Shetland's Strongest Man 2009 - results

1. Dhanni Most
2. Garry Burt
3. Colin Arthur
4. Mirek Los
5. Steven Paterson
6. Brian Cunningham

Britain's Most Powerful man - 2009

Part results (more when I have them):

1. Paul Carter
2. Chris Gearing
3. Paul Wood
4. Alex Hunter
5. Paul Amor and Richard?

IFBB North American 2009

'Big' Sean Allen did not place although of the big guys his most muscular looked pretty sweet. Intead in the Super Heavies we have Abbas Khatami.

Full placings and photos here at RXM

Beneard Castle Truck Show (strongman) 2009

Results via MT

1. Tom Scarth
2. Tom Shaw
3. Owain Scott
4. Glen Bailey

Polish Strongest Man 2009

Yesterday brain freeze, today the results (thanks to SDF).

1. Robert Szczepanski 36


2. Mariusz Pudzianowski 36
   
3. Krzysztof Radzikowski 30


4. Bartlomiej Bak 19.5


5. Tomasz Kowal 17.5


6. Gabriel Kowalski 14


7. Sebastian Kurek 13


8. Jarosław Korzeniewski 8
   
   

Hmm, Mariusz coming second?

Accidentally removed comment. Reply: no idea.

2600+ at 198 bwt

Some impressive lifting HERE

Lots on this weekend.

Germany:

Celtic Strongman (IAWA/Drug Free):

1. Deadlift, 10kg jumps, last man standing
2. Loading Medley - not sure what yet but max weight 120kg
3. Log lift, last man standing
4. Tyre flip
5. Farmers hold 135kg in each hand
6. Stones 90, 100,117, 135 & 160 (All low platform)

Finally, in spite of adding it, I now can't find info on an event in Poland this weekend as well Oops.

North American Championships 2009

Photos and snippets starting to come in. Yesterday BSA (Big Sean Allen) was posing in Dave Palumbo's room but today, pro-tan on, he's looking better. Photo via BSA/RXMuscle

Gemma Magnússon and the Icelandic 'Chris Moyles'

Gemma Magnússon sent me a message via msn telling me that the Iceland equivalent to Radio 1's Chris Moyles, female at that, having interviewed Gemma re the up-coming Iceland's Strongest Woman competition then said 'I'll do it!'.

This, as I said to Gemma, can only be good news. Sure Iceland only has a pop of 400,000 (more live in my town here) or so but when the biggest radio station there and it's most popular presenter says they are up for it you KNOW you'll get publicity every time then mention training for it. That's with the broadcast on the day.

I've said it before: next time an opportunity comes to be on the TV, talk on the radio or chat with a newpaper reporter/pose for photos think 'big up the sport!'.

What I'm waiting for...

These next few weekends (3-5) will be interesting. Very soon we have the mr Olympia and I await the photos of the yop 6 or so looking amazing a few weeks out. In their way these photos are better than the oiled up posing pants ones. No oil, no special lights, maybe just a little sunlight and usually with a pump from having just worked out. No one can deny the photos of Dorian that we all remember. Dennis James, as per an earlier post falled into this catagory. So if you see a photo of Phil Heath looking even more amazing than he did a few weeks ago... don;t be too suprised.

Then, at end of September as some of know, we have the WSM (World's Strongest Man). With Poundstone doing some big ass lifts, our man Loz (Laurence Shahlaie) looking good and Big Z joining the line up... it's gotta rock right?

You know I'll bang the images up ASAP so we can all check them out. Let's get it on!!

Derek Poundstone pulls 800lbs x 9 reps deadlift

Found by a member on the Whey Consortium forum: 800x9 and 750 x 10

All England Powerlifting championships

Results as an excel file (nice some put these together cos it's a pain finding them usually): HERE

Muscular Development - October

You've seen a hinted at cover. Well here it is for real. Editoral here

Branch Warren

Branch Warren trains chest... the vertical bench stuff is unreal.

October Flex

On Newstands OCT 2009

• Dexter Jackson and Phil Heath battle in the gym for the Olympia


• The secret to eight-pack abs


• Greatest Olympian workouts of all-time


• Super protein foods


• Chris Cormier's Olympia predictions


• The best energy drinks

Canadas Strongest Man results

Courtesy of GrantB/SDF: Link to jpeg

Zack Khan: outtakes / photos not used

According to MMI (see review below) this was one of the photos they didn't use. Giles Thomas photographer

Next months Muscle Mag

Up next:

Click away for a preview.

Leicesters Strongest Man

The open won by Wayne Smith. More when I have it.

Flex (US Version) asks 'all time best legs'?

Some images to chew on

Starting with the late Andreas Munzter

Now I don't know who this is (and I usually would) but man!!

Paul ' freaky or what' De Mayo me thinks.

Zack Khan

Giles Thomas has been beating the drum loud n' proud for Zack but this photo does seem to prove the point:

Top pros a few weeks out

With the Olympia weekend fast approaching here's Victor Martinez a few weeks

out.

Phil Heath (at 8 weeks)

Magazines for September

Ok, my usual update. Here's Flex (UK) September 09 issue. Info on what's in this month here

M&F (UK). Oh and the Triple H / Dave Polumbo feature is next month in the UK. Inside info here

Powerlifting USA (subs via Amazon here)

New grip machine hits UK

Robert Baraban's 'X-Frame' is now available here Heavy duty, pro quality and with the foot lever assist for negatives. And at just over £360.00 well worth it.

I made the paper :)

As a result of my participating in a local Meningitas awareness event (helping raise £2,000) I made the paper. Apologies for the quality as it came from a low-res web image. Article here. Donate here

Headline: Heavy duty: Stephen Gardener from Tredworth, British Grip Champion, with Zaid Parekh, five.

Here's another photo this time by the Meningitas people themselves (thanks to Imran for forwarding it) of the many nails I bent (kids seem to like them) being handed over.

Randall likes it... I think :)

From Randall J in light of yesterdays efforts on the RT:

''Steve -
Good deal - I'd say this is pretty impressive . . . for all the fanfare in the past, nothing would please us more than to see you succeed with a big, legitimate lift on the Rolling Thunder. All the best with your training. Randall''

I was also unaware that there was a little challenge going on the Grip Board and by pulling more than my currently low (for me) bodyweight of 270lbs I won a bodyweight on the new RT handle challenge.

Kewl.

John Cena trains grip!

Well, well, well. A quick look through the latest UK issue of M&F and what's this I see?? A challenge/records board and upon it, written in chalk as it should be, a Ironmind Rolling Thunder notation.

Yep, there it is. John trains it but he doesn't have the gym record. That, at 225lbs, belongs to R MacIntyre (John's coach). John certainly seems to have a few of the other lifts though. Among which is a 450lbs bench (I'm hoping to hit a 440lbs bench myself this xmas if my shoulders let me).

Have I beaten Mark Felix?

Today, using one of the new Ironmind Rolling Thunder handles I pulled 275.3lbs. I know Mark's pulled more using one of the older models and I know he pulled 271lbs at Fortisimus to win what Ironmind called 'the world championships'. Anyway... my effort:

Zydrunas Savickas wins Lithuania's Strongest Man event

Zydrunas Savickas, according to Ironmind, has won this event (inc this past weekend) a total of 10 times! Wow.

They described his IFSA Axle effort as a world record with this lift of 202.5 kg. Photo courtesy of Zydrunas Savickas /Ironmind.

WSM events

From Ironmind (I'd heard about these a few days ago but this seems to confirm them):

Qualifying Events:

• Medley
• Fingal’s Fingers
• Conan’s Wheel
• Squat Lift
• Deadlift
• Dumbbell Press
• Keg Toss
• Truck Pull
• Atlas Stones

Final Events:

• Giant Farmer’s Walk
• Fingal’s Fingers
• Deadlift Hold
• Overhead Lift with Axle
• Boat Pull (arm over arm)
• Plane Pull (harness and rope)
• Atlas Stones

Swindon's full results

From SDF member 'strange1':

Inters

1st Simon Cowdrey
2nd Richie Allen
3rd Colin Hawkins

Novice

• 1st Gareth Pavey
• 2nd Wayne Smith
• 3rd Carlton Agambar
• 4th Jonathon Dando
• 5th Chris Lowe
• 6th Andy Britton
• 7th LLoyd Jarvis
• 8th Toby Williams
• 9th Rob Bush
• 10th Graeme Thompson
• 11th Scott Howe
• =12th Chris Morgan=12th Tom McNutrie
• 14th Sean Begley
• 15th Craig Kehoe
• 16th John Strange
• 17th Shane Tidley

Swindon's Strongest Man results

As per full results not up yet but SDF regular Simon Cowdrey won the intermediate class and Gareth?? won the novice (source Mr Cowdrey on SDF).

UKSC UK's Strongest Man 2009

Top 4 places from Paul Amor on SDF

1. Jimmy Marku
2. Glenn Ross
3. Mark Westaby
4. Dave Meer (even injured still places)

Europa NPC/Pro 2009 results

From RXMuscle (top 3 in each class):

Open

1. Dennis James


2. Bill Wilmore (see photo)


3. Joel Stubbs

202

1. Tricky Jackson


2. Charles Dixon


3. Kris Dim

Pro Fitness

1. Adela Garcia


2. Myriam Capes


3. Nicole Duncan
   

Pro Figure

1. Jenny Lynn


2. Krissy Chin


3. Meriza DeGuzman

Icelands strongest women events now added

The events are:

• Farmers Walk (for distance) 50kg
• Super Yoke (for fastest time) 150kg
• Loading Race 5 Items from 50kg - 100kg
• Log Lift (for repetitions) 50kg
• Silver Dollar Deadlift for maximum (lifting approx 18" from the floor)
• Tyre Flip and drag

USC... heavy enough for you??

From Gemma Taylor info on a monster of a strongman event
The competition dates are 4th 5th and 6th of December 2009
Location

Brisbane – Australia

Venue

Sleemans Sports Complex – Theatre Arena
http://www.sleemansports.org.au

Events/days
Day 1

30 Ton Truck pull – 20 mtrs

Day 2
175kg x 2 Farmers walk over 20 metres for time
Slaters Monster 98kg Dumbbell press - for max reps
UTE (Car) - Dead Lift - 400kg - Max Reps (19.5" bar height)
380kg Conans Wheel - Carry for distance

Day 3
Super Yoke - 450kg - 20 metres for time
Slaters true Log lift medley - 125kg - 140kg - 160kg - 180kg - 200kg
Power Stairs - 3 loads - 200kg - 225kg - 250kg
6 Atlas stones - 140kg - 160kg - 170kg - 180kg - 190kg - 220kg

Head Judge: Dione Wessels of the American Strongman Corporation

UK STRONGEST MAN 2009

Martin Jones on SDF is giving a day by day report and write up. Check it out here SDF Results when we have them.

Europa 09

Looking like a hot contest. Lots of online debate and some freaky pics. Here's one from MD of Dennis James

St. Ives Strongest Man comp info

St. Ives Strongest Man comp info
Sponsored by
http://www.atlasstones.co.uk/
http://www.strengthshop.co.uk/

Date: Saturday 10th of October

Venue: Crossways Christian Centre Ramsey Road St Ives Cambs PE27 3TB

• Events: Axle c+p reps in 90secs - 105kg/120kg
• Silver Dollar Deadlift for max (rising bar)
• Farmers hold - 130kg
• Carry + Load - 2 x 100kg, 1 x 110kg, 1 x 120kg sandbags
• Replica Inch Dumbell press reps from the shoulder in 90secs - 53kg/64kg

Competitors

1. Neil Hamilton
2. Jules Bremers
3. Tony Bonner
4. Wayne Cowdrey
5. Joni Purmonen
6. James Clayton
7. Alex Moonen
8. Carl Sievewright
9. Mark Clegg
10. Matt Griffiths
11. Maurice Janssen
12. Olly Jackson
13. Jamie Allonby
14. Tony Warbrook
15. Ben France

Reserves

1. Wayne Smith
2. Matt Lamport
3. Mark iceman Hill
4. Joe Hubble

Info from the Power & Strength forum on www.muscletalk.co.uk

The best barbells in the world

There are some serious athletes checking out this blog. Of those some are very, very strong. With that in mind here are some of the companies and barbells they make used by said athletes.

Elekio (US site used in the link cos it's in English) are a Swedish maker of Olympic and Power bars. The image is of their heavy (434kg) Emperor set. Their bars and competition sets are highly regarded.

Mac barbell are the makers (sites being redone so no link) of the famous or even 'in-famous' Texas Power Bar. Best used for deadlifting and with some seriously biting knurling.

York Barbell are among the oldest of the current well-known mob still making competition quality barbells and plates.

Finally but by no means least of the more well-known group we have Ivanko. They've been pushing their stainless steel bar for a while now and I've read some of their blurb backing it up and it seems spot on.

There are some other, smaller mind, great companies out there. China had a completely new set used in the Olympic games and I'm pretty sure there's still a couple of Swedish rivals to Elekio. If you think I missed a worthy name send me the info.

2009 IFBB Europa Super Show

Starts tonight (or early tomorrow UK time) and is on RXMuscle. It includes: The IFBB Pro Men's Bodybuilding, Under 202 Class, Figure, and Fitness competition. RXM puts on a play-by-play show so if you're up late enjoy.

A quick look at MD shows they are getting in on the act as well. From the previews I'd say Ed Nunn (above) is looking good.

One for Bertil Fox fans

Courtesy of GMV here's one of their two clips of the week this week: Bertil Video

Becoming 'famous'

In light of the fact that all of us who compete are, for want of a better phrase, 'on stage' and thus in the limelight it can come as a shock when many don't wanna become famous.

I've just come off the phone from speaking to a TV company who are looking to contact the winner of last years 'Britain's Strongest Schoolboy' competition, Kye Thomas. Following his win proud relations put his name forward to the local paper and he ended up with a feature and photo. Laurence Shahlaei, like Kye training in our Whey Consortium gym, has had the same. I asked and they agreed that they will pay his expenses if he's able to go and take part in a show.

But I am also aware of many who struggle to be able to afford to compete, be that travelling or literally entry fees. Often the same guys will happily work on the door of a night club until the wee hours or better have a good normal job but turn their noses up at TV and the like. While it's obviously true that not all are suited (ugly SOB's with faces for radio LOL) nor that all will make buckets of cash (face 'doesn't fit' as it were) many could make themselves a few quid on the side line.

I've put an article together in the past which inferred that even just wearing a sponsors t-shirt (if the TV people let it pass) while doing their bit to camera means said sponsorship has been repaid in full. It means that renewals are a formality and so on. Sure some are big shy lumps but it's easy to fake bravado and put on a smile and say 'I am glad to cut this ribbon and open this supermarket' or be seen holding babies at school fetes (free food) and the like.

You add loads of fans, locals love it and occasionally you get paid which is a bonus. Indeed this weekend I'm getting expenses + for doing a 45 minute act at a local charity gig. As I train most days for longer and for sweet FA I'm effectively getting paid to work out but have people cheer me while doing so. Do I love it... mwah?? Of course ha ha but again even the shy have bills to pay, as do I, and it's for doing what you do anyway. Read that last line again. You lift weights and now, for a little while, someone wants to pay you. So smile (fake it if need be), eat all their food and drinks, take the coin and make a name for yourselves. Remember to be nice and you'll get invited to do other stuff. It might be one time, it might be for one summer or it might be a career. Who knows but take a chance and seize the advantage.

Fat bars... any good or what?

NB: I have a vested interest cos I sell them here.

Right that's out of the way onwards. Fat bars... any good or what?? In a word - yes. If for no other reason than the old adage of 'change being as good as a rest' you'll get something out of training with the above Tricep V-Bar handle. In some movements especially where you press (either upwards a la pressing, benching etc) or downwards (dips, tricep work and so on) they have the advantage of dispersing the weight more evenly and over a wider area. When you get 'silly strong' or are bigger than most standard bars can press into the hands something awful and in certain lifts be properly uncomfortable. In my own gym I had my dipping frame handles beefed up from the usual 1-inch to close to 2-inches thick. Now I enjoy, when i use them, far less strain and discomfort than I would if they were the usual size.

On pulling movements not only do you get many of the features mentioned above but a hand and grip workout to boot. Literally, for some, just hanging on for grim death happens when the bar gets a little bit bigger and thicker than usual. Look at the massive differences 600+lb deadlifters have when trying Ironmind's Apollon's axle and similar equipment. Most become 330-350lb deadlifters at best.

You can, of course, train on them as frequently as any other equipment in the toolbox but I'd suggest either a short period leading up to a competition which includes said equipment just to become used to it or, better still, a rotation through the year.

Give them a try. You might not actually wanna thank me, what with it being a bastard of a workout, but you will feel the difference.

Branch Warren back training for the Mr O

Not back IN training, training back VIDEO Includes what appears to be a monster, monster pump and use of a 250lbs dumbbell for rows!! Nasty. But good nasty.

The Poundstone drum banging begins

Cue Ironminds turn: Ironmind Poundstone 'News'

Victor Martinez - ''don't count me out''

Victor training legs. Also a preview, in the video, of next months MD cover.

Video

Britain's Most Powerful man events

From Rob Hughes via MT:

• 140 log press
• 260 axle squat
• 350 axle deadlift
• 450 tyre
• 150 farmers 50m
• Fingels fingers

All except farmers is for most reps and the time limit is a minute.
Location/date: 30th August, Woodville Place Halls, Gravesend, Kent DA12 1DD

Strongman Polish Championship

Mariusz is, among 30+ others, doing this. Events are:

The strongmen will compete in 8 events. First three:
Hercules' hold (300kg)
Dumb-bell lifting (75kg for reps in 75 sec)
Deadlift (300 kg for reps 75 sec)

The top 8 to 10 contestants will pass to final events, which are:

log lift (for max)
farmer's walk (2x 160kg, distance - 40m, for the best time)
conan's circle (400kg)
yoke (420kg)
truck-pull

Natural British Open Strongman 09 results

Held at and promoted by Monster Gym in Cheshunt there were three tests (1 of the winner and 2 random - results unknown at this time).

From Jamiea and Glen* @ Sugden Barbell for the results info:

1. Jack Lovett
2. Ben France
3. Phil Learney
4. Joe Gorton
5. Scott Taggart
6. Glen Kerr*
7. Matt Lamport
8. Adam Hales
9. Dennis Robinson/Rob Hawxby

Events:

• 100kg Farmers (actually it was a 200kg frame)
• 300+kg Tyre reps in 75 sec
• Log - one press empty at 77kg then three selected lifts at 5kg jumps
• Axle Deadlift 180kg - reps in 75 sec
• Carry medley - Farmers cylinder, Barrel, Sandbag - 20 meters with each, then return 20 meters to collect next object (120 meters total!!!)

Dutch Federation of Highland Games athletes

If you're Dutch to English translation abilities are up to it check this out: http://www.highlandgamesfederatie.org/

Tampa Bay Pro 2009 - results

• Dennis James wins open!!
  
• David Henry wins 202.
  
• Brits John Hodgson second and local (near me) Lee Powell third in the 202 class. Go UK!!
  

Dennis James


David Henry




Lee Powell


I have to say I saw the prejudging images over at my usual sources (RXMuscle and MDOnline) on Saturday morning and wasn't that impressed. But maybe it was the usual drying out thing because the photos they choose for the Saturday night shows show them all looking very impressive.


RXM's report here

Tampa Pro

Interview now, photos later.

Johnnie Jackson and Ben White video

Zuver

Never heard of the word... google my friend google. You'll love the gym images. As a taster (and I might add photos etc later) here's an example of the plates they used:

Mariusz to do MMA now??

I'm not sure if this is entirely accurate but...

news report

Poundstone 400lb log press

Among the usual bodybuilding clips on flexonline.com was this: 400lb log press

WSM line up

More and more big names are being added if rumors are to be beleived. The final line up has yet to be confirmed by Ironmind this morning said Big Z (Zavikas) has agreed. Comments on SDF and elsewhere lead me to think it will be agreed that there are some big, big names who've both qualified and been invited. Phrases such as 'the best and strongest line up in years' are being used.

Fingers crossed!!

Foot in mouth syndrome

Late last week following a post by Andy Cairney on his Inver and Dinne stone trip and efforts Andy took a little offence at two main comments of mine.

First was my mentioning Laine Snook (there's a youtube vid) being 4th and not Andy. In fact Ironmind today reported Andy was No 6. IRONMIND REPORT That speaks a little on a lack of research. But as checking google proves weights quoted can vary by some margin (300 to 250 when in fact it seems 265-268 is correct). So either ignoring one lifter (a comment about Laine not locking out properly was made) or just being handed the wrong info means two steps down the ladder.

I then suggested, not aiming intentionally at Andy although to be fair it seemed that way, that athletes to come who might attempt to lift these manhood stones - could they please not drop them. The Inver is, I am told, Granite and thus quite hard but a quick look reveals that the Dinnie stones have, between them, lost 51lbs over the years!! In an online thread in which Andy raised some points with me (ie: that I took the shine off a nice day - more on that in a mo) I argued that to give those who follow the same chance to lift the same weight and thus be the equal, if successful, of those that went before we need to take more care that we do not damage this important historical items.

Regarding taking the shine off, as it were: To be fair to Andy and others (inc myself) who have made something, we hope, of a special lift we do offer ourselves up for comment. I have had questions asked by those with no practical knowledge at all of what I was doing on a more than one of my CoC 4 closes. I had the same on the one hand lifts and so on. I was asked, and did ask for myself, if the 195-kilo stone Andy recently shouldered had been weighed as such or guessed (the usual lads sitting around after a workout chat type of thing we have when it came up last weekend). By being, effectively, out in front and making a name for ourselves we are targets for doubting Thomas's. I suppose it's that little bit more annoying when the persom questioning isn't some know-fuck-all Chav but someone who lifts and knows as much as you. By asking 'what about Laine?' I was told 'not a proper lock out' but I don't think there any actual 'rules' as such. I think, without checking it's 'get it overhead' and that's it.

But, again to be fair, it can and does feel like the shine is being taken off by such comments and so I'll say here what I said elsewhere, Regardless of what I asked, Andy is still to be congratulated. 4th or 6th... It's still a short list. Now don't break it you hear :)

Shameless self promotion

Yep, shameless indeed.

Right now Mike and I think we have the best priced 5-kilo tubs of unflavoured Whey Protein Concentrate (wpc80) in the UK. At under £71.00 for 10-kilos or 11 lbs and under £38.00 for a 5-kilo tub of some instant mixing EU sourced material if you're paying more elsewhere you're doing yourself out of some savings.

The best priced 5-kilo tubs of WPC 80 in the UK. Click on the link and start saving.

GMV sell 11000 DVD's

Arriving in the email inbox this morning was my copy of the GMV newsletter. I noticed, between DVD and video promos, a little paragraph in which they mentioned selling - to date - 11,000 DVD's.

At a guess I'd say that's almost certainly better than any other seller of muscle related DVD's anywhere. Some of the pros, I am sure, will have sold many 1000's of copies of their own particular DVD's (Ronnie must have done very well) and maybe, before he dropped out Mitsu of MOCVIDEO, has done in the 1000's as well but all in all... I bet Wayne and the rest of the Gallasch clan have them beat.

If you know better... send me info!!

Check them out: GMV

World's best wrist wrap??

APT recently introduced what they call 'The Wrap'. In our Whey Consortium gym we have many brands and I've tried many of them. From Metal's 'Black' via Inzer's brand through Titan Support Systems and more. If, as APT claim, these are 25% harder than their Convict branded wraps then they are monsters. Give them a try for me and let me know how they are.

Check them here: APT

WSM: Loz yes or no??

From SDF / Terry Hollands.
I also spoke to Laurence's brother Harry Shahlaei this morning and he confirmed Laurence DOES have an invite after all.The knee tweak picked up in Poland is not the same as before and apparently will be ok in a week or so. Cool. Harry also mentioned most of the events likely to be in the qualifying rounds and from what he said and what we both know none of them will be too much of a problem.

Go LOZZA

Who's your pick for the Olympia '09??

Yep, it's that time of year again. In a few short weeks (3 or 4 methinks) the Mr O will be upon us. As usual there's lot of noise on the BB forums as to who is the fans pick. Let's take a quick look at the potential top 6:

• Dexter Jackson


• Phil Heath
  
• Denis Wolf


• Jay Cutler
  
• Victor Martinez


• Kai Green
  

DJ, as the current Mr O, gets a better than usual chance. It's rare that the current Mr O gets a knock back next time around. That he is usually dry and in shape, indeed his 'out of shape' still being better than most, means his chances must be good.

Phil Heath, as the youngest of the group, seems to have the greatest potential. At Dexter’s recent competition he guest posed along side Ronnie, Dexter and Jay and seemed, at 5 weeks out to be ready to go. Huge arms and weaknesses well hidden he is, as they say: a contender.

Denis Wolf. Called by many writers in 08 and 09 ‘the fans favourite’ (BB.com had a poll and he walked it) Dennis is a broad shouldered, slim waisted German giant. With pretty much only poor calves holding him back he has a fair chance.

Jay C. Already a multi Mr O winner but still, compared to Ronnie, young enough to do well does he have what it takes to get it back together again and reclaim the title?? Changes to training and diet have been mentioned and so perhaps we will see a return to top form??

Victor Martinez has had some issues to overcome these past 18 months or so. The death of a sister only too recently may have hurt his chances and a major knee injury sometime ago was not completely over come last time he competed (Arnold Classic this year). Ronnie has been reported as saying he has it in him to win the Mr O.

Kai Greene. Winner of this years Arnold, beating Victor, and like Phil seeming to improve all the time. Certainly a different kind of poser and someone who can and does get into shape. Is it his time?

From the land of Tulips... 100 tonne truck pull

While looking, as above, for more EU sourced info I came across this gem. Posted on the RDP site on the 27th of July was this 12 metre pull of a 100 tonne (truck and trailer combined total of 100,000 kilos or 100 metric tonnes). The atheltes were; Wout Zijlstra and Jan Wagenaar

Me likee :) Although it appears (baring in mind they have the driver on the left) that a child is driving ha ha

Check out the rig... just looks damned heavy (me wanna go now!!).

Yes today Europe IS the focus

Typical surfing style, clicking on one thing leading to another, lead me to this site which might, just possibly, be doing a version of what I'm looking to do:

Power on TV

My very limited German means I'm not sure if they have a magazine or not but they do seem happy to broaden their focus outside the bodybuilding only remit which is the norm.

Real Dutch Power is THE Netherlands site for strongman info and I'm adding some dates of theirs to the calendar.

The best German strength site

These boys seem to have it well in hand. From the records, current rankings through to a breakdown of every (yes every) strongman event you can think of.

Check out: http://www.gfsa-strongman.de/index.php

I also emailed one of their better organized (sends info to Ironmind) ex-pros asking him to consider contributing info to this here blog (yee haa). Fingers crossed.

Germany’s Strongest Man results

From Ironmind:

1. Florian Trimpl
2. Tobias Ide
3. Steffen Hayn
4. Daniel Wildt
5. Patrik Baboumian
6. Patrick Gentsch
7. Oliver Eichele
8. Tilo Kretzschmar
9. Anton Schimke
10. Enrico Schütze

MD sept issue

Trey Brewer 'the future'?? And then Dorian too.

Giants Live Poland strongman results

Thanks to SDF / pjaxz

1. Jarek Dymek 64.5
2. Mark Felix 55
3. Stefan Solvi 46.5
4. Kevin Nee 45
5. Darren Sadler 43.5
6. Laurence Shahlei 28
7. Sławomir Łukawski 18
8. Konstantyn Ilin 16.5
9. Damian Antoniok 15
10. Rob Frampton 13
11. Roland Gulbis 6
12. Tarmo Mitt 6

Jarek Dymek, Stefan Solvi and Mark Felix qualified on WSM 2009

I was hoping my bud Laurence would make it through but he thinks he injured himself on the first event and then was persuaded to stay in, made the cut (beating well-known Tarmo Mitt) and finally pulled out on the last event. As this is, we think, the last WSM qualifier that's it for this year.

Dexter Jackson Classic

Some forum members are looking at the guest posers and saying Phil Heath is it for the upcoming Mr O.

Maybe... what do you think??

This is focus

So I watched 'Man on a wire' about Phillip Petit walking between the twin towers some time ago. He used a high wire. Slacklining uses a strap.

This man is slacklining 3000 feet up.

Video

Now if you could focus like that... how strong would you be?

GBPF Roses cup

Held yesterday, I asked on Sugden today (cheers JT)... and here are the FULL (nice touch for a start) results:

Click me :)

Team strongman 09 top three

From SDF (more if I can get some)

1. Enzo and Jay
2. Jay 'Hollywood' Hughes and Chris Gearing
3. Lee Bowers and Liam O'Sullivan

Jacksonville 2009 results in

From RX Muscle and MD Online we have the top three in both classes (visit the sites for the rest of the results):


Mens 202 and under

1. Stan McQuay
   
2. Daryl Gee
   
3. Tricky Jackson

Womens Figure

1. Jessica Putnam


2. Erin Stern


3. Jenny Lynn

WSM - Malta it is

From Ironmind:

''The curtain has been lifted and now it’s official: the 2009 World’s Strongest Man contest will be held in Malta.Qualifiers are September 26 - 29 and the finals are October 1 - 3.''

Kai Green working chest

Up to 5 plates a side and with some pumped up posing at the end...

Video

Jacksonville pro prejudging photos in

Peter Putnam

From RX Muscle:

Also Ronnie, Jay et al are guest posting. Should be good.

Gallery here

Nice tribute to Wag Bennett.

Although I never had the pleasure of visiting Wag's gym in Romford Road I did meet Wag on a few occasions (2-3 times at OHF dinners and once at Nobby Norris's house near Mile End). Wag also brought one of the 7 full size Millennium Dumbbells from Alan Radley and myself

The following site (click me) gives you some indication of his and Diane's involvement in bodybuilding and physical culture here in the UK.