Mighty Mitts at the Arnold

[Mobster]

Some of you may have been made aware of a series of events called 'Mighty Mitts'. Basically Terry Todd, David P Webster and Richard Sorin have combined their efforts and expertise to come up with a Grip Strength competition. There are 5 events (info to follow) and each one has a cash prize of $1000 for the winner.

Athletes were asked to submit resumes and I (my name being Steve Gardener) offered up mine which includes my being the current British and European champ with several British, Euro and World records to my name. Fellow grip nuts Chad Woodall, Andrew Durnait and Jedd Johnson did the same and were chosen.

From the WSM athletes Ode Haugen and (subject to his NOT competing in the Arnold Strongman event, Mark Felix are going to be with us. We have strongman / grip freak Wade Gillingham taking part. From Sorinex's training camp 350 and 400lb Rich Williams and Tex Henderson will be there. Finally, as a guest lifter (no prize money as he is paid for his time there) wrestler, strongman, grip freak and former Olympic lifter Mark Henry rounds out the list.

We're all waiting on more details (as in rooms? Travel costs? etc) from Terry Todd. I'm guessing we'll make our own ways there and so on. If so I'd like to see if I could work with a company over the weekend so that I can recover some of my costs helping them (shirt on stage, some stand work and so on) so that I am not out of pocket. Of the events I fancy my chances on two, possibly three but there's no overall prize and so it'll be very, very competitive. If anyone has some ideas, names I could contact and so on please PM me.

Events are subject to change, rules amendments and so but are, for now, as follows:

Jowett Anvil: deadlift the 163 lb. anvil by its horn. Hold for time, longest wins. I can pull this so it'll be grit thereafter.

Sorin’s Monster: deadlift a 500-lb. barbell with a 2-inch diameter handle. This is more than the official WR so if I get it it'll be for a rep. I suspect the Sorinex guys, cos of access, etc will do well here. Reps wins.

Inch by Inch: walk for distance with an Inch replica dumbbell in each hand. I can pick up an Inch with either hand so need to work on this. We have a single replica here but can make weight with a set up for the other hand.
Mark Henry Bell: lift the 300-lb dumbbell with a 2.5-inch diameter handle out of its box. I think this is mine to lose. The major issue is shaking the damn box free.

I've seen that we're contesting our events between the Arnold Strongman events so I think that makes it a 2-day affair. I've heard the expo is out of this world so I'm up for that and I've also heard they have grip event challenges on a few stands and fancy making a few bucks there.

I hope to meet a few of the RX et al boys and gals while I'm there. Say hi but don't shake the hand LOL
Gama Club: lever an 80-pound Indian Club

[smj091977]

Cool, I will be excited to see the results! BTW can you crush a raw potato? I read an article in Ironmind about it, tried it and failed miserably( if you can close the #3 you can crush a potato was the gist). I was kind of wondering if it were truly possible or just a crazy idea.

[Mobster]

Probably, but as it's more a feat of strength, it would depend on the potato. What kind, cooked or uncooked, fresh, raw and so on. It's a very old time strongman feat of strength. Another was crushing rocks. The trick was to use sandstone and soak a piece on water overnight. It's still a rock and hard to the touch but enough pressure and it would crumble.

[smj091977]

Its supposed to be raw, and it didn't specify type. That rock idea sounds like a fun party trick

[Mobster]

Anyway... did my last training session today. 200-kilos / 440lbs x 3 x 1 reps double overhand thick bar deadlifts. One rep with 500lbs... come to papa!

[smj091977]

Best of luck, bro

[Mobster]

Thanks. I managed a backstage 466lbs and last week did 5 x 1 with 190-kilos

[toddbz]

I'd say I'd like to shake you hand...but I think I'd better not lol

[Mobster]

I do tend to need to be careful. So it's normally quite gentle.

[smj091977]

I shook Lou Ferrigno's hand a few years ago and I was disgusted with his limp shake. He gave me one of those princess handshakes like where you kiss the girls hand... a person doesn't have to be an asshole and try and crush my hand but a little pressure while shaking hands is a must!

[Mobster]

I had the pleasure of his hand, as they say ha ha, a few years back. It was a fucking shovel - huge!! My hand disappeared inside and then came back out. Thickest was Mark Henry's - I couldn't hook my thumb all the way over.