Arnold Strongman Classic

The Arnold Strongman (which has been variously referred to as the "Arnold Classic", the "Arnold Classic Strongman", "Arnold's Summit" and "Arnold's Strongest Man") is one of the many offshoots of the Arnold festival. The Arnold Sports Festival, founded in 1989 as the Arnold Classic and named after Arnold Schwarzenegger, was originally a bodybuilding contest. It featured a competition for men (Arnold Classic) and for women (Ms. International). The bodybuilding contests have since expanded to include a Fitness International and Figure International competition for women. However, the event had also expanded to include other sports and events, one of which was a strongman, introduced in late 2002. This Strongman event was created by a powerlifter named Dr. Terry Todd at the request of Arnold Schwarzenegger.[1] The expansion of the programme led to the Classic becoming the Arnold Fitness Weekend and now the Arnold Sports Festival. According to the Arnold Sports Festival co-producer, Jim Lorimer: "The Arnold Strongman Classic has been growing in popularity every year, and we are very excited that many strong men are returning."[2] January 29, 2008

In 2002, the American professional wrestler and former weight lifter Mark Henry won the competition.[3] In addition to competing in what were the four official events — the Apollon's Wheel, the deadlift, the Hummer push and the 800+lbs Farmer's Walk — the 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. Five men chose to try the Bell[4] with Mark Henry winning the $1000 by pulling it to the level of his chest. Pfister raised the Inch Bell over his head with his right hand, to a standing ovation, but his lift was disqualified because he briefly stabilized the dumbbell with his left hand when it was on his knee and because he used a "continental clean" when raising the dumbbell to his chest.[5] Pfister was however also awarded $1000.

From 2003 to 2008 the Arnold Strongman was won every year by Žydrūnas Savickas of Lithuania (see Full results below). In 2008 he received a $40,000 check from Gerard Dente of MHP, an Audemars Piguet watch by Robert Ronan and the Louis Cyr trophy (after the legendary strongman, Louis Cyr) and congratulations from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. In the competition, 12 world records were set with Savickas setting three of them. In the Tire Deadlift he lifted 1,027 lbs. 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 lbs, three times.[2]

American Derek Poundstone won in 2009 & 2010. Derek took the vacant throne from Zydrunas when he took 2009 off from the competition. When Savickas returned in 2010, Derek retained his title by defeating Zydrunas.[2]

Just days before the 2011 contest, 2-time defending champion Derek Poundstone was forced to withdraw from the contest due to injury.[6] Brian Shaw came in and won the contest, and Mike Jenkins, the winner of the 2010 Arnold Strongman amateur event who was competing in his first ever professional strongman competition, shocked many and finished in second place ahead of 6 time champion Zydrunas Savickas who came in third.[7]

1. Timber Carry - In this event, also known as the Frame Carry, contestants lift 865 lb (392.4 kg) barn timbers bolted together and have to travel, typically up a ramp, as a far as possible in 30 seconds.
2. Atlas Stones - Contestants have to lift round stones weighing sometimes over 500 lb over a bar approximately 48 inches high.
3. Apollon's Axle - This is a unique barbell made famous by turn-of-the-century strongman Louis "Apollon" Uni. Reproduced by Ivanko Barbell Company, the Axle is replica of the original, weighing 366 lbs, with the same bar thickness as the original. The bar is mechanically fastened to reproduction train wheels.[8] Contestants must lift the wheels from the floor to overhead as many times as possible in two minutes.
4. Tire Deadlift - Contestants are required to lift a specially designed long bar weighted with tires. The Tire Deadlift bar was designed and manufactured by Ivanko Barbell Company and comprises a 13 ft. stainless steel bar and up to eight Hummer tires & rims.[8] Additional calibrated barbell plates may be added. The beginning weight was approx. 750 lb at the 2008 event.
5. The Super Yoke - In 2008 contestants had to carry across their shoulders a bar/yoke weighing 1,116 pounds for approximately 36 feet (11 m) in a timed event.
6. The Circus Dumbbell - This is the classic "Circus" dumbbell, used by professional Strongmen from the early 20th century. Richard Sorin reproduced the dumbbell for this event.[8] It weighs 202 lb and has a very big handle over 3 inches (76 mm) in diameter. The requirement in 2008 was to use one hand at a time and lift the dumbbell overhead as many times as possible in 90s.[2]

Arnold Strongman Classic-Europe

2012
The official logo of the Arnold Sports Festival
Tournament information
Location	varies, 2012 contest held in Madrid, Spain
Month played	October
Established	2012
Format	Multi-event competition
Purse	$10,000
Current champion
Zydrunas Savickas[32]

In 2012, the inaugural "Arnold Strongman Classic-Europe" contest was formed, and is a joint promotion between Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jim Lorimer (Arnold Sports Festival co-promoter), Dr. Rafael Santonja (president of the International Federation of Body Building, "IFBB") as well as American Strongman Corporation and Strongman Champions League.[33]

The "Arnold Strongman Classic-Europe" contest will differ significantly from the format of the original Arnold Strongman Classic event, with less of an emphasis on brute strength and heavy events, and will include a wider variety of events and some speed/loading events similar to Strongman Champions League and World's Strongest Man contests.[33] The format change is due largely in part to the event being broadcast and televised in 85 countries.[33]

2012: Arnold Strongman Classic-Europe

The 2012 contest was held in Madrid, Spain on Oct. 13 & 14, 2012, the event was sponsored by MHP.[33] The contest is included as part of the 2012 Strongman Champions League season, and competitors earned points towards the annual SCL overall title.[33] The inaugural contest was won by 6 time Arnold Strongman champion and reigning World's Strongest Man Zydrunas Savickas of Lithuania, who was also the 2012 SCL overall champion.[32]

Dates: October 13–14, 2012[32] Madrid, Spain

Position	Name	Country	Points	Prize
1.	Zydrunas Savickas	LTU	47	$10,000[32]
2.	Krzysztof Radzikowski	POL	44
3.	Vytautas Lalas	LTU	42.5
4.	Mike Burke	USA	37.5
5.	Mikhail Koklyaev	RUS	37
6.	Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson	ISL	36.5
7.	Mike Jenkins	USA	35
8.	Ervin Katona	SER	22
9.	Konstiantyn Ilin	UKR	16
10.	Lauri Nami	EST	14

2017: Arnold Strongman Classic-Europe

Position	Name	Country	Points
1.	Matjaz Belsak	SLO	53
2.	Krzysztof Radzikowski	POL	49
3.	Jerry Pritchett	USA	48
4.	Dimitar Savatinov	BUL	41
5.	Konstantine Janashia	GEO	40
6.	Dainis Zageris	LAT	33.5
7.	Justin Fisher	USA	32.5
8.	Jitse Kramer	NED	25
9.	Sigfus Fossdal	ISL	25
10.	Chris Alitz	USA	11
11.	Jiri Vytiska	CZE	8

2018: Arnold Strongman Classic-Europe

Position	Name	Country	Points
1.	Martins Licis	USA	59.5
2.	Matjaz Belsak	SLO	55
3.	Krzysztof Radzikowski	POL	50
4.	Dimitar Savatinov	BUL	49.5
5.	Jean-François Caron	CAN	45.5
6.	Jerry Pritchett	USA	41.5
7.	Jimmy Paquet	CAN	39.5
8.	Robert Cyrwus	POL	35.5
9.	Andrew Clayton	USA	25
10.	Jitse Kramer	NED	24.5
11.	Rauno Heinla	EST	24
12.	Sigfus Fossdal	ISL	22.5
13.	Karl Hjelholt	CAN	18
14.	Mateusz Ostaszewski	POL	2

2019: Arnold Strongman Classic-Europe

Position	Name	Country	Points
1.	Mateusz Kieliszkowski	POL	80.5
2.	Oleksii Novikov	UKR	78
3.	Jean-François Caron	CAN	71
4.	Mikhail Shivlyakov	RUS	64
5.	Jerry Pritchett	USA	57
6.	Jimmy Paquet	USA	55.5
7.	Brian Shaw	USA	51
8.	Aivars Smaukstelis	LAT	49
9.	Matjaz Belsak	SLO	47.5
10.	Rauno Heinla	EST	46
11.	Maxime Boudreault	CAN	43.5
12.	Aaron Page	UK	41
13.	Jitse Kramer	NED	38.5
14.	Nedzmin Ambeskovic	BIH	35.5
15.	Kim Gerhardt	SWE	32.5
16.	Brad Neitzel	USA	20.5
17.	Luke Reynolds	AUS	14

Arnold Strongman Classic Australia

2015
The official logo of the Arnold Sports Festival
Tournament information
Location	varies, 2015 contest held in Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Month played	October
Established	2015
Format	Multi-event competition
Purse	$10,000
Current champion
Rob Kearney

In 2015, the inaugural "Arnold Strongman Classic Australia" contest was formed, and is a joint promotion between Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jim Lorimer (Arnold Sports Festival co-promoter), Dr. Rafael Santonja (president of the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness, "IFBB") as well as Australian Strongman Corporation and Strongman Champions League.[34][35]

2015: Arnold Strongman Classic Australia

Position	Name	Country	Points
1.	Brian Shaw	USA	54.5
2.	Krysztof Radzikowski	POL	41.5
3.	Robert Oberst	USA	43
4.	Eddie Hall	UK	40
5.	Eben Le Roux	AUS	32
6.	Gerhard Van Staden	SA	28.5
7.	Rob Frampton	UK	25.5
8.	Danny Macri	AUS	16.5
9.	Ben Simpson	AUS	15
10.	Tristen O’Brien	SA	10.5

2016: Arnold Strongman Classic Australia

Position	Name	Country	Points
1.	Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson	ISL	44.5
2.	Krysztof Radzikowski	POL	34
3.	Zydrunas Savickas	LTU	33
4.	Eben Le Roux	AUS	24.5
5.	Colm Woulfe	NZL	18
6.	Luke Reynolds	AUS	13
7.	Rob Frampton	UK	11

2017: Arnold Strongman Classic Australia

Position	Name	Country	Points
1.	Brian Shaw	USA	38
2.	Mikhail Shivlyakov	RUS	33
3.	Jean-François Caron	CAN	32.5
4.	Rauno Heinla	EST	29.5
5.	Mateusz Kieliszkowski	POL	24.5
6.	Colm Woulfe	NZL	22
7.	Matthew Ragg	NZL	28
8.	Adam Derks	USA	13.5

2018: Arnold Strongman Classic Australia

Position	Name	Country	Points
1.	Rauno Heinla	EST	56
2.	Jean-François Caron	CAN	46
3.	Martins Licis	USA	45.5
4.	Matjaz Belsak	SLO	44
5.	Trey Mitchell	USA	43.5
6.	Dimitar Savatinov	BUL	43
7.	Rongo Keene	AUS	33.5
8.	Matthew Ragg	USA	23
9.	Eddie Williams	AUS	19.5
10.	Jean Stephen Coraboeuf	NZL	12.5
11.	Terry Hollands	UK	8.5 (injured)

2019: Arnold Strongman Classic Australia

Position	Name	Country	Points
1.	Rob Kearney	USA	57
2.	Matjaz Belsak	SLO	55
3.	Rauno Heinla	EST	52
4.	Mikhail Shivlyakov	RUS	50.5
5.	Eddie Williams	AUS	46.5
6.	Jerry Pritchett	USA	42.5
7.	Jimmy Paquet	CAN	37
8.	Dylan Lockard	USA	34.5
9.	Jitse Kramer	NED	31.5
10.	Rongo Keene	AUS	28.5
11.	Jean Stephen Coraboeuf	NZL	17.5

In 2010, the Arnold Amateur contest was formed by Dione Wessels.[36] The contest is open to amateur strongman competitors from all over the world. The winner of the contest receives their pro card, and an invite to the next year's Arnold Strongman Classic event.[36] Mike Jenkins won the inaugural contest in 2010,[36]Mateusz Baron from Poland was the 2011 winner,[37] and Adam Scherr was the 2012 winner.[38]

2010: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 7, 6 March 2010

Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)[36]

Position	Name	Country	Points
1.	Mike Jenkins	USA	58.14
2.	Mike Caruso	USA	56.10
3.	Alan Kleise	AUS	52.75
4.	Artis Plivda	LAT	50.85
5.	Ryan Bracewell	USA	49.14
6.	Johnathan Hughes	UK	48.26
7.	Brad Ardrey	USA	47.61
8.	Dainis Zageris	LAT	47.18
9.	Scott Cummine	CAN	44.32
10.	Paul Vaillancourt	CAN	36.22

2011: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 5, 6 March 2011

Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)[37]

Position	Name	Country	Points
1.	Mateusz Baron	POL	66.4
2.	Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson	ISL	56.9
3.	Mike Burke	USA	52
4.	Jacob Bodi	USA	51.8
5.	Tomas Rodriguez	USA	44
6.	Mikhail Shivlyakov	RUS	43.9
7.	Brad Ardrey	USA	43.7
8.	Paul Vaillancourt	CAN	42.8
9.	Oleksandr Lashyn	UKR	38.6
10.	Derek Devaughan	USA	32.2

2012: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 3, 4 March 2012

Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)[38]

Position	Name	Country	Points
1.	Adam Scherr	USA	64.2
2.	Mikhail Shivlyakov	RUS	54.7
3.	Tomas Rodriguez	USA	47.5
4.	Steve Schmidt	USA	46.0
5.	Jacob Bodi	USA	41.3
6.	Bartłomiej Bąk	POL	39.8
7.	Kenneth Nowicki	SCO	38.8
8.	Luke Skaarup	CAN	38.6
9.	Chad Kurian	USA	37.9
10.	Lauri Nami	EST	36.8

2013: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 1,2 March 2013

Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)[38]

Position	Name	Country	Points
1.	Mikhail Shivlyakov	RUS	59.9
2.	Jacob Bodi	USA	54.11
3.	Bartlomiej Bak	POL	53.48
4.	Lou Costa	USA	51.62
5.	Mateusz Ostaszewski	POL	49.33
6.	Tommy Miller	USA	47.45
7.	John Posen	USA	44.65
8.	Tomasz Ladermann	POL	42.66
9.	Dimitar Savatinov	BUL	41.11
10.	Brett Somerville	USA	37.33

2014: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 1,2 March 2014

Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)[38]

Position	Name	Country	Points
1.	Mateusz Kieliszkowski	POL	62.68
2.	Andrew Clayton	USA	56.35
3.	Ben Ruckstuhl	CAN	52.12
4.	Nicholas Lepperd	USA	49.35
5.	Alan Colley	USA	48.76
6.	Casey Garrison	USA	48.18
7.	John Posen	USA	44.76
8.	Michal Kopacki	POL	37.71
9.	Matt Mills	USA	36.97
10.	Tommy Miller	USA	36.24

2015: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 7,8 March 2015

Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)[38]

Position	Name	Country	Points
1.	Aleksandr Lysenko	RUS	50.85
2.	Bryan Benzel	USA	50.35
3.	Konstantine Janashia	GEO	48.69
4.	Rob Kearney	USA	44.53
5.	Luke Herrick	USA	39.23
6.	Evgenii Markov	RUS	39.12
7.	Markus Mannik	EST	38.77
8.	Michal Kopacki	POL	38.58
9.	Johan Espenkrona	SWE	36.45
10.	Vladimir Kalivichenko	RUS	33.35

2016: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 4, 5 March 2016

Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)[38]

Position	Name	Country	Points
1.	Zach Hadge	USA	45.63
2.	Evgenii Markov	RUS	43.00
3.	Mathew Ragg	NZ	42.50
4.	Mateusz Ostaszewski	POL	39.50
5.	Gabriel Pena	USA	39.50
6.	Steve Schmidt	USA	35.38
7.	Meelis Peil	EST	33.38
8.	Brian Fletcher	USA	33.13
9.	Jakub Szczechowski	POL	32.75
10.	Charles Mitchell	USA	32.75

2017: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 1,2 March 2017

Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)[38]

Position	Name	Country	Points
1.	Mateusz Ostaszewski	POL	51.85
2.	Oleksii Novikov	UKR	50.02
3.	Ramin Farajnezhad	IRN	45.56
4.	Jacob Fincher	USA	45.18
5.	Kenneth McClelland	USA	44.04
6.	Evgenii Markov	RUS	40.02
7.	Brian Fletcher	USA	38.71
8.	Josh Reynolds	USA	37.17
9.	Michael Schultze	USA	35.63
10.	Chad Kurian	USA	33.39

2018: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 2, 3 March 2018

Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)[38]

Position	Name	Country	Points
1.	Oleksii Novikov	UKR	54.4
2.	Evgenii Markov	RUS	52.2
3.	Josh Reynolds	USA	51.6
4.	Marcus Crowder	USA	46.2
5.	Brian Fletcher	USA	42.4
6.	Casey Shoe	USA	41.6
7.	Dylan Lockard	USA	39.2
8.	Anthony Fuhrman	USA	33.9
9.	Ryan Imbach	USA	32.7
10.	Mariusz Dorawa	POL	32.6

2019: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 2, 3 March 2019

Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

Position	Name	Country	Points
1.	Bobby Thompson	USA	54.38
2.	Marcus Crowder	USA	52.13
3.	Nathan Goltry	USA	48.50
4.	Konrad Karwat	POL	43.75
5.	Marcin Sendwicki	POL	43.63
6.	Alexander Kopp	USA	42.00
7.	Jose Baez	USA	39.13
8.	Kocherin Oleksandr	UKR	38.38
9.	Kordiyaka Pavlo	UKR	35.38
10.	Anthony Fuhman	USA	33.63

2020: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 7, 8 March 2020

Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

Position	Name	Country	Points
1.	Evgeny Markov	RUS	51.91
2.	Dmitrii Skosyrskii	RUS	48.53
3.	Gabriel Pena	USA	47.78
4.	Jose Baez	USA	47.03
5.	Konrad Karwat	POL	40.44
6.	Tyler Cotton	USA	38.44
7.	Stanley Cocker	NZL	36.59
8.	Cody Seminuk	CAN	36.38
9.	Alexander Kopp	USA	36.06
10.	Frederick Rheaume	CAN	32.56

• Official Arnold Strongman Classic website
• Arnold Sports Festival