As the TV airing of the 2012 WSM final approaches, you can catch Terry Hollands and Eddie Hall talking about this year’s WSM final and about being a strongman, on the This Morning show on ITV, this Thursday 22^nd November.

James Richardson, a commentator for the WSM finals shown on Channel 5 in late December  will also be talking about this year’s event on The Wright Stuff on Channel 5 on the 30^th November.

Just a reminder that the airing of the Giants Live Qualifying Tour  starts this Thursday, the 22^nd November at 8pm on Channel 5. The full details are below

World’s Strongest Man Qualifying Tour – Giant’s Live

Qualifying 1 – Thursday 22^nd November 20.00

Qualifying 2 – Thursday 29^th November 20.00

Qualifying 3 – Thursday 6^th December 20.00

Qualifying 4 – Thursday 13^th December 20.00

Qualifying 5 – Thursday 20^th December 20.00

The MET-Rx World’s Strongest Man Final

WSM Heat 1 – Thursday 27^th December 20:00

WSM Heat 2 – Friday 28^th December 20:00

WSM Heat 3 – Saturday 29^th December 20:00

WSM Heat 4 – Sunday 30^th December 20:00

WSM Heat 5 – Monday 31^st December 20:00

WSM Final – Tuesday 1^st December 20:00

How did you come to be involved in WSM?

I was asked to join the medical team and being a huge fan of strongman I jumped at the opportunity.

What is your everyday occupation, when you’re not patching up strength athletes?

I’m an osteopath by profession but I also have a degree in sports science & psychology and a masters in sport and exercise rehabilitation. For most of the year, I work at Lords cricket ground with Middlesex CCC and the MCC. Cricket and strongman seem like worlds apart but actually they have many similarities from my perspective….lots of muscle strains, lots of strapping and tapping, injured hands, athletes who put their bodies on the line.

 
How many years have you been involved at WSM?

I have been involved for two years.

In terms of hours, what would an average working day be at WSM?

Days are long! You start by having to set up the medical tent and get everything organised in preparation for the athletes. Some guys carrying injuries will need attention pre-event from strapping and taping, stretching, massage to treatment etc., You then have to be on duty during the events for any major trauma. Then post-event a lot of the athletes will need assessment and treatment. You are looking at a 10 hour day, sometimes more.

How many other medics are there in the team each year?

During the qualifiers, with 30 athletes to look after, there is a physio, a sports massage therapist, a doctor and myself on duty. During the finals, with only 10 athletes to take care of the physio heads home.

What are the main issues that you deal with on a daily basis?

As you would expect, muscle strains are fairly common. Also athletes tear their hand calluses in some of the carrying events. This can be a real problem for them in the next few events so getting them cleaned and patched up is essential.

Are you able to gauge the types of injuries that you could potentially deal with when you see the events for the day ?

Yes…definitely. Specific events hold specific risks. For example, the giant tyre flip is notorious for biceps ruptures as is the atlas stones. The medical team will look ahead at the days events and prepare accordingly.

 
What’s the worst injury you have seen at WSM (in terms of physical pain)?

Bicep ruptures hurt! So do Achilles ruptures! Both of which I have witnessed at WSM. We have had to deal with some decent back injuires….when your discs or muscles give in while lifting 400kg you know about it!

It was before my time, but a few years ago an athlete blew out his knee during Connans wheel and an athlete lost the sole of his shoe during truck pull and carried on pulling! His foot was not in a good state by the end!

 
What’s the worst injury you have seen at WSM (in terms of a visual aspect)?
Sun City, SA, 2010. Africa stone carry. An athlete passed out with the 170kg stone on his chest. He keeled over backwards in such an unnatural way my first thoughts were that his was lights out! Broken leg, crushed chest, punctured lungs….my mind was racing! Luckily and miraculously, the stone had managed to fall between his chest and arm and the brunt of the weight hit the ground. Other than some bad bruising and a dent to his pride the athlete was fine but it was a close one!

Are you, or have you been involved in any other sporting or entertainment programmes?

Yes… I worked on “famous and fearless”. Jonah Lomu was one of the participants and he was particularly interested in hearing about strongman! I have also worked on “Got to dance” and the “the body shop”.

What are some of your fondest WSM memories?

I have many. It is great event to work at. The athletes are fantastic and it is always great to catch up with them each year. There is a great sense of comradely amongst the athletes…yes a fierce rivalry but great respect and it is inspiring to witness firsthand some of the feats of strength that WSM delivers.

 
Which venues have you particularly enjoyed visiting and why?

All the venues have been fantastic. We have always been made to feel most welcome wherever we have been. Sun City South Africa would have to be the pick of the bunch so far!

If you would like to speak to Keith for a consultation, please contact Keith on +44 (0) 7968700259 or keithglad@hotmail.com

WSM 2011 Event Details – We are pleased to announce that WSM 2011 will take place at Wingate University, North Carolina. The qualifiers will be held between 10-13th September and the final between 16-17th September.

More details to follow shortly.

We have released the new 2011 range of t-shirts and vests avialable now in the store

GROUP EVENT No. athletes per event COMPETITORS EVENT LOCATION

GRP 1

1. Medley 3 or 6 Mark Felix Sun City Grass
2. Truck Pull 1 Solvi Petursson Whisky Walk
3. Power Stairs 2 Sergii Romanchuk Amphitheatre
4. Deadlift – reps 1 Brian Shaw Amphitheatre
5. Apollon’s Axle 2 Ettiene Smit Monkey Square
6. Loading Race 2 or 3 Stoyan Todorchev Valley of the Waves

GRP 2

1. Giant Farmer’s Walk 3 or 6 Terry Hollands Sun City Grass
2. Power Stairs 2 Hennie Jordan Amphitheatre
3. Deadlift – reps 1 Alexander Klyushev Amphitheatre
4. Africa Stone 1 Derek Poundstone Bridge of Time
5. Overhead lift 1 Richard Skog Monkey Square
6. Loading Race 2 or 3 Robert Szczepanski Valley of the Waves

GRP 3

1. Medley 3 or 6 Kostiantyn Ilin Sun City Grass
2. Truck Pull 1 Ervin Katona Whisky Walk
3. Power Stairs 2 Janusz Kulaga Amphitheatre
4. Deadlift – reps 1 Vytautas Lalas Amphitheatre
5. Dumbell for reps 2 Travis Ortmayer Monkey Square
6. Loading Race 2 or 3 Darren Sadler Valley of the Waves

GRP 4

1. Giant Farmer’s Walk 3 or 6 Nick Best Sun City Grass
2. Squat Lift – reps 1 Warrick Brant Amphitheatre
3. Africa Stone 1 L-P Jean Bridge of Time
4. Apollon’s Axle 2 Agris Kazelniks Monkey Square
5. Deadlift hold with Cars 2 Zydrunas Savickas Valley of the Waves
6. Loading Race 2 or 3 Laurence Shahlaei Valley of the Waves

GRP 5

1. Medley 3 or 6 Johannes Arsjo Sun City Grass
2. Squat Lift – reps 1 Jason Bergmann Amphitheatre
3. Africa Stone 1 Misca Koklyaev Bridge of Time
4. Overhead Lift 1 Dave Ostlund Monkey Square
5. Deadlift hold with Cars 2 Canada’s National Champ Valley of the Waves
6. Loading Race 2 or 3 Mark Westaby Valley of the Waves

Reserve: Rob Frampton

Reserve: Frankie Sheun

FINAL 21st-22nd September

• Tues 1 Loading Race 2 or 5 Valley of the Waves
• 21st Sept 2 Keg Toss 1 Valley of the Waves
• 3 Giant Wooden Log for Max 1 Valley of the Waves
• Wed 4 Whisky Barrel Carry 2 Observation Deck
• 22nd Sept 5 Car Deadlift – reps 2 Amphitheatre
• 6 Atlas Stones 2 Observation Deck
• Prize Giving

ALL EVENTS, TIMES AND LOCATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

For 2010 results click here.

IMG Media Ltd, are delighted to welcome MET-Rx back as the title sponsor of this year’s World’s Strongest Man event in Sun City – South Africa.

Founded in 1991, MET-Rx, revolutionized the sports nutrition industry with a high protein, meal replacement shake fortified with an exclusive protein blend called METAMYOSYN®. Developed by a physician based on metabolic research, METAMYOSYN® protein is a highly bio-available fuel that supports muscle and strength.* METAMYOSYN® changed sports nutrition forever when it was introduced to the world’s top athletes and celebrities. Now a new generation is testing the limits of their bodies’ potential and nutrition is playing a crucial role in the evolution of sport. Athletes are breaking down the barriers of possibility by going faster, higher, and pushing their bodies further than ever imagined. Today, MET-Rx offers a diverse range of products engineered for the next generation of athletes — all those who use state-of-the-art nutrition to achieve their goals and who never, ever accept limits of mind, body or spirit. MET-Rx full line of supplements includes products for:

• MUSCLE MASS & STRENGTH*
• EXERCISE RECOVERY & REPAIR*
• MUSCLE TONE & ENERGY*
• PERFORMANCE SUPPLEMENTS*

MET-Rx continues to be on the cutting-edge of sports nutrition with a new, custom publication appropriately named MET-Rx Magazine. Every issue showcases MET-Rx athletes, products and events, and is jam-packed with special features including diet plans, supplementation ideas, weight training techniques, athlete/celebrity profiles, great tasting recipes and much more! Sign up to receive your FREE copy at www.metrx.com.

At MET-Rx we promote vigorous health by making advanced nutrition easier, more convenient and more effective than ever before. MET-Rx products, along with the new MET-Rx Magazine, is dedicated to providing you with quality, results-oriented nutrition and continued education. MET-Rx Engineered Nutrition. For the Best Shape of Your Life!

www.metrx.com

The venue for this years WSM finals will be Sun City – South Africa.

The World’s Strongest Man finals are returning to South Africa and the Sun City resort for the first time since 2000. Africa has hosted several WSM finals over the years and has created a host of memorable moments.

The 2000 final was dominated by the viking power of Janne Virtanen, Svend Karlsen and Magnus Samuelsson, with a young Mariusz Pudzianowski coming 4th.

This year’s final will see the return of reigning champion Zydrunas Savickas, defending his title against a host of WSM regulars and new contenders in the world class surroundings of Sun City.

Sun City is a luxury resort, situated in the North West Province of South Africa. It is located about two hours’ drive from Johannesburg, near the city of Rustenburg. It is surrounded by the imposing mountains of the Pilanesberg and borders the Pilanesberg Game Reserve.

Qualifiers will be filmed between the 15th and 18th September.

Final will be filmed between the 21st and 22nd September.

More details will be announced soon including:

• Athlete line up
• Events schedule

If would like to be kept up to date, just ‘sign-up’ and we’ll let you know all the details as they are confirmed, including accommodation details and more.