Since it's inception, the American Strongman Corporation has drawn some of the BIGGEST names in American Strength sports to it's annual America's Strongest Man event. This year, just like last, the event will be contested during the Mr Olympia weekend in the Las Vegas Expo Center on Sept 27th and 28th. Last year saw relative newcomer Mike Burke miss an opportunity to make the finals at Worlds Strongest Man in Los Angeles. He packed his family in the truck, drove the 5 odd hours to Las Vegas and decimated the field to take home his first America's Strongest man title.
This year, MIKE BURKE returns after a recent fifth place finish at Worlds Strongest Man in China and he is bringing with him a monster contingency the likes of which have never seen the America's Strongest Man stage. Confirmed to compete at this years ASM are:
BRIAN SHAW
The 2011 and new 2013 World’s Strongest Man and former Arnold Strongman Classic Champion is competing in his first ASM since 2007 where he placed fourth behind two ASM title holders - Derek Poundstone (recovering from an injury) and Van Hatfield. Shaw, who many consider the favorite, will have his work cut out for him but being the biggest man in the show and the current World’s Strongest Man, he’s gotta be the guy to beat.
MIKE JENKINS
He placed 4th at this year’s World’s Strongest Man and he won the Arnold Strongman in 2012. Mike, who placed as high as 2nd here in 2010, had a tough WSM this year after suffering food poisoning during the qualifying round. Should Mike come in healthy, he’ll certainly place on the podium. Look for Jenkins in his trademark brightly colored “Converse Chucks.” Unfortunately Big Mike won't be at this years event due to a virulent bug Mike contracted in China while competing at Worlds Strongest Man, which is still affecting his day to day training,
ROBERT OBERST
Robert placed 9th at this year’s World’s Strongest Man in his rookie season. The new bearded face on the American Strongman scene broke the American record for the Log Press at this event last year and on the heels of making the finals at Worlds, he certainly has to be considered a favorite. Fans love his enthusiasm and character for sure.
NICK BEST
Although he didn’t make the finals at WSM this year, he took the runner up spot at Giants Live in Australia in 2012 and 2013. Nick, representing the AARP in this group, has some of the best grip strength and carrying abilities of all of these athletes. Being a local Vegas-ite and having his wife Callie at his side has its distinctive advantages as well.
Mike Johnston, VP of the American Strongman Corporation, predicts this year will see the first time more than 20 athletes will contest the title of ASM. Confirmed this year are game contenders- Carl Foemmel, Andrew Palmer, 2012 ASM runner-up Mike Caruso, Brad “The Wolverine” Dunn, former ASM winner Van Hatfield, Marshall White, Josh Thigpen and more. This show has taken place all over the country but VP Johnston says the crowds in Vegas are electrifying and really get behind the notion of what these athletes have to accomplish to not only win, but to leave Vegas intact.
The ASM event is contested over two days and includes 8 events in total. If you have never seen these guys up close, stop by the Strongman Arena inside the Olympia Expo Hall and get a close up look at what 6' 8” and 450lbs of World’s Strongest Man looks like!
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