IIRC, the 5th stone was introduced in 86, and JPS lifted it either that year at WSM, or at pure strength 87 (no WSM in 87).
The commentary during the year I’m talking about credited it with being the first time all 5 had been lifted at WSM. For whatever that’s worth. Which would point towards it having been in 1987 that JPS did it.
I am apparently wrong. Pure Strength 87 only used 3 stones, and they had to carry them what appears to be about 100 ft and load them in a cart. I just saw that the 5th stone was added in 86. Perhaps it was not used until 91 for WSM, but was used as a local lifting stone or for other comps perhaps. I thought I read somewhere that JPS was the first to get all 5, but probably just read that on the internet, so IDK.
The point is that they were using sub 300 lb stones (perhaps a slightly heavier than 300 lb stone in the late 80s) in the 80s and struggled with them. Tacky makes a pretty big difference from what I have heard. At the same time, I think our current top guys would almost be throwing those stones around with just chalk. The sport has come a long way.
I really like watching the past comps on YouTube. Just seemed like a simpler time. Also, pretty cool seeing the guys do lifts that are within the realm of possibility for me to do (could probably get at least one stone done).
Edit: In 88 they had 5 stones. Just watched it on YouTube.
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In my mind, Kaz was the first to get all 5 stones.
In a Sun Tzu style move, he did the heaviest one first and was like “In Your Face Everyone!” Nobody could believe it. It was awesome.
Did I dream this or did this happen?
The Stone came straight from Highland Gmes somewhere. A lot of events have roots like that. They have tried to incorporate tests of manhood from around the world and mythology. Which is really cool, IMO. Tacky makes a massive difference, not always good. The ambient temperature, the type of tacky (Also from Highland Games) and the quantity of tacky already on the stone all matter. Whenit’s really hot, the tacky can get greasy instead of sticky (The Rehband stuff, there are other “Craft” concoctions that are different). Sometimes the best thing is to chalk up and avoid additional tacky at all costs. Aften the first three stones are heavily laden with tacky, because they get touched by the most competitors. So if you’re a Heavy with a good placing, you’re one of the last people to touch them, which complicates things. You may need chalk or nothing for the first three because they’re dripping in slick melty tacky, then number 4 is pristine like a virgin and suddenly you need a completely different setup for your forearms - on the fly.
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I remember somebody going in the wrong order, earning the ultimate Strongman crown of having a new rule introduced and named for him. I don’t remember who though. The rules all used to have names, for whoever gamed the system first. Like Stumpy Raines using a ring to extend his arm length for Husafeldt.
I think of this when I am about to do a heavy lift.
If you have seen the video, it looks like Kaz is about to go on a murder spree. Such intensity and craziness in his eyes.
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There is a sign in a small town in New York that should be named after me. I got a ticket and read the ordinance they ticketed me for. The sign wasn’t as described in the ordinance and so I was able to fight the ticket and get it dropped. I drove through the next week and the sign was fixed. Not as cool as a strongman rule, but you can’t have it all.
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Who was it that started the farmers walk with the weights picked up already? That one makes me laugh.
I don’t remember, but it’s a bad idea.
I like the WSM event where Kaz loops the rope through his belt, and is laughing his ass off during the event because he figured out a loop hole in the rules. Then he falls on his ass a few times in a row (I don’t think he even finished the event, but I could be wrong). I think it was 88 that that happened.
Double edged sword. Loopholes generally only get used once, so you can’t tip your hand ahead of time. But if it doesn’t work, you pay a price. Magnus Ver was THE technician. He analyzed everything and figured out the best way to do it. And he was usually correct. He was the first, or at least one of the first guys to have multiply suits. He didn’t talk about it, he just had some suits stitched together and used them. He knew where to put your feet, and where to put your hands, and exactly how to initiate on every event. Kaz used brute force most of the time. Jouka Ahola had lead sewn into one of his belts, specifically for the Truck Pull because body weight mattered a lot on that event.
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I notice this on a lot of events with Magnus. The guy was analytical. He seemed to approach a lot of lifts differently than everyone else. Was he the first to do overhead stones in the way kegs are done (staggered hands).
He might have been. I competed several times in contests where he was Head Judge. I made it a practice to grab a coffee at Starbucks or somewhere and show up extra early. He was one of the first guys there, and he would just sit down and talk. He loved explaining all of his tricks and stuff. I’m not as stupid as I look, so I sat there and shot the breeze with him. A free seminar at every contest. I don’t know why no one else ever did it.
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Jouko Ahola was also one of the first guys to make his own implements to train specifically for the events he knew would be in the contest.
Phil Pfister.
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Man I would love to just sit and talk with/listen to you one day. I bet you have a lot of great stories
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Phil had the best turn ever. It was like a dance when he would do the spim while still going the same direction, and by the time he stopped moving he was already facing the other way and would just go. No wated time or distance.
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Novikov deadlift:
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