The Arnold Strongman Classic is an annual competition featuring

strength athletes Strongman is a competitive strength sport which tests athletes' physical strength and endurance through a variety of heavy lifts and events. Strongman competitions are known for their intensity, pushing athletes to their physical and mental limit ...

from all over the world, determining who is the Strongest Man in the World. Created by

Arnold Schwarzenegger Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger (born July30, 1947) is an Austrian and American actor, businessman, former politician, and former professional bodybuilder, known for his roles in high-profile action films. Governorship of Arnold Schwarzenegger, ...

, Jim Lorimer and

Terry Todd Terence 'Terry' Todd (January 1, 1938 – July 7, 2018) was an American powerlifter, Olympic weightlifter, author, researcher, historian, and a strength and physical culture promoter. Todd was co-founder of the H.J. Lutcher Stark ...

, it is an offshoot of the

Arnold Sports Festival The IFBB Pro Arnold Sports Festival, also known as the Arnold Schwarzenegger Sports Festival, is an annual multi-sport event consisting of professional bodybuilding (''Arnold Classic''), strongman (''Arnold Strongman Classic''), armlifting, fi ...

which takes place annually in

Columbus, Ohio Columbus (, ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities in Ohio, most populous city of the U.S. state of Ohio. With a 2020 United States census, 2020 census population of 905,748, it is the List of United States ...

USA The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 contiguous ...

. Widely regarded as the heaviest and the most difficult strongman competition in the world the Arnold Strongman Classic has been won by only 9 men in history. Among them, the Lithuanian

Žydrūnas Savickas Žydrūnas Savickas (; born July 15, 1975) is a Lithuanian former professional strongman and powerlifter. Throughout his career, he competed in and won 84 international competitions, including four World's Strongest Man titles, two IFSA Strong ...

has won it 8 times, while the American

Brian Shaw Brian or Bryan Shaw may refer to: Sports * Brian Shaw (basketball) (born 1966), American basketball coach and former player * Bryan Shaw (baseball) (born 1987), American baseball player * Brian Shaw (ice hockey, born 1962), Canadian ice hockey pl ...

, the Icelander

Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (; transliterated as Hafthor in English; born 26 November 1988) is an Icelandic professional strongman who is widely regarded as one of the greatest strength athletes of all time. He is the first and only person t ...

and the Canadian

Mitchell Hooper Mitchell Hooper (born 29 September 1995) is a Canadian strongman and kinesiologist. He secured 1st place at the 2023 World's Strongest Man competition in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where he also became the first Canadian to win the title of W ...

have won it 3 times each. Three of the past champions: American

Mark Henry Mark Jerrold Henry (born June 12, 1971) is an American former powerlifter, Olympic weightlifter, strongman, and retired professional wrestler currently signed to WWE under a Legends contract. Henry is a two-time Olympian (1992 and 19 ...

, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson and Brian Shaw have been inducted into the

International Sports Hall of Fame The International Sports Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is a section 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2012 by Dr. Robert M. Goldman to honor exceptional athletes and sporting figures for their accomplishments and dedication to furthering ...

History

The competition (which has been also referred to as 'Arnold's Strength Summit' and 'Arnold's Strongest Man' in the past) is one of the many offshoots of the Arnold festival. The Arnold Sports Festival, founded in 1989 as the

Arnold Classic The International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness Professional League, IFBB Pro Arnold Sports Festival, also known as the Arnold Schwarzenegger Sports Festival, is an annual multi-sport event consisting of professional bodybuilding (''Arn ...

and named after

, was originally a bodybuilding contest only. However, the event expanded to include other sports and events, one of which was Strongman, introduced in 2002. It was specifically designed by

at the request of Schwarzenegger to select the actual strongest strongman based on straightforward tests of brute strength. The inaugural head judge was David P. Webster.

Championship history

2002

The inaugural competition, which was called the 'Arnold Strongman Challenge', was won by

of the USA over

Svend Karlsen Svend Viking Karlsen (born 6 October 1967) is a Norwegian former strongman, powerlifter, bodybuilder and 2001 World's Strongest Man. Being a winner of the World's Strongest Man, the Europe's Strongest Man, the World Muscle Power Class ...

of Norway and

Phil Pfister Phil Pfister ( ; born May 15, 1971) is an American former strongman competitor and winner of the 2006 World's Strongest Man competition held in Sanya, China. He was the first American to win since Bill Kazmaier in 1982. Prior to 2006, Pfister' ...

of the USA. Henry won the Apollon's wheels, Andy Bolton won the deadlift,

Raimonds Bergmanis Total Raimonds Bergmanis (born 25 July 1966) is a Latvian politician and former List of Ministers of Defence of Latvia, Minister of Defence. He is also a former Olympic weightlifting, Olympic weightlifter and Strongma ...

won the Hummer push while Pfister won the timber carry. Competitors were also given the opportunity to attempt the Thomas Inch dumbbell outside of the competition and Henry took the win by lifting it up to chest height.

2003

2003 was the beginning of Lithuania's

's dominant reign of the competition. Karlsen emerged second, while Bergmanis secured third. Savickas won Apollon's wheels and timber carry while Karlsen won medicine ball toss. The Hummer tire deadlift was introduced and was won by

Brad Gillingham Brad Gillingham (born April 26, 1966) is an American world champion powerlifter and strongman competitor from Minnesota, United States. Powerlifting Brad is a 6 time IPF World ...

. The competition was called 'Arnold's Strength Summit'.

2004

Savickas won his second title over Karlsen and Bergmanis. The competition was called 'Arnold's Strongest Man' and 5 events were tested. It was also the first year a 10 man lineup was selected over the initial 8 man lineup from the previous two years. Savickas secured the wins in Apollon's wheels, medicine ball toss and timber carry. Karlsen won the hammer lift while

Mark Philippi Mark Philippi (born March 21, 1963) is an American world champion powerlifter and strongman competitor who currently serves as the assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Philippi is ...

won the Hummer tire deadlift.

2005

For the second year, the competition was called 'Arnold's Strongest Man' and Savickas secured his third title over

Vasyl Virastyuk Vasyl Yaroslavovych Virastyuk (; born 22 April 1974) is a Ukrainian politician and former strongman competitor. He is a brother of Roman Virastyuk. Virastyuk was the winner of World's Strongest Man 2004. In a 28 March 2021 parliamentary by-el ...

of Ukraine and

Glenn Ross Glenn Ross (born 27 May 1971) known by his nickname "The Daddy", is a Northern Ireland former international strongman and powerlifter who has represented Northern Ireland and the UK in several World's Strongest Man competitions and various Worl ...

of Northern Ireland. 6 events were tested for the first time where Savickas won the Apollon's wheels and shared the medicine ball toss world record with

Magnus Samuelsson Magnus Samuelsson (born December 21, 1969), is a Sweden, Swedish actor, former Strongman and the 1998 World's Strongest Man. Known as the 'king of the stones', he made it to the World's Strongest Man podium 5 times and the finals 10 times. The ...

. Ross won the Hummer tire deadlift, and shared the dumbbell press win with

Brian Siders Brian Cameron Siders (born September 11, 1978) is an American world champion powerlifter and regular participant in the Arnold Strongman Classic. Brian is regarded as one of the strongest men to ever walk the planet, especially in press-movements ...

and

Hugo Girard Hugo Girard (born December 20, 1971) is a Canadian former strongman. He is a Strongman Super Series world Champion, a four-time World Muscle Power champion and a six-time Canada's Strongest Man. With 15 international competition wins, he's the n ...

Van Hatfield Van Hatfield (born September 13, 1971) is an American professional strongman competitor and powerlifter from Mapleton, Utah. Van won America's Strongest Man in 2004, his career best win. Van came in 2nd at the IFSA S ...

won the hammer lift while Philippi won the timber carry.

2006

In 2006, the competition took its default name 'Arnold Strongman Classic' and it was won by Savickas for the fourth time over Virastyuk and

Mikhail Koklyaev Mikhail Viktorovich Koklyaev (, born 17 December 1978) is a Russian weightlifter, powerlifter, strongman and boxer. He is widely regarded as one of the most versatile strength athletes of all time. Strongman Koklyaev has placed third place ...

of Russia. Savickas raised the Apollon's wheels world record to 8 reps, won the super yoke, and shared the dumbbell win with Koklyaev and Pfister. Siders won the Hummer tire deadlift while

Benedikt Magnússon Benedikt "Benni" Magnússon ( , ; born 4 June 1983) is an Icelandic Strongman (strength athlete), strongman and powerlifter, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest deadlifters of all-time. He held the raw deadlift world record from 2011 to ...

won the timber carry.

2007

Savickas won his fifth title over Virastyuk and

Andrus Murumets Andrus Murumets (born 20 July 1978) is an Estonian strongman and entrant to the World's Strongest Man contest. He reached 5th in the World Rankings according to the IFSA rankings in 2008. Andrus competed in the IFSA World Championships in 2005 ...

of Estonia. He equaled his Apollon's wheels world record from last year and also won the Hummer tire deadlift and super yoke. The Manhood Stone was introduced for the first time and it was won by Steve MacDonald. Virastyuk won the dumbbell press and Murumets broke the timber carry world record.

2008

Savickas won his sixth consecutive title while winning Manhood Stone and sharing the dumbbell press win with American

Derek Poundstone Derek Anthony Poundstone (born September 28, 1981) is an American police officer, former professional strongman and strength coach from Woodbridge, Connecticut. He was the runner-up at the 2008 World ...

who won the overall second place. Siders won Apollon's wheels and super yoke while Murumets won the timber carry. Magnússon and Oleksandr Pekanov both broke and briefly shared the Hummer tire deadlift world record before Magnússon was given an extra attempt outside the competition to take the world record outright. Koklyaev's consistency awarded him the third place.

2009

In 2009, Savickas took a break and Derek Poundstone became the third man to win the title. He also broke the dumbbell press world record. Koklyaev won the Hummer tire deadlift and took the overall second place.

Travis Ortmayer Travis Ortmayer (born August 9, 1981) is an American professional Strongman athlete from Cypress, Texas. He is nicknamed the Texas Stoneman due to his many world records in the Atlas Ston ...

of USA won Manhood stone and took overall third.

Ervin Katona Ervin Katona (Serbian Cyrillic alphabet, Serbian Cyrillic: Ервин Катона; born 5 January 1977) is a Serbian-born Hungarians, Hungarian strongman (strength athlete), strongman competitor and regular entrant to the World's Strongest M ...

won the timber carry,

Vidas Blekaitis Vidas Blekaitis (born 14 April 1972) is a Lithuanians, Lithunanian Strongman (strength athlete), strongman. As of 2007, Blekaitis was ranked World No. 4 by the International Federation of Strength Athletes. He placed 4th in the 2009 Arnold Strong ...

won the super yoke and Siders equaled Savickas' Apollon's wheels world record.

2010

Poundstone, having broken another dumbbell press world record and won the timber carry to win his second consecutive title over returned Savickas and Ortmayer. Savickas won the Hummer tire deadlift and established a new world record in the Axle.

of USA won the Manhood Stone after a close battle with Poundstone and Ortmayer. The number of events was reduced to 5.

2011

Just days before the 2011 contest, Poundstone was forced to withdraw due to injury and Brian Shaw became the fourth man to win the title. He broke the Manhood stones world record, shared the Hummer tire deadlift win with Savickas and won the timber carry. Mike Jenkins of USA won dumbbell press and secured second place. Savickas broke another Axle world record and secured third.

2012

Mike Jenkins held off Poundstone to become the fifth man to win the title. He broke dumbbell press world record and won both timber carry and the newly introduced Austrian Oak. Poundstone's consistency won him second place and Savickas secured third place after winning the Hummer tire deadlift and Axle (cleans only).

2013

The number of events were reduced to 4, and Lithuania's

Vytautas Lalas Vytautas Lalas (born 21 July 1982) is a Lithuanian professional strongman. He is most notable for being the winner of the 2013 Arnold Strongman Classic and the runner-up at the 2012 World's Strongest Man. Strongman Lalas' first international s ...

became the sixth man to win the title. He also won the dumbbell press.

Krzysztof Radzikowski Krzysztof Edward Radzikowski (born August 18, 1981) is a professional strongman competitor from Głowno, Poland. He has competed in 112 International strongman competitions (2nd highest in history) and has won 24 of them, making him the sixth most ...

won the Austrian Oak. Overall runner-up Shaw broke another Manhood stones world record and shared the Hummer tire deadlift world record with

Mark Felix Mark Felix (born 17 April 1966) is a Grenadian-English retired strongman competitor. He has competed at a record 18 World's Strongest Man contests, reaching the finals three times. He is the winner of the 2015 Ultimate Strongman Masters World C ...

. Another consistent performance earned Koklyaev the overall third.

2014

The 5 event format was brought back and Savickas won his seventh title. He won the Austrian Oak and established world records in the Hummer tire deadlift and the newly introduced bale tote. Shaw came second with a consistent performance across the board and Mike Burke emerged third.

Jerry Pritchett Jerry 'Iron Outlaw' Pritchett (born 18 December 1980) is an Americans, American Strongman and a regular entrant to the World's Strongest Man competition winning 4th place in 2020 and 3rd place in Master's category in 2021. He is also Strength at ...

won the timber carry and there was a four-way tie for the win of the newly introduced Cyr dumbbell press between Savickas, Shaw, Burke and

2015

Shaw won his second title winning the Hummer tire deadlift and a world record in the bale tote. He also shared the world record in the Cyr dumbbell for reps with

Dimitar Savatinov Dimitar Savatinov (born 5 May 1980) is an American Strongman from Bulgaria and the former American Deadlift record holder with . He also previously held the world record for the Max Dumbbell press with . Career Savatinov was a high school wrest ...

. Runner up Savickas broke the Austrian Oak world record. Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson broke the timber carry world record and as a part of Rogue record breakers, broke the

Weight over bar Weight over bar (or Highland games 'one arm' weight over bar) () is a traditional strength sport derived from ancient Scottish Highland games that involves the heaving of a (half hundredweight) weight, over a bar using one hand. Unlike its oth ...

world record.

Mateusz Kieliszkowski Mateusz Kieliszkowski (born 12 August 1993) is a Polish strongman competitor, notable for winning the 2019 World's Ultimate Strongman competition. He is also a two-time World's Strongest Man runner-up, three-time Arnold Strongman Classic runne ...

of Poland secured the overall third place.

2016

Žydrūnas Savickas won his eighth and final title after equaling his own Austrian Oak world record. He also won the timber carry. Runner up Shaw broke world records in the Cyr dumbbell and bale tote.

Eddie Hall Edward Stephen Hall (born 15 January 1988) is an English media personality, retired strongman, and current mixed martial artist. He is best known for his then world-record setting deadlift. He is also known for winning 2017 World's Strongest ...

won the newly introduced Elephant bar deadlift while Lalas secured the overall third place. As a part of Rogue record breakers, Shaw, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson and Burke set world records in Max Manhood Stone, Weight over bar, and double Thomas Inch dumbbells farmers walk, respectively.

2017

Brian Shaw won his third and final title with a world record in bale tote. He also won the timber carry and as a part of Rogue record breakers, broke the Max Manhood Stone world record. The overall runner-up Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson won the Austrian Oak and broke the world record in the Sandbag over bar and as a part of Rogue record breakers, broke the Weight over bar world record.

broke the Elephant bar deadlift world record and secured overall third place.

2018

2018 marked the beginning of Iceland's

's winning reign, after becoming the seventh man to win the title. He broke the Elephant bar deadlift world record, and won both the Axle press and Sandbag over bar. As a part of Rogue record breakers, he also broke the Weight over bar world record. Shaw won second place with a consistent performance across the board. Kieliszkowski broke Odd Haugen's Tombstone world record and

Mikhail Shivlyakov Mikhail Vasilyevich Shivlyakov (; born 30 April 1980) is a Russian professional strongman and former Russian Marine. Early life Shivlyakov was born on April 30, 1980, in the city of Kiselyovsk, Kemerovo Region. From 1998 to 2000, he served ...

secured the overall third place.

2019

Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson won his second consecutive title and in doing so broke his own Elephant bar deadlift world record, world record replica

Húsafell Stone The Húsafell Stone is a legendary lifting stone weighing 186 kg (410 lb) located in a west country farming estate in Húsafell, Iceland about northeast of Reykjavík. The slightly triangular, slab shaped stone is kept at a Pen (enclos ...

carry and as a part of Rogue record breakers, broke Weight over bar world record as well. He also shared the win in Austrian Oak with Kieliszkowski, Shivlyakov and

Martins Licis Martins Licis (, ; born September 28, 1990) is an American professional strongman, notable for winning the 2019 World's Strongest Man, the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic, and the 2021 Rogue Invitational strongman championships. He's the fourth s ...

. Licis broke the world record in the Conan's wheel of pain and secured the second place while Kieliszkowski broke the Odd Haugen's Tombstone world record and secured the third place.

2020

Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson won his third consecutive title becoming only the second man since Savickas to do so. He won the Elephant bar deadlift and the Sandbag over bar and held off Kieliszkowski who won trial by Stone, wheel of pain and established world records in Max Cyr Dumbbell and timber carry to second place. With another consistent performance, Licis secured the third place. As a part of Rogue record breakers,

Tom Stoltman Tom Ryan Stoltman (born 30 May 1994) is a British professional strongman competitor, from Invergordon, Scotland. He is a three time winner of the World's Strongest Man in 2021, 2022, and 2024. He also won the national title of Britain's Strongest ...

broke the Max Manhood Stone world record.

2021

The competition was not held for the first and only time in its history due to the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

2022

America's Martins Licis became the eighth man to win the title. He won the Odd Haugen's Tombstone and stayed consistent across the board. Ukraine's

Oleksii Novikov Oleksii Novikov (, born 11 February 1996) is a Ukrainian professional strongman. He won the 2020 World's Strongest Man competition, becoming the second Ukrainian to win the title since Vasyl Virastyuk in 2004, and at 24 years, 278 days, he is ...

came second place and broke the dumbbell press world record. JF Caron established a new world record in the Double-T Squat while

Luke Stoltman Luke Bernard Stoltman (born 22 November 1984) is a Scottish professional strongman competitor, who won the Scotland’s Strongest Man competition five times, Britain's Strongest Man 2025, Europe's Strongest Man competition two times in 2021 an ...

and Bobby Thompson shared the third place.

2023

Canada's

became the ninth man to win the title, and the first man to win without winning a single event. Runner-up Kieliszkowski won wheel of pain, timber carry and established a new world record in

Steinstossen Steinstossen (translated to 'stone throwing' in English) is the Swiss variant of stone put, of throwing a heavy stone overhead using both arms for the longest distance. Practiced among the alpine population since prehistoric times, it is recorded ...

. Thompson emerged third with a win in briefed deadlift and Trey Mitchell won the Austrian Oak.

2024

Hooper won his second title with wins in timber carry, Axle and a world record replica

Dinnie Stones The Dinnie Stones (also called Stanes or Steens) are a pair of Scottish lifting stones located in Potarch, Aberdeenshire. They were made famous by strongman Donald Dinnie, who reportedly carried the stones barehanded across the width of the Pot ...

carry.

returned after a three-year hiatus and won the Elephant bar deadlift event. Kieliszkowski won the Stones of Strength and secured second place, while Tom Stoltman emerged third.

2025

Hooper won his third consecutive title becoming only the third man to do so. He won the Timber Carry. American

Lucas Hatton Lucas Hatton (born 28 April 1995) is a professional strongman from Eatonville, Washington and the reigning Strength athletics in the United States, America's Strongest Man. As a collegiate athlete for Pacific Lutheran University, Hatton playe ...

won the Overhead Medley and Behind the Neck Press and secured second place on his debut at the competition. Björnsson emerged third and won the Elephant bar Deadlift and Carry and Drag. Austin Andrade won the Stone to Shoulder.

Championship breakdown

Podiums

Multiple time champions

Most podium finishes

Championships by country

Regular events and world records

The events also include Rogue record breakers which were conducted in parallel to the Arnold Strongman Classic. #Timber carry - Contestants have to lift heavy barn timbers bolted together and travel up an inclined ramp. In 2015

carried a 500 kg (1,102 lb) frame (with straps) up a 35 feet ramp in 10.15 seconds, and in 2020

carried a 400 kg (882 lb) frame (without straps) up a 35 feet ramp in 7.01 seconds. The event is also known as 'Frame Carry'. #Manhood Stones - Contestants have to lift heavy round concrete stones weighing in excess of 227 kg (500 lb) (hence Manhood Stones) over a bar 4 feet in height. In 2020

hoisted a 273 kg (602 lb) stone over the bar. #Apollon's wheels - A unique barbell made famous by Louis "Apollon" Uni, reproduced by Ivanko Barbell Company, the Axle is a replica of the original with the same bar thickness of 1 " (1.93" or 49.3mm) and mechanically fastened to railway car wheels and fixed. Therefore the bar and the wheels are not moving, making the lift even more difficult. Contestants must lift the wheels from the floor to overhead as many times as possible within a time frame. In 2006

and in 2009

continental clean and repped a 166 kg (366 lb) Axle for 8 reps. In 2009

did power cleans and repped it for 7 reps. In 2010,

pressed a 208 kg (459 lb) Axle for 2 strict reps and a year later, performed 5 reps with a 188 kg (415 lb) Axle. #Austrian Oak - A unique log named after

's nickname which weighs anywhere from 195–204 kg (430-450 lb) where the athletes have to press for the maximum number of reps. A lighter Slater log which weighs 175 kg (386 lb) was also used for athletes who couldn't lift the Austrian Oak. In 2015 and 2016

repped a 204 kg (450 lb) Austrian Oak 4 times. #Hummer tire Deadlift - Contestants are required to lift a specially designed long bar loaded with Hummer tires from 15" height. The bar was designed and manufactured by Ivanko Barbell Company and could hold up to eight Hummer tires with the rims intact. Additional calibrated barbell plates may be added if required. In 2014

pulled 524 kg (1,155 lb) from a 15" height. #Elephant bar Deadlift - Contestants are required to lift a specially designed extra whipping long bar called an

Elephant bar The elephant bar is a barbell developed by Rogue Fitness which is specifically used for the strongman raw deadlift. It was first created in 2016 by Terry Todd, the director of the Arnold Strongman Classic. The bar is known for being long and ma ...

with

inscribed 2-inch thick deep dish stainless steel weight plates from a standard 9" height. It has to be done raw and use of figure 8 straps are not allowed. It was designed and manufactured by

Rogue Fitness Rogue Fitness (legally named Coulter Ventures, LLC, often branded and referred to as Rogue) is an American manufacturer and distributor of gym equipment based in Columbus, Ohio. It produces strength and conditioning equipment such as weightliftin ...

. In 2019

pulled 474.5 kg (1,046 lb) from the standard 9" height. #Bale Tote - Contestants have to carry across their shoulders a heavy bar/yoke in a timed event. In 2017

carried a 710 kg (1,565 lb) yoke for 4 meters in 14.87 seconds. The event is also known as 'Super Yoke'. #Bag over bar - Contestants have to throw heavy sandbags over a 15-foot bar. In 2017

threw a 45 kg (100 lb) bag over the 15-foot bar. #Weight over bar - Contestants have to throw a 25.5 kg (56 lb) weight derived from the Highland games, using only 1 arm, for max height over a bar. In 2019

threw the weight over a 20-foot 2-inch bar. #Cyr Dumbbell - Lifting the classic heavy "Circus" dumbbell, used by

Louis Cyr Louis Cyr (; born Cyprien-Noé Cyr; October 10, 1863 – November 10, 1912) was a Canadian strongman (strength athlete), strongman with a career spanning the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Based on his recorded feats, including lifting wit ...

Richard Sorin Richard 'Pops' Sorin (June 26, 1950 - June 3, 2024) was an American strongman and a grip strength specialist. Career Sorin developed noteworthy grip strength at a young age. At only 13 he managed to pinch grip a pair of 35 lb (15.9 kg ...

recreated the dumbbell for this event. It usually has a big handle of over in diameter and sits lower than a normal circus dumbbell once it's shouldered before the final press, increasing its range of motion. The basic rule was to use one hand and lift the dumbbell overhead either for max weight or reps. In 2020

lifted a 145 kg (320 lb) dumbbell, and in 2016

repped a 136 kg (300 lb) dumbbell 3 times. #Odd Haugen's Tombstone - Contestants have to lift a natural stone that weighs 186 kg (410 lb) to their shoulder for many reps as possible. In 2019

lifted the stone for 5 repetitions. #Húsafell Stone - Contestants have to carry the legendary

which weighs 186 kg (410 lb) around a structure that replicated the historical sheep and goat pen. In 2019

carried the stone for a distance of 218 feet 11 inches. #Conan's Wheel of Pain - Hailing from the Basque circle tradition, the event replicated the legendary grain mill from '' Conan the Barbarian (1982)'' where the contestants have to push a contraption which weighs 20,000 lbs around in a circle for time or distance and measured in either degrees or distance. The colossal contraption was replicated and built by

. In 2019

pushed the wheel for a distance of 119 feet 9 inches. #Steinborn Squat - A unique barbell with globes and a squat made famous by Henry 'Milo' Steinborn, where contestants have to erect and tip the barbell to their backs unassisted and squat it. In 2019

squatted 256.5 kg (565 lb) with the implement. #Double T Squat - Contestants have to Squat a specially designed cambered duffalo bar to a depth-adjusted platform, for max weight. In 2022

Jean-François Caron Jean-François Caron may refer to: * Jean-François Caron (politician) *Jean-François Caron (strongman) *Jean-François Caron (writer) Jean-François Caron (born February 19, 1978) is a Canadian writer from Quebec, most noted for his 2017 novel ...

Squatted 438 kg (966 lb). The event was named after

. #Steinstossen Stone toss - Contestants have to throw an oval shaped natural stone for distance. In 2023

threw an 84 kg (185 lb) stone for a distance of 11 feet 5 inches.

Full results

2002: Arnold Classic Strongman Competition

Dates: 22, 23 February 2002 Columbus, Ohio:

2003: Arnold's Strength Summit

Dates: 28 February, 1 March 2003 Columbus, Ohio:

2004: Arnold's Strongest Man

Dates: 5, 6 March 2004 Columbus, Ohio:

2005: Arnold's Strongest Man

Dates: 4, 5 March 2005 Columbus, Ohio:

2006: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 3, 4 March 2006 Columbus, Ohio:

2007: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 2–4 March 2007 Columbus, Ohio:

2008: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 29 February, 1 March 2008 Columbus, Ohio:

2009: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 6, 7 March 2009 Columbus, Ohio:

2010: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 5, 6 March 2010 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

2011: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 4, 5 March 2011 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

2012: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 2, 3 March 2012 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

2013: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 1, 2 March 2013 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

2014: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 1, 2 March 2014 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

2015: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 7, 8 March 2015 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

2016: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 4, 5 March 2016 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

2017: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 3, 4 March 2017 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

2018: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 2, 3 March 2018 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

2019: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 1, 2 March 2019 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

2020: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 6, 7 March 2020 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Strongman Arena)

2022: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 4, 5 March 2022 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Strongman Arena)

2023: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 3, 4 March 2023 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Strongman Arena)

2024: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 1, 2 March 2024 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Strongman Arena)

2025: Arnold Strongman Classic

Dates: 28 February - 1 March 2025 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Strongman Arena)

Arnold Strongman Classic-Europe

In 2012, the inaugural ''"Arnold Strongman Classic-Europe"'' contest was formed and is a joint promotion between Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jim Lorimer (Arnold Sports Festival co-promoter), Dr. Rafael Santonja (president of the International Federation of Body Building, "IFBB") as well as American Strongman Corporation and

Strongman Champions League The Strongman Champions League is a Strongman competition circuit, with several Grand Prix events throughout the year and the Strongman Champions League overall champion title going to the overall winner at the end of the season. Competitors in ...

. The ''"Arnold Strongman Classic-Europe"'' contest will differ significantly from the format of the original Arnold Strongman Classic event, with less of an emphasis on brute strength and heavy events, and will include a wider variety of events and some speed/loading events similar to

and

World's Strongest Man The World's Strongest Man is an international strongman competition held every year. Organized by American event management company IMG, a subsidiary of Endeavor, it is broadcast in the US during summers and in the UK around the end of Decemb ...

contests. The format change is due largely in part to the event being broadcast and televised in 85 countries.

2012: Arnold Strongman Classic-Europe

The 2012 contest was held in

Madrid, Spain Madrid ( ; ) is the capital and List of largest cities in Spain, most populous municipality of Spain. It has almost 3.5 million inhabitants and a Madrid metropolitan area, metropolitan area population of approximately 7 million. It i ...

on Oct. 13 & 14, 2012, the event was sponsored by Maximum Human Performance. The contest is included as part of the 2012

season, and competitors earned points towards the annual SCL overall title. The inaugural contest was won by 6-time Arnold Strongman champion and reigning

Zydrunas Savickas of

Lithuania Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania, is a country in the Baltic region of Europe. It is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, bordered by Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, P ...

, who was also the 2012 SCL overall champion. Dates: October 13–14, 2012 Madrid, Spain

2016: Arnold Strongman Classic-Europe

Date: September 24, 2016 Barcelona, Spain

2017: Arnold Strongman Classic-Europe

Date: September 23, 2017 Barcelona, Spain

2018: Arnold Strongman Classic-Europe

Dates: March 16–17, 2018 Barcelona, Spain

2019: Arnold Strongman Classic-Europe

Date: September 21, 2019 Barcelona, Spain

Arnold Strongman Classic Australia

In 2015, the inaugural ''"Arnold Strongman Classic Australia"'' contest was formed, and is a joint promotion between Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jim Lorimer (Arnold Sports Festival co-promoter), Dr. Rafael Santonja (president of the

International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness The International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB) is an international professional sports governing body for bodybuilding and fitness. Headquartered in Las Rozas de Madrid, it oversees many of the sport's major international events, ...

, "IFBB") as well as Australian Strongman Corporation and

2015: Arnold Strongman Classic Australia

Dates: March 13–14, 2015 Melbourne, Australia

2016: Arnold Strongman Classic Australia

Dates: March 18–19, 2016 Melbourne, Australia

2017: Arnold Strongman Classic Australia

Date: March 18, 2017 Melbourne, Australia

2018: Arnold Strongman Classic Australia

Dates: March 16–17, 2018 Melbourne, Australia

2019: Arnold Strongman Classic Australia

Dates: March 15–16, 2019 Melbourne, Australia

Arnold Strongman Classic USA

In 2019, the inaugural ''"Arnold Strongman Classic USA"'' contest was established. A competition that's part of the Arnold Pro Strongman World Series ran by

. It was held on the

Santa Monica Pier The Santa Monica Pier is a large pier at the foot of Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica, California, United States. It contains a small amusement park, concession stands, and areas for views and fishing. The pier is part of the greater Santa Monic ...

2019: Arnold Strongman Classic USA

Dates: January 19, 2019 Santa Monica, California

2020: Arnold Strongman Classic USA

Dates: January 18, 2020 Santa Monica, California

Arnold Strongman Classic UK

In 2022, the inaugural ''"Arnold Strongman Classic UK"'' contest was established being a joint promotion between

and

. One year earlier the 2021 Arnold Strongman UK was organised by

Giants Live Giants Live is a professional strongman tour which was originated in the United Kingdom. It hosts several prominent competitions each year, including national competitions such as Britain's Strongest Man, international competitions such as Eur ...

2022: Arnold Strongman Classic UK

Dates: September 23–24, 2022 Birmingham, United Kingdom

2024: Arnold Strongman Classic UK

Dates: March 16–17, 2024 Birmingham, United Kingdom

Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

In 2010, the Arnold Amateur contest was formed by Dione Wessels. The contest is open to amateur strongman competitors from all over the world. The winner of the contest receives their pro card, and an invite to the next year's Arnold Strongman Classic event. Mike Jenkins won the inaugural contest in 2010,Mateusz Baron from

Poland Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south, bordered by Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukrai ...

was the 2011 winner, and Adam Scherr was the 2012 winner.

2010: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 7, 6 March 2010 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

2011: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 5, 6 March 2011 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

2012: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 3, 4 March 2012 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

2013: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 1,2 March 2013 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

2014: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 1,2 March 2014 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

2015: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 7,8 March 2015 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

2016: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 4, 5 March 2016 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

2017: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 1,2 March 2017 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

2018: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 2, 3 March 2018 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

2019: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 2, 3 March 2019 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

2020: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 7, 8 March 2020 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

2022: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 4, 6 March 2022 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

2023: Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Dates: 3, 5 March 2023 Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

2024 Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championship

Dates: 2, 3 March 2024 ''Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

2025 Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championship

Dates: 1, 2 March 2025 ''Columbus, Ohio (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Arnold EXPO Stage)

Notes

References

External links

Official Arnold Strongman Classic website

Arnold Sports Festival
{{Arnold Schwarzenegger Arnold Schwarzenegger Strongmen competitions Recurring sporting events established in 2002