Event Schedule and Competition Rules: Day One
Strongman Event One: Friday Afternoon 3:30-4:20
Expo Center Stage
The Austrian Oak: From the Floor to Arms’ Length Overhead
Time Limit: 90 seconds
We will use two logs. The “Small” log weighs approximately 385 pounds (175 kg); The
“Large” log weighs approximately 450 pounds (204 kg). The event will be conducted just
as it was in 2014.
The logs are made of wood, metal and rope and the dimensions of the heavier log—The
Austrian Oak—are as follows: length, 9’; diameter between the handles, 12”; distance between
the handles, 26”; handle diameter, 1.25”; diameter at each end, 22”. The logs are also balanced
so that the handles are equidistant from the exact balance point of the log.
The challenge to the athletes will be to take the log from the platform and lift it to arms’ lift
overhead for as many repetitions as possible. A “down” signal will be given to the lifter by hand
as well as by voice or a whistle. The log is then dropped or lowered to the platform. The lifter
does as many repetitions as possible in 90 seconds using a press, a push-press, a push-jerk, or
a split jerk, but the log must be controlled on every rep and the referee’s whistle should not be
blown until the bar is controlled overhead. This will be monitored very closely. The lifter may
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use any technique to bring the log to the chest except to stand it on one end and rock it
sideways into position for the overhead portion of the lift.
Lifters who choose to only lift the lighter log will have a better chance to lift more reps and
demonstrate their level of strength. Because our time on stage is limited, any lifter who knows
he wants to use the heavy log for his max rep must tell the referees his decision before the
event begins. All athletes who choose the heavy log will be allowed to take one attempt with the
lighter log backstage as a warm-up. Just as we have done in the past with the Manhood
Stones, we will begin with the heavy log—The Austrian Oak—and, after those attempts, the
competitors who either failed to lift the heavy log for at least one rep or chose to only lift the
lighter log will take their turn with that log. The order of lifting in the log event will be determined
by drawing lots as this is the first event of the competition. Anyone making at least one rep
with the heavy log will be placed ahead of anyone who successfully lifts the light log for
multiple reps.
Time Limit: Competitors will have 1.5 minutes (90 seconds) from the time their name is
announced and the whistle has blown (NOT from the time the lifter touches the log) to complete
their attempts. Please be ready to go as soon as the man ahead of you finishes.
*****
Record Breakers Challenge Event One: Friday 4:20-4:40
Expo Center Stage
Inch Dumbbell (78 kg/172 lbs) One-Hand Deadlift for Max
Reps
Challenger: Odd Haugen
*****
Strongman Event Two: Friday Afternoon 4:40-5:15
Expo Center Stage
The Timber Carry: 500 kg/1102 lbs up a 35 foot ramp
Time Limit: 30 seconds
This event will be similar to last year’s event, but straps will be allowed. We have used the
same Timber Frame since the ASC began in 2002, although the weight of the frame has often
been different. It was designed by Terry Todd, built by Hugo and Jonathan Hemme of Texas,
and adapted through the years by Steve Slater. This year it will weigh approximately 1102
pounds (500 kg) and it will be carried approximately 35 feet (10.7 meters) up the same ramp we
have used in recent years. No sliding of the frame is allowed. The timbers can be dropped and
picked back up again. The time limit is 30 seconds.
*****
Record Breakers Challenge Event Two: Friday 5:15-5:30
Expo Center Stage:
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Inch Dumbbell (78 kg/172 lbs) Clean and Overhead Lift for
Max Reps. Challenger must make at least two reps to break
the record.
Challenger: Mike Burke
Maximum repetitions in the One Hand Clean and Overhead Lift with a 172 Pound Inch Replica.
The current record is one complete rep set by Mark Henry in 2002. This is a Mighty Mitts event
and is not part of the Arnold Strongman Classic. It is sponsored by Sorinex.
Event Schedule and Competition Rules: Day Two
Strongman Event Three: Saturday Afternoon 1:45-3:15
Expo Center Stage
The Tire Deadlift
Time Limit: 30 seconds per attempt
Each man will have three attempts, and we will use the "round" system, in which the lightest first
attempt will be done first, followed by the next heaviest, and so on. When each man has made
one attempt, the bar will be lowered and the second attempts will be done as the first were
done—with the weight on the bar rising. Each man will have to begin his lift within 30 seconds
of the time his name has been called. Straps will be allowed, but greasing or oiling the thighs is
prohibited. No support suits or support shirts of any sort will be permitted in this or any
other event. Belts may be used—but only one belt. The bar can be hitched, stopped, and
even lowered so long as it is brought to the correct finish position at the conclusion of the lift—
legs and body straight and shoulders in line with the sides of the body. However, the bar cannot
be raised and then dropped and bounced to gain momentum.
Note to contestants: Before the contest begins you will be given a piece of paper on which to
write your first attempt. You will have 10 minutes to make this decision. The expediter will note
the time when she/he gave you the paper and you will then have 10 minutes to turn in your first
weight. If you do not turn in a first-attempt weight at the end of ten minutes, your first attempt
will automatically become 3 tires—829 pounds/376 kilos. Following the first and the second
attempts, the lifter must tell the Expediter what their next weight will be within 90
seconds. Failure to turn in an attempt will result in the lifter being given the next available
increase in weight. After the weight has been given to the expediter, it cannot be changed
except on the third attempt, when one change is permitted as long as the weight
requested is not lower than what is already loaded on the bar.)
*****
Record Breakers Challenge Event Three: Saturday 3:15-4:00
Expo Center Stage:
One Hand Snatch with more than 116 kg/255 lbs
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Challenger: Mikhail Koklyaev
The record in the One Hand Snatch is held by Charles Rigoulot, who won a gold medal for
France in the Olympic Games in 1924. In 1929, after he had turned professional, Rigoulot
snatched 253 pounds (115 kg) with one hand and this lift has never been matched or exceeded.
Rigoulot, who weighed approximately 220 pounds (100 kg) used a specially made bar, over 8’
long, and the challenger or challengers to his record will use a bar designed and built by Rogue
Fitness. Two “Rigoulot Bars” have been made for the event and are the same size as the
original bar. The warm-up bar weighs 220 pounds (100 kg) and the record bar weighs
approximately 255 pounds (116 kg). To be successful, a challenger must pull the bar with one
hand to arm’s length in one motion without “pressing” the bar as he finishes “locking out” his
lifting arm. The challenger will be allowed three attempts to break the record. If the record is
broken the details of the lift will be officially submitted to the Guinness World Records
organization for inclusion in the next edition of the book. Sponsored by Rogue Fitness
*****
Strongman Event Four: Saturday Afternoon 4:00-5:30
Expo Center Stage
The Bale Tote: Yoke Event with Cotton Bales Over 4 Meters
Time Limit: 30 seconds for Attempt One (Approximately
589.7 kg/1300 lbs);
Time and Distance on Attempt Two (Approximately 680.4
kg/1500 lbs)
This year we will load our yoke so that it will weigh approximately 1300 lbs for the first
of two heats. We have had two bales of cotton made at the oldest operational gin in
America— in Burton, Texas—which began to gin and bale cotton in 1914. These bales
were made the old-fashioned way so that they are larger than modern bales. Each bale
weighs over 400 lbs (182.5 kg) but will be reweighed before the event begins so the
weight will be exact when announced from the stage. The yoke which will carry the
cotton bales and any additional weight we need was designed and built by Ian Mclean of
Rogue Fitness. The men will try to carry the yoke a very short distance (approximately 4
meters/13 feet) on each attempt and each man must carry it the full distance on the
first attempt in order to qualify for the final heat. On the first attempt the yoke will
weight approximately 589.7 kg/1300 lbs. On the final attempt, the weight will be raised
to between 1450 and 1500 pounds and each man who successfully carried the first
weight will go in the same order and attempt to carry the heavier yoke the same
distance. Anyone who fails to carry the yoke the full distance will be judged on how far
he carried his final attempt. The first heat attempts must be completed within 30
seconds. Placements will be determined by a combination of distance and speed in the
final event. Each man will have 30 seconds maximum per attempt.
*****
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Strongman Event Five: Saturday Evening
Battelle Hall
The Cyr Dumbbell: Floor to Overhead for Max Reps with
124.5 kg /274 lbs
Time Limit: 90 Seconds
This event will be conducted in the same way as last year—two hands may be used to lift the
dumbbell to the shoulder, but then only one arm can be used to push it to arms’ length
overhead. The background for this event is that in January of 1892—in front of 5000 people at
the Royal Aquarium in London, Louis Cyr broke Eugen Sandow’s world record by push-pressing
a dumbbell of 273.25 lbs (124 kg) over his head with one hand after taking it to his shoulder with
two hands. We have this dumbbell in the Weider Museum at the University of Texas. After
Cyr’s death the dumbbell was owned by his grandson who sold it decades ago to Ben Weider,
whose son, Eric Weider, donated it to the Weider Museum in the Stark Center at the University
of Texas in Austin. The handle of the dumbbell is approximately 1 5/8” in diameter or a bit
more. The other important measurements are as follows: (Handle Circumference—6 5/16”;
Length—4.5”; Spheres circumference—31 3/8”; length from handle to end, 13 ¾”). Using this
dumbbell allows us to pay our respects to the legendary Louis Cyr, a bronze statue of whom is
given each year to the winner of our competition. The replica of the Cyr Dumbbell has been
designed and built by the experts at Rogue Fitness, one of the major sponsors of the Arnold
Strongman Classic. Rogue Fitness also made a lighter version of the 274 pound replica, and
the lighter version, weighing 240 pounds (109 kg), will be available for warm-ups, in addition a
Circus Dumbbell weighing approximately 200 pounds (90 kg) and to an Inch DB replica. The
dimensions of the lighter “Cyr Bell” are the same as the dimensions of the 274 pound/ 124.5 kg
dumbbell.
*****
Record Breakers Challenge Event Four: Sunday 12:00-12:30
Expo Center Stage:
Weight Over Bar With 56-pound Weight
Challengers: Hafthor Bjornsson, Mike Zolkiewicz and Mikhail
Koklyaev
Hafthor Bjornsson unofficially exceeded the World Record in this event in the fall of
2014 in a Highland Games Exhibition at Loon Mountain, New Hampshire. On the Expo
Stage, Bjornsson, Mike Zolkiewicz, the official Highland Games World Record Holder in
the weight throw for height, and possibly Mikhail Koklyaev will attempt to set a new
world record.
*****
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Arnold Strongman Classic Officials
The Arnold Strongman Classic is directed by Terry Todd, Jan Todd, and Steve
Slater. The other officials for 2015 include David Webster and Magnus ver
Magnusson (Head Officials), Odd Haugen, John Fair, Kim Beckwith, Mark Henry,
Gregg Ernst, Dionne Wessels, Terry Young, Brad and Karl Gillingham, and Bill
Duerson.
*****
Arnold Strongman Classic 2015 Prize Money
In 2001, when Jim Lorimer and Arnold Schwarzenegger asked Terry Todd to
design and organize a heavy-duty Strongman contest for what is now known as
the Arnold Sports Festival, Todd asked them to organize the largest prize package
in the sport—including a fully-loaded new Hummer—as a way to attract the
world’s strongest men. Lorimer and Schwarzenegger agreed and when the
contest was over the weightlifter-powerlifter-WWE wrestler Mark Henry drove
away in a steel-grey Hummer—which he still drives, $10,000 in cash, and a twoweek vacation package in the Caribbean. Since the time of that first contest,
Lorimer and Schwarzenegger have followed Todd’s recommendation to increase
the total prize money every year and to offer the richest winner’s purse in the
sport.
In 2015 the winner of the Arnold Strongman Classic will receive $70,000 and a
40-pound bronze statue of the legendary Louis Cyr. The breakdown for the rest
of the field will be:
Second: $20,000
Seventh: $5,000
Third: $15,000
Eighth: $3,000
Fourth: $10,000
Ninth: $2,000
Fifth: $8,00
Tenth: $1,000
Sixth: $6,000
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