Over the years, the events used in World's Strongest Man have changed a lot, so it
can be a little difficult to give an accurate comparison between competitors of old and the newer strongmen.
Magn�sson never went head to head with Kazmaier or Reinhoudt, so how are we to know who was the strongest?
It is difficult to compare the performances of strongmen in some events, like the Truck Pull, because the weight of the truck or the distance
of the course varies from year to year. There are, however, a few events that have been used consistently through the
years with which one can compare the two eras.
The Dead Lift
This is a good lift to consider if one is trying to measure a competitor's pure power. It requires tremendous
strength in the legs and back, and a good grip as well. Here are some of the best dead lifts ever seen in WSM history:
Tom Magee
Jon Pall Sigmarsson
Bill Kazmaier
Ernie Hackett
Gerrit Badenhorst
Jouko Ahola
Don Reinhoudt
Magn�s Ver Magn�sson
New Zealand, 1983
New Zealand, 1983
United States, 1982
United States, 1982
South Africa, 1994
United States, 1997
United States, 1979
South Africa, 1994
All of these lifts (with the exception of Reinhoudt's) were performed as a "silver dollar lift" where the weights on the bar
were coins in boxes at each end. This generally provides a slightly shorter distance for the lift and more bend in the bar than with traditional weights. Reinhoudt's
lift was on a standard bar attached to the back of a car, and was the equivalent of a 950 lb. bar lift.
The Squat
This is basically the only event from the first WSM contest that is still being used now. Here are some of the best squats in competition:
Don Reinhoudt
Bill Kazmaier
Magn�s Ver Magn�sson
Ernie Hackett
Tom Magee
Mark Philippi
Dave Waddington
Gerrit Badenhorst
Gary Taylor
United States, 1979
United States, 1981
Bahamas, 1995
United States, 1982
United States, 1982
United States, 1997
United States, 1982
Bahamas, 1995
Bahamas, 1995
In comparison, the best squat ever managed by Bruce Wilhelm was 750 lb. (341 kg.) in 1978. The squat was never used in any contest
featuring Jon Pall Sigmarsson, so it is difficult to compare him in this event.
The Log Lift
This event has not been used in recent years for maximum weight, but instead for repetitions. Here are the best log lifts
from the years that it was an event:
Jamie Reeves
Bill Kazmaier
Jon Pall Sigmarsson
Raimunds Bergmanis
Gary Taylor
Lars Hedlund
Ernie Hackett
Spain, 1989
Spain, 1989
Scotland, 1987
United States, 1997
South Africa, 1994
United States, 1980
United States, 1982
As this event has not been used recently, with the exception of one qualifying heat in 1994, it is difficult to compare some men like Magn�sson, Kiri, or Badenhorst.
The Rock Lift/Barrel Lift
The rock and barrel lift are similar in that they are both an overhead press of an object on which it
is very difficult to get a good grip. Here are the best rock and barrel lifts seen in WSM:
Don Reinhoudt
Lars Hedlund
Magn�s Ver Magn�sson
O.D. Wilson
Gerrit Badenhorst
Magn�s Ver Magn�sson
Anton Boucher
John Gamble
Jon Pall Sigmarsson
Laszlo Fekete
