Group 5 contained an interesting assortment of veterans and newcomers. Sweden's Magnus Samuelsson, the 1998 champion, and Odd Haugen of Norway, at 56, the oldest competitor in WSM history supplied the experience. The other three athletes, Sebastian Wenta and Slawek Toczek of Poland, and Josh Thigpen from the United States, all have shown tremendous in their relatively short strongmen careers.
Car Walk - Sebastian Wenta (World's Strongest Man™, IMG Media Ltd.)
Day 1 - Medley
The five men in Group 5 began their qualifying round with the Medley. Unfortunately for Magnus Samuelsson, his longstanding back injury came back to haunt him. The big Swede started strong but third place was all he could grind out. Questions about his fitness will certainly continue throughout the competition. The other story for Group 5 was the awesome showing by Sebastian Wenta. The Polish newcomer wasted little time announcing his presence, picking up the victory in the Medley.
Day 2 - Dead Lift
For the second straight event, an athlete from Poland won the top Group 5. It was Slawek Toczek's turn, his ten reps gave him the victory in the Deadlift. Norway's Odd Haugen, at 56, the oldest man in the history of the World's Strongest Man competition, tied for second with Sebastian Wenta. Magnus Samuelsson, diagnosed with a bulging disc in his back, was unable to compete but hopes to return in the subsequent events. It's going to be an uphill climb for the former champ to return to the finals. His record eleventh trip to the World's Strongest Man is looking like it might be his most frustrating.
Day 2 - Fingal Fingers
In Group 5, Magnus Samuelsson got medical clearance to compete and he showed why he's considered one of the world's best in the Fingal Fingers. Magnus blistered the course in a time of 40.23 but he was upstaged by the impressive newcomer, Sebastian Wenta who responded with a time of 36.30.
Day 3 - Car Walk
Sebastian Wenta added to his list of great performances. He was the only man in Group 5 to complete the course. The Car Walk proved to be the end of the road for Magnus Samuelsson. The proud champion from Sweden bowed out of the competition, finally yielding to his injured back.
The results in the Overhead Lift from Group 5 assured that two Polish strongmen would reach the final. Sebastian Wenta won his fourth event in five attempts to advance along with his countryman, Slawek Toczek.
Day 4 - Barrel Loading
With the two spots in the final from Group 5 guaranteed to Sebastian Wenta and Slawek Toczek, the Barrel Loading was an afterthought. But it was Toczek who added a second victory in the qualifying round, just edging out Josh Thigpen of the U.S.
The qualification of Toczek and Wenta (Mariusz Pudzianowski and Jarek Dymek had already advanced) means that four athletes from Poland have reached the ten-man field in the World's Strongest Man Final.
