at least we can all relax in the understanding that no matter how good pudz may be, he is no match for KAZ a.k.a. GOD
That may be the strangest/saddest sentence I’ve ever read.
I have followed WSM for over a decade and what took place last year was not a competition, it was an outrageous mauling by one man unlike ever before. Mariusz’s accomplishments are up there with other greats of other sports but since WSM is not popular he won’t be heard of but this is the place to acknowledge the man, sort of bringing me to my next point about the transition of the competiton towards more cardio. In one word: Marketing.
In Britain WSM has been televised for over a decade, but in the last five years or so, it has enjoyed much growth to the point where the BBC show all the heats and give the final a prime family viewing time slot on New Years day (BBC is a terrestrial channel, hence free to all). In addition to this they now show all the heats and finals of Britain’s strongest man, and also WSW. Also some of the eagle eyed viewers would have seen a few strongman oriented documentaries over the last couple of years.
Fact of the matter is, a lot of the static events are seen as boring (I love 'em) but the general public can’t relate to what is taking place, they see plenty of facial strain but have no frame of reference. But then they see people heaving huge tyres, pulling trains, massive kegs, pushing weelbarrows full of people, carrying two motorbikes, deadlifting cars etc, makes it very visual and hence more accessible for appreciating for the layperson and these events happen to test stamina a lot more. I actually read the review of one tv critc, who said WSM became somewhat of a New years viewing tradition for him and his mates, giving the same visual descritpions, although it was more of an ironic thing for him, he still gave props to the athletes. Also, we are lucky to have a great commentator in Paul Dickenson, who goes out of his way to make it exciting whilst imparting plenty of cool facts n stats.
I gotta say, this guy is absolutely unreal. Gear? Give me a break. Its rediculous when you get 175 pound geeks saying “yeah well he takes steroids, thats why hes like that.” This guy is a genetic freak, next to Ronnie Coleman he is probably the closest thing to another life form. I think you would have a hard time finding a handful of people in this world with the possibility to come close to doing the things this guy does.
In my opinion, if there is one “perfect” physique that every guy who trains would want it would be this guy’s. Unbelievable thickness (big, big not too big, still has the athletic look) and definition.
Big but not too big? Look at the picture-- the man is a friggin’ monster.
[quote]Scottish 190 wrote:
I used to have this teacher in high school that would help you answer your own question by asking it back to you. Let me see if it works.
“How do YOU think someone gets THAT strong and still stays THAT lean.” I could just tell you my opinion but I think that you and everyone else here already knows the answer to this question :-)[/quote]
All right, everyone’s already pointed this out, but I have to throw in my two cents. Scottish do you really think that he manages to stay that strong and lean solely from the juice? come on, if that were true then Mark Phillipi would be an IFBB competitor and Jay Cutler would be dominating in the farmers walk. I think too often we discount a competitors hard work as being simply a by product of steroid use. Nobody is completely natural: we all spend hours int he gym each week to look the way we do, to lift the weights that we do. Is there anything natural about that?
I can’t believe I got yelled at for making fun of leg extensions? WTF? Guy’s I think Marius is awsome, however, leg extensions? come on, sure they may have their purpose, but it certainly isn’t gaining real world functional strength. If it were a Ronnie Coleman photo shoot I would expect it, not an animal of a man who could tear the limbs off 85% of the human population. Show him doing some real hardcore lifts!
Now obviously it wasn’t his idea to take those pictures, he has someone who designs his marketing and they put it all together and tell him go here and do this. Anyways I wasn’t knocking Marius.
And If the biggest guy in the gym is doing quarter squats are you gonna start doing them? OK so the idea that he is bigger than me so he is right is Stupid. T-Nation in general stands for the opposite of that sentiment so check yourself. 
Vegita ~ Prince of all Sayajins
he benched 450 when he was 16, he’s just one amazing human!
[quote]jakub wrote:
he benched 450 when he was 16, he’s just one amazing human![/quote]
Correction: “At the young age of 16, he entered his first national bench press competition and managed to press 160kg (353lb). Two years later, Mariusz joined the four-wheel club with a 205kg (452lb) lift.”
Still very impressive.
I’ve been amazed by Pudz since I saw the 2003 WSM on ESPN last year. (do they ever show anything in near real time?) A few days ago I caught a replay of one of the qualifiers for the 2003. All of the competitors kept saying that they were just shooting for 2nd place because Marius was so dominant. During the tire flip he wasn’t just flipping the tire—he was tossing it about 3 feet in front of him with every flip!!! He’s just friggin amazing to watch. Definitely a genetic freak of nature that only comes once or twice in a lifetime. I think it’s his combinaton of functional strength and overall work capacity that freaks me out. When you see him on the stones or the event where they carry successively heavier weights up a pyramid of steps he just totally dominates. How can you be that strong and that fast at the same time?! Amazing. Did I see somewhere that he won the 2005 WSM also? Maybe we’ll catch that on ESPN in a couple of years…
[quote]t bone y2j wrote:
Johnny Perry was on the bean for 5 solid years and it killed him. Outright.
Mariuzs is impressive, no doubt, and he is proof of the saddening direction many strongman competitions have taken into fitness. Jokho Ahola was another example. The events now are leaned more and more to fitness and cardio ability.
These days, the man with the greatest absolute strength does not win the world’s strongest man competition. It is the strong guy that has great cardio.
An event at a provincial championship 2 years ago was plate loading at a naval dock. the heaviest plate weighted 90lb. That’s disgusting.
I know I’m biased due to how I was introduced to Strongman events, but I truly believe that some of the events are terrible misrepresentations of strength athletes.
Finally, I consider Mariusz the greatest competitor in the Conan’s Wheel ever. He’s a maestro in that event.[/quote]
this isnt actually a new phenonemon. Look at two of WSM historic battle…sigmarson v OD wilson - OD arguably the strongest but JP still won due to his more athletic nature.
Earlier than that GB’s geoff capes and Bill Kaz, any grip or power exercise and geoff excelled but squatting, static holds, lifting and pressing and bill dominated.
De to the nature of WSM were now seeing the worlds strongest “athlete” in my opinion - not necessarily worlds strongest man.
By the way if you get the chance to watch Jouko ahola’s training video then do so. He’s a famed deadlifter and hits a 3x3 with a straight leg dead before hemorraging and ose bleeding everywhere. Hardcore.
[quote]Jeff_with_a_G wrote:
I’ve been amazed by Pudz since I saw the 2003 WSM on ESPN last year. (do they ever show anything in near real time?) A few days ago I caught a replay of one of the qualifiers for the 2003. All of the competitors kept saying that they were just shooting for 2nd place because Marius was so dominant. During the tire flip he wasn’t just flipping the tire—he was tossing it about 3 feet in front of him with every flip!!! He’s just friggin amazing to watch. Definitely a genetic freak of nature that only comes once or twice in a lifetime. I think it’s his combinaton of functional strength and overall work capacity that freaks me out. When you see him on the stones or the event where they carry successively heavier weights up a pyramid of steps he just totally dominates. How can you be that strong and that fast at the same time?! Amazing. Did I see somewhere that he won the 2005 WSM also? Maybe we’ll catch that on ESPN in a couple of years…[/quote]
yea he did also win the 2005 wsm, but hey, good news all, jesse marunde (an american) took second. And i think another american took like 4th or something. Im not trying to hate other countries or some nonsense, im just saying its been like 10 years since an american reached the podium. Also, just to spread gossip, a lot of people feel that since there are two strongman federations this year (many top competitors left and competed in the ifsa world championships) that this was the second string competition. I still feel this was the WORLDS STRONGEST MAN, but what do i know. Jesse Marunde is a freak, he’s loaded a 410 lb river rock. And as for marius vs kaz, yea, kaz was probably not human, but i’ve heard that most of the events now a days are generally heavier (heavier farmers walk’s, super yokes, tires, etc) so in terms of performance in STRONGMAN itself, pudz wins. Imho
I can’t understand why people rag on Mariuz for not being the absolute strongest in static events. First of all, he’s WON many of them over the past 2 years. Second, even when he hasn’t won recently, he’s taken 2nd or 3rd. The guy’s limit strength is HUGE.
He does have a bit of an unfair advantage, though, in that strongman is actually supported in Poland. Training to be the world’s best is is job, just like any other professional athlete. Most strongmen, especially from the US, have to have other jobs. This does take away from time that could be spent on recovery methods, food preparation, etc. This isn’t an attack on Mariuz, more of a dig on how strongman isn’t financially supported in most places.
The IFSA World’s were pretty heavy this year. The WSM was a more “athleticism” contest. I really think they need to consolidate, splitting up a smallish sport is fucking rediculous.
Mariuz is dominating right now. He’s unreal.
I do hope he stays healthy though.
-Dan
I found this article by Steve Kirit on Mariusz:
Training with
Mariusz Pudzianowski
by: 2x American Champion Steve Kirit
In the movie Troy there is a scene where Odysseus approaches Achilles to solicit his services on what would become the Trojan War. As he met with him, he inadvertently broke up a training session Achilles was having with his cousin, Patroclus. Odysseus, after a brief greeting exclaims to Patroclus, “Learning from Achilles himself… Kings would kill for such an honor.”
The Greek hero Achilles of the early Bronze Age (some 3,000 years ago) was said to be the greatest warrior who ever lived. He was not very big, but strong. His movements were said to be quick and precise, and he never tired or was taken over by fatigue in battle. While to draw such parallels to a figure partly based in myth to an actual person may seem a bit extraneous, I cannot help to observe such similarities in the 2x World Strongest Man, Mariusz Pudzianowski.
I will, in my description, go where few strength athletes would go in describing a fellow competitor, as we “strongmen” tend to be a proud bunch and give praise cautiously. If you are reading this article, you are more than likely well aware of Pudzianowski’s achievements; many times Europe’s Strongest Man, Poland’s Strongest Man, Super Series Champion, 2x WSM… The list goes on. When he wins, he dominates. He is nearly unbeatable at traditional strongman events like the Conan’s wheel (where he can go as long as necessary for a win), stones, medleys, pressing for reps, tire flips, and power stairs. If he does have an “Achilles Heel” it is in his grip strength and his bodyweight when total brute strength, static events are tested. Contests such as the Arnold strongest Man and powerlifting oriented meets can expose the 289-pound champion against the 350+ Leviathans in total brute force.
Maruisz arrived at our gym for a demo on Wednesday, March 9th. He was pleasant and took time to shake everyone’s hand and posed for numerous pictures. He ducked back into the locker room and came out ready to train, just like another gym lifter. He was considerate of his surroundings and of the diverse group of people training around him, many of whom did not know who he even was.
He informed me that he lifts everyday in his off-season before he starts serious training. He squats one day, deadlifts the next, front squats the next day, then back to squatting again. He trains his shoulders by doing behind the neck jerks where he works on speed and explosiveness, three times a week. On Wednesday he started with push jerks, working up to 405 for a very easy and fast two reps. He then squatted, high bar, Olympic style up to two easy, quick sets of 585 for three reps. Mariusz stresses proper form and technique at all times. He never sacrifices technique for more weight, ever, he says. He then did seated dumbell presses with us; 120 pounds, for ten repetitions, for five sets. I must inform you that this workout was all being done at a very fast pace. Next was curls, five sets of ten reps done on a straight bar with 135, then twenty minutes straight of abdominal work. Steve Macdonald and I were huffing and puffing trying to keep up with the weights used and the vigorous pace being set by the champ.
The workout Thursday did not prove to be any more restful for Macdonald and I. Try to read this remembering this was all done in a 90 minute session (Mariusz had a plane to catch).
10 sets 7-10 pull-ups, and chin-ups, 5 sets of 10 lat pull-downs, 5 sets of 10 lat rows, 5 sets of 6-10 good mornings, 5 sets of ten standing triceps skull-crushers (with 155), 5 sets of ten triceps push-downs, 5 sets of deadlifting (he worked up to 655 for a few). During this whole workout, Mariusz never took a break, and never got winded. If we started talking or carrying on he would throw up his arms and say…“train! train!”
The next day, he would be in Atlanta, where he said he would do another workout that included front squats. Macdonald and I just looked at each other and shook our heads. This is not a regimen many could follow; yet it is merely how Mariusz works out to stay in shape while he is on the road.
I have been witness to many great feats of strength in my time, but I came to a realization that I was in the presence of a rare athlete. I always knew Mariusz was very strong and his conditioning was unsurpassed, but he also possesses extreme discipline and precision in the weight room, so much so that you cannot help but feel a bit clumsy around him. He shows, in all his movements, champion form. While some of the top strongmen in the world often give him a run for his money at certain contests and sometimes beat him, few have yet to rack up his number of wins, and I can see why.
I took as much as I could from the training, being the only American Pro strongman competitor ever to workout with Mariusz. The one big thing I can say that earned Mariusz a bunch of new fans at my gym is the way he carried himself, simply like another gym member giving respect and props to others in the gym. At one point my friend and bench press competitor Mike Barravecchio was doing board presses with 700 pounds and Mariusz shook his head and smiled at him and said “too much!” On another occasion two high school kids where front squatting with horrible form, Mariusz ran over and offered assistance and a demonstration of proper technique to them.
Overall, the experience was very positive and memorable for myself as well as many others in the gym. Mariusz clowned around with us and fit right in like he lived just around the corner. It is an attitude like this that wins fans and gives a very positive representation of the sport. As a veteran competitor myself, I learned that you can never have too much knowledge, whether it be about training, or your fellow competitors.
during strongman training there is alot of force put on the quads and the biceps tendons,to make sure they don’t pull something or worse many stronman trainees will do some work on isolation exercises to make sure to keep the tendons and such strong doing extensions and hammer curls can be seen by a few strongman athletes. just my $.02 from my info BB
What kind of a boxing record record does he have? It would really be interesting to see him compete professionally.
[quote]jlesk68 wrote:
I found this article by Steve Kirit on Mariusz:
Training with
Mariusz Pudzianowski
by: 2x American Champion Steve Kirit
[/quote]
nice. thanks for posting !
[quote]creed wrote:
The guy was a boxer as well. [/quote]
Jeez, never get in a ring with him. He’d kick my ass. Blindfolded. With one arm tied behind his back. On one leg.
[quote]rrjc5488 wrote:
creed wrote:
The guy was a boxer as well.
Jeez, never get in a ring with him. He’d kick my ass. Blindfolded. With one arm tied behind his back. On one leg.[/quote]
Did any of you guys ever see Demon Knight? When Billy Zane punches that sheriff in the face? That’s what I imagine Mariusz’s punch to be like.
[quote]ToShinDo wrote:
rrjc5488 wrote:
creed wrote:
The guy was a boxer as well.
Jeez, never get in a ring with him. He’d kick my ass. Blindfolded. With one arm tied behind his back. On one leg.
Did any of you guys ever see Demon Knight? When Billy Zane punches that sheriff in the face? That’s what I imagine Mariusz’s punch to be like.
[/quote]
Demon Knight is one of the best movies of all time.
What else can be said about Pud? He’s the fucking man. That is all that needs to be said.