees to the competitors or to the organizers. No restrictions in co-operation with other organizations etc...more information...fair ways to qualify...respect to the athletes..minimum prize money...and other things what will make the sport grow.

Along with sharing information and supporting competitors and organizers, United Strongmen™ is building up new sectors to the field of strength sports, it strenghtens already existing ones and respects old traditions like Highland Games and World´s Strongest Man brand.

So, when there´s any new rules added or the old ones are changed, it can be said it is made by the professionals of the sport.

WALL OF FAME

About the competitions the first improvement is focuced to women´s and under 105kg competitions and later United Strongmen™ will also take part to raise up Masters class for strongman, too with better publicity.

In other strength sports United Strongmen™ supports IHGF´s growth along with offering more publicity for grip sports, fitness and other iron game events like powerlifting and weightlifting.

More info about US can be found via webpages www.unitedstrongmen.com and photos and videos are updated to www.facebook.com/UNITED STRONGMEN and in Youtube with our name also.

In the official start in Jan. 2012 there´s already over 20 countries participating and 2 World Championships announced for 2012-2013 along with other happenings like World´s Strongest Man Experience™ in co-operation with IMG.

United Strongmen™

Wall of Fame

is a global honour for the people, who have left their footprint to the world of Strongman with positive way during the years of Modern day Strongman.

The owner of the award is choosen with the following principles:

The qualification system is designed to support national qualifiers, so if your country has a member or supporter organizer, to qualify to United Strongmen™ Championships you have to win your national or regional title.

The rules for Championship competitions are approved by the Council, which also votes if any new rules are planned to have. The Council is choosen in one year periods and the start-up is including men, who don´t need much introducing:

In the photo United Strongmen™ Council member (WSM) Janne Virtanen hauling up the deadlift in Viking Power Challenge in Norway a few years ago.

Chairman: Jyrki Rantanen, Finland Member: Janne Virtanen, Finland Member: Gary Taylor, Wales Member: Janne Hartikainen, Finland Member: Tarmo Mitt, Estonia

Are you interested to be a member, supporter, marketing co-operator or do you have some other inquiries relating United Strongmen™ - Don´t hesitate to contact US: info@unitedstrongmen.com

Techical Advicer: Magnus Ver Magnusson, Iceland

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1. Overall success, example, and perseveranse in Strongman as a competitor.

2. Long-Term work to support the e ve n t o f S t r o n g m a n w i t h o u t negative acts.

3. Other reasons.

The award is painted by Yvette Holden ja it is photographed by Zoie Ingham-Carter.

For further information, please visit www.unitedstrongmen.com.

2. Shoulders

ROSA BJÖRG

ROSA BJÖRG

Rosa Björg Guólaugsdóttir is Icelandic Fitness athlete, who just won WBFF European Championships in Fitness Figure for over 35 yrs. class.

To make this title even more respectable, Power News wants to bring up the fact that just over a year before the victory she gave birth to a baby boy name Elmar Aron Elmarsson.

In her youth Rosa was a very promesing soccer player in Norway where she lived several years, but an angle injury ended that career. ”I competed in 2009 IFBB Icelandic Cup and finished 4th. I was furious due I had placed in the top 3 for the last years and I was not happy with the result. I went home and desited to train harder, work harder, eat better and come back next year to win the whole event...But 8 months later I had my second child, tells Rosa”.

During her fitness career Rosa had competed 11 times in 6 years and the WBFF European Championships title was her first victory.

The training toward her best shape ever included gym training 5 times a week along with cardio twice a week: 1. Legs (front)

Above: Rosa Björg in the backroom of the competition and on the stage, celebrating her first victory: The European Title.

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3. Arms 4. Back 5. Legs (back) 4-5 exercises per day, 4x8-12 reps per workout.

Rosa´s diet lowered her bodyfat from offseasons 9% down to 6,5% in Reykjavik stage.

The meals included 45% proteins (chicken, eggs, fish and powders), 30% carbs (oatmeal, rice, sweet potatoes, fruits and weggies) and 25% of fat (Cla, Fflaxseed and fish oil). During the diet Rosa´s bodyweight came down from 65kg to 62kg.

From the beginning of her Fitness career Rosa´s coach has been her boyfriend Elmar Freyr Eliasson and who also trains along and as Rosa said ”he´s the mastermind of my figure”.

The future plans for competing includes (hopefully) 1-2 competition on it´s way to WBBF World Championships in Toronto, August 2012.

Rosa Björg 37 weeks pregnant.

Photo courtesy of Rosa Björg Guðlaugsdóttir

ICELAND´S STRONGEST WOMAN 2011 Iceland´s Strongest Woman 2011 competition was held in Reykjavik´s Harpa Congress center during the Icelandic Healt and Fitness Expo in November.

The contest promotor Gemma Magnusson also had coached some of the girls and the ”pro-touch” was seen from the performances.

In the end, the experience was the key for the victory when Bryndis Ólafsdóttir (photo below and below right) reigned the competition by winning 3 out of 5 events.

Bryndis, who had won the title of Iceland ´s Strongest Woman already 4 times between 1995 -98 came back to the competitions to brove his ability and show some example to the ”older” women. Her history includes also

Rut Jónasdóttir, who only weighted 56 kg and still managed to do very proper performances in the qualification events like the sack carry with 80kg (photo on the right).

Iceland´s Strongest Woman 2011 1. Bryndis Ólafsdóttir 10,5 pts 2. Póra Porsteinsdóttir 12 pts 3. Jóhanna Eivinsdóttir 22 pts 4. Rosa Birgirsdóttir 25 pts 5. Lilja B Jónsdóttir 27 pts 6. Katrin Jóna Kristinsdóttir 30,5 pts 7. Güdrún Sólveig Sigurgimsdóttir 30,5pts 8. Sigurbjörk Tinna Gunnarsdóttir 33 pts.

Out from the finals: Bjarndis Helena Friöriksdóttir, Dagbjört Haröardóttir, Giovanna Spano and Lilja Rut Jónasdóttir.

swimming in Summer Olympics and many other international meetings.

The competition runned thru fast and some great performances were also done by other athleres also. For example Lilja B Jónsdottir (the middle photo on the right) edged out Bryndis in forward hold, Rósa Birgisdóttir (photo on the right, 2nd down), who took the trophy in deadlift with huge 200 kg pull (and also attempted 210 kg to hit a new Icelandic Record). Also it is worth of note, Lilja

Champion again!

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ISW 2011

KING OF THE CASTLE™

- A TRUE WORLD`S STRONGEST MAN EXPERIENCE™

Who will be the KING?

Will take it´s place in medieval castle in Hämeenlinna City in Finland.

The venue is one of a kind: ”Häme Castle is one of Finland's medieval

The top of the field competitors will include the reigning WSM Brian Shaw,

royal castles. It is believed to have been built at the end of the 13th century,

Icelandinc Giant Hafbor Thor Juliusson, TOP names from latest Finland´s

following the crusade by Swedish Earl Birger to Häme region. During the

Strongest Man competition; The champ Jarno Jokinen, followed by Mika

Middle Ages the original fortified camp was built into a residential castle for

Jaakola and Antti Mourujärvi. Along with them the field will include Baltic

its commandant. In the 18th century a third storey was built and curtain wall

competitors.

buildings partly replaced the original outer walls. The castle and its surroundings were in prison use from 1837 to 1972. The main castle is now presented as a historical monument.

The Häme Castle and its redbrick barracks are on the shore of Lake Vanajavesi. The promontary has been a meeting place for centuries, and the walls almost echo the voices from the Middle Ages”.

The whole event will be very special and departed - the first part will include 2-3 events in the southern yard of the castle and there will be plenty of room for the audience...the other half is limited to 200 spectarors due the safety regulations of the castle, but to make sure everybody is able to see the experience it will be filmed and proadcasted in Finland via Nelonen PRO sport channel and for foreigners there will be DVD availbale in official WSM online shop along with www.heavyevents.fi. (opening in Feb. 2012 for ticket sales to the competition) The organizer of the competition is United Strongmen™.

For more info please visit official World´s Strongest Man page: www.theworldsstrongestman.com or www.unitedstrongmen.com

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IRONMIND GRIP CLASSIC TOUR 2012 Ironmind Grip Classic started as a one competition happening in April 2011 with most of the top competitiors from Finland competing in Rolling Thunder© and Apollon´s Axle™.

In 2012 the competition will grow to be a classic - 4 qualification in different cities in Finland along with at least one qualification in Norway.

The qualification events are Captain´s of Crush Grippers with credit card rule, RT and AA with max lifts...In semifinal stage there will be a new event introduced: Block Hold, where the competitors must hold in between of two grippers 20mm block as long as possible.

Semifinal is staged to Finnish Fitness Expo, where it is a half-time program for Strongman World Cup. From the semifinal 5 best men/women will make their way to the grande finale held together with United Strongmen™ Women´s World Championships in Finland during the last quarter of 2012.

The competitors must qualify from the qualifiers by succeeding to reach all limits inside of one competition. The limits are as follow: Women/Men Captains of Crush Grippers with credit card rule: No. 1 / No. 2 • Rolling Thunder 45 kg / 75kg • Apollon´s Axle 85 kg / 150kg

In the photos the finns Juha Harju, Annina Saine and Anna Karrila proving their grip with official tour equipment during 2011.

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STRONGEST MAN IN FINLAND 1987-2011 FINLAND´S STRONGEST MAN - 25 years of action in tv.

Strongest man in Finland association have been operating maybe the oldest ongoing strongman competition in the world already for 25 years.

The history started 1987, when the first Strongest man in Finland (SMF) competition was held in Turku, Finland. (some might think, that hey World ´s Strongest man comp (WSM). is older..yes, it started 10 years earlier, but had 1987 without a competition so Finland goes further with on a row).

During the years there have been some top visitors in FSM competition: Jón Páll Sigmarsson (l.) and Bill Kazmaier (below). All photos in this article from the courtesy of Finland´s Strongest Man Association.

The idea of Finland´s strongest man was invented one year yearlier, when Ilkka Nummisto took part to WSM and with his training partner Markku Suonenvirta they decited to register the name and start organizing the competitions.

The association has also operated Finland´s Strongest woman comp. also ongoing since year 2000. All the female contests and the SMF from 1988 have been on tv (the main national channel YLE).

Strongman pioneers Nummisto and Suonenvirta have worked a lot to upgrade the publicity of strength sports in Finland via numberous exhibitions, another competitions, visiting in tv-shows, having competitions in jails, schools etc.

One of their main priority has always been to give the gift of sport to people.

From the early years until the early 2000´s the winner of SMF competition has been #1 choice from Finland to the international competitions including WSM, but unfortunately some unwanted politics with the former IFSA caused the past years situation, where the Strongest man in Finland was not getting any invitations to WSM. As a competitors eye must be said, that it have been one of main disasters what have done to the sport of strongman in one country.

For the present day the things are looking better due from 2011 SMF have started international co-operation with several parties and is also looking towards IMG and the WSM qualifications for correction of the mistake made years ago.

Via this article you´ll find a closer look to the winners of Finland´s Strongest Man competition: 1987: Arto Lyytikäinen Arto was the only man, who have won the SMF title along with the national bodybuilding championships title. Arto was mainly focusing to bodybuilding and his best achievent was Scandinavian Championchips title 1985 and 1988 he was 6th in European Championchips. Arto´s career in strongman ended sooner than waited when he suffered the worst accident in strongman competitions - while turning a car around, the car came back and snapped Arto´s thingbone.

Arto was a kind man behind many bodybuilder, strongman and powerlifter in Finland and around 2005 he came back to strength world as a gym-keeper/coach, but unfortunately he died 2007 due illness with age of 55.

The first: Arto Lyytikäinen

1988, 1993,1994: Riku Kiri Riku Kiri is one of the most known Finnish Strongman and also been voted to the unofficial top3 in ”strongest man, who never won WSM”.

In the early years Riku was a promesing powerlifter with over 1000kg total result and national titles in the event, too along with 3rd place in European Championchips. The black season to his career was also in the 1980´s, when the was banned from the powerlifting due doping penalty due that reason Riku was also banned from SMF gor some years due the organizers did not want to risk the tv-co-operation (on those days there was not so many people got gaught in Finland, so it was a risk to lose tvtime in mainstream channel). After the banned years Riku came back and won the national title 3 times and was also a runner-up in WSM 3 times, Strongest man in Europe 1996-97 and 1997 team World Champion with Jouko Ahola.

During the years Riku´s trademark was huge raw pressing power (over 300kg bench with a t-shirt) and enermous grip strength.

Nowadays Riku is coming close to age 50 and works as a carpenter in the capital area.

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1989: Markku Suonenvirta Co-founder of Strongest man in Finland association have also proved his skills in many events: Powerlifting national champion in heavy weights class, 6 time police powerlifting national champion, twice World police & Fire games runner-up in powerlifting and bench press. 7th in WSM 1991, 3rd place in European strongest man etc.

Markku gratuated as a police officer 1975 and nowadays his daily job is teacher in police academy and he also works as event manager in Finnish police sport association.

1990,1991,1992: Ilkka Nummisto Also the founder of Strongest man in Finland association and a real grandfather for finnish strongman sport.

Ilkka´s sport career was starting at very early age and he was already winning some national championchips in cross-country skiing with under 20 yrs. age. Not to underestimate those results, but the sport Ilkka was remembered best was paddling, where he won 55 personal Finnish championschips and was our representative in the Olympic Games for four times (Tokyo 1964, Mexico 1968, Munich 1972 and Montreal 1976). His best achievement in Olympics was 5th place in Mexico - on those days he was weighting only around 71-75kgs, but in Montreal the bodyweight was up to 81kg and the boat was too much under the water.

After paddling Ilkka found powerlifing and with a great all-around sport background he developed fast and was winning the superheavyweight class in finnish nationals 1982 and doing his best total of 950kg (345-245-360) in 1983 - it that competition he also tried to lift new European record of 377,5kg in deadlift, but just missed around thigh height.

The strongman career for Ilkka started, when he was already over 40 years of age, when he won 1985 a Atlas-competition in Finland - the next year he was invited to World´s Strongest Man competition in Nice, but unfortunately broke his biceps in car turnover. During the strongman career Ilkka won the national title three times and was 3rd in WSM 1990. He participed to WSM 1986,-88,-89,-90,-92.

On present day Ilkka is 67 years old, still weights over 100kg without any fat and works almost daily for the association, which he created over 25 yrs. ago with Markku Suonenvirta.

1995: Marko Varalahti Marko competed in Finland´s Strongest man during the years 1992-1996 and the results were excellent 3 times runner-up and 1995 champion. In the same year he also won the bronze medal in WSM. Marko was not the strongest man when compared powerlifting results, but one of the thoughest when it came to grip, endurance and speed. He is also over 2 meters tall, but had to end strongman career due back problems after 1996.

1996: Jorma Ojanaho Jorma won the competition 1996 by edging out Jouko Ahola in the points. Jorma´s best events were pressing events, where he could use his enourmous hands and 290kg raw bench power. He was also runner-up for 2 times and became 6th in WSM 1996, but soon after 1997 he had to withdraw the events due back problems.

1997: Jouko Ahola The 2-time WSM Jouko Ahola was already won a lot of European Hercules and other strongman competitions before he ended up to SMF 1996 - on that time there was Jorma as the king of the mountain, but not anymore 1997, when Jouko won almost all events and got the spot to WSM with well known results as he took the title again 1999 in Malta (1998 he came 2nd after Magnus Samuelsson).

The true story tells that 1997 Jouko was so determined that he went to bank and took a loan to avoid working and to focus on training.

After the strongman career Jouko became international filmstar and has been acting in 5 films with the big names like Werner Hertzog, Tim Roth etc.

Nowadays Jouko has also his own reconstruction company and he just trains for fun and good shape.

1998,1999,2000,2001: Janne Virtanen Some maid disagree, but I can be said that Janne Virtanen is the most succesful strongman in Finland he just came to the public in the shadow of Jouko Ahola.

Janne won the SMF title four times in a row on the days when there was over 40 competitors in the line (names like Juha-Matti Räsänen, Harri Simonen, Pasi Paavisto, Sami Heinonen and plenty of others)..Janne also took part to WSM almost every year between 1998-2007 and now has all the colours from the podium.

Before strongman career Janne was one of the most succesful heavyweight wrestlers in Finland and he won 18 medals from national championchips along with the silver medal in Sumo Wrestling Amateur World´s 1997.

Becide of the SMF and WSM success Janne have won the team strongman world titles several times with three different partners. Numerous and famous events like the Beauty and the Beast in Hawaii, Globe´s Strongest man in Moscow, Helsinki GP etc.

Specially in the early years Janne was underestimated due his ”skinny” look (1,96 meters and 135kg)..people was saying Janne don´t have the power, but behing those thin and fast legs and ultimate grip power there was nearly 400kg squat and deadlift included.

Now Janne runs his own carpenter company and does still plenty of half heavy training when ever he has time.

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From up to down: Markku Suonenvirta, Ilkka Nummisto, Riku Kiri and Marko Varalahti

several times with three different partners. Numerous and famous events like the Beauty and the Beast in Hawaii, Globe´s Strongest man in Moscow, Helsinki GP etc.

Specially in the early years Janne was underestimated due his ”skinny” look (1,96 meters and 135kg)..people was saying Janne don´t have the power, but behing those thin and fast legs and ultimate grip power there was nearly 400kg squat and deadlift included.

Now Janne runs his own carpenter company and does still plenty of half heavy training when ever he has time.

2002,2003: Juha-Matti Räsänen Juha-Matti has always been involved with strength sports - during his active years he have been the national arm-wrestling champion, under 100kg strongman and a world class strongman with two national championchips, team wins with Janne and some big international wins like American Hercules 2000 etc.

During the past years Juha-Matti have been working is different kind of sales business, but have announced to make a comeback this year or the following one.

2004: Tomi Lotta Tomi have had ups and downs in his career and 2004 was one of the highlights, when he won the national title after some years of hunting.

He have competed plenty in international competitions like SCL and IFSA, but was out from the picture due personal reasons and injuries, but just cameback to action with 5th place in the latest SCL Finland.

2005,2006,2007,2008: Jani Illikainen Jani Illikainen is the another one to win the title four times in a row, but making it look any weaker it must be told, that since 2003 the number of competitors has come down to around 15-20 and part of them have been lightweight competitors.

Jani was a national level shot putter with the best put of over 20 meters and his power level was huge, when he started to do strongman - he still has the finnish record in log lift (175kg) and he posted videos with 260kg front squat etc.

Jani was also the latest one to succeed internationally - he was starting to be in the podium in GP´s after Zavickas etc., but he had to stop competing due severe injuries.

2009: Ville Vihola Ville was a national level ex-weightlifter, who did not compete internationally.

2010: Pedro Karlsson Pedro has a great frame of 2 meters and 150kg, but is fighting with back problems. 2011 he came 2nd.

2011: Jarno Jokinen Jarno is nearly 40 years old pioneer of strongman, who was already hunting the title in the ”Virtanen years”...then he had a pause from competing and came back 2-3 years ago with one goal - the goal was taken to success 2011 - Jarno might be also the next finn to compete abroad from SMF. The Strongest man of Finland Association have also organized the ladies class already 12 times in a row with nice tv-show involved and here are the winners from each year.

To the future the association has a strong look for improving the competitions yearly and also doing more networking with the other countries.

Strongest Woman in Finland: 2000: Katariina Nokua 2001: Heini Koivuniemi 2002: Reetta Touru 2003: Heini Koivuniemi 2004,2005,2006,2007,2010,2011: Kati Luoto 2008: Katariina Nokua 2009: Kirsi Järvi

Jarno Jokinen (l.), Janne Virtanen (c.) Kati Luoto (r.)

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FIGURE FITNESS: 35+ DIV:

WBFF EUROPEANS World Bodubuilding and Fitness Federation (WBFF) had their European Championships included to Icelandic Health and Fitness Expo, which was held in Reykjavik 4th,6th, November 2011.

The pre-contest was held in the Harpa Congress Center and the finals Sat. evening at Laugardalhsholl near the city center.

WBFF´s steted mission about ”giving the athletes a venue in which they can compete, and be treated with the utmost professionalism” was well fulfilled in the almost sold-out arena with great support from the crowd.

The championships included several classes and they are

1. Rosa Bjorg Gudlaugsdottir FIGURE FITNESS: OPEN DIV: 1. Eva Lind Omarsdottir FIGURE FITNESS: TEEN DIV: 1. Andrea Ran Johannsdottir OVERALL FIGURE: 1. Evan Lind Omarsdottir FEMALE DIVA FITNES MOD: 1. Sandra Jonsdottir TALL DIVISION: 1. Fjora Bjork Gunnlaugsdottir DIVA BIKINI MODEL: SHORT DIVISION: 1. Anna Maria Halldorrsdottir TALL DIVISION: 1. Sylvia Narvaez.

MALE FITNESS MODEL: TEEN DIVISION:

introduced here along with the

1. Snorri Magnusson

winners. For full results, please visit

OPEN DIVISION:

www.wbffshows.com.

Shaun Stafford

BB: LW DIVISION:

MUSCLE MODEL

1. Gunnar Sigurdsson.

1.Helgi Bjarnason.esired

BB: HW DIVISION:

public image of our

1. Jozsef Varju BB: TEEN DIVISION: 1. Arsaell Kristjansson OVERALL BB

In the photos some backroom material from the pre-event below and finals in the middle.

Right/up: Men´s bodybuilding overall winner Jotsef Varju and on the right a part of the figure finalist.

athletes a venue in which they can

1. Jozsef Varju

In the upper photo Fitness Divas in the final´s stage.

company is to give

FIGURE FITNESS FINAL

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Strong Fit Introduction Strong Fit and the Strength Quest Grading System. What's it all about?

The Strong Fit Training system Strength Quest is being developed to grow the sport of strongman world wide the concept being that there are four tests of Strength drawn from the basic movements in Strength Athletics with those selected considered Standardized Movements in Strongman.

What the Strength Quest grading system establishes is a starting point for athletes and gym trainers to get involved in strongman style training . The participant can then use it to better themselves in there chosen sport or climb the grading scale to challenge themselves to enter Strongman events at various levels .

The benefits of strongman style training are focused on functional strength as opposed to the standard barbell and machine styles of training you will find in most gyms that does not mean that the gym is no place to gain strength as it is part of the equation to develop yourself using the Strength Quest system and utilizing the equipment on hand to create the perfect training program specific to your strength needs.

"Strongman training with the Strength Quest system the core of your body is exposed to training movements that no gym equipment can replicate" Everyone has a Place in Strength Training.

There is a place in Strength Training for everyone not just a select few. This is the core reason behind Ddeveloping the Strength Quest System of Training so that the absolute novice can enter a grading event right through to the Established Elite Athlete who could switch his training program to a Strength Quest Grading training format. Even just to experiment or with perseverance improve performance whether it is Rugby or Throwing or Strongman conditioning everyone can fit..Strong Fit. Strength Quest Grading Events.

The Four Events.

Super Yoke 15 meters – Weight carried for distance /time.

Log Lift – Maximum Weight Deadlift Maximum – Non-Equipped Farmers Walk 25 meters Please see the Strength Quest grading section Event One – Super Yoke.

Event History.

This Strongman event was established back in the World Muscle Power Championships in Canada in the late 1980's, in that era the poundages for Strongman Athletes was hovering around the 320 kg. Mark but now after many years of evolution in strength conditioning the maximum poundages used by the top professional Strongmen of today far exceeds 425KG Event Strengths.

This event is the core builder it builds conditioning in the lower / Mid back and abdominal section it also has a great strength gaining effect on the hip flexors and stabilizers in the adductor and abductors... once a Athlete masters this movement he can cover the standard 25 strongman course in sub 12 seconds.. Once you have achieved this mark in the Strength Quest your ready for a Grading Promotion in the yoke.

The format for the Strength Quest Grading is a 15 meters course with a time limit of 60 seconds to complete the distance... The weight is determined based on your grading attempt.

"Athletes can be strong in some movements and weak in others ... if your yoke is on fire lift the other Strength Quest events up so your grading promotion can be consistent"

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Event Two. Log Lift.

Event History.

This strongman Event was one of the first events to be performed in the tradition Strongman contest's in Scotland as far back as the 1970's when Giant timber logs were used in World Strongest Man with such greats as Bill Kazmire hoisting 300 pound plus logs over head, now in the modern Strongman Ear the great Big Z has lifted over 200 k.g. to cement himself in the history of this sport as one of the great overhead lifters.

Event Strengths.

The Log lift is the true test of overhead strength it combines the pick up portion of the movement which is similar in style to a power clean to the shoulders then a pressing motion over head to the fully locked out position, there are also techniques that require three parts to the movement which will be explained further in the technical section of this site.

The Strength Quest Grading system for Log Lift is based on maximum lift with your starting poundage's determined via your Grade attempt.

"Log Lift and you will have Shoulders like boulders" Event Three.

Deadlift.

The big daddy of all the big strength movements the true test of strength for Athletes at novice through to Elite, This event is part of the Strength Quest as it should be the base of all strength trainers training programs …it build back power like no other movement...a smart Athlete will do his research to find movements and systems of training to lift performance in this movement.

Each Grading has a starting weight and is for maximum based on the Grade attempt.

"I am alive when im Deadlifting " Event Four.

Farmers Walk.

Event Strengths.

If you want to have grip like a vise the farmers walk is the surefire way to develop great grip strength, the farmers walk also conditions some of the muscle groups that yoke training targets... it can be done in many formats i.e. Maximum distance or Distance for Time, The format for the Strength Quest Grading is a 25 meters course in one direction only with a time limit of 60 seconds to complete the distance... The weight is determined based on your grading attempt.

Full rules available in the Strength Quest Rules section.

The above grading system can be used in several formats.

1- An event that takes place at a set location on a set date identical to other locations for the purpose of determining the best performance from the single or multiple locations.

E.g. This January the 21st Strong fit will be conducting an Elite One Grading event in three locations – Melbourne – Perth – Brisbane; this event will take place at identical times respective of events. A nominated FASC representative will oversea the event to referee and conduct the full inspection of equipment.

(Also included for Jan 21st U105 and H.W. A Grading Event.

Prior to this event all equipment in both Brisbane and Perth must be documented for dimension specifications – weighed and tagged via this representative with all relevant information forwarded to the FASC for scrutinizing. All details must be forwarded by no later than 21st December 2011.

2- A Gym or training Location / Sporting Club Australia Wide can apply via the FASC to stage a grading event at there location , for this event a full set of Strength Quest Equipment would be on hand along with a Represative from the FASC to conduct a training seminar and Grading event over the course of a weekend.

More info about Strongfit™ www.strongfit.com.au Photos in the article © Aussie Sports Media.

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!

ZOIE INGHAM-CARTER PHOTOGRAPHY

Zoie Carter-Ingham photos This page content are coming from Zoie´s camera and you can see, that her photo is the inspiration for United Strongmen™ Wall of Fame award´s art.

The artist behind the painting in the award is Yvette Holden, who has also proven her posing ability in front of Zoie´s camera.

Photos on thos page: © Zoie Ingham-Carter www.zoie-photography.com

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ICELANDIC HEALTH & FITNESS EXPO Held in Reykjaviks Harpa Convention Center, Organized by strongman legend Hjalti Arnason the Icelandic Health & Fitness Expo included weightlifting, strongman, fitness, strongwoman, crossfit and plenty of supplement etc. companies introducing their products. Along with the Icelanders the expo was crowded visitors from several different countries.

Harpa´s central location in the shore of Reykjavik with magic views over the fjord was it´s own to strengthen the atmosphere created inside of the hall - during the events the support from the crowd was like a plain to take off from the runway.

Starting from local level weightlifting contest the 3-day happening included international strongman contest (which saluted the late great Jón Páll Sigmarsson), WBFF European Championships in bodybuilding and several fitness classes, Iceland´s Strongest Woman contest and much more.

Talking about international quests: In QNT´s booth you met Nóemi Oláh, who was the Ms. Bikini Champion in Arnold Classic 2010

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IHGF GOING AROUND THE GLOBE

By Francis Brebner, IHGF Vice President

ABOUT In the In the last decade the IHGF which stands for the International Highland games Federation which is the recognized World Governing body of Highland games was founded in 2001 by former World Champion Scottish athlete Francis Brebner with a grant from the Duke of Edinburgh award..

Francis who competed on the International Highland games circuit for 18 years and retired from competitive sports in 2003 now lives in Southern California USA which is the IHGF headquarters are located, in his daily routine he allocates several hours a day to the operating and running of the Federation, he comes from a very strong Scottish back ground which has a lineage that dates back centuries, he in fact is the 22nd Generation Great Grandson of Edward the Bruce King of Ireland, Edward’s brother was the more well know Robert the Bruce King of Scotland.

HISTORY In the early 1990´s Francis envisioned a association of countries under one World Governing body with a aim of promoting and establish World Championship events Internationally which would be televised and all done so under rules and regulations of a World governing body which would also ensure that their would be a enforcement of random drug testing which would make certain that the sport stays clean, their is no other organisation in Highland games to date except for the IHGF that carries out 100% drug testing policy in all major Companionship events and the IHGF will not associate or be part of any event that dose not agree with this protocol. All athletes competing in IHGF events are portraying a good image for the youngsters that will follow in the future in taking up the sport of the Highland games and for the sponsors and TV all round.

One of the main reasons which prompted Francis in founding the IHGF in the first place was while his traveling to compete in events within European committees and overseas he noticed that their was no set stranded of rules that were being followed. Nor was their any real Championship events or a series of events within Europe nor Internationally of encouragement for amateur athletes to climb the ladder to the pro ranks.

Only Scotland was their an official series of games in place which was in the early 1980`s when Francis first started competing, which was of very great importance of encouragement for young throwers then coming into the sport, Francis himself come through the novice ranks of the Glenffidich series to then compete in the Open class and he was very great full for their being such novice class in place which gave him his start in the sport.

PRESENT DAY The very first IHGF event to ever take place was a two man demonstration in Bressuire France in 2001 which organized by Jean Louis Coppet of Bressuire which then attracted 2,000 spectators, two years later the very first IHGF European Championships in 2009 Bressuire was held and in 2009 Bressuire was part of the IHGF World Highland Games Series which then attracted more than 12,000 spectators to Bressuire which is now considered to be one of the best games Internationally, this just shows the importance of hosting major Championship events and keeping a high profile.. The IHGF have organized other other events such as Strongman competitions also over the last decade also.

2009 saw the first IHGF World Highland games Team Championships being held in Antigonish Canada which is now one of the most sought after World Championship events to be hosted, in the past few year the IHGF has also established the IHGF World Pro Maters Championships, IHGF Men,s and Woman's World Armature Championships which are now in demand by overseas venues..

In 2010 the first Professional IHGF World Highland games super Series was planned with great success and in 2011 this followed once again and continues to grows.

To date the IHGF has nearly twenty countries around the World affiliated, in the last year and a half alone over ten country's have afflicted with Hungary, Latvia, Austria, Switzerland and Finland.

FUTURE 2012 will see the very first IHGF European Amateur Highland games Super Series to be staged in some of the most magnificent and picaresque locations in Europe such as Bressuire in France, Ireland, Latvia, Belarus and Hungary all of which will be televised for European TV. The IHGF have already plans in motion first ever IHGF World amateur Highland games super series to be staged for 2013 which will be filmed and televised for European and progressively Internationally paving the way for amateur to progress into the professional ranks in the future.

Ironmind which is the number one strength magazine Internationally has helped the IHGF in its efforts in reaching many countries that are affiliated to the IHGF with the many articles that have been written about major IHGF Championship events that take place around the World and also informing the International games circuit of what future events that the IHGF are promoting and up to date results of many games from around the World on their up to-date web site.

The future of Highland games is looking very good and with TV now behind IHGF Championship events, i believe this is just the start of great things to follow and for all affiliates to the IHGF. The newest IHGF country Finland had a coaching clinic early Dec. and the partisipants included some very famous strongmen and women.

www.worldheavyevents.com

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Text and photo by Bill Lyndon, Aussie Sports Media.

GIANTS LIVE STARTS FROM DOWN UNDER Giants Live is coming down under on March 17th and 18th with some of the strongest men in the World attending including Current World Strongest Man Brian Shaw; this will be a great display of strength and power never seen before in the Southern Hemisphere. Along with the Athletes from the Northern Hemisphere there will be a strong contingent of Athletes from the Southern Hemisphere with the strongest men from Australia –New Zealand and South Africa.

Here is the official start list:

• Brian Shaw - USA • Mike Bourke - USA • Nick Best - USA • Eben Le Roux - Australia • Frankie Scheun - South Africa • Jeremy Hogg - New Zealand • Jonathan Macfarlane - New Zealand • Gerhard Van Staden - South Africa • Derek Boyer - Australia •1 more competitor TBD

Disciplines:

Saturday, March 17: 12:00 - Frame Carry: (360 kg for 30 m (15 m each way) 14:00 - Viking Press: 150 kg in each hand for reps (60 seconds) 16:00 - Loading: 5–7 m distance each way, to load drums on to platforms 20:00 - Deadlift: 330 kg for reps (38-cm bar)

Sunday, March 18: 13:30 - Hip Lift: details to be announced

15:45 - Engine Carry: (160 kg off the floor Hussafelt style) 16:30 - Awards Presentation We have a variety of Events to test all strengths with some new events that have not been presented in a Strongman event, notably the Hip lift which will comprise of an apparatus similar in style and construction of a Giant Rocket approx 3.000 mm in length and 300 mm in diameter that the Athletes must straddle and lift approx 75 mm to a lock out position.

The event will be formatted where the starting poundage is expected to be around 600 K.G. and advancing in increments of 100 K.G. with an expected maximum exceeding 1000 K.G. , this will set a precedent for the event and establish a new World record which will be officiated by the Australian Federation of Strength Competitors www.fasc.com.au.

Athletes participating from the Southern Hemisphere which will give them a great opportunity to show there strengths and gain valuable exposure in taking on the current W.S.M. On top of the Giants Live @FitX top three Placed Athletes going forward to W.S.M. The event will run a second score card for all the Athletes from the Southern Hemisphere with the highest placed southerner awarded the first ever title of The Southern Hemisphere Strongest Man or SHSM.This will surely ignite the fires of rivalry of the the Tri-Nations Athletes as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have a long standing rivalry from many sports ,so along with the SHSM Title to decide the Strongest Man from the South the FitX will award the Tri Nations Cup to the strongest team.

Leading the charge from the south is old war horse Derek Boyer at 42 years old still continues to test his body to the max with this possibly his last at Major at this level to the youngest Athlete Jonathan MacFarlane 22 years of age and a Pastor from New Zealand standing at 6”7 - 350 pounds who will be shore to thrill the crowds with his youth and enthusiasm.

This has been a long time coming for Athletes in the Southern Hemisphere and a long overdue opportunity for the current crop of Athletes to shine and possible fight there way into a place at W.S.M. 2012, furthermore what this does is wakes the sleeping Giants of the South which in time may well bring new talent to present a new dynamic of color and ethnic diversity into the sport to truly showcase Strongman as a Global Sport.

With such a new and exciting event down under it has created massive interest in the

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THE WORLD´S STRONGEST MAN AMATEUR SERIES The World’s Strongest Man Amateur Series will launch in September 2012. The dates and locations for the Series will be announced in May 2012. Men will compete in multiple weight classes, and there will be an open class for Women, as well as an open Masters class for the over 45′s. Winners of each weight class will face off in the National Championship for a chance to be crowned The World’s Strongest Man/Woman Amateur Champion. Winners of each weight class will receive a paid trip to the National Finals.

10 Cities across the United States 60 Grueling tests of Strength The WSM Amateur Series Awaits Its Champion2012 Amateur Series Format: Farmers Walk – 20 Meters and Back Tire Flip – 30 Meters Log Clean and Max Presses – 1 Minute Yoke 25 Meters Keg Load to Same Height 50in Stone Load Max Reps 1 Minute Height 50in $75 Entry Fee Cash Prize Payout to Winners in all ClassesWinners in each Class, at each venue, will qualify to compete in the National Championship in a head-to-head battle for the

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