Mmmm I would say a majority of the timed speed events favor the short dudes. I would be okay with more events like this if they would cut those events out. I want to see pure strength not speed.
Why do you think that timed speed events favor short dudes? I don’t really see a logical biomechanical reason that should be the case, nor does data seem to to support that conclusion.
I suppose that you have to break down timed speed events into categories.
Harness truck pulls tend to favor tall guys simply because it is easier for tall guys to be heavier (and still be athletic) and harness truck pulls favor heavy guys.
Loading medleys seem to not go either way, but since the platform height at the end is fixed, it is slightly favorable to heavy guys. Since the actual load is not usually the difference, this is not really that important.
Carries such as frames, farmers, and yokes don’t seem to really favor a specific body type, as far as I can tell. Same with tire flips, drags, duck walks, etc.
If by timed speed events, you are more talking about overhead medleys, deadlift ladders, or just reps for time, I think short guys are favored slightly due to less range of motion. However, this really only comes into play with relatively light events where it really becomes an issue of how many reps you can physically get through in the time limit. As long as the events are heavy enough that competitors reach failure or at least have to slow down to get through it, I don’t think that overall range of motion is a big deal.
I think the above applies to pro level shows like WSM. At amateur shows where a deadlift for reps might be relatively lighter and the winning total is 20+ in 60 seconds, I would agree that less range of motion can make the difference. Amateur shows have pressure to make the weights light enough that competitors don’t get scared off by a fear of zeroing events. I don’t think WSM, the Arnold, etc. have similar considerations.
I just imagine a Novikov being able to move a little easier in a loading medley and even farmers then say a Shaw or a Thor. Platform height at the end definitely favors taller dudes. I think all in all its about even. Really, it seems there is barely any coherent thought put into some of the events at all. Or booze is involved when coming up with some of these events.
That kind of makes sense, but Shaw and Thor were actually quite competitive in farmers and such in their prime. High level strongman seems to be somewhat of a balancing act to see how big you can get while still being reasonably fast and mobile. Novikov might be faster than a prime Thor or Shaw, but that’s because he’s 280lbs vs 450lbs. Not because he’s 7-8 inches shorter.
I think there is an argument to be made that lighter guys might have an advantage in certain types of moving events, but I think height actually works in the opposite direction in that regard. A guy who is 6’8" and 420lbs is generally going to be faster and more nimble than a guy who is 6’0" and 420lbs. Look at Eddie Hall. He is shorter and pushed his weight up really high but his speed suffered much more than taller guys at the same weight.
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This is probably true. But I don’t think there were many 6’ tall competitors pushing 400 lbs though. Eddie was what 350 maybe (probably more like 330) when he was competing. Shaw was 440 or so. There was only 5" differences between the 2. Thor was around 450 at 6’9". Licis was 330 last year.
Eddie and Big Z were upper 300s (like 390-400), and I think both 6’2"-6’3".
I do see Eddie’s weight was allegedly 410 in 2017. Licis last year was 355 at 6’3". Novikov is 6’1" and 298.
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If I’m not mistaken, Eddie was as heavy as 430 at one point
I could believe that. I just know he wasn’t 330-350 as was stated.
Correct, although he is like 350-360 now that he is a boxer 
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Thor taking his training seriously, schedules exhibition match against a legitimate pro:
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Finally got to see WSM on TV, even though I knew he would win it, Novikov was so impressive, just so good at everything.
Also super impressed by Stoltman, considering the points he lost dropping the Anvil in the farmers he was damn close to winning it, I can see him being a regular on the podium for the next few years as long as he stays consistent.
Shaw, what a let down. “I have the tools to not just win this, but dominate” and not win a single event, narrowly clinching 5th at the last event. I get the impression he spends so much time trying to train ‘smart’ and compete tactically and professionally that he’s lost the ability to really push or grind, but that’s ofcourse an armchair opinion and maybe he’s just old.
Damn Id hang out with OD! Im 97lbs though hahaha
Did anyone watch Strength Island?
A few things I noted.
Stoltman brothers had a poor show. They won an event each but on their bad events they finish too far down the table. Luke did okay. But was off top 3 pace by a way.
The Iranian guys were good.
Novakov is just all over strong AND smart. Attention to detail and working things out before flying into them. He is also so well rounded placing top 3 for all 5 events winning 2. 1 static and 1 moving event.
The mystery event was cool. And a great idea. Means people have to be more general in their strength.
Im not sure how long a normal WSM or Giants Live takes but the pace felt quick. Some of those boys were struggling. BUT I liked the live event.
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Absolutely, it was nice to see them against some of the best in the world. I’d really only seen gym lifts from them before.
Agree, had sort of a mid-2000’s WSM feel to it. The execution needs some improvement though, the pulley eating one of the flags could have been anticipated.
It was nice to have a big, livestreamed show again, but WUS absolutely has some things to think about for next time:
- The communications problem that led to a rule change during the first event was unfortunate and should be avoided in the future.
- The judging between Big Z and Terry was pretty inconsistent.
- It may be too much to ask at this point, but I think many people would love to see some better graphics / interim results between events. Makes it more accessible, particularly for more casual viewers.
Absolutely agree with what you said about Novikov as well. He really proved that his WSM win wasn’t a fluke, that guy is just so consistent.
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Yeah right? I like that old school stuff. Crazy shit like car flips or fridge carrying. I liked the fact that it keeps guys all round strong. If you get the events out too soon the guy go in tactically and target 2-3 out of 5 events. Especially if they know who else is going.
For instance if you’re competing against Tom Stolman you’re not going to try and win the stones or loading event. BUT you will work had to make sure your max dead lift is going well.
All your points are spot on.
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The loading was awful. Do you load don’t you. The fact it changed half way through was pretty shit. I would be pretty pissed off if I lost points because as the event went on the weight changes were smoother. Imagine losing 5-8 pts off that. And then losing prize money…
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You’d have defiantly wanted Terry for the press. Stoltman REALLY got nailed there. He dropped at least 3 too early for Big Z.
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0 graphics was tough. I had to check on a web site to see where each person placed after each event…
I’ve yet to watch the Stoltman brother debrief video. I know they will be upset BUT honestly I think they will podium at WSM together soon. With Tom MAYBE getting the win.
2021 official WSM competitor list.
- Oleksii Novikov
- Brian Shaw
- Aivars Smauksetlis
- Terry Hollands
- Graham Hicks
- Gavin Bilton
- Tom Stoltman
- Luke Stoltman
- Maxime Boudreault
- JF Caron
- Bobby Thompson
- Konstantine Janashia
- Eythor Ingólfsson
- Evan Singleton
- Jerry Pritchett
- Kevin Faires
- Robert Oberst
- Trey Mitchell III
- Travis Ortmayer
- Adam Bishop
- Chris Van Der Linde
- Johnny Hansson
- Luke Richardson
- Mark Felix
- Mikhail Shivlyakov
Alternate: Gabriel Peña
I’m putting my money on Novikov repeating again.
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Smart money is on Novikov.
I’d like to see the Stoltman Brothers do well. They where both off the boil at WUS. Tom especially. But looking at their training they are trying to become more technically proficient. After Tom screwed up the giant dumb bell.
JF could be in with a shout.
Novikov could win 2 WSM in 6 months and all of a sudden he is 25 with 2 WSM titles. That gives him plenty of time to go for a record number of wins.
Two obvious names I seem missing from the list are Licis and Kielizskowski (idk if I spelled it right). I suppose neither of them are confirmed yet?
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