Tag: injury
Washington Mother Dies in Treadmill Mishap at LA Fitness
Gyms are a great place to unwind in the evening after a long day of work or to kickstart your day in a positive direction. Although training is considered to be safe for most people, there are risks that can be fatal if the right precautions are not taken. On July 21, Delrie Rosario died after falling down on the treadmill and hitting her head at an LA Fitness Center in Washington.
Anyone who has been training for an extensive period of time is familiar with the reality of injuries in any athletic pursuit, be it for sports or simply to maintain a high level of personal fitness. It’s advisable to follow a proper warm-up routine before pumping iron or pushing intense cardio. Besides the physical, the mental aspect of training can’t be neglected and proper focus must be kept throughout the movements.
Powerlifting sensation Larry Wheels is known for his insane feats of strength in a range of different sports. Having been in the fitness space for over a decade, Wheels had his fair share of injuries. He picked up a shoulder injury in an attempt to bench press a huge 705 pounds in prep for competition. He could not complete the lift and struggled to rack the barbell as he only had one spotter behind him. Fortunately, he walked away without a serious injury and recovered in time for the contest.
Wheels suffered a horrific leg injury while pushing his boundaries in a lower body training session. He attempted a massive squat and nearly completed the movement until his quad ripped in half as he extended his legs straight.
Social media fitness influencer Bradley Martyn made a name for himself with his crazy workout stunts. His knack for blending entertainment with training earned him a huge following of over 4.4 million on Instagram. In one of his crazier stunts, where he tried to bench press a weight plate with a woman standing on top, Martyn suffered a gnarly injury that required 10 stitches inside his mouth.
Delrie Rosario (via DelrickaeMiAmor/Facebook)
While some injuries result in breaks from sports, others can potentially end careers. Bodybuilder Charles Griffen narrowly escaped such an injury in a chest training session. He ended up with a torn pec after performing a heavy set of incline dumbbell bench presses.
Strongman legend Hafthor Bjornsson injured his pec while participating in a Powerlifting competition at his home gym. His left pec muscle came off the bone as he attempted a 252.5-kg (556.7 pounds) bench press, which required him to undergo surgery.
Powerlifter Dan Bell was on the hunt to set a new World Record this season. However, he was forced to the sidelines after getting injured. He tried to lift an enormous 937-pound (425-kg) squat and suffered damage to his glute, spine, and discs.
Washington Mother Delrie Rosario Dies in Treadmill Mishap at LA Fitness
According to KIRO 7, Delrie Rosario, a mother of four, passed away after falling off the treadmill and hitting her head at an LA Fitness gym in Washington. The incident happened on July 21 when the 36-year-old was training with her sister, Marissa Woods.
“She tried to slow the machine down. I thought maybe she just missed a step. She just collapsed, [and] hit her head on the machine,” Woods said.
Woods reported some of the fellow gym-goers rushed over to help Rosario but none of the gym employees did. Rosario later died at a local hospital. Woods stated her sister will be remembered as “a mother first.”
“Always everything she did was for kids. She worked so hard for kids,” Woods said.
RELATED: Australian Man Jailed After Slamming 20 kg/44 lb Plate into Gym Goer’s Head
The incident follows after Indonesian bodybuilder Justyn Vicky lost his life in a squat mishap at a gym in Bali. The 33-year-old could not extend his legs while performing a 180-kg (396.8-lb) squat. He snapped his neck as the barbell rolled forward and came crashing down on him.
Published: 2 August, 2023 | 4:19 PM EDT
Brooke Wells Talks About Injury Preventing 2023 CrossFit Games Qualification: “I Am Heartbroken”
The 2023 CrossFit Semifinals started last weekend, as it took place in two regions at once. Out of the two, the 2023 CrossFit North America East Semifinal was the one that stood out. This Semifinal featured an incredible roster, but it had also produced an immense loss for the remainder of the season, since Brooke Wells was unable to advance further due to some unfortunate happenings.
Brooke Wells is a veteran of the sport, as she has taken part in the past eight consecutive CrossFit Games editions. Brooke is now extremely saddened by the fact that her streak ended.
“All I’ve known for the past 8 years is gearing up for the CrossFit Games every summer. The reality that I won’t be doing that this year is an extremely tough pill to swallow. I am heartbroken. Devastated. I feel embarrassed. A little lost.”
While announcing the circumstances of her performance, Brooke Wells revealed that she was unable to perform to her full potential because of an injury. Specifically, Brooke tore her Plantar Fascia on the first event, but still endured the pain until the end.
Plantar Fascia is a connective tissue in the heel of the foot. So, a tear produces sharp pain during any movement. The recovery process can take months to heal properly.
“From the moment the competition started I was hit with some unexpected challenges. During the run in event 1, I tore my plantar fascia. I could barely walk after the event and I had the choice to either fight, or throw in the towel. I am very proud of myself for continuing to show up, when withdrawing would’ve been much easier.”
Related: CrossFit Athlete Brooke Wells Trains With Buttery Bros While Recovering From An Elbow Injury
Brooke Wells has had a very difficult time with injuries, as she also injured her elbow at the 2021 CrossFit Games less than two years ago. Following that injury, Brooke needed reconstructive surgery and multiple months of recovery before getting back in the gym. Being an active athlete, Brooke Wells is facing the challenge of undergoing several more months of recovery, which can be quite difficult for her.
Although Brooke Wells did not qualify for the 2023 CrossFit Games, her sister, Sydney Wells, has secured her spot for the first time ever. So, Brooke revealed that she is still thrilled for her sister’s success despite encountering setbacks of her own.
“In the midst of my own heartbreak, I am thankful I get to celebrate & support my sister who has just qualified for her first time. Even when we are disappointed in ourselves, we can still root for others.”
Sydney Wells took seventh place at the 2023 CrossFit North America East Semifinal, while the top 11 qualified. This makes it even sad for Brooke Wells, as she was just out of the top 11, placing 14th, just seven points behind eleventh.
However, Brooke Wells has now lost all chances of qualifying for the 2023 CrossFit Games. This means that she won’t appear in the greatest CrossFit competition for the first time since 2015. During her 8-year streak, Brooke’s best placing at the Games was fifth, managing to accomplish the feat in both 2020 and 2022.
Related: Ricky Garard Out of the 2023 CrossFit Season Following Shoulder Injury
Despite the injury, Brooke Wells remains resilient and optimistic about the future. Her primary focus now is on proper recovery and preparation for the next season. However, she will still be missed at the 2023 CrossFit Games, alongside fellow women Tia-Clair Toomey, Kara Saunders, Mal O’Brien, and Haley Adams.
Published: 26 May, 2023 | 9:47 AM EDT
Hafthor Bjornsson Shares Graphic Footage Of His Successful Pec Tear Surgery
A month has passed since Hafthor Bjornsson tore his chest during the bench press portion of a powerlifting competition. Ever since then, he has been working on making his recovery as perfect as possible which would shorten the time needed to come back. This included some intense methods, like infrared light exposure, cryotherapy, and more. However, all of this led to the most important moment of Hafthor’s recovery, which was the surgery.
Hafthor Bjornsson recently published a new video on his YouTube channel which covered a span of a few days. It started off with Hafthor preparing for his surgery using some of the aforementioned methods, but it also displayed clips of Hafthor’s surgery, as well as a segment of him lying in a hospital bed after everything was done.
Related: Hafthor Bjornsson Shares Doctor’s Update on Pec Tear Ahead of Surgery: ‘Swelling is Getting Worse’
Hafthor Bjornsson’s Surgery
Hafthor Bjornsson started off his video by completing his final round of cryotherapy and specially made recovery shakes, while also expressing gratitude for everyone who assisted him in this process. He then revealed that the pain in his chest and arm has dialed down drastically and that he only feels a bit bruised.
“It’s actually crazy how good I feel in my arm, like I can move it without any pain. The pain level I have right now is zero. If I press my arm I just feel a little bruised, that is all. Obviously, I am cautious, I am trying not to put my arm in any weird positions.”
While talking to his surgeon over the phone, Hafthor Bjornsson explained how he was excited to undergo surgery, presumably because it marked an important moment in his recovery process.
“I am looking forward to everything, which is kind of weird, but I am actually very excited for it.”
After 2 days of preparation, Hafthor Bjornsson woke up on the third day ready to undergo surgery. With everything prepared, Hafthor was put to sleep by one of the best anesthesiologists around. A clip from the surgery, which lasted for a couple of minutes, was then uploaded to his YouTube channel.
Since Hafthor Bjornsson was under the influence of anesthesia, he was not able to communicate as well following the surgery. So, his doctor took over the video to explain what happened.
“Everything went perfect, no problems, absolutely great. It was tough, but we have been preparing for seven days waiting for this. Really happy with how it went.”
While talking to Hafthor, the surgeon explained that they did everything in their power to enable the 2018 World’s Strongest Man to come back properly. They understand that his priority is to regain his strength, so everything was addressed to the smallest detail.
“Not only is his mass large, but his goals are large. So, he needed a special approach in terms of keeping him safe… I did a heavy duty type of repair so it will help him have the best chance of recovery.”
Seeing Hafthor’s injury first-hand, the surgeon explained to him how severe it was and what needed to be done.
“Yes his pec was totally torn, and Yes it was torn mostly muscular. But, I used a couple of different types of graphs that reinforce the muscle, recreated the tendon, and reattached it using some heavy duty anchors.”
Luckily for Hafthor Bjornsson, his doctor went an extra step in ensuring his comfort, as not a lot of additional treatments will be needed after this surgery. He will, however, only need to take care of his wound for some time.
“The good news about your incision is that you don’t need to do anything to it. It is covered with a special waterproof dressing. You don’t need to do anything about it.”
Watch the video here:
Warning: The graphic footage of Hafthor’s surgery starts at the 16:30 mark, and ends at the 18:17 mark.
Related: Mike O’Hearn & Injured Hafthor Bjornsson Use Tom Platz-Inspired Workout for Ligament Strength
Hafthor Bjornsson originally hoped to set a new All-Time World Record in powerlifting by the end of this year, before transitioning to Strongman next year. However, everything will be delayed now, as Hafthor is expected to put out a follow-up video explaining what his expectations for the recovery process moving forward will look like.
Published: 23 May, 2023 | 2:56 PM EDT
Oleksii Novikov Discusses Elbow Injury’s Impact on 2023 WSM Performance: “My Signature Event Became an Achilles Heel”
The 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition took place almost a month ago. So, we already saw the winner, Mitchell Hooper, and the second-place finisher, Tom Stoltman, post their recaps of the competition. The only one remaining was the bronze medal winner, Oleksii Novikov. However, he has also given his thoughts about the 2023 WSM competition on May 8th. Oleksii sat down for a 40-minute YouTube video in order to paint the full picture of his 2023 WSM campaign.
Oleksii Novikov covered every topic in his video, from the initial travel to the USA to his mental state after the competition. However, one thing stood out the most, and that was his elbow injury. This injury was one of the reasons why Oleksii could not secure his second WSM title, as his overhead strength plummeted because of it.
Related: 15 Incredible Stats & Facts About The 2023 World’s Strongest Man by Laurence Shahlaei
Oleksii Novikov’s 2023 WSM Recap
Oleksii Novikov’s journey at the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition got off to a rocky start even before the event kicked off. Upon starting his journey from Ukraine to the USA, he had no idea that it would end up taking three days to get there.
“The road (trip) was the longest and hardest in all of my competing history. It took three days. It is hard to get out of Ukraine currently… When we got to New York, all the fun things started… We were told that the next flight would be in 20 hours.”
Even after arriving in Myrtle Beach, Oleksii Novikov had to sit down for multiple interviews and media shoots which caused his energy levels to deplete.
“We came there (Myrtle Beach) at night. Woke up in the morning and all the interviews, photoshoots, and media stuff started… So, lots of organizational activities before the start of the competition. Usually, all the athletes come three days before this… I just had to accept it.”
Oleksii Novikov was absolutely impeccable during the qualifying stage, winning three out of the five events. Consequently, he qualified for the finals with ease. His greatest performance in the qualifying stage came in the Conan’s Wheel event, which he won confidently. He believes that his rivals did not warm-up for the event properly. So, his attention to detail helped him get the best score across all five groups.
“It was interesting that all the athletes did not warm up the way I think is needed… The point is simple, they put too much pressure on their diaphragm and just switched off… I started off carefully, picked it up, felt the weight and my goal was to catch the needed speed and pace so the weight wouldn’t be wobbling.”
Oleksii Novikov didn’t have a great time at the Finals of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition. Unlike the qualifying stage, things didn’t go as planned for him. On the second day of the finals, there was a Max Dumbbell Press event that Oleksii was looking forward to. After all, the Dumbbell Overhead Press is his favorite event, but sadly, he didn’t do as well as he had hoped.
Oleksii Novikov revealed that while preparing for the 2023 WSM, he injured his elbow and was not able to extend his elbow without pain. Consequently, he was not able to lift more than 132 kilograms (291 pounds) in the Dumbbell Overhead Press event.
“This event is one of my best, but I will tell you what happened before and during the competition… In the last training session I lifted 144 kilograms (317 pounds), and during these processes I got an injury which I didn’t pay much attention to, just some elbow pain. I kept training and only then noticed this issue with my elbow.
The elbow lost the function of full extension and activating. There were problems with the lock out, and that is why locking out heavy weights became a problem for me… Don’t know if I need surgery or not, but I’ll certainly take care of my elbow… So, my signature event became an Achilles heel.”
In the end, Oleksii Novikov was happy with his performance at the 2023 WSM, but revealed how the mental pressure of having to win the competition took a toll on his performance. According to him, it is easier to perform well when you don’t have high expectations as opposed to aiming to become the World’s Strongest Man.
Watch the video here:
Related: Oleksii Novikov Wins The 2022 Rogue Strongman Invitational Contest
Oleksii Novikov’s Full Performnce
Qualifying
Loading Race: First-Place
Deadlift Machine: First-Place
Log Ladder: Third-Place
Conan’s Wheel: First-Place
Kettlebell Toss: Sixth-Place
Finals
Reign Shield Carry: Third-Place
Knaack Deadlift: Tied-Second
Fingal’s Fingers: Second-Place
Max Dumbbell: Tied-Second
Bus Pull: Eight-Place
Atlas Stones: Fourth-Place
Oleksii Novikov has now competed in 36 International contests and came out with 11 victories. In addition, he has appeared in three WSM finals, winning one (2020) and placing third twice (2022, 2023).
Oleksii Novikov is already moving on to other competitions, having previously announced that he will take part in the 2023 Shaw Classic, Rogue Invitational, and Strongman Classic. So, with at least three more appearances this year, Oleksii has the chance to improve his resume even further.
Published: 9 May, 2023 | 10:48 AM EDT
Powerlifter Dan Bell Suffers Injury After a Massive 425-kg (937-lb) Raw Squat
This year was supposed to be a real delight for all powerlifting fans, as Dan Bell and Hafthor Bjornsson both had goals to set new World Records and battle against each other. However, the situation has quickly changed for the worse, as both men injured themselves. Dan’s injury is the more recent one, having suffered it at the 2023 USA-UA Pioneer on the Beach and revealed it just a few days ago on Instagram.
Dan Bell injured himself while performing a 425-kilogram (937-pound) squat on his third attempt. He got stuck in the middle of the lift, but somehow managed to push through. Although it looked like it was time to celebrate, Dan immediately showed signs of injury, barely being able to walk out of the squat rack.
“This one hurt. Felt like my left glute was getting torn in half then following the leg simply locked up and wouldn’t work. It was wild.”
Dan Bell tried to rest for some time in the hopes that his injury was just a small tweak of some sorts. However, after a few days it only got worse.
“Woke up Monday 4/17 unable to feel or move my toes. Absolutely wild a week after.”
However, Dan Bell took a positive approach to this, hoping to find out what the injury is and recover in the best way possible. After visiting two different hospitals, he finally found out the extent of his injuries.
“Moving forward with morphine and 2 different hospitals finding one of the largest MRI machines in Florida to find out my spine and 6 bulging discs have seen better days.”
Dan Bell’s recovery process has begun and he wants to avoid surgery if possible. However, his future is currently very uncertain.
“Already in the process of working things out and avoiding surgery at all costs… Got to be honest the future is up in the air. Just one day at a time.”
Watch the squat here:
Related: Hafthor Bjornsson and Dan Bell Lock Out 395-kg (870.8-lb) Raw Deadlifts At 2023 Arnold Sports Festival
Dan Bell has experienced some injuries throughout his career, but he has always managed to come back better than he was. Thus, he built an incredible resume, appearing in 36 sanctioned competitions and winning 27 of them. Alongside that, Dan has claimed a number of World Records as well.
Dan Bell’s Raw Competition PRs
Squat: 455 kilograms (1,003.1 pounds) — (2020 RPS Sarasota Showdown)
Bench Press: 275 kilograms (606.2 pounds) — (2021 WRPF Kern US Open)
Deadlift: 412.5 kilograms (909.4 pounds) — (2022 APF Showdown at the Storm)
Total: 1,127.5 kilograms (2,485.7 pounds) — (2020 RPS Sarasota Showdown)
Dan Bell’s Competition History
Personal Bests
Equip
Squat
Bench
Deadlift
Total
Dots
Wraps
1113.3
606.3
1113.3
2607
606.47
Raw
1003.1
584.2
1003.1
2485.7
583.1
Multi-ply
1102.3
683.4
1102.3
2667.6
621.54
Competition Results
Place
Fed
Date
Competition
Division
Total
Dots
1
WRPF
2022-09-03
Clash on the Columbia
Open
2513.3
586.74
Location
USA-WA
Competition
Clash on the Columbia
Division
Open
Age
35
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
391.3
Squat
948
1014.1
1047.2
1047.2
Bench
529.1
562.2
584.2
584.2
Deadlift
837.8
881.8
881.8
1
USPA
2022-07-30
Iron Knightmare 4
Open
2314.9
541.24
Location
USA-FL
Competition
Iron Knightmare 4
Division
Open
Age
35
Equipment
Raw
Class
308.6
Weight
389
Squat
749.6
-859.8
903.9
931.5
931.5
Bench
501.6
551.2
-584.2
551.2
Deadlift
749.6
804.7
859.8
859.8
GLP
105.22
1
RPS
2022-06-18
Showcase Super Classic 2
Pro Open
2446.4
568.3
Location
USA-FL
Competition
Showcase Super Classic 2
Division
Pro Open
Age
35
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
399.1
Squat
1002.8
Bench
584.1
Deadlift
859.6
1
APF
2022-05-28
Showdown at the Storm
M_OR_APF
909.4
211.68
Location
USA-FL
Competition
Showdown at the Storm
Division
M_OR_APF
Age
35
Equipment
Raw
Class
308.6
Weight
395.9
Deadlift
837.8
881.8
909.4
909.4
1
UPA
2022-03-26
Ghost Strong Pro-Am
MOR
2474.7
574.74
Location
USA-IA
Competition
Ghost Strong Pro-Am
Division
MOR
Age
35
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
399.5
Squat
1025.1
1074.8
-1107.8
1074.8
Bench
551.2
-584.2
-584.2
551.2
Deadlift
848.8
848.8
1
WRPF
2022-02-12
Ghost Clash
Open
2502.2
584.67
Location
USA-FL
Competition
Ghost Clash
Division
Open
Age
35
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
390
Squat
1003.1
1058.2
1080.3
1080.3
Bench
529.1
562.2
-573.2
562.2
Deadlift
804.7
837.8
859.8
859.8
1
WRPF
2021-04-24
Kern US Open
Open
2579.4
603.92
Location
USA-CA
Competition
Kern US Open
Division
Open
Age
34
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
386.9
Squat
1025.1
1069.2
1113.3
1113.3
Bench
573.2
600.8
606.3
606.3
Deadlift
859.8
-903.9
-903.9
859.8
1
WRPF
2021-02-20
Hybrid Showdown III
Open
2607
606.47
Location
USA-FL
Competition
Hybrid Showdown III
Division
Open
Age
34
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
396.8
Squat
1025.1
1074.8
1102.3
1102.3
Bench
551.2
589.7
600.8
600.8
Deadlift
859.8
-903.9
903.9
903.9
1
WRPF
2020-09-26
The Showdown
Open
2403
562.14
Location
USA-MO
Competition
The Showdown
Division
Open
Age
34
Equipment
Raw
Class
308.6
Weight
388.2
Squat
925.9
970
-1014.1
970
Bench
551.2
584.2
-600.8
584.2
Deadlift
848.8
-898.4
848.8
GLP
109.3
1
APF
2020-07-25
Showdown at the Storm
M_OEM_APF
2667.6
621.54
Location
USA-FL
Competition
Showdown at the Storm
Division
M_OEM_APF
Age
33
Equipment
Multi-ply
Class
308.6
Weight
394.4
Squat
1014.1
1102.3
-1201.5
1102.3
Bench
683.4
-749.6
683.4
Deadlift
826.7
881.8
881.8
1
USPA
2020-07-11
Pioneer Open
Open
2491.2
581.27
Location
USA-TX
Competition
Pioneer Open
Division
Open
Age
33
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
392.2
Squat
925.9
1003.1
-1041.7
1003.1
Bench
551.2
584.2
584.2
Deadlift
804.7
854.3
903.9
903.9
1
RPS
2020-02-29
Sarasota Showdown
Pro Open
2485.7
583.1
Location
USA-FL
Competition
Sarasota Showdown
Division
Pro Open
Age
33
Equipment
Raw
Class
308.6
Weight
384
Squat
1003.1
Bench
578.7
Deadlift
903.9
GLP
113.47
1
WRPF
2019-11-23
American Barbell Club Open
Open
2518.8
583.62
Location
USA-FL
Competition
American Barbell Club Open
Division
Open
Age
33
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
403.2
Squat
1003.1
1036.2
1063.7
1063.7
Bench
551.2
573.2
-584.2
573.2
Deadlift
837.8
-881.8
881.8
881.8
2
USPA
2019-08-03
The Tribute
Open
2292.8
537.13
Location
USA-TX
Competition
The Tribute
Division
Open
Age
32
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
386
Squat
903.9
Bench
551.2
Deadlift
837.8
4
SPF
2018-11-10
Slingshot Record Breakers
Open
2281.8
533.37
Location
USA-CA
Competition
Slingshot Record Breakers
Division
Open
Age
32
Equipment
Wraps
Class
242.5
Weight
389.4
Squat
903.9
-1003.1
-1003.1
903.9
Bench
-518.1
573.2
-600.8
573.2
Deadlift
804.7
-859.8
804.7
1
UPA
2018-04-21
National Championships
MOR
2458.2
579.54
Location
USA-IA
Competition
National Championships
Division
MOR
Age
31
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
376.5
Squat
-1003.1
1003.1
1025.1
1025.1
Bench
523.6
551.2
-562.2
551.2
Deadlift
837.8
881.8
-903.9
881.8
1
UPA
2017-12-02
War of the Demigods
MOR
2243.2
535.39
Location
USA-IL
Competition
War of the Demigods
Division
MOR
Age
31
Equipment
Raw
Class
308.6
Weight
359.1
Squat
854.3
881.8
-903.9
881.8
Bench
501.6
523.6
523.6
Deadlift
804.7
837.8
837.8
GLP
104.78
3
ProRaw
2017-10-15
Big Dogs 2
M-OR
2375.5
563.66
Location
Australia-VIC
Competition
Big Dogs 2
Division
M-OR
Age
31
Equipment
Wraps
Weight
367.3
Squat
881.8
981.1
-1014.1
981.1
Bench
501.6
523.6
540.1
540.1
Deadlift
804.7
854.3
-903.9
854.3
1
UPA
2017-07-22
Iron Battle on the Mississippi
MOR
2403
565.11
Location
USA-IA
Competition
Iron Battle on the Mississippi
Division
MOR
Age
30
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
380.3
Squat
959
-1014.1
1014.1
1014.1
Bench
501.6
529.1
540.1
540.1
Deadlift
804.7
848.8
848.8
1
UPA
2017-01-22
Raw Powerlifting Championship
MOR
2375.5
562.09
Location
USA-IA
Competition
Raw Powerlifting Championship
Division
MOR
Age
30
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
371.3
Squat
881.8
959
1008.6
1008.6
Bench
501.6
523.6
-540.1
523.6
Deadlift
-804.7
843.3
-870.8
843.3
1
UPA
2016-07-16
Iron Battle on the Mississippi
MOR
2116.4
506.51
Location
USA-IA
Competition
Iron Battle on the Mississippi
Division
MOR
Age
29
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
355.4
Squat
854.3
-914.9
-920.4
854.3
Bench
474
512.6
-534.6
512.6
Deadlift
749.6
749.6
DQ
RPS
2016-04-23
US Open
Pro Open
Location
USA-CA
Competition
US Open
Division
Pro Open
Age
29
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
353
Bench
529.1
Deadlift
821.2
1
UPA
2016-04-16
Powerlifting Nationals
MOR
2270.8
547.02
Location
USA-IA
Competition
Powerlifting Nationals
Division
MOR
Age
29
Equipment
Raw
Class
308.6
Weight
346.6
Squat
848.8
903.9
942.5
942.5
Bench
501.6
523.6
-534.6
523.6
Deadlift
804.7
-837.8
-837.8
804.7
GLP
107.43
1
UPA
2016-01-24
Raw Powerlifting Championship
MOR
2303.8
562.16
Location
USA-IA
Competition
Raw Powerlifting Championship
Division
MOR
Age
29
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
330.3
Squat
881.8
948
981.1
981.1
Bench
474
501.6
512.6
512.6
Deadlift
744.1
810.2
-826.7
810.2
3
SPF
2016-01-16
No Retreat No Surrender
Open
2200
532.76
Location
USA
Competition
No Retreat No Surrender
Division
Open
Age
29
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
339.8
Squat
900
Bench
500
Deadlift
800
1
UPA
2015-12-05
War of the Demigods
MOR
2155
536.34
Location
USA-IL
Competition
War of the Demigods
Division
MOR
Age
29
Equipment
Raw
Class
308.6
Weight
307.3
Squat
749.5
804.7
854.3
854.3
Bench
440.9
485
496
496
Deadlift
749.5
804.7
804.7
GLP
106.74
2
UPA
2015-11-14
Power Weekend
MOR
2221.2
552.35
Location
USA-IA
Competition
Power Weekend
Division
MOR
Age
29
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
308.2
Squat
826.7
881.8
931.5
931.5
Bench
440.9
474
-501.6
474
Deadlift
749.6
815.7
-826.7
815.7
1
WUAP
2015-10-08
World Championships
Open
1967.6
480.38
Location
USA-IL
Competition
World Championships
Division
Open
Age
29
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
329.6
Squat
777.1
-826.7
-832.2
777.1
Bench
418.9
440.9
-463
440.9
Deadlift
705.5
749.6
-815.7
749.6
2
UPA
2015-04-18
Powerlifting National Championship
MOR
2121.9
530.16
Location
USA
Competition
Powerlifting National Championship
Division
MOR
Age
28
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
303.1
Squat
837.8
881.8
-925.9
881.8
Bench
457.5
-485
-501.6
457.5
Deadlift
749.6
782.6
-815.7
782.6
1
RUPC
2015-02-07
Raw Unity VIII
M-HW
2210.1
552.43
Location
USA-FL
Competition
Raw Unity VIII
Division
M-HW
Age
28
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
302.7
Squat
815.7
881.8
914.9
914.9
Bench
440.9
-474
485
485
Deadlift
716.5
771.6
810.2
810.2
1
IPA
2014-10-18
Ohio Grand Prix
Pro Open
2200
547.19
Location
USA-OH
Competition
Ohio Grand Prix
Division
Pro Open
Age
28
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
308
Squat
900
Bench
495
Deadlift
805
1
UPA
2014-07-19
Iron Battle on the Mississippi
MOR
2039.3
507.33
Location
USA-IA
Competition
Iron Battle on the Mississippi
Division
MOR
Age
27
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
307.8
Squat
788.2
-832.2
-854.3
788.2
Bench
440.9
474
-501.6
474
Deadlift
711
749.6
777.1
777.1
1
WUAP-USA
2014-06-28
National Powerlifting and Benchpress Championships
Open
2022.7
504.75
Location
USA-IL
Competition
National Powerlifting and Benchpress Championships
Division
Open
Age
27
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
304.5
Squat
788.2
815.7
-837.8
815.7
Bench
424.4
451.9
474
474
Deadlift
705.5
733
-749.6
733
2
UPA
2014-02-15
Powerlifting & Bench Press National Chamionships
MOR
1907
476.16
Location
USA-IA
Competition
Powerlifting & Bench Press National Chamionships
Division
MOR
Age
27
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
303.8
Squat
650.4
705.5
749.6
749.6
Bench
380.3
413.4
440.9
440.9
Deadlift
683.4
716.5
-749.6
716.5
DQ
APF
2005-03-12
Illinois State Meet
M_TCR_3_APF
Location
USA-IL
Competition
Illinois State Meet
Division
M_TCR_3_APF
Age
18
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Squat
451.9
-600.8
-617.3
451.9
Bench
319.7
352.7
-402.3
352.7
Deadlift
-501.6
-600.8
-600.8
Data Source: Open Powerlifting. Last Updated: April 12, 2023
Analyze Lifts
Any injuries around the spine are extremely risky and complicated. So, Dan Bell definitely needs to take his time and make sure that he is healed properly before coming back to the sport. Luckily, Bell is experienced enough to avoid making any mistakes, which should be good enough to see him back on the stage in the future.
Published: 24 April, 2023 | 11:06 AM EDT
Jaco Schoonwinkel Withdraws From 2023 World’s Strongest Man Competition
The final day of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man is underway in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, but it has proved to be very unlucky for one man. In the first event of the day, the Max Dumbbell, Jaco Schoonwinkel attempted to overhead press 115 kilograms (253.5 pounds). However, he was unsuccessful and ended up seemingly injuring himself on the attempt.
Jaco Schoonwinkel managed to lift the dumbbell onto his shoulder during the Max Dumbbell event but struggled to fully lock out the weight during the overhead press. As he attempted to lower the weight, he lost control, and it appeared to hit his shoulder. Jaco fell to the ground and remained lying down for a period before getting up and walking off. Fortunately, he seemed to be okay despite the incident.
However, Jaco Schoonwinkel was obviously not fine, as the World’s Strongest Man’s official Instagram page shared the news of his withdrawal from the competition. They did not reveal the exact reason why.
Related: Eddie Hall Reveals His Top 3 Predictions For The 2023 World’s Strongest Man
Jaco Schoonwinkel really lacked luck in the 2023 World’s Strongest Man finals, as he had another incident on day one. During the Reign Shield Carry event, Jaco started off well, but stumbled and fell after 15.92 meters. So, it is not clear if that incident has anything to do with his withdrawal today as well.
Jaco Schoonwinkel was one of the main surprises of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition. He was placed in a very tough group with Brian Shaw, Adam Bishop, and Rauno Heinla. Regardless, Jaco kept his cool and managed to win the group ahead of all these big names.
Jaco Schoonwinkel’s performances in the finals were less than desirable for him, but it is understandable as this was his debut at the WSM. Jaco is not too experienced in other competitions either, having only taken part in three more International competitions. Most notably, he finished second in both the 2021 Africa’s Strongest Man and 2022 Official Strongman Games.
Jaco Schoonwinkel’s 2023 WSM Performances
Qualifying
Loading Race: 5 in 47.10 s (First-Place)
Deadlift Machine: 6 reps (Fourth-Place)
Log Ladder: 4 in 34.77 s (Second-Place)
Conan’s Wheel: 713 ° (First-Place)
Kettlebell Toss: 6 in 47.32 s (Third-Place)
Finals
Reign Shield Carry: 15.92 m (Tenth-Place)
Knaack Deadlift: 5 reps (Tied-Seventh)
Fingal’s Fingers: 4 in 40.76 s (Tenth-Place)
Related: Mark Felix Retires From World’s Strongest Man Appearances; A Tribute to a Strongman Legend
Jaco Schoonwinkel is the first athlete to withdraw from the 2023 World’s Strongest Man finals, and hopefully the only one. There was only one other withdrawal in the entire competition, and it was Iron Biby at the start of the competition.
2023 WSM Coverage Recap
Discover comprehensive coverage of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition at our WSM coverage hub, featuring exclusive interviews, event recaps, in-depth analysis, and results: FitnessVolt.com/wsm
Published: 23 April, 2023 | 10:48 AM EDT
Hafthor Bjornsson Shares Doctor’s Update on Pec Tear Ahead of Surgery: ‘Swelling is Getting Worse’
Strongman icon Hafthor Bjornsson is on the road to recovery after suffering a setback during a powerlifting competition. In a recent video uploaded to YouTube, Bjornsson shared a highly-anticipated update with a doctor regarding his pec tear injury. This comes shortly ahead of Hafthor’s planned surgery that should set the road for a successful comeback.
Hafthor Bjornsson took the strongman world by storm in 2011 when he emerged as one of the youngest finalists in the history of the World’s Strongest Man competition. He then established a reputation of title contention with several top-three placings over the next few years. So, after being the runner-up for two years in a row, Bjornsson finally secured the WSM title in 2018. Besides the WSM contests, Bjornsson racked up multiple wins in other events, including Europe’s Strongest Man and Arnold Strongman Classic.
Bjornsson briefly stepped away from professional strength sports to explore his passion for boxing in 2020. He boasted a leaner look to clash with fellow Strongman legend Eddie Hall inside the boxing ring in a match billed as The Heaviest Boxing Match in History in March 2022. In the end, he came out on top of the judges’ scorecards after a dominant performance. This resulted in rumors about fights with Tyson Fury and Martyn Ford, but Bjornsson ultimately decided to retire from boxing.
Having decided against continuing his run in combat sports, the 34-year-old announced his return to Strongman last October. He got to work in preparation for attempting the Weight Over Bar Record at the 2022 Rogue Invitational. He made a statement in his comeback as he set the new record at 20-feet 3-inches.
Hafthor Bjornsson was working on his lower body strength when he narrowly avoided an injury on the squat rack in November 2022. He crushed a heavy set of 340-kg (749.6-lb) squats for two reps before the bar stumbled while being racked. The only thing that saved him was his quick thinking and experience.
’Thor’ amped up his preparations with a huge 793.6-lb (360-kg) deadlift for two reps ahead of a powerlifting comeback. Following that, Bjornsson smoked a set of 429.9-lb (195-kg) paused bench press. Expectedly, his hard work paid off as he got gold in his return to powerlifting a few months ago. He recorded a total of 2,138.5-lb (970-kg) in the three lifts.
Hafthor also got inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2023 two months ago. However, he still targeted adding the All Time World Record in powerlifting before moving to strongman again next year to continue building up his legacy. Last month, Bjornsson showed off his insane strength by crushing an 837.7-lb (380-kg) squat on the way to his goal of lifting 970 pounds. Then, he pulled off a 925.95-lb (420-kg) raw squat in training.
On April 15, Bjornsson hosted a powerlifting competition in his gym in Iceland. He ended up tearing his pec muscle after trying to score a new competition PR on the bench press of 556.7-lb (252.5-kg). He revealed he’d completely torn his upper chest and would need to undergo surgery.
Hafthor Bjornsson shares Doctor’s Update on pec tear
In a recent YouTube video, Hafthor Bjornsson shared an update on his road to recovery from the pec tear injury.
“A quick update I did my MRI yesterday,” said Bjornsson. “Today, I’m going to see the doctor to basically go over the MRI and decided to do my surgery in the States with a specialist that specializes in practice. I am optimistic and positive.
“I can move my arm, there’s no really huge discomfort right now which is good. The swelling is getting worse, it’s getting quite worse and worse every day. I booked my surgery on 26 April.”
Bjornsson’s doctor gave his take on the severity of the tear and explained what to expect ahead as he gears up for surgery.
“The tunnel external part of the pectoralis muscle there’s a huge tear here in the muscle. You can see some part of the tendon is underneath the muscle and goes towards the humerus, the humeral insertion, which should be here so it looks like you have quite a big tear in a region of the muscle and Pantone area so it won’t be easy to say until after the surgery how it is to repair completely,” said the doctor. “Difficult to say but I think the main thing is now that this happens soon, that you can go to the surgery as soon as possible so I think I’m almost certain that it’s possible to repair most of the tandem but I’m not sure how it’s completely.”
“Usually it will heal very well. It will heal with a certain amount of scar tissue and so you will have to have a good physiotherapist after the surgery two have a good range of motion and do a good exercise and also give it good time like six to 12 weeks to heal before you start doing heavy work.”
Hafthor Bjornsson’s injury appears to be a major one. Hopefully, he undergoes a successful surgery and gets back on track to full health sooner than later.
You can watch the full video below.
Published: 21 April, 2023 | 4:04 PM EDT
Hafthor Bjornsson On Pec Injury: ‘I Completely Tore My Upper Chest off The Bone’, Says ‘He Will Have To Have Surgery’
Having set extremely high goals for this year, Hafthor Bjornsson was excited to see how much progress he had made in the past few months. Aiming to break the All-Time Raw With Wraps World Record in powerlifting, Hafthor was dedicated to improving his squat, bench, and deadlift. However, at his most recent appearance, Hafthor suffered a gruesome injury during one of these events. While taking part in a Powerlifting competition at his home gym in Iceland, Hafthor loaded up 252.5 kilograms (556.7 pounds) for his final bench press attempt. Upon trying to control the bar down to his chest, Hafthor’s left pec muscle detached, resulting in chilling screams of pain. Having taken some time to reflect on the situation, Hafthor has now released updates for his fans.
One of the updates was posted on Instagram, while the other was shared on YouTube. On Instagram, Hafthor Bjornsson posted a picture of what his chest currently looks like. It is clear that his left pec is injured, as the skin has changed color to purple.
Related: Hafthor Björnsson Sets 20-Feet 3-Inches Weight Over Bar World Record at 2022 Rogue Invitational, Says “I Might Come Back”
Firstly, it is important to note that Hafthor Bjornsson has suffered multiple injuries throughout his career as a Strongman and powerlifter. So, he speaks with experience on the subject and estimates that his peck has completely detached from the bone.
“I believe I completely tore my chest, upper chest, off the bone. I will have to have surgery if that is the case”
If his assumption is correct, Hafthor Bjornsson will definitely have to undergo surgery. He has already scheduled an MRI which will reveal every detail of his injury.
Hafthor also revealed that this is the biggest injury of his career so far. However, judging by the remainder of his statement it seems that he will continue chasing his goals after the recovery process is finished.
“This is literally the biggest injury of my whole career. So, I got to tackle this”
The injury has also made it more difficult for Hafthor Bjornsson to carry out daily tasks. He is a left-handed person, but that arm is immobilized due to the pec tear. However, Hafthor used this chance to make some jokes.
“I have a difficult time wiping my a**. Putting my underwear on is difficult. You know, it’s life.”
Watch Hafthor Bjornsson’s video here:
Related: Hafthor Björnsson Drops The Bar on Himself After Squatting 340-kg (749.6-lb) For Two Reps; Avoids Serious Injuries
Hafthor Bjornsson ventured into boxing after conquering Strongman with a 2018 WSM victory and a 501-kilogram (1,104.5-pound) Deadlift World Record. In boxing, he managed to beat fellow Strongman, Eddie Hall, following which Bjornsson realized that lifting weights is his true passion.
Consequently, Hafthor Bjornsson decided to come back to powerlifting at the end of last year. Furthermore, he extended his goals for this year, aiming to set a new World Record this year, but that seems almost impossible at this time. Hafthor still refers to this injury as a “small setback“. So, he obviously already has his future planned out.
Published: 17 April, 2023 | 12:47 PM EDT
Video: Hafthor Bjornsson Tears His Pec During 252.5-kg (556.7-lb) Bench Press Attempt
It has been a few months since Hafthor Bjornsson announced that he was coming back to powerlifting. Initially, he only wanted to get back to lifting weights following his boxing venture, but that quickly grew into some much bigger goals. With the love for the sport reignited in him, Hafthor decided to try to break the All-Time Raw W/Wraps World Record Total by the end of 2023. He started putting on some weight and training professionally, which resulted in some impressive improvements. However, it seems that his exhibition will be cut short, or at least slowed down, since Hafthor just tore his pec muscle.
Wanting to test his strength and technique, Hafthor Bjornsson organized a powerlifting competition in his gym. The competition took place on April 15th, and lasted the entire day. Hafthor started off strong, but his day was ruined on the bench press. After successfully and easily locking out 230 kilograms (507.1 pounds) and 240 kilograms (529.1 pounds), Hafthor loaded 252.5 kilograms (556.7 pounds) for his final attempt.
Having never lifted this much weight before, Hafthor Bjornsson was eager to score a new competition PR. However, when he started to lower the 252.5 kilograms (556.7 pounds) down to his chest, his pec muscle torn. This resulted in a spine-chilling scream from the 2018 World’s Strongest Man, which only stopped after the spotters lifted the bar off him.
The video of the incident was shared by a Strongman promoter, Julian Howard, on Instagram. The footage clearly shows Hafthor’s pec muscle detaching, along with the sound of tearing.
Watch the video here:
Related: Hafthor Björnsson Drops The Bar on Himself After Squatting 340-kg (749.6-lb) For Two Reps; Avoids Serious Injuries
Hafthor Bjornsson will probably reveal the severity of the injury as soon as he completes all the necessary testing. However, pec tears can take months to recover, and it seems that Hafthor’s injury is very serious. So, it is likely that his ambitions of breaking the All-Time World Record will have to be prolonged.
Before tearing his pec, Hafthor Bjornsson had a relatively decent start to the competition. He squatted 380 kilograms (837.6 pounds) and 420 kilograms (925.9 pounds) on his first two attempts. Bjornsson then moved on to his third attempt of 445 kilograms (981 pounds) and crushed it. However, the third attempt was then disallowed because of his depth.
Hafthor Bjornsson also intended to return to Strongman in 2024, but this injury might affect those plans as well. Both Powerlifting and Strongman are notorious for their injuries. Hafthor’s risk was potentially even greater, seeing that he took two years off to train boxing. While doing that, Hafthor beat Eddie Hall in one of the heaviest fights in history. Shortly after the match, Hafthor realized that his love lies in strength sports.
The first thing Hafthor Bjornsson did after retiring from boxing was break a World Record in Strongman. He further improved his own Weight Over Bar record at the 2022 Rogue Invitational.
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson’s Powerlifting Career
Personal Bests
Equip
Squat
Bench
Deadlift
Total
Dots
Wraps
970
551.2
970
2425.1
551.79
Raw
474
1113.3
268.28
Competition Results
Place
Fed
Date
Competition
Division
Total
Dots
1
WRPF-Iceland
2018-12-15
Thors Powerlifting Challenge
Open
2425.1
551.79
Location
Iceland
Competition
Thors Powerlifting Challenge
Division
Open
Age
30
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
435.4
Squat
-925.9
970
-1014.1
970
Bench
518.1
540.1
551.2
551.2
Deadlift
859.8
903.9
-948
903.9
2
RAW-Iceland
2011-06-03
Íslandsmót
Open
2050.3
470.77
Location
Iceland
Competition
Íslandsmót
Division
Open
Age
22
Equipment
Wraps
Class
308.6
Weight
418.6
Squat
661.4
716.5
771.6
771.6
Bench
463
485
507.1
507.1
Deadlift
771.6
-837.8
-837.8
771.6
1
IKF
2010-09-22
Heildarúrslit
Open
474
110.15
Location
Iceland
Competition
Heildarúrslit
Division
Open
Age
21
Equipment
Raw
Class
308.6
Weight
398.6
Bench
440.9
474
-496
474
GLP
78.04
1
WPC-Iceland
2010-03-20
Icelandic Championships
Open
1113.3
268.28
Location
Iceland
Competition
Icelandic Championships
Division
Open
Age
21
Equipment
Raw
Class
308.6
Weight
346.2
Bench
330.7
352.7
385.8
385.8
Deadlift
617.3
683.4
727.5
727.5
1
RAW-Iceland
2010-02-27
Íslandsmót
Open
705.5
170.88
Location
Iceland
Competition
Íslandsmót
Division
Open
Age
21
Equipment
Raw
Class
308.6
Weight
339.5
Deadlift
617.3
661.4
705.5
-727.5
705.5
Data Source: Open Powerlifting. Last Updated: April 12, 2023
Analyze Lifts
Related: Hafthor Björnsson Inducted into The International Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2023
Hafthor Bjornsson has experienced multiple injuries during his career and successfully overcame them all. Hopefully he will do the same with this one and then continue where he left off. Bjornsson will undoubtedly soon come out with a statement revealing what the future has in store for him.
Published: 15 April, 2023 | 4:19 PM EDT
Strongman Brian Shaw Opens Up About Battle With Leg Cellulitis: “This Has Been Extremely Challenging For Me”
As Brian Shaw’s long and strenuous training for his finals World’s Strongest Man competition nears its end, he has taken to YouTube to share the details of his “Road to WSM”. Just a few days ago, Brian Shaw revealed that he faced a severe leg infection in January, which chained him to a hospital bed for several days. Yet in his latest video, Brian unveiled additional footage of himself in the hospital and the aftermath of his first workout upon returning to the gym. Additionally, he talked about the difficulties he has experienced as a result of this unexpected setback.
Brian Shaw did not think much of his infection and thought that he would only go to the hospital for a few hours and come back out. However, that extended to a grueling eight days in the hospital. Even during brief instances where Brian attempted to take a stroll, he had to endure intense discomfort.
“I really thought this would be a one day process… It has proved to be anything but that. So, what I am dealing with is a very bad case of cellulitis… It is extremely aggressive.”
Brian Shaw also revealed that his exact infection was a severe case of cellulitis. For those who are not familiar with this case, cellulitis is an infection which appears suddenly and quickly spreads through the body. It is also located in the deeper layers of the skin and tissue. So, swift prevention is absolutely necessary.
“We’ve tried a series of different antibiotics that I have had to use through an IV.”
The task of attaching multiple IV lines to Brian Shaw proved to be challenging due to his notably dense skin and muscle tissue. In addition, it was another painstaking procedure that Brian had to go through countless times. His forearms also became sore and solid from all the injections, even to the point where doctors were not able to poke them anymore.
“They poked me a few times to try to get more, but they just said that my veins are hard to poke with IVs and also my veins reject them.”
Brian Shaw admits that this has been a very difficult process for him, despite his positive attitude towards everything. In just a matter of days, he went from lifting enormous weights to barely being able to stand up. That shows how much the infection has affected him physically, but it was also mentally draining.
“This has been extremely challenging for me… taking my leg from an elevated position, going down to the ground, standing up, and going to the bathroom is right now unbelievably challenging and painful… Anything is maybe going to seem easy compared to that.”
In as little as two hours after his hospital departure, Brian Shaw was back at his gym, getting ready to train. Despite his eagerness for a fresh start, he remained uncomfortable and weak in every aspect of his preparation.
“I feel like complete garbage if I am being completely honest. I wasn’t able to eat like I normally would… No training, and I am a guy who has trained religiously since highschool… More of a break than I can remember in my entire lifting career.”
Despite his desire to immediately jump back to lifting heavy weights, Brian Shaw had to refrain from potentially making his condition worse. Clearly, after being ill for over a week, Brian found himself in a challenging situation.
“It is crazy how easy the training was two weeks ago… But, I know how quickly I can bounce back… This now is a win, even though it is such a miniscule session overall for me.”
Watch Brian Shaw’s video here:
Related: Brian Shaw Announces The 2023 Shaw Classic Lineup & Reveals It Will Be His Final Competition
Brian Shaw’s goal was to continue building momentum and get back into peak physical and mental shape before the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition. So, judging by his recent training session, it seems that he was successful.
If Brian wins his fifth WSM title this year, he will tie Mariusz Pudzianovski’s record and be recognized for one of the greatest comebacks in sports history. Just four more days remain until the competition starts and we see Brian perform.
Published: 15 April, 2023 | 11:35 AM EDT
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