2014 Arnold Strongman Classic, Photos, Videos, Interviews and Updates from Columbus!

**Bryan Hildebrand** · 02-28-2014, 08:07 PM

Zydrunas is in top form. This looks like the younger dominate HUGE Big Z. Brian Shaw looks great. He is on top of his game, but I am thinking Z might be too much. However, Brian has an advantage in the 2 events tomorrow; 880 Frame carry and the Hummer Tire Deadlift. They finish with the circus dumbbell tomorrow night and that should be a toss up.

Robert Oberst looks impressive once he got the butterflies out. Very confident.

Dimitar had his struggles early. difficulty balancing that big Oak. tons of repssing power, but couldnt stabilize it to make it happen.

Radzikowski had an ugly injury when he lost the 440lb Oak over his head with his hand still in the handle box. turned his elbow and popped his tricep. Pretty certain he is done for the weekend.

Jerry Pritchett I believe is out. He had a good showing with the lighter log but when he got under the 1,100lb Yoke, certainly appeared to injure his back. Have not talked to him but I believe he is done...

Vytautas Lalas, last years winner is mid pack with 2 reps on the big log and a mid pack finish with the yoke.

Mikhial Shivlykov has had his struggles but had some solid reps on the small log and then struggled with the mid weight on the Yoke.

Mike Burke looks great. nursing a hip issue, though you didnt see it in the Yoke. Over 1,400lbs picked and walked for 10' for time. Z wins this with a quick time by Shaw. Burke and Thor come in 3rd and 4th.

Tomorrow is the Frame Carry. Thsi year is lighter than last years 1,000lb+ set up to a paltry 880lbs, but the boys wont get to sue straps.

They will also contest the Hummer Tire deadlift, an Arnold staple. I expect 4 guys try 1,100+lbs and I expect Mark Felixs record of 1.144lbs from last year to fall as well.

All in all, my only gripe is the Yoke. It took WWWAAAYYYYYYY to long to set up and when it was, it became a snoozefest. An event taking less than 4 seconds to complete? ALL of the fans I spoke too disliked the event.

Mens Highland Games have moved to Saturday at Noon at the Commons Park on High St. Snow is supposed to hold off until Saturday night and Sunday morning. Up to 12" is predicted. The Open womens and masters classes of the Highland Games are scheduled for 0830 Sunday morning. Looks like I will be drinking scotch early!

Video coverage will be up shortly. Interviews will take palce tomorrow night. The Todds and Jim Lorimer have two camera crews shooting a documentary and they are allowing NO media backstage. I will catch up with everyone tomorrow night.

**Bryan Hildebrand** · 03-01-2014, 10:04 AM

Here is the complete Austrian Oak log press event.

**Bryan Hildebrand** · 03-01-2014, 02:26 PM

Jerry Pritchett wins the Frame. Burke 2nd. Shaw 3rd.

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**Bryan Hildebrand** · 03-01-2014, 02:33 PM

After 3 events

1st Z
2nd Shaw -2
3rd Burke -4.5

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**Bryan Hildebrand** · 03-01-2014, 02:34 PM

Hummer Tire Deadlift up next

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**Bryan Hildebrand** · 03-01-2014, 04:03 PM

Zydrunas sites a new world record with 1050lb in the Hummer Tire deadlift. Brian Shaw 2nd and Jerry Pritchett 3rd.

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**Bryan Hildebrand** · 03-01-2014, 05:26 PM

Quick run run down before the finals. Zydrunas unless he is hurt will win tonight. He is just a step ahead of the top 3 guys and 4 steps ahead of everyone else.

Brian Shaw is having a great contest. He broke initially the Hummer Tire deadlift world record with an 1,132lb pull. If Z has difficulty with the DB tonight, Brian could pull out a victory.

Jerry Pritchett put the pedal to the metal and out ran everyone with the Frame with an 8.78 second blast. Only 2 others made the entire course, Mike Burke and Brian Shaw.

See you tonight at Veterans and the final.

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**USMC 1371** · 03-01-2014, 06:27 PM

I haven't been keeping up with strongman. Where has Poundstone been?

**KYZR** · 03-01-2014, 06:34 PM

Derek has unofficially retired. While we may see him compete again some day, he has incurred so many serious injuries over the years that I think he is now more carefully weighing the costs to his longevity by staying in the game.

**Bryan Hildebrand** · 03-02-2014, 02:24 AM

Thats accurate...

Zydrunas wins tonights 274 Louis Cyr DB press. This beast is 274lbs and is shaped like a traditional dumbbell from back in the late 1800's.

Zydrunas, Burke, Shaw and Thor all got 4 reps. Brian Shaw was given accidentally... a fifth rep, but was ruled that he only completed 4. Had he been given that rep, he would have made up the 2 point deficit going into the final event and won the overall. The other 3 would have had to split the points thus giving Zydrunas too few points to hold his lead.

Video of the event will be up tomorrow.

Here is the 3rd event of the weekend, the 880lb Frame Carry No straps, uphill for time. Jerry Pritchett destroyed everyone and was one of only 3 to finish the course in 8.85 seconds.

**Bryan Hildebrand** · 03-02-2014, 09:28 AM

Zydrunas with his world record 1,150lb deadlift

**Bryan Hildebrand** · 03-02-2014, 11:02 AM

Outside in the snow with the Highland Games competitors. I took these just before the sky opened up and started to really dump. Only 1 event down 5 more to go. People complaining about the cold and snow here? Shut up and try putting a 12lb stone covered in ice. Amanda Ballew and All South Decade track star Joclyn Davis.

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