It’s been two years since I’ve had an opportunity to watch daytime television.
I forgot how awesome it really is, some of the shows are simply amazing. Since my favorite channel is ESPN, we’re going to examine one of the least popular tournaments on the network, but one that brings me endless joy.
You guessed it, it’s time to take a look at the World’s Strongest Man competition.
Everything about this competition is awesome trust me. First off, you have the biggest guys ever doing some of the craziest events, including the event name and a brief description.
Pole Pushing – One on one pole pushing in a Sumo-style ring in a single-elimination tournament. The pole has handles at either end.
I don’t even have a joke for that.
Keg Toss – Competitors must throw ten 50 lb kegs over a 14′6″ high steel wall.
I challenge you to name something cooler to watch.
Truck / Airplane Pull – Vehicles such as transport trucks, trams, boxcars, buses or planes are pulled across a 100 ft. course by hand as fast as possible. Also, the vehicles may be pulled with a harness around the shoulders.
What more do you want? These guys pull airplanes!
Farmer’s Walk – Competitors carry heavy objects weighing from 275-375 lbs in each hand for a set distance, and compete for the fastest time. A variation involves use of a heavy frame with parallel handles.
I know when I’m carrying around my 375 pound objects around the house, I need a heavy frame with parallel handles.
Car Carry – Standing inside a roof-less, bottom-less car supported by a harness, competitors must carry the car for the maximum distance or shortest time for 25 meters.
My personal favorite event. They take a Volkswagen, cut the roof out, put suspenders on it and make these guys wear it like a sweater and walk around. Check it out.
So you know the events are awesome but what about the competitors you ask.
For me there’s a tie between two guys and what’s weird is that it’s an old school vs. new school battle in the Worlds Strongest Man.
I’ve been watching the competition for years and my favorite was always Magnus Samuelsson from Sweden. During his career he’s done it all, winning the competition in 1998, has been crowned the best arm wrestler in Europe and won the Swedish version of Dancing With the Stars.
Magnus Samuelsson
Plus, when you watch him on tv, you get to yell Mangus all the time.
But recently, there’s been an American that has stormed the scene and easily has the best name of any athlete going today: Phil Pfister.
Phil "I Wanna" Pfister
Pfister won the World’s Strongest Man in 2006 and was the first from the United States to do so since 1982. A firefighter from West Virginia, Pfister even was the first in competition history to pull a fire truck.
So if you want to kill a few hours during the day or want to play the ultimate drinking game, then tune into the World’s Strongest Man. You’ll be glad you did.
-5 to go- (Click here to see why we are keeping count.)
