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11/03/2012

Zydrunas Savickas Wins Iceman III

Kuusamo, Finland–Just call him the Iceman because Zydrunas Savickas did it again, winning his third SCL Iceman in a row.

If your deadlifts are stuck, try this trick for motivation: go eyeball to eyeball with a bear, as Zydrunas Savickas did at the SCL Iceman today. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.

The Iceman is not your ordinary strongman contest, so when today opened with a loading race, it was massive logs and ice blocks that were loaded onto a platform made from ice, and the deadlift, for example, put a bear in the mix.

On his way to his third consecutive victory in the Iceman, Zydrunas Savickas opened the contest today by setting the world record in the Viking Press with 165 kg x 12 reps.“In the beginning, we were pretty unlucky losing Terry Hollands and Jimmy Laureys, but were really happy Martin Wildauer came on such short notice. On the first day, we had some rough weather—snow, wind, cold—but the athletes didn’t complain. It’s the Iceman: whatever temperature or the weather, they will continue," contest organizer Ilkka Kinnunen told IronMind.

"Conan’s Wheel was really tough: only 4 athletes made the full circle. Tomi Lotta was the only one to go over 70 meters, which made the Finns really happy.

"The Truck Pull Medley was extremely tough, especially with the truck pull as last part of the medley; Zydrunas and Tomi were the only ones to finish."Today was a sunny, beautiful day—perfect for the athletes and audience to enjoy the Iceman III," said Kinnunen.

Here are the final scores, officially.

1. Zydrunas Savickas 77.0

2. Laurence Shahlaei 71.5

3. Janusz Kaluga 64.0

4. Rauno Heinla 57.0

5. Ervin Katona 55.0

6. Tomi Lotta 54.0

7. Martin Wildauer 41.5

8. Juha-Matti Jarvi 32.0

9. Jarno Hams 27.5

10. Jarno Jokinen 26.5

11. Jarno Kirsela 18.0

24/02/2012

SCL and Giants Live Team Up for Budapest

Marcel Mostert told IronMind today that once again, Strongman Champions League (SCL) will be partnering with Giants Live–the official qualifying tour for the World’s Strongest Man contest.

Giants Live and SCL will be at the Ramada Aqua World in Budapest, Hungary on June 17,2012 and the top three competitors are guaranteed invitations to this year’s World’s Strongest Man contest.

The two organizations will be joined in this production by the Hungarian Strongman Association (HSMA), for the Giants Live in the Ramada Aqua World in Budapest.Aqua World bills itself as being “One of the biggest indoor water theme parks in Hungary, and even Europe” and it is adjacent to the Ramada resort.Once again, this is an official World’s Strongest Man qualifier, and it signals the close working relationship between SCL and Giants Live.

“Like last year, when the Strongman Champions League cooperated with Giants Live in the Ukraine and Finland, we also will do some together again this year in Finland and Hungary,” Mostert said. “We are really going to take further steps in the future.“We really like to work with Colin, as he is doing his job In a professional way. Above the fact we know Colin already 15 years, we appreciate him as a great person to finish every job in a good way. Colin will also do some job in our SCL organization.”Bryce was quick to return the compliments, saying, “Working with these SCL guys is awesome. Their refereeing part is always the most professional and serious thing in any competition. And I’m really happy with their organizing skills. They know how to make strongman events!”

The Giants Live in Hungary will be a beautiful one,” said Mostert. “When the weather is good, we will have a full packed venue and a very nice bath afterwards!

20/02/2012

Strongman Champions League Open 2012 with Iceman III

Coming off a successful 2011 season, Strongman Champions League (SCL), the biggest tour on the professional strongman circuit, is growing again: 16 international shows will be hosted in 2012.Combine an Arctic location with some of the world’s top strongman competitors, give them a two-day, eight-event challenge “without temperature limit or weather reservations,” and you have the winning formula of the the SCL IceMan. SCL IceMan III has been announced: cold temperatures and hot performances. Remember the Bear Deadlift?! (See Photo)

Today arrived the equipment for our first show, March 8–9 , the Iceman III in Lapland. Brand-new yokes have been made by us: water, ice and snow proof! Other events are just beautiful as well.

Set in Kuusamo, Lapland March 9–10, 2012, the SCL IceMan III will take place around Ruka, SCL’s Ilkka Kinnunen told IronMind, with the events spread across three locations and the public having “free access to all competition venues.”

“Zydrunas will come here to defend his title and only 2 weeks ago he got a new world record on the ‘small’ SCL Log Lift (log was 28 cm) with 215 kg. We are proud to have this super athlete, multiple world record holder and always a gentleman, Zydrunas Savickas, again in the SCL Lapland.

The complete start list :

Zydrunas Savickas

Terry Hollands

Laurence Shahalei

Ervin Katona

Tomi Lotta

Juha Matti Järvi

Jarno Hams

Jimmy Laureys

Janusz Kaluga.

USA

Ervin Katona Wins SCL World Championships 2011

Marcel Mostert called it an unbelievable experience as Sarajevo as the Strongman Champions League (SCL) contest collided head-on with a winter storm.

Ervin Katona (center) won the 2011 Strongman Champions League World Championships and received the US$15,000 Monster Milk–SCL check from SCL cofounders Marcel Mostert (left) and Ilkka Kinnunen (right). IronMind® | Courtesy of SCL.

Sarajevo "was covered under 2 meters of snow with a temperature of minus 15 and with the public traffic totally stopped. We had in 1 night 1.6 meters of snow fall," Marcel Mostert told IronMind.“Ervin Katona couldn’t even find his car back as he drove to the competition from Serbia.“Still, the show must go on, especially after the canceling from the finals in December and now again because of the snow.

Is this Ervin Katona’s car?

“With great organizing and re organizing schedules from the SCL organization in Bosnia, we managed to have the finals on Monday instead of Saturday.Meanwhile, we had to wait three days to begin the finals, but because it was in a beautiful 5 star hotel with great food and drinks , it was not really a punishment. So, well rested and with full stomachs we could start on Monday in the Olympic Zetra Hall in Sarajevo, built in 1984 for the Olympics.

“And Ervin Katona felt like an Olympian when he was crowned as the World Champion SCL 2011. Andrus Muremets, Terry Hollands and Zydrunas Savickas have already won this title and now also Ervin Katona.“‘It’s the happiest day of my life, after being in second place two years to finally win the title!’He finished in the competition in third place, behind Jean-Francois Caron from Canada and the winner of Bosnia, Zydrunas Savickas. Caron did a great performance, as he finished again second place and with a win in the car deadlift of 370 kg with 10 reps.

“Zydrunas did a world record on the Log Lift with 215 kg. I have never seen Zydrunas doing a log lift so easy with these kilograms. UNBELIEVEBLE. The man is in great shape—maybe the best ever!The log was a bit thinner than the official log we always use for world records, as it is normally above a 30 cm diameter. This log was 27 cm and therefore we recognize it as a world record on the ‘small’ log. But it’s just a matter of time and Zydrunas will do this year already a 220 log I think.

Marcel Mostert (left) said he thinks Zydrunas Savickas (right) will do a 220-kg log this year. IronMind® | Courtesy of SCL.

“In total US$30,000 was been paid to the athletes and the Monster Milk SCL cheque of US$15,000 went of course to the new SCL world champion, Ervin Katona. “Laurence Shahlaei couldn’t be at the finals at the last moment and was replaced by Lauri Nami of Estonia. Still, he was already in a safe third place. Gregor Stegnar had a wild card as the local here in Bosnia," Mostert said.

Here are the official final places and points:

1. Zydrunas Savickas (Lithuania) 59.0

2. Jean-Francois Caron (Canada) 51.5

3. Ervin Katona (Serbia) 50.0

4. Jimmy Laureys (Belgium) 43.5

5. Lauri Nami (Estonia) 37.0

6. Martin Wildauer (Austria) 36.0

7. Konstiantin Ilin (Ukraine) 32.0

8. Tomi Lotta (Finland) 30.0

9. Agris Kazelniks (Latvia) 25.0

10. Gregor Stegnar (Slovenia) 15.5

11. Akos Nagy (Hungary) 9.5

And the overall top three for the 2011 SCL World Championships, officially were:

1. Ervin Katona Serbia) 195

2. Zydrunas Savickas (Lithuania) 175

3. Laurence Shahlaei (Iran) 106

“This final will be broadcast at 24 February on Eurosport," Mostert said.Our first contest of the new season 2012 starts already in four weeks, the SCL Lapland 2012 [aka The Iceman III) on March 9. More news about this coming soon.

“Welcome to the new season 2012!”

23 JANUARY 2012

SCL Finals 2011 Moved to Sarajevo

“Due some unexpected political problems in the Ukraine we had to reschedule the SCL finals ,” Marcel Mostert told IronMind today, “and we are set now for Sarajevo, in Bosnia.”

Ervin Katona has a chance to win the overall Strongman Champions League title, which carries a prize of US$15,000. IronMind® | Courtesy of SCL.

Explaining that time had been lost as SCL tried to keep things on track for the Ukraine, Mostert said this forced an accelerated pace in preparing for this competition, but all the pieces are now in place and “the most important thing is that we are doing it.”
“It will happen one week later [than planned for the Ukraine], on February 4 in the Zetra Olympic Hall Juan Antonio Samaranch in Sarajevo.
“This hall was built for the 1984 Winter Olympic Games, and so far it is the largest facility of this type in Bosna and Herzegovina. We are happy that we could reschedule this so fast, with great help from our SCL organization in Bosnia ( www.fitnessuniverse.ba ) and their main sponsor DUBLI LTD ( www.dubli.com )

“It will be a hard fight over 7 events with 12 finalists, especially between Zydrunas Savickas and Ervin Katona, because both can still win the title SCL World Champion 2011, powered by Monster Milk,” said Mostert

Events
• Power Team Forward Hold
• Truck Pull
• Log lift
• Atlas Stones
• Wheel Flip
• Medley
• Car Dead lift

“Zydrunas Savickas, Andrus Murumets and Terry Hollands were the former overall champions in previous years. Will Ervin Katona finally succeed as well and join this impressive list? It’s going to be exciting and all other athletes will earn double ranking points.
“The whole competition will be recorded and to be seen at 24 February at Eurosport,” said Mostert, "with US$15000 for the overall champion, and another $15,000 for the competitors in this contest."

19 NOVEMBER 2011 LATVIA

Zydrunas Savickas and Jean-Francois Caron 1-2 Again

Continuing where he left off last month, Zydrunas Savickas also won SCL Latvia last weekend,” Marcel Mostert told IronMind.Zydrunas Savickas was reportedly in top shape when he won SCL Latvia last weekend.Jean-Francois Caron took a second place again, and local hero Agris Kazelniks was on his best finish of the whole year in his hometown with a third place.

Zydrunas won it pretty easily; he was in very good shape. The field behind him to sixth was a real battle, as you can see in the final results.“Ervin Katona disappointed in the end, because after each event he dropped 1 place, from second place to seventh place. He told us that unfortunately his battery went totally empty on this important competition day.

It was a great ambiance in the Riga Arena, the biggest ice hockey arena in Latvia. Around 4000 spectators saw a great show with Raimond Bergmanis coming down from the roof flown on a cable in the opening show. Together with fireworks, dancers and big drums, a great opening, perfectly done thanks to our SCL co-organizer, the Latvian organization, with Raimonds Bergmanis as the special guest.

The grand finale of the Monster Milk Strongman Champions League will be on 17 December in Kiev.“Also, there will be double ranking points earned and still Zydrunas or Ervin can win the SCL World title 2011," Mostert said.

Here are the top 10 results Latvia, officially:

1. Zydrunas Savickas (Lithuania) 68.5

2. Jean-Francois Caron (Canada) 48.0

3. Agris Kazelniks (Latvia) 46.0

4. Maris Leitis (Latvia) 44.0

5. Jimmy Laurey (Belgium) 44.0

6. Laurence Shahlaei (Iran) 43.0

7. Ervin Katona (Serbia) 35.5

8. Heinla Rauna (Finland) 33.0

9. Jarek Tocek (Poland) 31.5

10. Konstantin Ilin (Ukraine) 30.5

02 OKTOBER 2011 CANADA

Zydrunas Savickas Wins SCL–Canada

Zydrunas Savickas maintained the momentum he had established on the third day and won SCL–Canada yesterday, with Jean-Francois Caron taking second and Laurence Shahlaei earning third.

Here’s the podium for the inaugural SCL–Canada strongman contest, which served as the semi-finals in the 2011 Strongman Champions League season. Zydrunas Savickas’ prize package included $10,000 cash. IronMind® | Courtesy of SCL.

Here are the official final scores.

1. Zydrunas Savickas 132.0

2. Jean-François Caron 120.0

3. Laurence Shahlaei 113.0

4. Ervin Katona105.5

5. Hafthor Julius Bjornsson 103.5

6. Travis Ortmayer 102.5

7. Terry Hollands 94.0

8. Warrick Brandt 91.0

9. Jimmy Laureys 90.0

10. Louis-Philippe Jean82.0

11. Christian Savoie 70.5

12. Agris Kazelniks 66.5

13. Alex Curletto 56.0

14. Scott Cummine 55.0

15. Jan Wagenaar 42.5

16. Vitalii Gerasymov 30.0

21 SEPTEMBER 2011 CANADA

SCL Canada: Supercharged Strongman Semi-Finals

“With one stage to go, SCL Slovakia this coming weekend in Kosice, we are making us up forthe semi-finals of the Strongman Champions League in Canada at 29 September,” SCL cofounder Marcel Mostert told IronMind today.
Top international strongman competition is returning to Canada: SCL–Canada will present the 2011 season semi finals along with amateur strongman and a range of entertainment in a four-day series across New Brunswick, Canada. IronMind® | Courtesy of SCL.

SCL–Canada is presenting the season semi finals in a package of big-name strongman competitors drawn from around the world, with a multi-stage format all backed up by an entertainment package including music, dance and medieval combat.
“In total, four days of competition, with 10 events and an impressive list of 16 competitors out of 13 different countries will compete for the US$35,000 prize money and double points in the SCL ranking,” Mostert said.“Also, the top three of this competition will have a direct place into the finals on December 17 in the Ukraine.”

Here is the official start list:

Here are the events by day and location:

Day 3. Dieppe
• Tire Flip
• Wheel Barrel with loading
• Crucifix

Day 4. Shippagan
• Farmer's Walk
• Atlas Stones

“It will be a heavy fight for SCL points, prize money and the title for the first SCL CANADA ever,” said Mostert, “and with the solid organization in Canada, professional referees and helpers with more than 20 years strongman experience in this show, it guarantees to be a great event.
To strongman fans everywhere Mostert said: “We welcome you to the 10 th stage of the Strongman Champions League 2011!”
For tickets and full details, please visit the official website ;

www.strongmancanada.com

St. John, New Brunswick mayor Ivan Court (left) introduces the SCL–Canada strongman competition with backup provided by top Canadian strongman Christian Savoie (right). IronMind® | Courtesy of SCL.

10 SEPTEMBER 2011 SLOVAKIA

03 SEPTEMBER 2011 CANARY ISLANDS

26 JUNE 2011 BULGARIA

Ervin Katona Wins SCL Bulgaria

Fueled by Monster Milk, Strongman Champions League (SCL) continues to roll out contest after contest and last weekend it was Bulgaria’s turn to host the biggest strongman tour on the 2011 calendar.Last weekend, Bulgaria hosted the seventh SCL contest of the year, and Ervin Katona retained his overall lead in the biggest strongman series this year. IronMind® | Courtesy of SCL.

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Ervin Katona strikes again in SCL Bulgaria!,” Marcel Mostert reported to IronMind as the Serbian strongman won his second SCL competition of the year and retains the overall leader’s T-shirt.Mostert said it was “a strong field with 13 competitors . . . it was again a heavy battle with a close finish, like in Holland last week.”
How close?

Ervin Katona edged out Vytautas Lalas by a mere half a point for the victory.“Vytautas was leading until the last event by a half point, but he lost the Atlas Stones to Ervin by just 0.49 seconds. He loaded 5 stones up to 180 kg in 18.42 seconds, but Ervin did it in 17.93 seconds, which gave him the win and 25 points in the overall ranking of the Monster Milk SCL series.“Also, the third place was very exciting, where Rob Frampton and Konstiantin Ilin ended both with 58 points, but Rob had a better placing in the events, which gave him a place on the top 3 podium,” said Mostert. “Laurence Shahlaei got a small injury during the truck pull in Bulgaria and had to pull out, but he still remains on second place in the ranking.”

Final results, top ten:

1. Ervin Katona (Serbia) 71.5
2. Vytautas Lalas (Lithuania) 71.0
3. Rob Frampton (England) 58.0
4. Konstyantin Ilin (Ukraine) 58.0
5. Alex Curletto (Italy) 51.0
6. Akos Nagy (Hungary) 49.0
7. Golier Brano (Slovakia) 43.0
8. Patrik Babaumian (Germany) 42.5
9. Ivan Maestrov (Bulgaria) 25.0
10. Vladimir Mitea (Romania) 20.0

18 JUNE 2011 HOLLAND

Laurence Shahlaei On a Roll: Wins SCL-Holland

Smile when you say “Nice Dutch weather” because at least for Strongman Champions League - Holland that meant sun mixed with wind, a thunderstorm and rain, the same sort of dramatic back and forth that has pitted Laurence Shahlaei and Ervin Katona in a tug of war as the SCL season Econtinues.Etienne Smit (bottom) and Konstiantyn Ilin (top) race in the Tire Flip. IronMind® | Courtesy of SCL.

“It was a fantastic close finish in the rain and sun in Holland last weekend,” Marcel Mostert reported to IronMind: “Laurence Shahlaei and Ervin Katona ended up with equal points in the Strongman Champions League Holland, but Laurence had more wins, so he took the overall win and 25 champions league points, which brought him to second place in the ranking over 6 stages so far. Ervin Katona remains as the overall leader in the orange Monster Milk leader’s shirt.“Especially the last event, the anchor drag, was full of nice drama. In the rain, with a slippery surface and handles , Jimmy Laureys from Belgium defeated Johannes Arsjo in the last event and took over third place overall from Johannes. And also the first and second place was still at stake here.

“It was typical Dutch weather with hard wind, nice sun, but also rain and thunder came along.The SCL Holland, powered by Monster Milk , was a real fight in heavy circumstances ,but ended in a sunny and warm price giving in the evening.“The 14 competitors came up in a spectacular “Miami Vice” opening (athletes came into the arena through the big “RIJN canal” on 3 powerful boats from Shipyard “De Hoop”) with sunglasses in the rain and music from the series “Miami Vice”. Show and entertainment made it complete! The crowd loved it!

“This was already the 6th stage from Strongman Champions League 2011. The third stage, SCL Serbia will be broadcasted at coming Friday, 20.00 hours. Check also all our broadcast dates for 2011 at our website,” Mostert said.

Here are the top ten overall from SCL Holland:

1. Laurence Shahlaei (Iran) 67.5
2. Ervin Katona (Serbia) 67.5
3. Jimmy Laureys (Belgium) 54.5
4. Johannes Arsjo (Sweden) 49.5
5. Agris Kazelniks (Latvia) 46.0
6. Warrick Brant (Australia) 45.0
7. Konstiantyn Ilin (Ukraine) 42.0
8. Alex Moonen (Holland) 41.5
9. Rick v/d Torre (Holland) 37.5
10. Martin Wildauer (Austria) 35.5
And here are the top five* overall in 2011 SCL season tour to date:
1. Ervin Katona 85
2. Laurence Shahlaei 68
3. Zydrunas Savickas 50
4. Johannes Arsjo 49
5. Jimmy Laureys 40
*The top five from SCL will be invited to WSM, Mostert told IronMind.

Vitautas Lalas Wins SCL-Finland

by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2011 IronMind

IdeaPark, Finland—Making a big splash in his Strongman Champions League (SCL) debut, Vitautas Lalas (Lithuania) edged out Laurence Shahlaei for the win.Vitautas Lalas dropped the hammer in the Loading Race and never looked back. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen photo.

Vitautas Lalas finished with 57 points, followed by Laurence Shahlaei at 56.6 points and Ervin Katona at 52.5 points.“The fifth stage of the SCL was again a successful competition,” said SCL cofounder Marcel Mostert. “It was a tough competition, with 35-degree (C) temperatures inside—there is no air conditioning in Finland! “Ervin Katona keeps the orange T-shirt,” said Mostert, referring to the what marks the overall leader of the season, “and the SCL continues next week in Holland.”“Nice events,” said Jyrki Rantanen, “with quite a nice level in the deadlift and 187.5 kg on the log is not something we see too often in Finland.”

Strongman Champions League Signs Deal with Cytosport Monster Milk

by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2011 IronMind

In a statement released to IronMind, Strongman Champions League has announced that Monster Milk has signed up as the overall sponsor for the biggest series in strongman, SCL.Monster Milk has become the overall sponsor for the Srongman Champions League. IronMind® | Courtesy of SCL.

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Following is the press release:

“The SCL made again another step forward, by signing a deal with Monster Milk as the overall sponsor for the whole Strongman Champions League. All stages are now powered by Monster Milk, a brand from Cytosport. CytoSport offers a complete line of protein-enhanced powders, shakes and bars to provide healthy, sustained energy to athletes and active lifestyle consumers alike

Monster Milk, from CytoSport, is an all-in-one, advanced muscle building complex with amazing taste satisfaction. The all-new, stronger Monster Milk features a powerful 50 gram sustained-release protein. We are very happy that the board of Cytosport believes in our strength and expanding future!   The SCL is a worldwide broadcast league over 12 stages throughout the year n 12 different countries.”Commenting on this major new sponsor, SCL cofounder Marcel Mostert told IronMind, “We are very happy with this deal. Monster Milk gives us the ability to develop more quality with powerful events and athletes. Now the SCL can grow further and faster, and we see Monster Milk as the perfect partner for the future.”

In a year when other strongman organizers are struggling to put on single contests, SCL is continuing its attack off the front with its full-fledged series of strongman contests, and this partnership with Monster Milk underlines SCL’s commitment and ability to further develop its concept of an international strongman tour.

And talking about leading the pack, SCL has introduced a way to indicate the season leader at the start of each contest: watch for the orange T-shirt with the Monster Milk logo, as it will be worn by the SCL overall season leader at that time. So, when SCL-Finland begins today, the man of the hour will be Ervin Katona— his orange shirt indicating that he’s the leader of the SCL tour.