ChasingKaz

2009 WSM Updates-Day 2

After 2 days of competition, we have a real barn burner. With Mariusz Pudzianowski trailing Zydrunas Savickas by only 1/2 point going into the final two events (deadlift and stones) there are quite a few potential scenarios. Here are a few of them:

-If Mariusz wins the deadlift and the stones, he guarantees himself his 6th WSM title, regardless of what anyone else does.

-If Zydrunas wins one event and takes 2nd in the other, he guarantees himself a WSM title and steps into the record books as the only man ever to win WSM, the Arnold, Fortissimus, and the now-defunct IFSA championship.

-If Brian Shaw wins both events and Mariusz and Savickas both finish 3rd or worse, Brian ushers in a new era of young American dominance.

The deadlift is going to be a hotly contested event, which could very well make or break one man's hopes before the beginning of the day. Rarely has Savickas been beaten at the deadlift in any form. Brian Shaw just set a world record Axle deadlift of 848 lbs not too long ago. Pudzianowski is always up to the task and brings it when it needs to be broughten. At the moment, it's Advantage: Savickas, but anything can happen.

The stones are going to be a huge wildcard. Rumor has is that there were some troubles with getting the bigger stones either made or transported. Because of that, a very light stone set of 100 kg to 160 kg (220 lbs to 353 lbs) is being used. The stone set for the lightweight amateurs at the contest in my home town is heavier than that. To make up for the lack of heavy stones, each one must be carried approximately 7 meters before being loaded. This takes away any advantage someone like Ostlund or Ortmayer might have if the stones were right next to the platform and makes it anyone's game. One man could have a 5 second lead on the rest of the field, but drop a stone halfway to the platform and drop 3 or 4 places. If anything, the speed advantage would have to go to Mariusz.

There really is no clear favorite. Like last year, it's going to be a battle to the finish!

Here's the breakdown for the first two days of events:

Fingal Fingers
1st Savickas 28.69 sec *New World Record*
2nd Ostlund- 32.08
3rd Shaw- 33.00
4th Ortmyer-34.85
5th Poundstone-35.00
6th Pudzianowski-37.54
7th Pfister 37.57
8th Hollands- 43.07
9th shahlaei- 4 fingers
10th Jean- 4 fingers

Giant Farmers Walk
1st Pudzianowski-25.05
2nd Poundstone-31.63
3rd Shahlaei- 33.54
4th Savickas- 36.20
5th Pfister- 36.86
6th Hollands- 37.30
7th Shaw- 48.80
8th Jean- 50.45
9th Ostlund- 1:12.37
10th Ortmayer- 45.05m

Plane Pull:
1 Hollands 38
2 Savickas 40.2
3 Shaw & Ortmayer 40.5
5 Pudzianowski 40.91
6 Poundstone 41.12
7 Pfister 42.5
8 Ostlund 45.5
9 Shahlaei 45.8
10 Jean 46

Overall After Day 1
1 Savickas 26pts
2 Pudzianowski 21
3 Poundstone 20
4 Shaw 19.5
5 Hollands 18
6 Ortmayer 15.5
7 Ostlund & Pfister 14
9 Shahlaei 12
10 Jean 5

DAY 2

Axle Press
1. Savickas - 9 reps
2. Pudzianowski - 8
2. Poundstone - 8
4. Otmayer - 7
5. Shaw -6
6. Pfister - 5
7. Jean - 4
8. Ostlund - 4
9. Hollands - 2
10. Shahlaei - ?

Boat Pull
1. Shaw - 32 sec
2. Pudzian - 39
3.Ortmayer 45. 8
4.Hollands - 47
5. Shahleai - 51.5
6. Pfister - 55.09
7. Poundstone - 1:02.09
8. Savickas ?
9. Ostlund ?
10. Jean?

Overall after Day 2
1. Savickas - 39
2. Pudzianowski - 38.5
3. Shaw - 35.5
4. Poundstone - 32.5
5. Ortmayer- 30.5
6. Hollands - 27
7. Pfister - 24
8. Ostlund - 19.5
9. Shahleai - 19
10. Jean - 9,.5

2009 WSM Finalists and Qualifying Wrap-Up

After the first four days of qualifying competition at the World's Strongest Man contest in Malta, the finalists have been set. It was hard getting any times or scores until it was finished because pretty close wraps were being put on the results. Now, after being published on the official WSM website, here are your 2009 WSM finalists:

Group 1:
Derek Poundstone (USA)
Louis-Philippe Jean (Canada)

Group 2:
Zydrunas Savickas (Lithuania)
Brian Shaw (USA)

Group 3:
Phil Pfister (USA)
Mariusz Pudzianowski (Poland)

Group 4:
Lawrence Shahlaei (England)
Travis Ortmayer (TEXAS)

Group 5:
Terry Hollands (England)
Dave Ostland (USA)

That makes for 5 Americans in the finals, which is a testament to the effectiveness of the NAS amateur qualifying series. As far as predictions go, I'm going to have to keep my mouth shut. There has never been this many athletes with a legitimate shot at winning the title than there is this year. The only prediction that I can make with some confidence is that it's going to be one hell of a show. May the strongest man win.

The finals begin tomorrow. We'll have a new champion upon their conclusion on Saturday. Updates will be posted here when they become available. Here are the events:

Day 1:

Giant Farmers Walk
160 kg (353 lbs) per hand for 50 meters

Fingal Fingers
200 kg-320 kg (440 lb-705 lb)

Plane Pull
44 tons for 25 meters

Day 2:

Apollon's Axle (overhead press)
155 kg (342 lb) for max reps in 75 seconds

Arm Over Arm Boat Pull
300 kg (660 lb) up hill for 20 meters

Car Deadlift
350 kg (770 lb) for max reps in 75 seconds

Day 3:

Atlas Stones
100kg -160 kg (220 lb -360 lb)

2009 WSM Predictions

With the 2009 World's Strongest Man contest starting Saturday, here are my predictions for the qualifying heats. Check back here this weekend for contest updates.

Group 1
Derek Poundstone: USA
Kevin Nee: USA
Louis-Phillippe Jean: Canada
Jimmy Marku: England
Kostiantyin Ilin: Ukraine
Sebastien Wenta: Poland

Events
Cannonball and Sledge
Squat
Car Walk
Truck Pull
Dumbbell Press
Stones

It's little secret that Derek Poundstone is at the top of his game and one of the favorites to win the title this year. I know it's cliched to say that it's a competition for 2nd place, but in this heat, it truly is the case. As it stands, Nee, LPJ, and Marku each have their strong and weaker events. The squat and press play into Jimmy Marku's strengths, while the truck pull proved to be his undoing last year. Nee has the speed advantage on the moving events and is an excellent squatter, while the dumbbell could be a thorn in his side. LPJ is pretty well rounded, but is coming off a disappointing 2nd place finish to Christian Savoie in Canada's Strongest Man just a few weeks ago.

But what about Wenta? He's been concentrating solely on Highland Games and hasn't competed in a strongman contest since WSM last year. Rumor has it he's down to around 280 lbs. If, for some reason, he gets to Malta and realizes he's not quite up to snuff, he may be gracious enough to bow out and give his spot to one of the alternates, namely Tarmo Mitt. It's a long shot and a scenario that has absolutely no basis in fact, but if it happens, it could break the race for the 2nd spot wide open, possibly even having two men have to go to a tie breaker for the spot in the finals!

My picks:
Derek Poundstone
Jimmy Marku

Other Contenders:
Nee, LPJ

Dark Horse:
Wenta

Group 2
Zydrunas Savickas: Lithuania
Stefan Solvi Petursson: Iceland
Mark Felix: UK
Brian Shaw: USA
Martin Wildauer: Austria
Marshall White: USA

Events
Anchor, Chain, and Barrels
Fingal Fingers
Deadlift
Truck Pull
Keg Toss
Stones

Every year,there is one group that is considered "The Group Of Death" and boy, this one is it. In this group alone, there are four 800 lb deadlifters! You've got Big Z, who has dominated The Arnold Classic and torn up the now defunct IFSA for the last half decade. There's also the sophomore, Brian Shaw. At a very athletic 6'8", 390 lbs, he's got all of the physical tools to dominate for years. Now that he's got some experience at the international level, he could be the next Savickas. We've also got perennial contender, Mark Felix, who always puts up a fight. Another young buck who made a good impression on a lot of fans last year was Icelander Stefan Solvi Petursson. He's got a good balance of raw power and athleticism that could provide for a surprising upset in an event or two.

Also in this group are 21 year old Martin "The Deadlift Kid" Wildauer who has a 390kg deadlift to his credit and the American, Marshall White. As much as I'd like say either of these two could advance, it's not likely. While it seems as if these last two have been thrown to the lions in their first WSM appearance, they're both fully capable of good finishes in a few events that could provide a points buffer to one of the other guys and open the door for their trip to the finals.

My picks:
Shaw
Savickas

Other Contenders:
Felix, Petursson

Group 3
Mariusz Pudzianowski: Poland
Phil Pfister: USA
Jimmy Laureys: Belgium
Ervin Katona: Serbia
Alexander Klyushev: Russia
Darren Sadler: UK

Events
Anchor, Chain, and Barrels or Cannonball and Sledge
Fingal Fingers or Car Walk
Deadlift
Truck Pull
Dumbbell Press
Stones

There's not a lot to say about this group. If there's one group that seems predictable, it's this one. I think Mariusz and Phil have both paid their dues and are being rewarded for it by those who make the heats.

My picks:
Mariusz
Pfister

Other Contenters:
None

Dark Horse:
Ervin Katona

Group 4
Travis Ortmayer: USA
Agris Kazelniks: Latvia
Ettiene Smit: South Africa
Johannes Arsjo: Sweden
Laurence Shahlaei: UK
Richard Skog: Norway

Events
Anchor, Chain, and Barrels
Squat
Car Walk
Truck Pull
Keg Toss
Stones

This is tough group to call. Ortmayer is at the top of his game right now and I have no doubt he'll come to play ball. After a marathon run of 6 contests in about two months earlier this summer, the only question is if he's had enough time to recover. If so, look for him to dominate this group. The other men in this group are all very capable athletes and have proven so on the international stage, but the Scandinavian duo of Arsjo and Skog are seem to stand out as contenders for the remaining transfer spot to the finals.

My Picks:
Ortmayer
Arsjo

Other Contenders:
Skog

Dark Horse:
Shahlaei

Group 5
Terry Hollands: UK
Dave Ostlund: USA
Andrus Murumets: Estonia
Florian Trimpl: Germany
Jarek Dymek: Poland
Christian Savoie: Canada

Events
Cannonball and Sledge
Fingal Fingers
Deadlift
Truck Pull
Keg Toss
Stones

This is another "Group of Death" group with a multitude of scenarios and contenders. Looking at the events, it's hard not to choose Ostlund to come out on top of this group. He's rarely been beaten at the stones, fingers, medleys, or keg toss and consistently finishes toward the top in truck pulls and deadlift. With no overhead press or squat in the prelims, the events almost seem too good to be true for big Dave. Despite the recent bicep surgery, expect him to come in at the top of his game.

Another favorite is Terry Hollands. These are all really good events for him and if he comes in to the contest fit, he will surely make a bid for his 4th trip to the finals in as many years.

Murumets is another experienced strongman with a good chance of advancing to the final. Holding the world record in the timber frame carry and old IFSA farmers walk, his speed and athleticsm are his strengths. Unfortunately for him, there isn't a farmers walk until the finals. It's interesting to note that the last time they faced each other in June, Murumets bested Hollands for his second win of the year in the Strongman Champions League. The other issue with Andrus is whether his back has healed after hurting it at Fortissimus. We'll have to wait and see.

I'd be negligent if I didn't at least mention the other men in this heat. All of them are contenders and could take the spot. Jarek Dymek has played 2nd fiddle to Mariusz for years and he's got the experience and guts to play the spoiler in more than one event. Unfortunately for him, we've entered the age where youth and gigantism are rewarded. Christian Savoie is another competitor who is able to put up a good fight. Fresh off winning Canada's Strongest Man and North America's Strongest Man, he has the momentum he needs to go into WSM in tip-top shape. Florian Trimpl is going into his 3rd appearance at WSM. His first two years were a bit lackluster, but his third trip could prove to be his breakout year.

My Picks:
Ostlund
Murumets

Other Contenders:
Hollands, Dymek

Dark Horse:
Savoie

Do you think my predictions suck? Think they're great? Have an inside piece of info that I missed? Discuss it on the messageboard.

2009 World's Strongest Man: Competitors, Events, and a NEW SPONSOR!

The 2009 World's Strongest Man contest will be held on the island of Malta with the qualifying rounds will being contested from September 26-29 and the finals running October 1st-3rd. Having seen the WSM title last contested on its soil in 1999, the island offers an exotic location for world class feats of strength. The azure of the Mediterranean contrasted with the mellow honey-coloured limestone which characterises the architecture provide a breathtaking backdrop for the herculean competition.

Though I haven't seen an official announcement by TWI or IMG, careful observation of the official World's Strongest Man website (look at the header on the promotional poster on the right) and a little sleuthing tells me that they will be welcoming PartyPoker.com as their new sponsor.

Check back later this week for my in depth analysis of the events, heats, and predictions for the finals.

Here are the qualifying heats, events, and finals events:

Group 1
Derek Poundstone: USA
Kevin Nee: USA
Louis-Phillippe Jean: Canada
Jimmy Marku: England
Kostiantyin Ilin: Ukraine
Sebastien Wenta: Poland

Group 2
Zydrunas Savickas: Lithuania
Stegan Solvi Petursson: Iceland
Mark Felix: UK
Brian Shaw: USA
Martin Wildauer: Austria
Marshall White: USA

Group 3
Mariusz Pudzianowski: Poland
Phil Pfister: USA
Jimmy Laureys: Belgium
Ervin Katona: Serbia
Alexander Klyushev: Russia
Darren Sadler: UK

Group 4
Travis Ortmayer: USA
Agris Kazelniks: Latvia
Ettiene Smit: South Africa
Johannes Arsjo: Sweden
Laurence Shahlaei: UK
Richard Skog: Norway

Group 5
Terry Hollands: UK
Dave Ostlund: USA
Andrus Murumets: Estonia
Florian Trimpl: Germany
Jarek Dymek: Poland
Christian Savoie: Canada

Alternates
Tarmo Mitt: Estonia
Simon Sulaiman - Netherlands / Syria

Scroll down to see the events for each heat

Preliminary Events: September 26-29

Group 1
Cannonball and Sledge
Squat
Car Walk
Truck Pull
Dumbbell Press
Stones

Group 2
Anchor, Chain, and Barrels
Fingal Fingers
Deadlift
Truck Pull
Keg Toss
Stones

Group 3
Anchor, Chain, and Barrels or Cannonball and Sledge
Fingal Fingers or Car Walk
Deadlift
Truck Pull
Dumbbell Press
Stones

Group 4
Anchor, Chain, and Barrels
Squat
Car Walk
Truck Pull
Keg Toss
Stones

Group 5
Cannonball and Sledge
Fingal Fingers
Deadlift
Truck Pull
Keg Toss
Stones

Finals Events

Day 1
Giant Farmers Walk
Fingal's Fingers
Airplane Pull

Day 2
Apollon's Axle
Boat Pull

Day 3
Car Deadlift Hold
Atlas Stones

Discuss your thoughts and predictions on the messageboard.

Conventional vs Sumo Deadlift: A Scientific Approach

From the beginning of time, the debate about sumo vs conventional deadlift has raged throughout the strength world. Many arguments have been made for and against each, sometimes creating a rift through training circles. On one hand, the sumo deadlift provides better leverages to some shorter lifters, allowing them to pull the most weight for their body type. The wide foot placement and shorter range of motion allows more recruitment of the glutes and tends to neutralize the low back.

On the other hand, most of the heaviest deadlifts have been done with a conventional stance. All of the greats; Bolton, Magnusson, Konstantinov, Henry, Gillingham, Frank, have all been conventional deadlifters. It requires a monstrously strong back and a lot of leg drive.

With all of the he-said, she-said about which way is the best, how is a young lifter supposed to decide which style is best for them? Unfortunately, some novice lifters only lift with one style because it's the way they were taught. They've never been given the opportunity or knowledge to try the other style, which could possibly limit their potential.

The formula I'm about to share came from an issue of the now defunct "Pure Power Magazine". I'm not going to say whether it's right or not, but it was a very reputable, science-based magazine. According to them, this formula will help you determine which style will allow you to lift the most weight for your personal biomechanics.

For the experienced lifter, this may give them a reason to experiment with a different style and put a much needed spark into their training. For the novice, it may give a little insight and guide them down the path of maximal strength.

Of course, it also depends on what you're training for. If you're training for a sport, such as football, you should really be deadlifting conventional because it's a more athletic stance while strongman contests don't allow sumo style, so you're forced to lift conventional. If you're training for powerlifting, however, it's not quite as simple. Ultimately, you have to go with which style is more comfortable, but you can determine which method will allow you to lift the most weight biomechanically.

Without further ado, I present Pure Power Magazine's deadlift formula.

1. Secure a tape measure to the wall with the zero end at the floor. Make sure the metric side (centimeters) is what you are using.

2. Stand with your back against the wall. Measure from the top of your shoulder to the floor. This will give you your total body measurement.

3. With a straight arm and your hand in a fist, measure from the top of your shoulder to the middle of your fist. This is your total arm length.

4. Raise your thigh to determine where your thigh rotates into your pelvis. Once located, lower your leg to the floor and measure from the top of the shoulder to this point. This is your trunk length. Also, subtract this measurement from your total body measurement to give you your lower body length.

Record these measurements and perform the following calculations:

1. Divide "trunk length" by "arm length".
2. Divide "trunk length" by "lower body length".

The resultant numbers will tell you the following:

1. Arm to trunk length ratio. Example: If your truk is 50 cm and your armi is 65 cm, divide 65 into 50=0.77. This indicates that your trunk is 77% of your arm length or that your arm is 23% longer than your trunk.

2. Trunk to lower body length ratio.

These numbers will help you determine which method, conventional or sumo, will allow you to lift the most weight by biomechanical standards.

CONVENTIONAL
If your trunk to arm ratio is less than 0.82 and your trunk to lower body length is less than 0.55, you should consider the conventional style. With your arms longer than your trunk, you'll finish the pull with the bar below your hip joint. This finishing position indicates that the initial starting position of your trunk (trunk angle) will be larger (more upright). This would indicate more activity from the quads as well as the hamstrings and glutes. A more upright trunk angle will also create a larger knee angle at the starting position, making the shift of the shoulders, knee, and hip more uniform-that is, they rotate in a biomechanically correct sequence.

SUMO
If your ratios are larger than 0.82 and 0.55, the initial starting angle of your trunk would be smaller (more inclined) and will therefore position you in a biomechanically ineffecient position. With your trunk more inclined, the activity of your trunk and hip extension muscles will have to follow a different, more inefficient pattern. This will basically result in increased activity from your hamstrings and glutes and decreased activity from the quads. This will also increase stress on your erectors and particularly the lower back and could cause rounding of your upper back. The solution would be sumo.