2012 WSM - Spoilers!

Big Z makes a comeback and wins WSM for the third time. T-Nation’s own Mike Jenkins comes in 5th. Full results below;

Super happy for Big Z. This has to cement him as the best of all time. I can’t think of another strongman that has had his kind of durability, just amazing.

Ummm… he’s won it three times. Not sure that makes him the best of all time though.

Mariusz Pudzianowski: 5 times
Jón Páll Sigmarsson: 4 times
Magnús Ver Magnússon: 3 times
Bill Kazmaier: 3 times

Big Z is awesome! Best strongman ever, and an unbelievable athlete, still going on 20+ years after he started(circa 1993).
He did beat them all, and when he lost to some, came back and beat them again. 10+ years at the TOP of his sport… nobody even come close… World Records in many events, countless titles at IFSA, Arnold’s, SCL, WSM and more…

Completed contests 2012 World’s Strongest Man â?? Commerce Casino, Los Angeles â?? 1st place (10/1/2012)
Strongman Champions League â?? Gibralter â?? winner (9/2/2012)
Strongman Champions League â?? Trzebnica, Poland â?? winner *tie w/Mikhail Koklyaev (8/18/2012)
Strongman Champions League â?? Alaharma, Finland â?? winner (8/11/2012)
Strongman Champions League â?? Oporto, Portugal â?? winner (7/21/2012)
Strongman Champions League SCL World Shanghai Cup â?? Jiangsu, China â?? winner (7/8/2012)
Strongman Champions League â?? Zevenaar, Holland â?? winner (6/30/2012)
Europe’s Strongest Man â?? Leeds, England â?? winner (6/23/2012)
Strongman Champions League FIBO â?? Germany â?? winner (4/22/2012)
Strongman Champions League Iceman Challenge III â?? Kuusamo, Finland â?? winner (3/17/2012)
Arnold Strongman Classic â?? Columbus, Ohio â?? 3rd place (3/10/2012)
Strongman Champions League 2011 SCL Finals â?? Sarajevo, Bosnia â?? winner (2/7/2012)
Strongman Champions League â?? Latvia â?? winner (11/19/2011)
Strongman Champions League SCL 2011 Semi-finals â?? Canada â?? winner (10/8/2011)
2011 World’s Strongest Man â?? Wingate University, North Carolina â?? 2nd place (9/6/2011)
Strongman Champions League FIBO â?? Germany â?? winner (4/16/2011)
Strongman Champions League Iceman Challenge II â?? Kuusamo, Finland â?? winner (3/26/2011)
Arnold Strongman Classic â?? Columbus, Ohio â?? 3rd place (3/12/2011)
World Log Lift Championships â?? Vilnius, Lithuania â?? winner (2/12/2011)
Giants Live â?? Istanbul, Turkey â?? winner (10/16/2010)
2010 World’s Strongest Man â?? Sun City, South Africa â?? winner (9/22/2010)
Europe’s Strongest Man â?? London, England â?? winner (6/16/2010)
Strongman Champions League â?? Limerick, Ireland â?? winner *tie w/Terry Hollands(6/6/2010)
Strongman Champions League Iceman Challenge â?? Kuusamo, Finland â?? winner (3/21/2010)
Arnold Strongman Classic â?? Columbus, Ohio â?? 2nd place (3/6/2010)
Strongman Champions League- Kiev,Ukraine -winner (11/14/2009)
Strongman Champions League- Budapest,Hungary - winner (10/31/2009)
Strongman Champions League- London,England - winner (10/18/2009)
2009 World’s Strongest Man- Valletta, Malta-winner (10/03/2009)
Fortissimus Louis Cyr World Strength Challenge â?? Quebec, Canada â?? winner (6/28/2009)
World Log Lift Championships â?? Vilnius, Lithuania â?? winner (11/16/2008)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? Jonava, Lithuania â?? winner (9/13/2008)
Strongman Champions League, Finland GP â?? Kokkola, Finland â?? 2nd place (8/30/2008)
Lithuanian Teams Superleague â?? Final â?? Marijampolė, Lithuania â?? winner (8/23/2008)
Strongman Champions League, Romania GP â?? Constanța, Romania â?? winner (8/21/2008)
Worlds Strongest Nation, 4 Man Teams â?? Crimea, Ukraine â?? winner (8/6-9/2008)
Biržai International Tournament â?? Biržai, Lithuania â?? winner (8/3/2008)
European Cup â?? Staszów, Poland â?? winner (8/1/2008)
Baltic Teams Championships â?? Ukmergė, Lithuania â?? winner (7/27/2008)
Strongman Champions League, Lithuania GP â?? Vilnius, Palanga, Lithuania â?? winner (7/18-19/2008)
Lithuanian Teams Superleague â?? III Leg â?? BirÅ¡tonas, Lithuania â?? winner (7/6/2008)
Fortissimus Louis Cyr World Strength Challenge â?? Quebec, Canada â?? 2nd place (6/30/2008)
Strongman Champions League, Bulgaria GP â?? Sofia, Bulgaria â?? 2nd place (6/21/2008)
Lithuanian Teams Superleague â?? II Leg â?? Alytus, Lithuania â?? winner (6/14/2008)
Strongman Champions League, Holland GP â?? Varsseveld, Holland â?? winner (6/1/2008)
Lithuanian Teams Superleague â?? I Leg â?? Å iauliai, Lithuania â?? winner (5/17/2008)
Strongman Champions League, Serbia GP â?? Subotica, Serbia â?? winner (5/10/2008)
Poland Strongman contest â?? Labiszyn, Poland â?? 2nd place (5/3/2008)
Strongman Champions League, Latvia GP â?? Riga, Latvia â?? winner (3/22/2008)
Arnold Strongman Classic â?? Columbus, Ohio, USA â?? winner (3/2/2008)
Team Lithuania vs Team World â?? Vilnius, Lithuania â?? winner (10/27/2007)
IFSA World â?? 2 Man Team Championships â?? Vilnius, Lithuania â?? winner (10/7/2007)
IFSA World Championships â?? Geumsan, South Korea â?? 3rd place (9/12-15/2007)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? IV Final Leg â?? Ukmergė, Lithuania â?? winner (8/12/2007)
Worlds Strongest Nation, 4 Man Teams â?? Kiev, Ukraine â?? 4th place (8/3-6/2007)
IFSA Lithuania GP â?? Klaipėda, Lithuania â?? winner (7/28/2007)
Team USA vs Team World â?? Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA â?? 2nd place (7/3/2007)
Biržai International Tournament â?? Biržai, Lithuania â?? winner (6/23/2007)
Eura Open â?? ???, Finland â?? winner (7/7/2007)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? II Leg â?? Palanga, Lithuania â?? winner (6/9/2007)
Baltic Teams Championships â?? Panevėžys, Lithuania â?? winner (5/26/2007)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? I Leg â?? Å iauliai, Lithuania â?? winner (5/12/2007)
Arnold Strongman Classic â?? Columbus, Ohio, USA â?? winner (3/4/2007)
IFSA World Championships â?? Reykjavik, Iceland â?? winner (11/24-25/2006)
Lithuania vs USA â?? Vilnius, Lithuania â?? winner (10/13/2006)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? IV Leg, Final â?? Panevėžys, Lithuania â?? winner (9/10/2006)
Lithuania Grand Prix â?? Marijampolė, Lithuania â?? winner (8/19/2006)
Lithuania vs World â?? Klaipėda, Lithuania â?? winner (8/12/2006)
Biržai International Tournament â?? Biržai, Lithuania â?? winner (8/5/2006)
Worlds Strongest Nation, 4 Man Teams â?? Kiev, Ukraine â?? 2nd place (8/1-3/2006)
Latvia Grand Prix â?? Riga, Latvia â?? winner
BirÅ¡tonas International Tournament Nemuno Galiūnas â?? BirÅ¡tonas, Lithuania â?? winner (7/18/2006)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? III Leg â?? Alytus, Lithuania â?? winner (6/17/2006)
Holland Grand Prix â?? ???, Holland â?? winner (6/12/2006)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? II Leg â?? Jonava, Lithuania â?? winner (6/3/2006)
Baltic Teams Championships â?? Mažeikiai, Lithuania â?? winner (5/27/2006)
World Strongman Challenge â?? Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA â?? winner (5/21/2006)
Russia Grand Prix â?? Russia â?? 2nd place (5/17/2006)
Dubai Grand Prix â?? Dubai â?? winner (4/22-24/2006)
Arnold Strongman Classic â?? Columbus, Ohio, USA â?? winner (3/4/2006)
IFSA World Team Championships â?? Sint Maarten â?? winner/Team Europe (12/14-15/2005)
Worlds Strongest Nation, 4 Man Teams â?? Sevastopol, Ukraine â?? winner (10/21-24/2005)
IFSA Strongman World Championships â?? Quebec, Canada â?? winner (9/24-25/2005)
International Cekol Cup â?? Å iauliai, Lithuania â?? winner (8/27/2005)
The Strongman of Suvalkija â?? Marijampolė, Lithuania â?? winner (8/6/2005)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? IV Leg, Final â?? Tauragė, Lithuania â?? winner (7/30/2005)
IFSA Strongman European Championships â?? Riga, Latvia â?? winner (7/16-17/2005)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? II Leg â?? BirÅ¡tonas, Lithuania â?? winner (7/6/2005)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? I Leg â?? Jonava, Lithuania â?? winner (6/23/2005)
IFSA Russia Grand Prix â?? ???, Russia â?? winner (6/5/2005)
IFSA Hungary Grand Prix â?? Szeged, Hungary â?? winner (5/3/2005)
Arnold Strongman Classic â?? Columbus, Ohio, USA â?? winner (3/4/2005)
Strongman Super Series â?? Gothenburg, Sweden â?? 2nd place (12/5/2004)
2004 World’s Strongest Man â?? Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas â?? 2nd place (10/1-3/2004)
IFSA World 2 Man Team Championships â?? Płock, Poland â?? 2nd place (9/5/2004)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? Biržai, Lithuania â?? winner (8/27/2004)
Europe’s Strongest Man â?? Jelenia Gora, Poland â?? 3rd place (7/25/2004)
All Strength World Cup â?? Riga, Latvia â?? winner (7/16-18/2004)
Strongman Super Series â?? Moscow, Russia â?? 2nd place (7/10-11/2004)
International Cekol Cup â?? Å iauliai, Lithuania â?? winner (7/3-4/2004)
Baltic Championships â?? Jūrmala, Latvia â?? 2nd place (5/30/2004)
World Muscle Power Championships â?? Canada â?? 3rd place (6/5-6/2004)
Arnold Strongman Classic â?? Columbus, Ohio, USA â?? winner (3/5-6/2004)
Strongman Super Series â?? Holland â?? 2nd place (11/29/2003)
America vs Europe â?? Atlanta, Georgia, USA (11/7/2003)
2003 World’s Strongest Man â?? Victoria Falls, Zambia â?? 2nd place (9/20-30/2003)
Strongman Super Series â?? Imatra, Finland â?? 7th place (8/24/2003)
Strongman Super Series â?? North Bay, Canada â?? 4th place (8/2/2003)
Europe’s Strongest Man â?? Sandomierz, Poland â?? 4th place (7/5-6/2003)
World Strong Man Super Series â?? Silvolde, Holland â?? 2nd place (6/16/2003)
Arnold Strongman Classic â?? Columbus, Ohio, USA â?? winner (3/5-6/2003)
Strongman Super Series â?? Hawaii, USA â?? 3rd place (1/19/2003)
Strongman Super Series 2002 Finals â?? Hawaii, USA â?? 2nd place (1/18/2003)
World Hammer Strength Strong Man Super Series â?? Stockholm, Sweden â?? 3rd place (11/23/2002)
China Grand Prix â?? Guangzhou, China â?? 3rd place (10/18-21/2002)
2002 World’s Strongest Man â?? Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia â?? 2nd place (9/14-24/2002)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? KupiÅ¡kis, Lithuania â?? winner (7/27-28/2002)
Faroe Grand Prix â?? Faroe Islands â?? 3rd place (4/26-27/2002)
Maarianhamina GP â?? Maarianhamina, Finland â?? 4th place (??/??/2002)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? III Leg â?? Biržai, Lithuania â?? winner and 2nd place overall (7/21/2001)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? II Leg â?? BirÅ¡tonas, Lithuania â?? winner (7/7/2001)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? I Leg â?? Mažeikiai, Lithuania â?? 4th place (6/26/2001)
Olympic Strongest Team â?? Siofok, Hungary â?? 2nd place (6/23-24/2001)
Beauty and the Beast â?? Hawaii, USA â?? 6th place (6/2/2001)
Baltic Teams Championships â?? Riga, Latvia â?? 2nd place (5/27/2001)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? IV Leg, Final â?? Panevėžys, Lithuania â?? winner (9/9/2000)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? III Leg â?? Å iluva, Lithuania â?? winner (9/2/2000)
The Strongman of Suvalkija â?? Marijampolė, Lithuania â?? 2nd place (8/19/2000)
2000 World’s Strongest Man â?? Sun City, South Africa â?? Did Not Qualify (8/3-5/2000)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? II Leg â?? Biržai, Lithuania â?? winner (7/15/2000)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? I Leg â?? BirÅ¡tonas, Lithuania â?? 2nd place (7/7/2000)
European Teams Championships â?? Rosenheim, Germany â?? 2nd place (5/13/2000)
Hercules Cup â?? Å iauliai, Lithuania â?? 2nd place (3/18/2000)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? Final â?? Klaipėda, Lithuania â?? winner (12/29/1999)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? II Leg â?? Mažeikiai, Lithuania â?? 2nd place (10/16/1999)
Lithuanian Teams Championships â?? KaiÅ¡iadorys, Lithuania â?? winner (9/4/1999)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? I Leg â?? Panevėžys, Lithuania â?? winner (8/28/1999)
The Strongman of Suvalkija â?? Marijampolė, Lithuania â?? 2nd place (8/14/1999)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? Final â?? Klaipėda, Lithuania â?? 2nd place and 1st overall (12/27/1998)
1998 World’s Strongest Man â?? Tangier, Morocco â?? Did Not Qualify (10/5-20/1998)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? II Leg â?? Å iauliai, Lithuania â?? winner (8/22/1998)
Hercules Cup â?? Å iauliai, Lithuania â?? winner (8/22/1998)
The Strongman of Suvalkija â?? Marijampolė, Lithuania â?? winner (8/15/1998)
Lithuanian Teams Championships â?? Panevėžys, Lithuania â?? 2nd place (8/6/1998)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? I Leg â?? Klaipėda, Lithuania â?? 2nd place (7/11/1998)
The Strongman of Suvalkija â?? Marijampolė, Lithuania â?? 5th place (8/16/1997)
Lithuania Grand Prix â?? Klaipėda, Lithuania â?? 6th place (7/19/1997)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? Final â?? Panevėžys, Lithuania â?? 2nd place (6/14/1997)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? I Leg â?? Klaipėda, Lithuania â?? 3rd place (6/7/1997)
Lithuania Grand Prix â?? Vilnius, Panevėžys, Klaipėda, Lithuania â?? 5th place (7/4-6/1996)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man â?? Klaipėda, Lithuania â?? 3rd place (6/1-2/1996)
Lithuanian Teams Championships â?? Panevėžys, Lithuania â?? 3rd place (1/20/1996)
Hercules Cup â?? Å iauliai, Lithuania â?? 3rd place (11/18/1995)
Toughest Lithuanian Strongman â?? JoniÅ¡kis, Lithuania â?? 13th place (2/27/1993)
Toughest Lithuanian Strongman â?? JoniÅ¡kis, Lithuania

Edited

I’m still going to put my vote in for Kaz as GOAT. After he won in 1982 they didn’t invite him to compete in WSM until 1988, when he came in second and would have won except for getting DQ’d for moving his hands in the sausage forward hold (gaaaaaaay).

[quote]doomantia wrote:
Ummm… he’s won it three times. Not sure that makes him the best of all time though.

Mariusz Pudzianowski: 5 times
J�³n P�¡ll Sigmarsson: 4 times
Magn�ºs Ver Magn�ºsson: 3 times
Bill Kazmaier: 3 times[/quote]

Here is why he’s the best ever;

WSM: 3 wins, 4 seconds

Arnold Classic: 6 wins

IFSA Worlds: 2 wins

Log worlds: 3 wins

Guy has been competing on a world class level for over 14 years. Has racked up over 60 other SCL, Super Series, Giants Live, IFSA, ETC wins. He’s dominated everyone else in static events, especially overhead. Let’s not forget, he wasn’t even able to compete at WSM for several years due to his IFSA contract. Nobody else has those credentials.

Love Zydrunas.

Kaz will always be the greatest strongman to ever live in my book though. He would have won a lot more than three if they’d let him compete.

[quote]doomantia wrote:
Ummm… he’s won it three times. Not sure that makes him the best of all time though.

Mariusz Pudzianowski: 5 times
J�?�³n P�?�¡ll Sigmarsson: 4 times
Magn�?�ºs Ver Magn�?�ºsson: 3 times
Bill Kazmaier: 3 times[/quote]

I’m curious as to how closely/how long you’ve been following strongman? Three of Pudzianowski’s wins were during the IFSA split, when the best competitors weren’t competing in WSM. Monopoly’s already listed Zydrunas’ resume in terms of his wins, but with the way competition has evolved, Zydrunas would would in all likelihood smash Jon Pall or Magnus Ver (who has 4 WSM victories, by the way, not 3) in their primes.

Since we were robbed of seeing Kaz’ prime in the early/mid 80’s we’ll never know, but considering that Kaz himself called Z the best ever year ago, and he has since added to his resume, that’s pretty compelling.

[quote]Monopoly19 wrote:
Big Z makes a comeback and wins WSM for the third time. T-Nation’s own Mike Jenkins comes in 5th. Full results below;

Super happy for Big Z. This has to cement him as the best of all time. I can’t think of another strongman that has had his kind of durability, just amazing. [/quote]

What happened to Poundstone?

Was he injured and didn’t enter?

[quote]

What happened to Poundstone?

Was he injured and didn’t enter?[/quote]
�rsjö beat him in the heats

[quote]Rubsu wrote:

[quote]

What happened to Poundstone?

Was he injured and didn’t enter?[/quote]
�?rsj�¶ beat him in the heats[/quote]

Arsjo wasn’t in Poundstone’s heat. Zydrunas and JF Caron (CAN) got the two qualifying spots in Poundstone’s heat

dont get why people call Z the best of all time. sure he is strong, and i know it lies in the name but is raw strength really what this sport is all about?

what about speed, athleticism, endurance and using your strength correctly, in my opinion thats what you see with people like gary taylor and jon pall.

not just lifting a barbell maybe 5 inches off the floor and wobbling off the stage with a huge gut. challenges like when two competitors where in a circular ring lift a big log and use it to push the other competitor out. throwing a weight above a height. lifting 5 atlas stones within a time limit

not only do i find it more impressive to watch, but to actually do it and emerge the victor would be an amazing feeling.

[quote]buildsomemuscle wrote:
dont get why people call Z the best of all time. sure he is strong, and i know it lies in the name but is raw strength really what this sport is all about?

what about speed, athleticism, endurance and using your strength correctly, in my opinion thats what you see with people like gary taylor and jon pall.

not just lifting a barbell maybe 5 inches off the floor and wobbling off the stage with a huge gut. challenges like when two competitors where in a circular ring lift a big log and use it to push the other competitor out. throwing a weight above a height. lifting 5 atlas stones within a time limit

not only do i find it more impressive to watch, but to actually do it and emerge the victor would be an amazing feeling.

[/quote]

I question how much of Zydrunas you’ve even seen.

Yes wow, what a fattie

It would be cool to see all the best strongmen from whatever era they were in, at their best, all in one comp. I’d give my right arm to see that lol

[quote]csulli wrote:

[quote]buildsomemuscle wrote:
dont get why people call Z the best of all time. sure he is strong, and i know it lies in the name but is raw strength really what this sport is all about?

what about speed, athleticism, endurance and using your strength correctly, in my opinion thats what you see with people like gary taylor and jon pall.

not just lifting a barbell maybe 5 inches off the floor and wobbling off the stage with a huge gut. challenges like when two competitors where in a circular ring lift a big log and use it to push the other competitor out. throwing a weight above a height. lifting 5 atlas stones within a time limit

not only do i find it more impressive to watch, but to actually do it and emerge the victor would be an amazing feeling.

[/quote]

I question how much of Zydrunas you’ve even seen.[/quote]

Exactly. Comments like these barely warrant a response, but just for anyone else who comes along … People call him the best ever because from '05 - '10 he only took second in a major show once. He won EVERYTHING else that was worth winning at that time. People make silly mistakes all the time, like thinking that Zydrunas isn’t athletic by this sport’s standards. You ask about throwing a weight for height - Zydrunas had the fastest time of anyone in this year’s heats with the keg toss. He won the medicine ball for height at the Arnold in ‘05. He has plenty of speed, as evidenced by his IFSA WR in the heavy yoke. Really, there are just too many examples to point out, what do you want to see? I actually question how much strongman in general you’ve seen, you talk about the pole push, but i can only recall seeing that in team worlds in 05 and I think 105kg worlds in 05 - so is it Zydrunas’ fault that’s not in the competitions?