Arnold Strongman Classic

Arnold Strongman Classic
Tournament information
2015
The official logo of the Arnold Sports Festival
Location	Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio
Month played	March
Established	2002
Format	Multi-event competition
Purse	$50,000
Current champion
Zydrunas Savickas

The Arnold Strongman Classic is an annual competition featuring strength athletes from all over the world. Created by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jim Lorimer, it is an offshoot of the Arnold Sports Festival which takes place annually in Columbus, Ohio, USA. Instead of focusing on endurance, speed and athleticism like the World's Strongest Man, the competition is geared toward the heaviest instruments in the world to find out who truly is the strongest man.

History

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 1999 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. In an impromptu exhibition, Pfister took the Inch Bell to his chest and jerked it for which he received a standing ovation and was awarded by Jim Lorimer $1000.

From 2003 to 2008 Žydrūnas Savickas of Lithuania won all Arnold strongman. In 2008 he received a $40,000 check from Gerard Dente of MHP, an Audemars Piquet 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.^[5] 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.^[6]

Past winners

Year	Champion	Runner-Up	3rd Place	Location
2016	Žydrūnas Savickas	Brian Shaw	Vytautas Lalas	Columbus, Ohio
2015	Brian Shaw	Žydrūnas Savickas	Mateusz Kieliszkowski	Columbus, Ohio
2014	Žydrūnas Savickas	Brian Shaw	Mike Burke	Columbus, Ohio
2013^{Note 3}	Vytautas Lalas	Brian Shaw	Mikhail Koklyaev	Columbus, Ohio
2012	Mike Jenkins	Derek Poundstone	Žydrūnas Savickas	Columbus, Ohio
2011^{Note 2}	Brian Shaw	Mike Jenkins	Žydrūnas Savickas	Columbus, Ohio
2010	Derek Poundstone	Žydrūnas Savickas	Travis Ortmayer	Columbus, Ohio
2009^{Note 1}	Derek Poundstone	Mikhail Koklyaev	Travis Ortmayer	Columbus, Ohio
2008	Žydrūnas Savickas	Derek Poundstone	Mikhail Koklyaev	Columbus, Ohio
2007	Žydrūnas Savickas	Vasyl Virastyuk	Andrus Murumets	Columbus, Ohio
2006	Žydrūnas Savickas	Vasyl Virastyuk	Mikhail Koklyaev	Columbus, Ohio
2005	Žydrūnas Savickas	Vasyl Virastyuk	Glenn Ross	Columbus, Ohio
2004	Žydrūnas Savickas	Svend Karlsen	Raimonds Bergmanis	Columbus, Ohio
2003	Žydrūnas Savickas	Svend Karlsen	Raimonds Bergmanis	Columbus, Ohio
2002	Mark Henry	Svend Karlsen	Phil Pfister	Columbus, Ohio

Total Wins

Name	Wins
Žydrūnas Savickas	8
Brian Shaw	2
Derek Poundstone	2
Vytautas Lalas	1
Mike Jenkins	1
Mark Henry	1

Notes

Defending champion and six time winner, Žydrūnas Savickas, did not compete in the 2009 event.
Two time defending champion Derek Poundstone withdrew prior to the contest due to injury in 2011.
Defending champion Mike Jenkins did not compete due to having knee surgery, and Žydrūnas Savickas also did not compete in 2013.

Regular events

Timber Lift - In this event, also known as the Farmer's 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.
Manhood Stones - Contestants have to lift round stones weighing sometimes over 500 lb over a bar approximately 48 inches high.
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.^[7] Contestants must lift the wheels from the floor to overhead as many times as possible in two minutes.
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.^[7] Additional calibrated barbell plates may be added. The beginning weight was approx. 750 lb at the 2008 event.
The Heavy 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.
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.^[7] 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 90 s.^[2]

Full results

2002: Arnold Classic Strongman Competition

Dates: 22, 23 February 2002^[8]^[9]

Columbus, Ohio:^[10]

Position	Name	Points	Prize
1.	Mark Henry	25	Hummer + $10,000
2.	Svend Karlsen	22.5	$15,000
3.	Phil Pfister	21.5	$10,000
4.	Mark Philippi	20	$5000
5.	Andy Bolton	16	$3500
5.	Raimonds Bergmanis	16	$3500
7.	Brad Gillingham	13	$2000
8.	Brian Schoonveld	10	$1000

2003: Arnold's Strength Summit

Dates: 28 February, 1 March 2003

Columbus, Ohio:^[11]

Position	Name	Points	Prize
1.	Žydrūnas Savickas	28.5	Hummer + $15 000
2.	Svend Karlsen	26.5	$15 000
3.	Raimonds Bergmanis	17.5	$10 000
4.	Mariusz Pudzianowski	15.5	$5000
5.	Steve Kirit	14.5	$4000
6.	Phil Pfister	14	$2500
6.	Zdeněk Sedmík	14	$2500
8.	Brad Gillingham	13.5	$1000

2004: Arnold's Strongest Man

Dates: 5, 6 March 2004

Columbus, Ohio:^[12]

Position	Name	Points	Prize
1.	Žydrūnas Savickas	43	Hummer H2 + $16 000
2.	Svend Karlsen	39.5	$15 000
3.	Raimonds Bergmanis	33.5	$12 000
4.	Mark Philippi	33	$6000
5.	Mariusz Pudzianowski	30	$5000
6.	Vasyl Virastyuk	27	$4000
7.	Brian Schoonveld	21	$3000
8.	Anders Johansson	20.5	$2000
9.	Steve Kirit	14.5	$1500
10.	István Árvai	13.5	$1000

2005: Arnold's Strongest Man

Dates: 4, 5 March 2005

Columbus, Ohio:^[13]

Position	Name	Points	Prize
1.	Žydrūnas Savickas	46	Hummer + $16,000
2.	Vasyl Virastyuk	41	$15,000
3.	Glenn Ross	39.5	$12,000
4.	Mark Philippi	35	$6000
5.	Brian Siders	34.5	$5000
6.	Svend Karlsen	33.5	$4000
7.	Van Hatfield	32	$3000
8.	Karl Gillingham	28	$2000
9.	Hugo Girard	23	$1500
10.	Magnus Samuelsson	14.5	$1000

2006: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 3, 4 March 2006

Columbus, Ohio:^[14]

Position	Name	Points	Prize
1.	Žydrūnas Savickas	53.5	Hummer
2.	Vasyl Virastyuk	45	?
3.	Mikhail Koklyaev	38.5	?
4.	Phil Pfister	37.5	?
5.	Benedikt Magnússon	35.5	?
6.	Mariusz Pudzianowski	35	?
7.	Brian Siders	32.5	?
8.	Raimonds Bergmanis	23.5	?
9.	Dominic Filiou	15.5	?
10.	Glenn Ross	13.5	?

2007: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 2–4 March 2007

Columbus, Ohio:^[15]

Position	Name	Points	Prize
1.	Žydrūnas Savickas	52	Hummer
2.	Vasyl Virastyuk	48	?
3.	Andrus Murumets	38.5	?
4.	Phil Pfister	36	?
5.	Mikhail Koklyaev	33	?
5.	Ołeksandr Pekanov	33	?
7.	Brian Siders	28.5	?
8.	Steve MacDonald	23	?
9.	Karl Gillingham	19	?
10.	Travis Ortmayer	17	?

2008: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 29 February, 1 March 2008

Columbus, Ohio:^[16]

Position	Name	Points	Prize
1.	Žydrūnas Savickas	50.5	$40,000
2.	Derek Poundstone	41.5	$20,000
3.	Mikhail Koklyaev	37	$15,000
4.	Andrus Murumets	36.5	$10,000
5.	Benedikt Magnússon	34	$7000
5.	Brian Siders	34	$7000
7.	Phil Pfister	32	$5000
8.	Ołeksandr Pekanov	28	$3000
9.	Van Hatfield	24	$2000
10.	Vasyl Virastyuk	8.5 (injured)	$1000

2009: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 6, 7 March 2009

Columbus, Ohio:^[17]

Position	Name	Points	Prize
1.	Derek Poundstone	47	$40,000
2.	Mikhail Koklyaev	46	$20,000
3.	Travis Ortmayer	39.5	$15,000
4.	Vidas Blekaitis	38	$10,000
5.	Phil Pfister	36.5	$8000
6.	Brian Siders	34	$6000
7.	Andrus Murumets	32	$5000
8.	Ervin Katona	29	$3000
9.	Ołeksandr Pekanov	17	$2000
10.	Dave Ostlund	10	$1000

2010: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 5, 6 March 2010

Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)^[18]

Position	Name	Points	Prize
1.	Derek Poundstone	45	$45,000
2.	Zydrunas Savickas	41	$20,000
3.	Travis Ortmayer	37.5	$15,000
4.	Mikhail Koklyaev	37	$10,000
5.	Brian Shaw	33	$8000
6.	Dave Ostlund	22.5	$6000
7.	Phil Pfister	20.5	$5000
8.	Konstiantyn Ilin	17	$3000
9.	Nick Best	13	$2000
10.	Brian Siders	8.5	$1000

2011: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 4, 5 March 2011

Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)^[19]

Position	Name	Points	Prize
1.	Brian Shaw	46.5	$50,000^[6]
2.	Mike Jenkins	39.5	$20,000
3.	Zydrunas Savickas	37.5	$15,000
4.	Travis Ortmayer	36	$10,000
5.	Mikhail Koklyaev	30	$8000
6.	Mark Felix	24.5	$6000
7.	Nick Best	20	$5000
8.	Terry Hollands	18	$3000
9.	Serhiy Romanchuk	17	$2000

2012: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 2, 3 March 2012^[20]

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

Position	Name	Points	Prize
1.	Mike Jenkins	40	$50,000
2.	Derek Poundstone	39	$20,000
3.	Zydrunas Savickas	36.5	$15,000
4.	Brian Shaw	36	$10,000
5.	Mike Burke	27.5	$8000
6.	Mikhail Koklyaev	26	$6000
7.	Laurence Shahlaei	22.5	$5000
8.	Terry Hollands	19	$3000
9.	Travis Ortmayer	15	$2000
10.	Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson	13.5	$1000

2013: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 1, 2 March 2013^[21]

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

Position	Name	Points	Prize
1.	Vytautas Lalas	35	$60,000
2.	Brian Shaw	34.5	$20,000
3.	Mikhail Koklyaev	30	$15,000
4.	Krzysztof Radzikowski	26	$10,000
5.	Mike Burke	21.5	$8,000
6.	Mark Felix	20.5	$6,000
7.	Jerry Pritchett	18.5	$5,000
8.	Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson	17	$3,000
9.	Derek Poundstone	11	$2,000
10.	Adam Scherr	1	$1,000

2014: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 1, 2 March 2014^[22]^[23]

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

Position	Name	Points	Prize
1.	Zydrunas Savickas	44.5	$65,000
2.	Brian Shaw	42.5	$20,000
3.	Mike Burke	35	$15,000
4.	Vytautas Lalas	32	$10,000
5.	Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson	26.5	$8,000
6.	Jerry Pritchett	25.5	$6,000
7.	Mikhail Shivlykov	23	$5,000
8.	Robert Oberst	20	$3,000
9.	Dimitar Savatinov	16.5	$2,000
10.	Krzysztof Radzikowski	5.5 (injured)	$1,000

2015: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 7, 8 March 2015^[24]^[25]

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

Position	Name	Points	Prize
1.	Brian Shaw	42.5	$70,000
2.	Zydrunas Savickas	41.5	$20,000
3.	Mateusz Kieliszkowski	31	$15,000
4.	Dimitar Savatinov	30	$10,000
4.	Mike Burke	30	$8,000
6.	Eddie Hall	29	$6,000
7.	Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson	28	$5,000
8.	Jerry Pritchett	26	$3,000
9.	Benedikt Magnusson	5	$2,000
10.	Warrick Brant	4 (injured)	$1,000

2016: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 4, 5 March 2016^[26]

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

Position	Name	Points	Prize
1.	Zydrunas Savickas	42	$72,000
2.	Brian Shaw	41	$22,000
3.	Vytautas Lalas	36	$17,000
4.	Mateusz Kieliszkowski	33.5	$12,000
5.	Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson	32.5	$10,000
6.	Jerry Pritchett	24.5	$7,000
7.	Mikhail Shivlykov	22.5	$6,000
8.	Dimitar Savatinov	18.5	$4,000
9.	Eddie Hall	11 (injured)	$3,000
10.	Aleksandr Lysenko	10.5	$2,000

Arnold Strongman Classic-Europe

Arnold Strongman Classic-Europe
Tournament information
2012
The official logo of the Arnold Sports Festival
Location	varies, 2012 contest held in Madrid, Spain
Month played	October
Established	2012
Format	Multi-event competition
Purse	$10,000
Current champion
Zydrunas Savickas^[27]

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.^[28]

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.^[28] The format change is due largely in part to the event being broadcast and televised in 85 countries.^[28]

2012: Arnold Strongman Classic-Europe

The 2012 contest was held in Madrid, Spain on Oct. 13 & 14, 2012, the event was sponsored by MHP.^[28] The contest is included as part of the 2012 Strongman Champions League season, and competitors earned points towards the annual SCL overall title.^[28] 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.^[27]

Dates: Oct. 13, 14 2012^[27] Madrid, Spain

Position	Name	Points	Prize
1.	Zydrunas Savickas	47	$10,000^[27]
2.	Krzysztof Radzikowski	44
3.	Vytautas Lalas	42.5
4.	Mike Burke	37.5
5.	Mikhail Koklyaev	37
6.	Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson	36.5
7.	Mike Jenkins	35
8.	Ervin Katona	22
9.	Konstiantyn Ilin	16
10.	Lauri Nami	14

Arnold Strongman Classic Australia

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

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.^[29]^[30]

Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

In 2010, the Arnold Amateur contest was formed by Dione Wessels.^[31] 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.^[31] Mike Jenkins won the inaugural contest in 2010,^[31]Mateusz Baron from Poland was the 2011 winner,^[32] and Adam Scherr was the 2012 winner.^[33]

2010: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 7, 6 March 2010

Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)^[31]

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

2011: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 5, 6 March 2011

Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)^[32]

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