07-Apr-07: Diesel Athlete of the Month

There were lots of possibilities for athlete of the month during March and it took a while to get through them all. This month the Diesel Athlete is someone who is busy defending our country in the deserts of Iraq, yet still finds time to train! And I'm not talking about bodyweight conditioning - this fellow trains with kettlebells and bands and even bends nails.

In fact, he just started bending nails in January, 2007, when he purchased an IronMind Bag o' Nails. He told us he bent the white nail no problem, smashed a yellow in 30 seconds, and then stopped to marvel at the Red Nail. Less than a week later, he wrote, "I thought KBs were my favorite strength tool, but nothing touches the awesomeness of destroying perfectly fine steel products with my hands. My father is going to mail me some grade 5-8 bolts, when I get them I will let you know how it goes." Within a month, he was "bending cut Blues terminator style," and tried a red DU, getting it to about 10 degrees. Now, with only about 3 months of bending experience, he is mangling Red Nails with IronMind wraps.

It is my pleasure to announce SSgt. Adam Glass the Diesel Athlete of the Month.

The Conquered Red Nail


A Bent Grounding Rod


Kettlebell Innovation

All the best to you, SSgt. Adam Glass! Come home safe.

-NAPALM-



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07-Apr -07: New Physical Challenge - Ninja Warrior

Check your satellite service or cable driver for the channel G4. If you have it, you need to check out this strength-oriented tv show - NINJA WARRIOR. Smitty recently introduced me to this show and it is very exciting to watch. I think I am going to run out and build my own obstacle course in my neighbor's backyard.

-NAPALM-



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06-Apr-07: New Rick Walker Article at EliteFTS

Our good friend Rick Walker has put together another eloquent addition to his public articles. This one is about his specialty: the Deadlift. Rick is the kind of guy that doesn't horde the real deal advice. He puts it all out there for us all to benefit from. Check out this article today: On Chicken Sacrifice, Speed, and Deadlifts

-NAPALM-



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06-Apr-07: Upcoming Grip Contest for Those in Canada

From Eric Roussin on the Gripboard: An upcoming Arm Wrestling and Grip Challenge in Canada.

2007 Ottawa Armwrestling Championships and Grip Strength Challenge

Saturday, April 14th 2007

Weigh-ins and Registration: 11:30am to 12:30pm

Tournament Start: 1pm

Armwrestling Weight Classes:

Men’s Right 0-170 lbs
Men’s Right 171-200 lbs
Men’s Right 201+ lbs
Men’s Left 0-170 lbs
Men’s Left 171-200 lbs
Men’s Left 201+ lbs
Women’s Right Open

Grip Challenge Weight Classes:

Men 0-185 lbs
Men 186+ lbs

Grip Events:

Rolling Thunder
Block Pinch Grip
Gripper Strap Hold
Lever Lift to the Front

Armwrestling Entry Fee: $15 for first class; $10 for each additional class; FREE FOR FIRST TIME EOA EVENT COMPETITORS!!!

Grip Challenge Entry Fee: $10

Trophies for the top three armwrestlers; Medals for the top three grip enthusiasts

Location:

The Georgetown Sports Pub
1159 Bank Street
Ottawa, ON
CANADA

For more information contact Eric Roussin at 613-745-8638 or eroussin@rogers.com

Much more information can be found here: http://easternontarioarmwrestling.bravehost.com

-NAPALM-



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06-Apr-07: Kazmaier Mania - Big Log Press

One of my favorite events to train in strongman is the Log Press. I use a metal log with powder coat paint job on it. It is quite the dainty item compared to the rugged piece of lumber Kazmaier manhandles in the following video. I dig up this relic when I am going to train Log Press all by myself here at my house.

You can see how they did it long ago - with the log standing on end before cleaning it. That is bad ass! Here is an article I wrote some time ago on how to iron out the kinks in the conventional log clean and press event: Improving Performance on the Log

-NAPALM-



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05-Apr-07: HUGE Strongman News for PA Fans/Competitors!

If you are a strongman fan or competitor in the Philly area, you are gonna love this news, posted by Al Thompson on the Marunde-Muscle message board:

PACIFICO FORD LIBERTY STRONGMAN CLASSIC TO HOST 105K NATIONALS
AND HEAVYWEIGHT TEAM COMPETITION - USA vs. TEAM WORLD
Two-time World Champion and and five-time Arnold champion
Zydrunas Savickas headlines an all-star strongman lineup

For immediate release For information contact:
April 3, 2007 Al Thompson - 267-254-4614
Dione Wessels- 314-565-5970

PHILADELPHIA - The Liberty Strongman Classic will be living up to its name this summer.

The fourth annual pro strongman event sanctioned by American Strongman Corporation (ASC) and IFSA-USA is shaping up to be one of the all-time great strength events in United States history, a classic.

The three-day event June 29, 30, July 1 - will feature the IFSA-USA 105K National Championship. The top 231-pound pro strongmen from all over the country will vie for the right to advance to the IFSA World Championship later this year and at least $5,000 in cash prizes.

In addition to a great 105K lineup, the heavies will be an once-in-a-lifetime event with Team USA vs. Team World for a total purse of approximately $15,000.

Team USA will feature IFSA world finalist Travis Ortmayer, IFSA finalist Derek Poundstone of Waterbury, CT, World Class ASC pro Jon Andersen, and former U.S. champion Van Hatfield from Utah.

Hometown hero Walt Gogola, a standout football player at Archbishop Wood and a long- time ASC pro, is on the team as the alternate, but will compete as will Team World's alternate.

Team World's lineup is literally the “Dream Team” of International strongman.

Zydrunas Savickas of Lithuania, five-time Arnold Classic Champion and two-time IFSA World Champion is on board as is Vasyl Virastyuk of the Ukraine, a former “World's Strongest Man” champion. In addition, IFSA world finalist, Andrus Murumets of Estonia is coming to the United States to take on a strong American team in the cradle of liberty, Philadelphia.

The Lagoon Entertainment complex, “Welcome America” in Fairmount Park and Daniel S. Frawley Stadium home of the Wilmington Blue Rocks - will serve as the host locations for this exciting competition.

The Lagoon in Essington, PA will host two events Friday night. The city's "Welcome America" events take place Saturday & Sunday afternoon in front of a possible audience of 22,000 to 30,000 per day. The crowd at the Blue Rocks game will be over 7,000 for Saturday night.

Team USA
Derek Poundstone
Travis Ortmayer
Van Hatfield
Jon Andersen
Walt Gogola- Alternate but will complete

Team World
Zydrunas Savickas (confirmed)
Vasyl Virastyuk (confirmed)
Andrus Murumets (confirmed)
Mikhail Koklyaev (still unconfirmed, but athlete will be a top Russian)
Alternate TBA but will compete

-NAPALM-

04-Apr-07: Kazmier in the Ring

I finally found a video of Bill Kazmier wrestling in WCW. I remember seeing one match of his when I was maybe 11 years old. Not a great match-up, and Bill obviously was an agile high flier, but it sure is something to see him get in there and mix it up. Luckily, Jim Ross was on the stick and not that pathetic Tony Schiavonne. A young Nick Patrick reffing the match. Unfortunately the post-match interview gets cut off. It would have been cool to see how Kaz was on the mic...

-NAPALM-

04-Apr-07: TPS Grip Assault Highlight Video

This past weekend, Jedd traveled to Total Performance Sports to compete at the Grip Assault 2007. Here is a clip showing a few of the highlights from the contest.

The Diesel Crew is holding the 4th Annual Global Grip Challenge on August 25, 2007. Competitors are chomping at the bit. Check back soon for the official rules and entry form!

-NAPALM-

04-Apr-07: New Grip Article Series

I have started a new article series on Straight to the Bar - check it out by clicking here:
STRAIGHT TO THE GRIP CONTEST

-NAPALM-
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02-Apr-07: Come to Juniata

Every year, we speak at the PA State Clinic for the NSCA. It's time to start making your plans for June 22 and 23, 2007. For more information, you can email Coach Doug Smith by clicking on the image below.

-NAPALM-

02-Apr-07: Does your girlfriend avoid heavy lifting?

Does your girlfriend avoid heavy lifting? Is she afraid lifting weights is going to make her bulky, like a female bodybuilder? I've heard these remarks from my girlfriend and many other women. If your lady is against lifting, have her check out this video of the very athletic Elizabeth Horne, wife of David Horne, legendary Grip Strength champion from England.

-NAPALM-

02-Apr-07: Gripboard Records List Announcement

I am the Records Chairman at the Gripboard. What the hell does that mean, you ask? For many years at the Gripboard, lists have been maintained for the various widely recognized Grip Feats. In order to qualify for the Records List, you must provide video of yourself performing the feat, or have a credible witness verify your accomplishment. Members can just Pm me and I usually add them to the lists within minutes of being notified. You can check out the most recent Records List Announcement post here: here to see what I am talking about.

Grip training is very fun and very important to building the complete athlete, whether that athlete is a baseball player, football player, MMA combatant, or strength competitor. Even bodybuilders should train for Grip Strength. It's a hell of a lot more interesting than doing endless sets of wrist curls and wrist extensions!

-NAPALM-


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02-Apr-07: PWR Steroid Bombshell

PWRShow.com broke the news story recently about the steroid/HGH scandal regarding many top WWE superstars and Kurt Angle.

Other highlights include a possible new wrestling promotion by Hulk Hogan, info on Wrestling Society X's last episode, and a surprising discussion on the rut TNA is in right now.

-NAPALM-