Day four of the World's Strongest Man event took the athletes to Huntington Beach, California. As it was the last qualifying day the strongmen had to give their best.

Dave Ostlund

Keg Toss

The first event of the day was the Keg Toss. Athletes had 90 seconds to toss as many kegs over a barrier as possible. Each keg weighs in at 55 pounds.

Going first, Mark Westaby (England) managed to toss 9 barrels over to the other side. Asked why he couldn't finish all ten barrel, he said: "You feel good after six or seven barrels, but before you know it your body just gives up. And it was so hot out there. Heat is not my thing."

Karl Gillingham (USA) was the first to toss all ten barrels over the barrier. But his time of 51,10 seconds was not good enough to place him amongst the leaders for this event.

Don Pope (USA) ensured his place in the final with ten tosses in 51,37 seconds. Reaching the final led Pope to the follwing statement: "It's is hard to shut the switch off, but I will try to only go with 70% lifting the Atlas Stones."

Strong Pole Sebastian Wenta rushed his barrels over the top. He was finished after 34,65 seconds.

The performance of the day came from James Marku (England) as he stepped on top of two barrels and threw a third one over the barrier. He said afterwards: "It's my weakest event. Plus I'm a bit short. That's why I stepped onto the barrels. I hope I don't get disqualified." He didn't and finished with two barrels after 90 seconds.

Dave Ostlund form the United States of America won this event. He tossed all ten barrels of the barrier in 34,33 seconds. Asked for the recipe of this result he replied: "Rhythm is everything. And you have to make sure you don't overpower."

Florian Trimpl (le.) and Kevin Nee

Atlas Stones

The second event of the day and at the same time the last chance for contestants to reach the final, were the Atlas Stones. The athletes had to lift up five different stones on five different platforms. The stones were weighing from 220lbs. to 353 lbs. The platforms heights decreased with the increasing weight of the stones.

Don Pope managed to lift up all five stones and is looking forward to his final-appearance. "I was injured a lot this year and as you know a wounded animal is very dangerous. My goal is to do better than last year. Everything can happen."

Dominic Filou (Canada) finished second best in this event. He was done lifting up the stones after 20,80 seconds.

Only Tarmo Mitt from Estonia waas quicker. He finished after 20,45 seconds. Asked for his goal this year, he replie: "I really hope this is my year. I am in better shape than last year."

Phil Pfister (USA) took it easy lifting the stones. His spot in the finals was already secure. So he made a show out of his attempt, acting as if he was lifting the stones up. Asked, if he can repeat his title run from last year, he said: "I take it one step at a time. But to regain my title will be the biggest task ever. The otherf inalists are so strong."

In the last battle of the day. Kevin Nee (USA) and Florian Trimpl (Germany) were fighting for the last spot for the finals, head to head. Nee just flew by the platforms and managed to beat Trimpl to secure his ticket to the final.

There will be a two day break. We will be back with the finals on Friday. The exact location is: Monarch Beach, St. Regis, Dana Point. Starting at 10 a.m. with the loading race.