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Arnold Strongman Classic
Testing the Limits of Strength and Power for 20 Years!
By Ron Harris
A Strong Addition to the Arnold Classic
The Arnold Classic began in 1989 as strictly a bodybuilding contest, but as years went by it expanded to include many other sports and events as part of the Arnold Sports Festival held each year in Columbus, Ohio. One of these was Strongman, which had gained worldwide popularity with the inception of the World’s Strongest Man competition in 1977. Arnold asked powerlifter Dr. Terry Todd to create his own version in 2002, which would have its own unique identity and events.
A History of Raw Power
In the inaugural 2002 competition, American professional wrestler and former weight lifter Mark Henry emerged victorious over Norway's Svend Karlsen. In addition to competing in what were the four official events, the Apollon's Wheel, the deadlift, the Hummer Push and the 800-pound Farmer's Walk, competitors were given the opportunity to attempt to lift the Thomas Inch “unliftable” dumbbell or Inch Bell. A prize of $1000 was awarded to the man who could pull it the highest in the air, with Mark Henry winning by pulling it to the level of his chest.
From 2003 to 2008, the Arnold Strongman was won every year by Žydr?nas Savickas ofLithuania. In 2008, he received a $40,000 check from Gerard Dente of MHP, an Audemars Piguet watch by Robert Ronen and the Louis Cyr trophy named after the legendary Strongman, Louis Cyr. In the competition, 12 world records were set with Savickas setting three of them. In the Tire Deadlift, he lifted 1,027 pounds. In the Circus Dumbbell, he tied with Derek Poundstone for the world record with nine lifts each, and in the Manhood Stones, he lifted 525 pounds three times.
Derek Poundstone won in 2009 and 2010. Derek took the vacant throne from Žydr?nas when he took 2009 off from the competition. When Savickas returned in 2010, Derek retained his title by defeating Žydr?nas. Just days before the 2011 contest, two-time defending champion Derek Poundstone was forced to withdraw from the contest due toFellow American big Brian Shaw came in and won the contest.Mike Jenkins went on to win the title in 2012 ahead of Derek Poundstone by 1 point and Žydr?nas dropped to third. Lithuania's Vytautas Lalas won the competition in 2013 ahead of Brian Shaw by 0.5 point. From 2014 to 2017 the competition was won by either Žydr?nas or Brian with two wins per each after very close battles, bringing their winning tallies to eight and three respectively. In 2018, the Icelandic giant Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson reached his prime and dominated the competition for three consecutive years, winning the title in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Hafþór established new world records in the Bag Over Bar, 500kg Timber Carry, Húsafell Stone Carry, 400-pound Apollon's Axel for reps and twice broke the Elephant Bar Deadlift world record with 1,041 pounds in 2018 and 1,045 pounds in 2019.
In 2021, the competition was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The three-time defending champion Hafþór had retired from Strongman and Martins Licis won the competition in 2022 ahead of Ukraine’s Oleksiy Novikov who emerged second.
Arnold Strongman Classic Champions
2002: Mark Henry2003:Žydr?nas Savickas2004:Žydr?nas Savickas2005:Žydr?nas Savickas2006:Žydr?nas Savickas2007:Žydr?nas Savickas2008:Žydr?nas Savickas2009: Derek Poundstone2010: Derek Poundstone2011: Brian Shaw2012: Michael Jenkins2013: Vytautas Lalas2014:Žydr?nas Savickas2015: Brian Shaw2016:Žydr?nas Savickas2017: Brian Shaw2018: Hafthor Bjornsson2019: Hafthor Bjornsson2020: Hafthor Bjornsson2022: Martins Licis
2023 Competitors
• Maxime Boudreault (Canada)
• Tom Evans (USA)
• Mitchell Hooper (Canada)
• Rob Kearney (USA)
• Mateusz Kieliszkowski (Poland)
• Trey Mitchell (USA)
• Pavlo Nakonechnyy (Ukraine)
• Luke Stoltman (Scotland)
• Tom Stoltman (Scotland)
• Bobby Thompson (USA)
2023 Events
Wheel Of Pain.The event replicates the legendary grain mill from the film Conan the Barbarian where the contestants have to push a 20,000-pound contraption around in a circle for time or distance. The colossal contraption was replicated and built by Rogue Fitness. In 2019 Martins Licis pushed the wheel for a distance of 119 feet 9 inches.
Austrian Oak Log Press.A unique log named after Arnold’s nickname that weighs anywhere from 430-450 pounds where the athletes must press for the maximum number of reps. In 2015 Žydr?nas Savickas repped a 450-pound Austrian Oak four times.
Elephant Bar Deadlift. Contestants are required to lift a specially designed extra whipping long bar with Arnold Schwarzenegger-inscribed weight plates from a standard 9" height. The apparatus was designed and manufactured by Rogue Fitness. In 2019 Hafþór Björnsson pulled 1,045 pounds.
Unspunnen Stone Throw. The Unspunnen Stone is so named for the Unspunnenfest, a cultural festival held near the ruins of the old Unspunnen Castle near Interlaken, Switzerland. The stone itself weighs 184 pounds and the object is to hurl it as far as possible. This event debuts for 2023.
Timber Frame Carry.Contestants have to lift heavy barn timbers bolted together and travel up an inclined ramp. In 2015 Hafþór Björnsson carried a 1,102-pound frame up a 35-foot ramp in 10.15 seconds, and in 2018 Jerry Pritchett carried a 900-pound frame up a 35- foot ramp in 9.58 seconds. The event is also known as “Frame Carry.”
2023 Prize Money
1st Place: $80,0002nd Place: $25,0003rd Place: $20,0004th Place: $15,0005th Place: $13,0006th Place: $8,0007th Place: $7,0008th Place: $6,0009th Place: $5,00010th Place: $3,000Total: $182,000
Gerard Dente and the MHP Connection
“As MHP grew and we were looking for other platforms that would be a great fit for the brand, Strongman seemed like the epitome of Maximum Human Performance and our slogan, MHP Strong.” -Gerard Dente, President of MHP
The longest-running sponsor of this event has been MHP, and President Gerard Dente explains how the partnership began in 2005. “We were already involved in powerlifting, and Strongman was something I always had tremendous respect and admiration for, going back to watching the World’s Strongest Man competitions as a kid on ABC’s “Wide World of Sports” with guys like Bill Kazmaier, Ken Patera and Franco Columbu and admiring the feats of strength. As MHP grew and we were looking for other platforms that would be a great fit for the brand, Strongman seemed like the epitome of Maximum Human Performance and our slogan, ‘MHP Strong.’ I was excited when the opportunity came to get involved in the Arnold Strongman Classic, especially since I would be working with two of the finest and most professional gentlemen our industry ever saw, the late Jim Lorimer and Dr. Terry Todd. Jim was always making sure the athletes were well taken care of, and Terry was the man who created all the individual events and determined the weights and level of difficulty to make them all incredibly challenging and entertaining for the fans as well. I was very proud to sponsor the event and also sponsored many of the top athletes over the years like Brian Shaw, Hafþór, Žydr?nas, Mike Jenkins, Jon Andersen and Derek Poundstone. One of my best memories is how every year Jim Lorimer would send for me to watch the Arnold Strongmen Classic with him – backstage up high on a scissor lift where we could see the event from over the curtain. He was so proud of the event and loved seeing the excitement of the crowd. I also got to be close friends with Terry Todd, who ran the event. He gave it a unique identity and planned every detail to make it the best Strongman competition in the world.”
mhpstrong.com
Facebook Official MHP® @TeamMHP
YouTube @MaximumHuman
Instagram @mhpstrongusa
Ron Harris got his start in the bodybuilding industry during the eight years he worked in Los Angeles as Associate Producer for ESPN’s “American Muscle Magazine” show in the 1990s. Since 1992 he has published nearly 5,000 articles in bodybuilding and fitness magazines, making him the most prolific bodybuilding writer ever. Ron has been training since the age of 14 and competing as a bodybuilder since 1989. He lives with his wife and two children in the Boston area. Facebook Instagram
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Arnold Strongman Classic
Testing the Limits of Strength and Power for 20 Years!
By Ron Harris
A Strong Addition to the Arnold Classic
The Arnold Classic began in 1989 as strictly a bodybuilding contest, but as years went by it expanded to include many other sports and events as part of the Arnold Sports Festival held each year in Columbus, Ohio. One of these was Strongman, which had gained worldwide popularity with the inception of the World’s Strongest Man competition in 1977. Arnold asked powerlifter Dr. Terry Todd to create his own version in 2002, which would have its own unique identity and events.
A History of Raw Power
In the inaugural 2002 competition, American professional wrestler and former weight lifter Mark Henry emerged victorious over Norway's Svend Karlsen. In addition to competing in what were the four official events, the Apollon's Wheel, the deadlift, the Hummer Push and the 800-pound Farmer's Walk, competitors were given the opportunity to attempt to lift the Thomas Inch “unliftable” dumbbell or Inch Bell. A prize of $1000 was awarded to the man who could pull it the highest in the air, with Mark Henry winning by pulling it to the level of his chest.
From 2003 to 2008, the Arnold Strongman was won every year by Žydr?nas Savickas ofLithuania. In 2008, he received a $40,000 check from Gerard Dente of MHP, an Audemars Piguet watch by Robert Ronen and the Louis Cyr trophy named after the legendary Strongman, Louis Cyr. In the competition, 12 world records were set with Savickas setting three of them. In the Tire Deadlift, he lifted 1,027 pounds. In the Circus Dumbbell, he tied with Derek Poundstone for the world record with nine lifts each, and in the Manhood Stones, he lifted 525 pounds three times.
[*]Derek Poundstone won in 2009 and 2010. Derek took the vacant throne from Žydr?nas when he took 2009 off from the competition. When Savickas returned in 2010, Derek retained his title by defeating Žydr?nas. Just days before the 2011 contest, two-time defending champion Derek Poundstone was forced to withdraw from the contest due toFellow American big Brian Shaw came in and won the contest.Mike Jenkins went on to win the title in 2012 ahead of Derek Poundstone by 1 point and Žydr?nas dropped to third. Lithuania's Vytautas Lalas won the competition in 2013 ahead of Brian Shaw by 0.5 point. From 2014 to 2017 the competition was won by either Žydr?nas or Brian with two wins per each after very close battles, bringing their winning tallies to eight and three respectively. In 2018, the Icelandic giant Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson reached his prime and dominated the competition for three consecutive years, winning the title in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Hafþór established new world records in the Bag Over Bar, 500kg Timber Carry, Húsafell Stone Carry, 400-pound Apollon's Axel for reps and twice broke the Elephant Bar Deadlift world record with 1,041 pounds in 2018 and 1,045 pounds in 2019.
In 2021, the competition was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The three-time defending champion Hafþór had retired from Strongman and Martins Licis won the competition in 2022 ahead of Ukraine’s Oleksiy Novikov who emerged second.
Arnold Strongman Classic Champions
2002: Mark Henry
2003:Žydr?nas Savickas
2004:Žydr?nas Savickas
2005:Žydr?nas Savickas
2006:Žydr?nas Savickas
2007:Žydr?nas Savickas
2008:Žydr?nas Savickas
2009: Derek Poundstone
2010: Derek Poundstone
2011: Brian Shaw
2012: Michael Jenkins
2013: Vytautas Lalas
2014:Žydr?nas Savickas
2015: Brian Shaw
2016:Žydr?nas Savickas
2017: Brian Shaw
2018: Hafthor Bjornsson
2019: Hafthor Bjornsson
2020: Hafthor Bjornsson
2022: Martins Licis
2023 Competitors
• Maxime Boudreault (Canada)
• Tom Evans (USA)
• Mitchell Hooper (Canada)
• Rob Kearney (USA)
• Mateusz Kieliszkowski (Poland)
• Trey Mitchell (USA)
• Pavlo Nakonechnyy (Ukraine)
• Luke Stoltman (Scotland)
• Tom Stoltman (Scotland)
• Bobby Thompson (USA)
2023 Events
Wheel Of Pain.The event replicates the legendary grain mill from the film Conan the Barbarian where the contestants have to push a 20,000-pound contraption around in a circle for time or distance. The colossal contraption was replicated and built by Rogue Fitness. In 2019 Martins Licis pushed the wheel for a distance of 119 feet 9 inches.
Austrian Oak Log Press.A unique log named after Arnold’s nickname that weighs anywhere from 430-450 pounds where the athletes must press for the maximum number of reps. In 2015 Žydr?nas Savickas repped a 450-pound Austrian Oak four times.
Elephant Bar Deadlift. Contestants are required to lift a specially designed extra whipping long bar with Arnold Schwarzenegger-inscribed weight plates from a standard 9" height. The apparatus was designed and manufactured by Rogue Fitness. In 2019 Hafþór Björnsson pulled 1,045 pounds.
Unspunnen Stone Throw. The Unspunnen Stone is so named for the Unspunnenfest, a cultural festival held near the ruins of the old Unspunnen Castle near Interlaken, Switzerland. The stone itself weighs 184 pounds and the object is to hurl it as far as possible. This event debuts for 2023.
Timber Frame Carry.Contestants have to lift heavy barn timbers bolted together and travel up an inclined ramp. In 2015 Hafþór Björnsson carried a 1,102-pound frame up a 35-foot ramp in 10.15 seconds, and in 2018 Jerry Pritchett carried a 900-pound frame up a 35- foot ramp in 9.58 seconds. The event is also known as “Frame Carry.”
2023 Prize Money
1st Place: $80,000
2nd Place: $25,000
3rd Place: $20,000
4th Place: $15,000
5th Place: $13,000
6th Place: $8,000
7th Place: $7,000
8th Place: $6,000
9th Place: $5,000
10th Place: $3,000
Total: $182,000
Gerard Dente and the MHP Connection
“As MHP grew and we were looking for other platforms that would be a great fit for the brand, Strongman seemed like the epitome of Maximum Human Performance and our slogan, MHP Strong.” -Gerard Dente, President of MHP
The longest-running sponsor of this event has been MHP, and President Gerard Dente explains how the partnership began in 2005. “We were already involved in powerlifting, and Strongman was something I always had tremendous respect and admiration for, going back to watching the World’s Strongest Man competitions as a kid on ABC’s “Wide World of Sports” with guys like Bill Kazmaier, Ken Patera and Franco Columbu and admiring the feats of strength. As MHP grew and we were looking for other platforms that would be a great fit for the brand, Strongman seemed like the epitome of Maximum Human Performance and our slogan, ‘MHP Strong.’ I was excited when the opportunity came to get involved in the Arnold Strongman Classic, especially since I would be working with two of the finest and most professional gentlemen our industry ever saw, the late Jim Lorimer and Dr. Terry Todd. Jim was always making sure the athletes were well taken care of, and Terry was the man who created all the individual events and determined the weights and level of difficulty to make them all incredibly challenging and entertaining for the fans as well. I was very proud to sponsor the event and also sponsored many of the top athletes over the years like Brian Shaw, Hafþór, Žydr?nas, Mike Jenkins, Jon Andersen and Derek Poundstone. One of my best memories is how every year Jim Lorimer would send for me to watch the Arnold Strongmen Classic with him – backstage up high on a scissor lift where we could see the event from over the curtain. He was so proud of the event and loved seeing the excitement of the crowd. I also got to be close friends with Terry Todd, who ran the event. He gave it a unique identity and planned every detail to make it the best Strongman competition in the world.”
mhpstrong.com
Facebook Official MHP® @TeamMHP
YouTube @MaximumHuman
Instagram @mhpstrongusa
Ron Harris got his start in the bodybuilding industry during the eight years he worked in Los Angeles as Associate Producer for ESPN’s “American Muscle Magazine” show in the 1990s. Since 1992 he has published nearly 5,000 articles in bodybuilding and fitness magazines, making him the most prolific bodybuilding writer ever. Ron has been training since the age of 14 and competing as a bodybuilder since 1989. He lives with his wife and two children in the Boston area. Facebook Instagram
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Testing the Limits of Strength and Power for 20 Years!
By Ron Harris
A Strong Addition to the Arnold Classic
The Arnold Classic began in 1989 as strictly a bodybuilding contest, but as years went by it expanded to include many other sports and events as part of the Arnold Sports Festival held each year in Columbus, Ohio. One of these was Strongman, which had gained worldwide popularity with the inception of the World’s Strongest Man competition in 1977. Arnold asked powerlifter Dr. Terry Todd to create his own version in 2002, which would have its own unique identity and events.
A History of Raw Power
In the inaugural 2002 competition, American professional wrestler and former weight lifter Mark Henry emerged victorious over Norway's Svend Karlsen. In addition to competing in what were the four official events, the Apollon's Wheel, the deadlift, the Hummer Push and the 800-pound Farmer's Walk, competitors were given the opportunity to attempt to lift the Thomas Inch “unliftable” dumbbell or Inch Bell. A prize of $1000 was awarded to the man who could pull it the highest in the air, with Mark Henry winning by pulling it to the level of his chest.
From 2003 to 2008, the Arnold Strongman was won every year by Žydr?nas Savickas ofLithuania. In 2008, he received a $40,000 check from Gerard Dente of MHP, an Audemars Piguet watch by Robert Ronen and the Louis Cyr trophy named after the legendary Strongman, Louis Cyr. In the competition, 12 world records were set with Savickas setting three of them. In the Tire Deadlift, he lifted 1,027 pounds. In the Circus Dumbbell, he tied with Derek Poundstone for the world record with nine lifts each, and in the Manhood Stones, he lifted 525 pounds three times.
Derek Poundstone won in 2009 and 2010. Derek took the vacant throne from Žydr?nas when he took 2009 off from the competition. When Savickas returned in 2010, Derek retained his title by defeating Žydr?nas. Just days before the 2011 contest, two-time defending champion Derek Poundstone was forced to withdraw from the contest due toFellow American big Brian Shaw came in and won the contest.Mike Jenkins went on to win the title in 2012 ahead of Derek Poundstone by 1 point and Žydr?nas dropped to third. Lithuania's Vytautas Lalas won the competition in 2013 ahead of Brian Shaw by 0.5 point. From 2014 to 2017 the competition was won by either Žydr?nas or Brian with two wins per each after very close battles, bringing their winning tallies to eight and three respectively. In 2018, the Icelandic giant Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson reached his prime and dominated the competition for three consecutive years, winning the title in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Hafþór established new world records in the Bag Over Bar, 500kg Timber Carry, Húsafell Stone Carry, 400-pound Apollon's Axel for reps and twice broke the Elephant Bar Deadlift world record with 1,041 pounds in 2018 and 1,045 pounds in 2019.
In 2021, the competition was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The three-time defending champion Hafþór had retired from Strongman and Martins Licis won the competition in 2022 ahead of Ukraine’s Oleksiy Novikov who emerged second.
Arnold Strongman Classic Champions
2002: Mark Henry2003:Žydr?nas Savickas2004:Žydr?nas Savickas2005:Žydr?nas Savickas2006:Žydr?nas Savickas2007:Žydr?nas Savickas2008:Žydr?nas Savickas2009: Derek Poundstone2010: Derek Poundstone2011: Brian Shaw2012: Michael Jenkins2013: Vytautas Lalas2014:Žydr?nas Savickas2015: Brian Shaw2016:Žydr?nas Savickas2017: Brian Shaw2018: Hafthor Bjornsson2019: Hafthor Bjornsson2020: Hafthor Bjornsson2022: Martins Licis
2023 Competitors
• Maxime Boudreault (Canada)
• Tom Evans (USA)
• Mitchell Hooper (Canada)
• Rob Kearney (USA)
• Mateusz Kieliszkowski (Poland)
• Trey Mitchell (USA)
• Pavlo Nakonechnyy (Ukraine)
• Luke Stoltman (Scotland)
• Tom Stoltman (Scotland)
• Bobby Thompson (USA)
2023 Events
Wheel Of Pain.The event replicates the legendary grain mill from the film Conan the Barbarian where the contestants have to push a 20,000-pound contraption around in a circle for time or distance. The colossal contraption was replicated and built by Rogue Fitness. In 2019 Martins Licis pushed the wheel for a distance of 119 feet 9 inches.
Austrian Oak Log Press.A unique log named after Arnold’s nickname that weighs anywhere from 430-450 pounds where the athletes must press for the maximum number of reps. In 2015 Žydr?nas Savickas repped a 450-pound Austrian Oak four times.
Elephant Bar Deadlift. Contestants are required to lift a specially designed extra whipping long bar with Arnold Schwarzenegger-inscribed weight plates from a standard 9" height. The apparatus was designed and manufactured by Rogue Fitness. In 2019 Hafþór Björnsson pulled 1,045 pounds.
Unspunnen Stone Throw. The Unspunnen Stone is so named for the Unspunnenfest, a cultural festival held near the ruins of the old Unspunnen Castle near Interlaken, Switzerland. The stone itself weighs 184 pounds and the object is to hurl it as far as possible. This event debuts for 2023.
Timber Frame Carry.Contestants have to lift heavy barn timbers bolted together and travel up an inclined ramp. In 2015 Hafþór Björnsson carried a 1,102-pound frame up a 35-foot ramp in 10.15 seconds, and in 2018 Jerry Pritchett carried a 900-pound frame up a 35- foot ramp in 9.58 seconds. The event is also known as “Frame Carry.”
2023 Prize Money
1st Place: $80,0002nd Place: $25,0003rd Place: $20,0004th Place: $15,0005th Place: $13,0006th Place: $8,0007th Place: $7,0008th Place: $6,0009th Place: $5,00010th Place: $3,000Total: $182,000
Gerard Dente and the MHP Connection
“As MHP grew and we were looking for other platforms that would be a great fit for the brand, Strongman seemed like the epitome of Maximum Human Performance and our slogan, MHP Strong.” -Gerard Dente, President of MHP
The longest-running sponsor of this event has been MHP, and President Gerard Dente explains how the partnership began in 2005. “We were already involved in powerlifting, and Strongman was something I always had tremendous respect and admiration for, going back to watching the World’s Strongest Man competitions as a kid on ABC’s “Wide World of Sports” with guys like Bill Kazmaier, Ken Patera and Franco Columbu and admiring the feats of strength. As MHP grew and we were looking for other platforms that would be a great fit for the brand, Strongman seemed like the epitome of Maximum Human Performance and our slogan, ‘MHP Strong.’ I was excited when the opportunity came to get involved in the Arnold Strongman Classic, especially since I would be working with two of the finest and most professional gentlemen our industry ever saw, the late Jim Lorimer and Dr. Terry Todd. Jim was always making sure the athletes were well taken care of, and Terry was the man who created all the individual events and determined the weights and level of difficulty to make them all incredibly challenging and entertaining for the fans as well. I was very proud to sponsor the event and also sponsored many of the top athletes over the years like Brian Shaw, Hafþór, Žydr?nas, Mike Jenkins, Jon Andersen and Derek Poundstone. One of my best memories is how every year Jim Lorimer would send for me to watch the Arnold Strongmen Classic with him – backstage up high on a scissor lift where we could see the event from over the curtain. He was so proud of the event and loved seeing the excitement of the crowd. I also got to be close friends with Terry Todd, who ran the event. He gave it a unique identity and planned every detail to make it the best Strongman competition in the world.”
mhpstrong.com
Facebook Official MHP® @TeamMHP
YouTube @MaximumHuman
Instagram @mhpstrongusa
Ron Harris got his start in the bodybuilding industry during the eight years he worked in Los Angeles as Associate Producer for ESPN’s “American Muscle Magazine” show in the 1990s. Since 1992 he has published nearly 5,000 articles in bodybuilding and fitness magazines, making him the most prolific bodybuilding writer ever. Ron has been training since the age of 14 and competing as a bodybuilder since 1989. He lives with his wife and two children in the Boston area. Facebook Instagram
DISCUSS ON OUR FORUMSSUBSCRIBE TO MD TODAY
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Arnold Strongman Classic
Testing the Limits of Strength and Power for 20 Years!
By Ron Harris
A Strong Addition to the Arnold Classic
The Arnold Classic began in 1989 as strictly a bodybuilding contest, but as years went by it expanded to include many other sports and events as part of the Arnold Sports Festival held each year in Columbus, Ohio. One of these was Strongman, which had gained worldwide popularity with the inception of the World’s Strongest Man competition in 1977. Arnold asked powerlifter Dr. Terry Todd to create his own version in 2002, which would have its own unique identity and events.
A History of Raw Power
In the inaugural 2002 competition, American professional wrestler and former weight lifter Mark Henry emerged victorious over Norway's Svend Karlsen. In addition to competing in what were the four official events, the Apollon's Wheel, the deadlift, the Hummer Push and the 800-pound Farmer's Walk, competitors were given the opportunity to attempt to lift the Thomas Inch “unliftable” dumbbell or Inch Bell. A prize of $1000 was awarded to the man who could pull it the highest in the air, with Mark Henry winning by pulling it to the level of his chest.
From 2003 to 2008, the Arnold Strongman was won every year by Žydr?nas Savickas ofLithuania. In 2008, he received a $40,000 check from Gerard Dente of MHP, an Audemars Piguet watch by Robert Ronen and the Louis Cyr trophy named after the legendary Strongman, Louis Cyr. In the competition, 12 world records were set with Savickas setting three of them. In the Tire Deadlift, he lifted 1,027 pounds. In the Circus Dumbbell, he tied with Derek Poundstone for the world record with nine lifts each, and in the Manhood Stones, he lifted 525 pounds three times.
[*]Derek Poundstone won in 2009 and 2010. Derek took the vacant throne from Žydr?nas when he took 2009 off from the competition. When Savickas returned in 2010, Derek retained his title by defeating Žydr?nas. Just days before the 2011 contest, two-time defending champion Derek Poundstone was forced to withdraw from the contest due toFellow American big Brian Shaw came in and won the contest.Mike Jenkins went on to win the title in 2012 ahead of Derek Poundstone by 1 point and Žydr?nas dropped to third. Lithuania's Vytautas Lalas won the competition in 2013 ahead of Brian Shaw by 0.5 point. From 2014 to 2017 the competition was won by either Žydr?nas or Brian with two wins per each after very close battles, bringing their winning tallies to eight and three respectively. In 2018, the Icelandic giant Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson reached his prime and dominated the competition for three consecutive years, winning the title in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Hafþór established new world records in the Bag Over Bar, 500kg Timber Carry, Húsafell Stone Carry, 400-pound Apollon's Axel for reps and twice broke the Elephant Bar Deadlift world record with 1,041 pounds in 2018 and 1,045 pounds in 2019.
In 2021, the competition was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The three-time defending champion Hafþór had retired from Strongman and Martins Licis won the competition in 2022 ahead of Ukraine’s Oleksiy Novikov who emerged second.
Arnold Strongman Classic Champions
2002: Mark Henry
2003:Žydr?nas Savickas
2004:Žydr?nas Savickas
2005:Žydr?nas Savickas
2006:Žydr?nas Savickas
2007:Žydr?nas Savickas
2008:Žydr?nas Savickas
2009: Derek Poundstone
2010: Derek Poundstone
2011: Brian Shaw
2012: Michael Jenkins
2013: Vytautas Lalas
2014:Žydr?nas Savickas
2015: Brian Shaw
2016:Žydr?nas Savickas
2017: Brian Shaw
2018: Hafthor Bjornsson
2019: Hafthor Bjornsson
2020: Hafthor Bjornsson
2022: Martins Licis
2023 Competitors
• Maxime Boudreault (Canada)
• Tom Evans (USA)
• Mitchell Hooper (Canada)
• Rob Kearney (USA)
• Mateusz Kieliszkowski (Poland)
• Trey Mitchell (USA)
• Pavlo Nakonechnyy (Ukraine)
• Luke Stoltman (Scotland)
• Tom Stoltman (Scotland)
• Bobby Thompson (USA)
2023 Events
Wheel Of Pain.The event replicates the legendary grain mill from the film Conan the Barbarian where the contestants have to push a 20,000-pound contraption around in a circle for time or distance. The colossal contraption was replicated and built by Rogue Fitness. In 2019 Martins Licis pushed the wheel for a distance of 119 feet 9 inches.
Austrian Oak Log Press.A unique log named after Arnold’s nickname that weighs anywhere from 430-450 pounds where the athletes must press for the maximum number of reps. In 2015 Žydr?nas Savickas repped a 450-pound Austrian Oak four times.
Elephant Bar Deadlift. Contestants are required to lift a specially designed extra whipping long bar with Arnold Schwarzenegger-inscribed weight plates from a standard 9" height. The apparatus was designed and manufactured by Rogue Fitness. In 2019 Hafþór Björnsson pulled 1,045 pounds.
Unspunnen Stone Throw. The Unspunnen Stone is so named for the Unspunnenfest, a cultural festival held near the ruins of the old Unspunnen Castle near Interlaken, Switzerland. The stone itself weighs 184 pounds and the object is to hurl it as far as possible. This event debuts for 2023.
Timber Frame Carry.Contestants have to lift heavy barn timbers bolted together and travel up an inclined ramp. In 2015 Hafþór Björnsson carried a 1,102-pound frame up a 35-foot ramp in 10.15 seconds, and in 2018 Jerry Pritchett carried a 900-pound frame up a 35- foot ramp in 9.58 seconds. The event is also known as “Frame Carry.”
2023 Prize Money
1st Place: $80,000
2nd Place: $25,000
3rd Place: $20,000
4th Place: $15,000
5th Place: $13,000
6th Place: $8,000
7th Place: $7,000
8th Place: $6,000
9th Place: $5,000
10th Place: $3,000
Total: $182,000
Gerard Dente and the MHP Connection
“As MHP grew and we were looking for other platforms that would be a great fit for the brand, Strongman seemed like the epitome of Maximum Human Performance and our slogan, MHP Strong.” -Gerard Dente, President of MHP
The longest-running sponsor of this event has been MHP, and President Gerard Dente explains how the partnership began in 2005. “We were already involved in powerlifting, and Strongman was something I always had tremendous respect and admiration for, going back to watching the World’s Strongest Man competitions as a kid on ABC’s “Wide World of Sports” with guys like Bill Kazmaier, Ken Patera and Franco Columbu and admiring the feats of strength. As MHP grew and we were looking for other platforms that would be a great fit for the brand, Strongman seemed like the epitome of Maximum Human Performance and our slogan, ‘MHP Strong.’ I was excited when the opportunity came to get involved in the Arnold Strongman Classic, especially since I would be working with two of the finest and most professional gentlemen our industry ever saw, the late Jim Lorimer and Dr. Terry Todd. Jim was always making sure the athletes were well taken care of, and Terry was the man who created all the individual events and determined the weights and level of difficulty to make them all incredibly challenging and entertaining for the fans as well. I was very proud to sponsor the event and also sponsored many of the top athletes over the years like Brian Shaw, Hafþór, Žydr?nas, Mike Jenkins, Jon Andersen and Derek Poundstone. One of my best memories is how every year Jim Lorimer would send for me to watch the Arnold Strongmen Classic with him – backstage up high on a scissor lift where we could see the event from over the curtain. He was so proud of the event and loved seeing the excitement of the crowd. I also got to be close friends with Terry Todd, who ran the event. He gave it a unique identity and planned every detail to make it the best Strongman competition in the world.”
mhpstrong.com
Facebook Official MHP® @TeamMHP
YouTube @MaximumHuman
Instagram @mhpstrongusa
Ron Harris got his start in the bodybuilding industry during the eight years he worked in Los Angeles as Associate Producer for ESPN’s “American Muscle Magazine” show in the 1990s. Since 1992 he has published nearly 5,000 articles in bodybuilding and fitness magazines, making him the most prolific bodybuilding writer ever. Ron has been training since the age of 14 and competing as a bodybuilder since 1989. He lives with his wife and two children in the Boston area. Facebook Instagram
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