I have posted about strongman before and I often have links to useful sites. If you’re interested, check out my top 10 website resources for strongman. I also love watching World’s Strongest Man on television – it’s probably the highlight of my televiewing year – and I enjoy using strongman equipment in my workouts, especially when the weather is nice and I can use the garden.
And not only has it been an enjoyable experience for me, training wise, it’s produced some fun blog posts too, including:
- how to make simple farmers’ walk bars;
- how to make (more complicated) farmer’s walk bars;
- how to make a cheap sandbag;
- training with sandbags (lifting and loading);
- how to make a fat bar (for axle deadlifts, cleans and presses).
However, please note that I don’t compete and I don’t profess to any inside knowledge. That aside, I hope you enjoy this article.
Review of the 1985 and 1986 Worlds’ Strongest Man Finals
Following my post on Monday about the World’s Strongest Man 1980s, here is the first set of reviews.
This is a quick look at the events of the 1980 and 1982 World’s Strongest Man (I don’t have the 1981 episode because the footage isn’t on the DVD collection). If you want to buy the DVD collection, you can find it here
1985 Portugal (Winner: Geoff Capes)
Once again, the contest was sponsored by DAF trucks, a suitable sponsor and probably the reason that the truck pull now takes pole position in the event line up.
- Truck pull: The standard opening event once again, in much the same format as in the last three years. After his poor performance last year, Capes came back and dominated this event, his technique flawless. Sigmarsson, however, did poorly for unknown reasons. Magee looked as fast and strong as in 1983.
- Wheelbarrow deadlift: After looking strong in the truck pull, Magee bombed out of this event with 485kg, much lower than the world record that he set in 1983. The powerlifters de Vreugd and Hechter dominated, with de Vreugd taking first and Hechter joint second with Sigmarsson. Capes surprised everyone by hanging onto fourth.
- Medley: this medley was a sandbag carry followed by a wheelbarrow push. Magee looked strong again despite being very pale. It was revealed that his poor showing the deadlift was the result of a stomach bug. He certainly looked extremely poorly. However, it was Capes and Sigmarsson who took first and second. Another spirited race between powerlifters Ekstrom and de Vreugd won them third and fourth.
- Boat pull: Capes pulled the boat up the ramp like it was made of matchwood. His enormous hip drive and long levers accelerated the boat with astonishing speed. Sigmarsson was close behind in second place and Ekstrom continued his strong performance from the medley to take third place.
- Crucifix hold: this year, the hold was with 27lbs bells. Like the battery hold, this is a bad event for Capes, with his long arms and game right shoulder. To Capes’ chagrin, Sigmarsson set a new contest record with 58s. The record didn’t stand for long, though, as de Vreugd held the bells for 62s and then “Grizzly” Brown put his huge arms to use and achieved 64s with a remarkable performance that the crowd really appreciated.
- Overhead cask lift: Magee looked as pale as a ghost during this event but still managed to put the 110kg cash overhead easily. Capes, Sigmarsson and Hechter went through to the last cask, weighing 120kg but the size was too unwieldy. Sigmarsson showed the most promise by picking the cask up lengthways and rotating it on his chest to attempt a press overhead. However, it was not to be done and the three shared equal third place.
- The Swingletree: this is a great event and one I would love to try with a few friends. You sit opposite each other on the floor, resting your feet on a bar on the ground. You then both grasp a rod or pole, like a broom. Whoever pulls the other over the bar is the winner. “Grizzly” Brown defeated Sigmarsson, mainly on account of bodyweight. In the final, Capes beat “Grizzly” Brown in the final by ripping the rod out of his hands twice.
- Lorry loading: This event used lobster pots filled with rocks. Sigmarsson took first, followed by Capes and a surprisingly sprightly Magee, who still looked on death’s door.
1986 France (Winner: Jan Pall Sigmarsson)
For the third year running, the contest was sponsored by DAF trucks, a suitable sponsor and probably the reason that the truck pull now takes pole position in the event line up.
- Truck pull: Reprising his strong performance in 1985, Capes went off to a strong start and won the event. Sigmarsson, however, did not suffer as badly as the year before and managed to come second. Ilkka Nummisto, new to the competition at the young age of 42, impressed everyone with his fast time that earned him third place.
- Medley: This was tough for Capes as he fell twice on the sack pull. Sigmarsson took the win but Nummisto once again showed his mettle, earning third place.
- McGlashan stones: Before this contest, the fifth McGlashan stone had only been lifted onto the podium once, by Sigmarsson. This time, Sigmarsson and Capes both managed the lift. Nummisto took four in a very fast time to earn third place again.
- Car tipping: In running fast to the first 2CV, Sigmarsson took a slip on the grass but recovered quickly. He suffered no more than some grazes, unlike “Grizzly”, who suffered a nasty crack on the head. Capes won, Wolders came second, despite injuring his hamstring and Sigmarsson was pushed into third.
- Crucifix hold: this year, the hold was with 27lbs champagne bottles. “Grizzly” won again with 72s but Sigmarsson surprised everyone by coming second. Capes suffered as usual.
- Tug of war: Capes was expected to win this event and he did. Sigmarsson did very well, limiting the damage and a surprised Wallas came third.
- Boat deadlift: This event was controversial as Sigmarsson was disqualified twice, once for dropping the boat and once for bouncing the boat before lifting. Capes went into overdrive to persuade the official to allow him to continue. With these teething difficulties out of the way, he managed to go on to win. This put him ahead going into the lorry loading.
- Lorry loading: Capes had to retire during this event and Sigmarsson finished to take the overall win.
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