American Jesse Marunde was the headliner in Group 2. The runner-up a year ago in Chengdu, China, Marunde was expected once again to challenge Mariusz Pudzianowski for the World's Strongest Man title. Marunde was joined in the group by his countryman, Dave Ostlund, Terry Hollands of England, Latvia's Raivis Vidzis, and Gu Yan Li of China.
Terry Hollands edging ahead of Jesse Marunde in the Medley (World's Strongest Man™, IMG Media Ltd.)
Day 1 - Carry and Drag
An explosive performance by Terry Hollands of England in the Carry and Drag gave him the top spot for Group 2. Jesse Marunde of the U.S., the runner-up from 2005 and one of this year's favourites settled for second place. China's Gu Yan Li, in front of his home crowd, was the only man who could not complete the course.
Day 1 - Keg Toss
In their second event of the day, Group 2's Jesse Marunde picked up his first win of the competition. The American was the only competitor in the group to launch all 10 kegs over the 14 and a half foot wall. His countryman, Dave Ostlund, was second while Terry Hollands struggled his way to a fourth place finish.
Day 2 - Dead Lift
In the toughest test of strength of this qualifying heat, the victory in Group 2 was shared by a pair of strongmen. Raivis Vidzis of Latvia and Terry Hollands of England each put up 10 repetitions.
Day 2 - Fingal Fingers
Group 2 was the first to be challenged by the Fingal Fingers, an event that that requires all the attributes of the modern strongman. Overall body strength, speed, and endurance are critical for success in this test. The top four in Group 2 were all still in contention for a coveted place in the final, but it was Jesse Marunde stepping up in the Fingal Fingers. An overwhelming showing by the man from Washington state just edged out his fellow American, Dave Ostlund.
Dave Ostlund completes the Farmer's Walk (World's Strongest Man™, IMG Media Ltd.)
Day 3 - Farmers Walk
It was Terry Hollands, a mountain of a man, picking up the victory in Group 2. A really impressive performance for a man of his size. Raivis Vidzis was second to give himself an outside shot at one of the two spots in the final from this group. But it's clear that Hollands and Jesse Marunde are the overwhelming favourites with just one event remaining.
Day 4 - Barrel Loading
The drama and intrigue was unbelievable for Group 2. With Terry Hollands all but assured a place in the final, the other spot came down to Jesse Marunde and Raivis Vidzis. Going in an earlier heat versus Dave Ostlund, Vidzis put up a solid time for Marunde to target. The odds seem to favour Marunde advancing, since among the numerous possibilities, was that he needed only to finish third or better. But when the clock stopped, Jesse's time was only enough for fourth place. Improbably, Raivis Vidzis was in the final. Jesse Marunde, last year's runner-up, was out. Raivis was overcome with emotion, and it was obvious how much a berth in the final meant to him.
The accomplishments by Terry Hollands and Raivis Vidzis should not be overlooked but Jesse Marunde's failure to qualify for the Final may have been the most surprising development in the qualifying round. The man, thought by most to be Mariusz Pudzianowski's biggest challenger, would not have an opportunity to end the long U.S. drought at the WSM.
