LA Fit / All American Strongman Athlete List. January 29, 2012

[Bryan Hildebrand]

Thanks to Odd Haugen for this updated list of athletes competing this weekend in LA.


Mark Felix, 45. England via Grenada. 6’ 4” 310lbs.

Nick Best, 43. Las Vegas, NV. 6’ 2” 310lbs.

Jerry Pritchet, 31. Buckeye, Az. 6’ 3” 325lbs.

Michael Burke, 37. Aurora, CO. 6” 6” 320lbs

Josh Thigpen, 29. Webster, TX. 6’ 5” 320lbs.

Louis Phillipe Jean, 27. Quebec, Canada 6’ 2” 345lbs.

Vinceent Urbank, 24. Atlantic beach, FL 6’ 5” 315lbs.

James Rude, 28, Las Vegas, NV. 6’ 8” 335lbs.

Joel Dircks, 28. Mound, MN. 6’ 1” 310lbs.

[Ryan Bracewell]

I've been wondering what the competitor list for this contest looks like. Its way more stacked than I expected to see. 45% of the competitors have been to WSM.

[robert da strongman]

Amazing lineup. Do the new guys like burke and vince have a chance?

[Bryan Hildebrand]

burke was not only strong last year, he had great cardio. super nice guy. his olympia win assumedly gave him a huge boost for the off season. I have an email out to him. hope to talk to him before this weekend.

vince is a beast and if he can put several events in a row together, he is a threat anytime. vince could stand to put a few more pounds on. he is so long, but lean and super muscular. 15lbs of mass and he will be a big threat.

felix is always a joy to watch. interesting to see if nick can rebound from his disaster at the arnold last year. josh is hit or miss. last year was a big miss. jerry is one hell of a puller, but can he press and does he have the gas? james rude is the dark horse here IMO. big guy but does he have the hutspa?

[robert da strongman]

Wonder what the events are? Will they be brute strength or cardio events?

[Bryan Hildebrand]

I think I saw them... gimme a minute.

[Bryan Hildebrand]

oh ya, the article I did! ;)

http://www.rxmuscle.com/strength-articles/4912-all-american-strongman-challenge-la-fit-expo.html

FORMAT OF COMPETITION
The All American Strongman Challenge will be contested over 6 Disciplines. Athletes’ order and pairing in the first Discipline is determined by reverse order of received entry, and announced at the Athletes’ Rules Meeting prior to the commencement of the contest. The order in the subsequent Disciplines shall be the reverse order of OVERALL standing (not previous Discipline). Ties in the overall standing shall be broken by finish in previous Discipline.
If a Discipline is contested in pairs or groups, the “lane” assignments must be uniformly applied “odd” in left lane, “even” in right lane to the all pairs.
SCORING
Timed Disciplines shall be hand timed, and distances shall be measured by standard measuring tapes. The score in a Discipline shall be determined by placement and based on the number of Athletes starting in the first Discipline of the contest. If an Athlete pass on a Discipline or fail to get a measurable result in a Discipline, he will receive zero (0) points (i.e. fails to get one repetition in a Discipline for maximum repetitions, fails to lift the opening weight in a max lift, etc.). The score for a placement shall remain the same through an entire competition (i.e. if the score for 1st place is 12 points in the first Discipline, it will remain 12 points in subsequent Disciplines even if the field of athletes has been reduced by attrition). However, if there’s a cut in the number of athletes due to time constraints, the scoring will be weighted.
Schedule of Events and Rules
SATURDAY JANUARY 28, 2012
11 AM: Athletes' Rules Meeting
12 Noon: Presentation of Athletes
12:05 PM: FARMERS WALK
The athletes competing pairs will each attempt to lift and carry Giant Farmers Walk (180kg/~400lb each) implements 66 feet/20m (total) without turn. Multiple set downs and pick-ups allowed. No grip aids other than chalk allowed. Longest distance or fastest time to finish wins. The athletes will have 60 seconds time limit to complete course.
12:30 PM: OVERHEAD LIFTING MEDLEY
The athletes in reverse order of overall standing will attempt to (1) lift a 115kg/~250lb aluminum block overhead; (2)Lift a 275lb field stone overhead; 3) clean and press/jerk a 310lb log overhead with two arms; 4)lift a 330lb keg overhead; and (5) clean and press/jerk a 355lb axle with wheels overhead. Implements may be lifted in any order, and splits will be timed at completion of each lift as determined by referee's signal. Referee may disallow an otherwise good lift if the implement is thrown or otherwise abused. Fastest to complete the most lifts win. The athlete will have 120 seconds time limit to complete all lifts.
1:30 PM: DEAD LIFT MEDLEY
The athlete will attempt to dead lift various implements: Giant Fishing Pole~550lb, Giant Tire~800lb, Louis Cyr Barbell~750lb (normal height), Axle and wheels~920lb). Fastest to complete the most lifts wins. The athlete will have 120 seconds time limit to complete all lifts. Lift implements in any order. Splits timed on lock-out of each completed dead lift. Weights must be returned to floor/platform "under control". Dropping the weights will result in "no lift". Straps and lifting suits allowed, but not recommended on account of the Fishing Pole.
2:30 PM: SUPER YOKE
The athletes, competing in pairs will each attempt to lift and carry a 415kg/915lb yoke on their shoulders for 132 feet/40m (total) up and back. Multiple set down allowed. Furthest or fastest time to complete course wins. The athlete will have 60 seconds time limit to complete course.
3:00 PM: STRONGMAN TUG-O-WAR ARM OVER ARM (FINAL)
8-Man Tournament single "battle" elimination with "bonus" points and seeded according to overall standing in the competition. Each battle is best two of three tug matches, and carry along "bonus" points as follows: Win 2-0 and receive 3 points; win 2-1 and receive 2 points; and lose 1-2 and receive 1 point. "Bonus" points count ONLY towards breaking a tie in the tournament standing, i.e. the two semi-final losers would get 3rd and 4th place based on the cumulative "bonus" points, and if still tie would battle off for 3rd place. A Tug-O-War match has two athletes standing, facing each other holding a 2" rope with a giant rubber band in the center of the rope (equidistance from the athletes and acting as a shock absorber). The athletes cannot wrap the rope around his body or arms, but may sit and pull. Climbing shoes and gloves are recommended, but no spikes allowed. The match start standing on Head Judge's signal and last till an athlete wins or 10 seconds. A match is won if:
o The opponent's safety mark crosses the safety zone;
o The opponent drops the rope or touches the center tire by anything other than his feet/legs;
o The opponent steps out of his battle lane; or
o At time limit, the athlete with advantage in Head Judge's sole judgment is the winner.
Tug offs by quarter final losers for 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th if required.
Semi Finals
Tug off for 3rd place if required
FINALS
4:30 PM: STONES OF STRENGTH (TOP 8 ATHLETES)
The athlete will attempt to carry and load 5 stones weighing from 265 pounds to 430 pounds onto pedestals of various heights. Fastest time to load the most stones within 60 seconds time limit wins. 1st stone weighs 265lb/120kg; 2nd stone 310lb/140kg; 3rd stone 352lb/160kg; 4th stone 385lb/175kg; and the 5th stone 430lb/195kg.
5:15 PM: AWARD CEREMONY
PRESENTATION OF THE 2012 ALL AMERICAN STRONGMAN TEAM

[robert da strongman]

400Lb farmers?! This is a nasty show..

[Ryan Bracewell]

Ya, the events are great in this show except for the tug-a-war type event. This contest could really go to anyone

[robert da strongman]

Ya, the events are great in this show except for the tug-a-war type event. This contest could really go to anyone

At least they aren't doing the sumo thing.

[Bryan Hildebrand]

not a fan of tug o war. not sure the motivation there. maybe Odd wanted something not typical that could be easily set up and moved? equipment at these types of events can be cumbersome.

[robert da strongman]

not to steal the thunder from RX but the comp will be streaming here:

http://www.nickbestprostrongman.com/video.html

[Bryan Hildebrand]

at least someone will be streaming. i wont be there. dave is covering it.

[robert da strongman]

i am sure Dave will get some good interviews

[Sandpig]

Don't think I'm going. But if I do, I'll get some pics.

Here's hoping home boy Nick Best wins this thing.

[Bryan Hildebrand]

heres hoping mike burke and vince urbank put on a show.

[Ryan Bracewell]

With the events you cant count Urbank out. LPJ could also do really well with this contest, his brute strength is crazy.

[robert da strongman]

Watching press medley. The blocks look tough

[robert da strongman]

Crowd there is impressive! Mark Felix up now... Misses the axle and stone

[robert da strongman]

Burke first one to complete press medley

[robert da strongman]

The dl medley was weird. No one except nick best tried the 960 axle

[robert da strongman]

So with 2 events left.... Stefan Solvi, Mike Burke, Nick Best are 1,2,3

[Bryan Hildebrand]

nice. mike is one hell of a presser. keep us updated.

[robert da strongman]

Tug of war... Burke out pulled felix, urbank beat best

[robert da strongman]

And dave is there...

[robert da strongman]

Burke makes out to final, udbank and stefan up now

[robert da strongman]

Vince just out tugs stefan.... Urbank and burke for tug of war final

[robert da strongman]

Two beasts up.... One apiece...Vince just pulls for the rope out of burkes hands for the win

[robert da strongman]

Stones...they are using the old ifsa stone circle

[robert da strongman]

Going into stones... Burke, Stefan, Best

[robert da strongman]

Stones are kicking everyone's ass our the tacky sucks

[robert da strongman]

Thigpen gets all 5! Vince up next...

[robert da strongman]

Vince gets 4

[robert da strongman]

Nick Best...nearly passes out trying for number 5

[robert da strongman]

Burke up...makes 5 easy!!!

[robert da strongman]

With the win in the stones...Mike Burke is headed to the arnold

[Ryan Bracewell]

Aren't they going tomorrow too?

[robert da strongman]

Nope...I believe they are doing the ironmind grip stuff tomorrow

[Bryan Hildebrand]

thanks for that update. dave has an interview with mike coming alter this evening. congrats to mike and mary. great people.

[robert da strongman]

interview with the winner...

http://www.rxmuscle.com/strength-videos/4934-mike-burke-after-winning-2012-all-american-strongman-challenge-at-la-fit-expo.html


also Mike came in third on the Ironmind grip challenge sunday, mark Felix won

[robert da strongman]

Report from ironmind

http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/Articles/2012/Jan/Mark_Felix_Wins_the_Visegrip_Viking_Challenge.html