Can someone give me a TL;DR? I’m currently in a stalemate with Instagram and can’t access the post.
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Luke said he got shafted at worlds with a harder group after not competing or promoting an feeder event.
He said if you do as WSM wants he gets extra promotion of brand Stoltman.
He eluded to Eddie being given an easier ride due to the same arrangements.
It’s not stuff you don’t know / suspect. It’s just said very clearly. By a leading athlete. WSM and Bryce favour athletes that toe the line and do as they are told.
Like, we have to remember that this is the same organization that banned athletes from competing if they competed in IFSA competitions. Meanwhile, IFSA was the only strongman organization at the time paying salaries and actually taking care of athletes.
And do we even wanna discuss how it’s only British Athletes that are getting these offers in the first place? Given the strong presence of WSM on British television for Christmas and the rich history there? Dating all the way back to Capes and Kaz, which then became Capes and JPS for MYSTERIOUS reasons?
All this drama for a sport no one watches, haha.
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Got it, thank you.
I always tell people that strongman is a cult. The people that are a part of strongman think it is the best shit ever and will do whatever it takes to be a part of it.
The people on the outside looking in know strongman is ridiculous/stupid and don’t understand it at all.
It will be interesting to see if tom falls apart this year. He has a tendency to let things get in his head. I think there is a fair chance he totally falls apart.
I was going to bring this up if nobody else did. WSM seems to have favored individuals since at least 1990.
The real kicker to that event is that wasn’t supposed to be the final event. It was a last minute change. If that isn’t sketchy AF, I don’t know what is.
O.D. Wilson 1990 WSM winner!
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Yeah - I used to LOVE WSM - but of recent I’m just not that keen. It’s not even that well polished with regards to the show. Last year they had an event go totally wrong as they left the brakes on the train push. And OB had is squat height set too low on the squat for reps.
These are things you should be worrying about at the premier event for your sport.
I that just a feeling that it British guys only? I’m not arguing but I can’t imagine WSM not treating Shaw or Big Z right. Their head to head where the best thing about WSM for years. But saying that I could equally believe as an organisation they are very “nationalistic”…
Man that was such a blatant “we want him to win”. 100kg-220lb over 200m. I think I’d do as well an OD. No offence to the guy. But I’m a lot smaller and more athletic.
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I mean this is WSM. 100 kg does not belong in any type of carry event.
About the only things that should be 100 kgs or under are tosses, weird holds for time, stuff like that. Absolutely not in a carry event.
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Not really surprising at all and makes complete sense from the organiser point of view, bias events and groups towards upcoming popular athletes and in return get more promotion from them and more shows with them. Other competitors would be smart to boycott the event but doubt anything will change
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A couple thoughts/questions:
- Does 1000 pounds a month seem like a ridiculously low amount of money to anyone else? I get that strength sports are not tier 1 pro sports, but are the top guys really making so little? Or is it just that most of the “pay” is the favorable treatment in groups and events?
- How is “Giants Live” supposed to be pronounced? As in, is the second word LAIV or LIV? Is it supposed to mean that giants are still alive or that you can see those giants in real time on TV?
- Is Brian Shaw getting punished for creating the Shaw classic? Maybe the promoters don’t like the competition.
The former.
Well, he just won the first event in his heat.
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We only seem to be seeing this with Capes, Hall and the Stoltzman bros. And the very fact Terry Hollands got to compete for so long, haha.
I was about to argue that one. And point out Terry always made the finals. Until I did a quick google of my facts (always wise) and - he last qualified for the finals in 2016. So yeah - I do concede the point. Also I doubt very much that - even if the odd no Brit did get some uneven WSM help - its not on the same level. Take Thor. The man could have taken the sport much bigger places. The guy was in the biggest TV show in the world. Talk about building a brand. But they lost him. Total reversal of say the UFC. Who where trying to do the same thing as strong man. And bring a fringe sport to the masses. But Dana White did a good job.
£1000 retainer - this is on top of their free transport to the events, free accommodation ETC. And on top of prize money. And to do what? It is easy money.
It is the long vowel sound - like “eye”.
Difficult. There is some footage of Bryce being a bit dismissive of Shaw. However if I were a promoter the more strong man there is - the more of it on TV, on the internet ETC the better. I think it can only help build the sport. Its better to have 75% of a 2 million than 100% of 1 million. The fact is if the Shaw classic brings more of the US market to the party then great.
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After letting it simmer for a while, the only thing I really have a problem with is the event selection thing. Athlete selection and seeding is openly very subjective. It’s not something they hide that athletes are selected for performance and storyline.
Also after watching a few athlete responses, I think this may backfire on WUS. None of them seem to mind the conversation as much as WUS trying to sabotage Luke/Tom the day before WSM. I think there are some athletes that might not do WUS shows after this.
Add Mark Felix to that list. LOL
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Mark is SO much more legit, haha.
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You are right, and what a story for the sport to have someone his age still being almost competitive in some events and still close to the best on grip events. I think though if there was proper qualifying based on results, he might not not make the cut. Massive respect to Mark though, he is a legend.
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Mark Felix makes the thought of getting older not seem so bad.
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Too right he does, he must have found the fountain of youth… LOL
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