World’s Strongest Man 2009

The World’s Strongest Man will be held in Malta this year.

Qualifying rounds will be held between 26th and 29th of September.

With the Finals being held from the 1st to 3rd of October

Predictions anyone?

It looks a tough line up of athletes this year. The new WSM website looks great aswell and they even have a shop section now. I thought Marius had retired but heres there. wouldnt be suprised if he hung on for a 6th!!
My moneys on Zman or poundstone though, my predict is

1.Zman
2.Poundstone
3.Marius

Any other takers ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Really depends on the events for the final but that looks a pretty good prediction to me.

The events are all up on the web site, I think it will depend on how well Zandrunas is in the more athletic events, the events would appear to suit the poundstones of this world.

The events in the final look good for the big Z with the exception of the deadlift hold, but in previous years they always used straps for this which takes out the grip element meaning this could well turn a bad event into a very good event for him.

Does anybody know the qualifying groups yet? I see terry hollands posted his group on facebook, he has dymak and ortmyer in his group. but I cannot find the other groups??

GROUP 1 Cannonball and Sledge, Squat, Car Walk, Truck Pull, Dumbbell Press , Stones
1. Derek Poundstone - USA
2. Jimmy Marku - UK
3. Kevin Nee - USA
4. Kostiantyn Ilin - UKR
5. Louis-Philippe Jean - Canada
6. Sebastian Wenta - Poland

GROUP 2 Medley – Anchor, Chain and Barrels, Fingal Fingers, Deadlift, Truck Pull, Keg Toss, Atlas Stones
1. Brian Shaw - USA
2. Mark Felix - UK
3. Marshall White - USA
4. Martin Wildauer - AUS
5. Stefan Solvi Petursson - ICE
6. Zydrunas Savickas - LIT

GROUP 3 - Anchor, Chain, and Barrels or Cannonball and Sledge , Fingal Fingers or Car Walk, Deadlift, Truck Pull
Dumbbell Press, Stones
1. Alexander Klyushev- RUS
2. Darren Sadler - UK
3. Ervin Katona - Serbia
4. Jimmy Laureys - BEL
5. Mariusz Pudzianowski - Poland
6. Phil Pfister- USA

GROUP 4 - Events, Chain, and Barrels, Squat, Car Walk, Truck Pull, Keg Toss, Stones
1. Agris Kazelniks - LAT
2. Ettiene Smit - SA
3. Johannes Arsjo - Sweden
4. Laurence Shahlaei - UK
5. Richard Skog - Norway
6. Travis Ortmayer - USA

GROUP 5 - Events: Canon ball sled medley, Fingers, Deadlift, keg toss, Truck pull, stones
1. Andrus Murumets - Estonia
2. Christian Savoie - Canada
3. Dave Ostlund - USA
4. Florian Trimpl - Germany
5. Jarek Dymek - POL
6. Terry Hollands - UK