Arnold Strongman Classic

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 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. 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." January 29, 2008

In 2002 the American professional wrestler and former weight lifter Mark Henry won the competition. 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 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 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.

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.

Just days before the 2011 contest, 2 time defending champion Derek Poundstone was forced to withdraw from the contest due to injury. 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.

Past winners

Total Wins

Notes

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

Regular events

1. 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.
2. Manhood 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. 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. Additional calibrated barbell plates may be added. The beginning weight was approx. 750 lb at the 2008 event.
5. 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.
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. 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.

2002: Arnold Classic Strongman Competition

Dates: 22, 23 February 2002

Columbus, Ohio:

2003: Arnold's Strength Summit

Dates: 28 February, 1 March 2003

Columbus, Ohio:

2004: Arnold's Strongest Man

Dates: 5, 6 March 2004

Columbus, Ohio:

2005: Arnold's Strongest Man

Dates: 4, 5 March 2005

Columbus, Ohio:

2006: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 3, 4 March 2006

Columbus, Ohio:

2007: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 2–4 March 2007

Columbus, Ohio:

2008: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 29 February, 1 March 2008

Columbus, Ohio:

2009: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 6, 7 March 2009

Columbus, Ohio:

2010: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 5, 6 March 2010

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

2011: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 4, 5 March 2011

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

2012: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 2, 3 March 2012

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

2013: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 1, 2 March 2013

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

2014: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 1, 2 March 2014

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

2015: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 7, 8 March 2015

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

2016: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 4, 5 March 2016

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

Arnold Strongman Classic-Europe

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.

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

2012: Arnold Strongman Classic-Europe

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

Dates: Oct. 13, 14 2012 Madrid, Spain

Arnold Strongman Classic Australia

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.

Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

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

2010: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 7, 6 March 2010

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

2011: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 5, 6 March 2011

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

2012: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 3, 4 March 2012

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

2013: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 1,2 March 2013

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

2014: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 1,2 March 2014

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

2015: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 7,8 March 2015

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

2016: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 4-6, March 2016

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