Battle of the Norse GiantsNov 8, 2016 by Armen Hammer
Battle Of The Norse Giants Start List Is Full Of Giants
Battle Of The Norse Giants Start List Is Full Of Giants
The Battle Of The Norse Giants in Norrkoping, Sweden, is a World's Strongest Man qualifier event, so it's no surprise the start list is full of real giants.
Norrkoping, a quiet town a few hours' ride outside of Sweden's capital of Stockholm, may not seem like the obvious destination for some of the greatest matchups outside of World's Strongest Man. But in the past few years, it's been a battleground like no other in the world of strongman.
Sleepy pretenses aside, Giants Live Sweden makes its return to Norrkoping on Saturday, November 12, streaming LIVE on FloElite. The incredible caliber of this event was witnessed two years ago when multiple-time World's Strongest Man Brian Shaw put on the performance of a lifetime to keep hometown favorite Johannes Årsjö at bay. Twelve months later, Hafthor Bjornsson was on the hot seat and had to shatter world records just to be able to make up Årsjö's early lead.
Watch Battle of the Norse Giants LIVE Nov. 12 only on FloElite
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BLilB6-jAQI/?taken-by=benni_magnusson" hide_caption="0"]
Does Benni really need any introduction? One the best deadlifters ever to walk the earth, he's held both strongman and powerlifting world records (one of which he still has a firm grip on). Benni is an unprecedented pulling machine. The only lingering question is, can he transfer that incredible strength over to the other four events? After watching his training though, I have no doubts that he will be a genuine contender if he is healthy. Obviously, he is one to watch on the deadlift.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMN_9-QDXa1/?taken-by=terryhollands79" hide_caption="0"]
Terry Hollands announced last year his short retirement had come to end, and the legend would return to the platform. His comeback wasn't without its doubters though, who questioned whether he still had the same fire he once did. After a disappointing performance at Europe's Strongest Man those naysayers got a little bit louder. However, they learned the hard way that you just can't write off an athlete like Hollands. This year, he is back leaner, stronger, faster, and is a force to be reckoned with. Weighing in at 169kg, he's still one of the biggest competitors in the lineup. Could this be his first win since his return? It's worth mentioning that the combination of his gigantic frame and explosive power means he might be pushing Thor's keg toss record.
Felix will be hoping to move on up the podium after finishing third in Sweden last year behind the ever-impressive Thor and Johannes. Even at 50 years old, Felix is still a threat due to his mythical consistency. Felix never seems to finish without a medal around his neck, including at his last showing where he finished second in the World's Strongest Masters competition. All the events suit the veteran with the exception of the keg toss, which he really struggled on last year. Watch him on the deadlift, an event he rarely loses.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BBNew-MARe2/?taken-by=anttimourujarvi" hide_caption="0"]
The Finn didn't have a great time at Giants Live Sweden last year, struggling to keep up with the truly world-class standard. Finishing the competition in the unenviable position of dead last, he'll be searching for redemption this year and could very well find it. The events suit him a little better, and he has come on leaps and bounds in the past 12 months.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BJr_OTHj8ah/?taken-by=willstrongman" hide_caption="0"]
Baggott has been on the verge of cracking the international strongman scene for years. He just needed the right opportunity. That breakthrough moment finally came at the Scottish Official Strongman qualifier, where Baggott put in a world-beating performance to walk away with the win. Training under the tutelage of British strongman legend Rob Frampton, Baggott has been looking stronger with every session. One of the smaller and fitter competitors, he could present a lot of problems on the carry medley.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMVerBeDhH1/?taken-by=luckyhulk67" hide_caption="0"]
Of the few ways to qualify for Giants Live, none carry the same prestige as Official Strongman North America. Herrick competed under scorching conditions in Indianapolis this summer to earn a spot in Norrkoping, and that demands respect even in the icey climes of Sweden. The other competitors will be taking Herrick's debut seriously. He'll be out to cause an upset, especially on the overhead.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BLJNFXph9Pi/?taken-by=paquet.jimmy" hide_caption="0"]
This might be the Canadian's Giants Live debut, but he's already proved himself on the world stage this year. After beating out a tough lineup that included Dainis Zageris, Alex Moonen, and Krzysztof Radzikowski to take the victory at Strongman's Champion's League Curaçao, Paquete will be hoping to carry his winning momentum over to Sweden. He is a deadlift reps machine and could even take the win on that event.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BL8_xkKAX1h/?taken-by=johannesarsjo" hide_caption="0"]
For someone who has competed at several WSM competitions, taken silver twice at Europe's Strongest Man, and won Sweden's Strongest Man more times than I wish to count, Årsjö doesn't get half the recognition he deserves. Strong on everything, especially the overhead and competing in his backyard, Årsjö is without a doubt a big favorite.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMUfv5aglXG/?taken-by=forzmark" hide_caption="0"]
Forsmark has come a long way since competing last year in Norrkoping. That's not to say that the police officer didn't put in an impressive performance in 2015, finishing seventh overall. However, Forsmark's placing would have been a lot higher had he not struggled in the keg toss and placed second to last. Since then, he has been training like a man possessed, especially on that keg toss, as well as deadlifting 385kg for a double.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BL6Ii8hh9sH/?taken-by=strongmanjocke" hide_caption="0"]
At only a 130kg, Gustavsson might not be the biggest guy lining up in the Norrkoping Arena, but that doesn't mean he won't be a threat to the bigger guys. Powerfully strong with near flawless technique, Gustavsson will be wanting to make a real impact in his Giants Live debut. The 29-year-old is definitely one to keep an eye out for on the stones.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMExUPrlWtV/?taken-by=johnjohnclimps" hide_caption="0"]
The title of the fifth strongest man in Sweden belittles just how good this up-and-comer truly is, not to mention what he will be. With a powerlifting background, Liljeblad's static strength is almost unparalleled in this competition (let's not forget about Benni). The young Swede is no one-trick pony, and his moving events have improved lately -- partly due to sessions with Arsjo.
STREAMING: Available only on FloElite - $20 monthly or $150 yearly. Yearly FloPRO access is to ALL FloSports sites. SIGN UP HERE
Join FloPRO now for access to the best elite fitness, weightlifting, and strongman content on the planet! Get live streams, original documentaries, technique videos and more.
While you're waiting... strongman and chill?
Sleepy pretenses aside, Giants Live Sweden makes its return to Norrkoping on Saturday, November 12, streaming LIVE on FloElite. The incredible caliber of this event was witnessed two years ago when multiple-time World's Strongest Man Brian Shaw put on the performance of a lifetime to keep hometown favorite Johannes Årsjö at bay. Twelve months later, Hafthor Bjornsson was on the hot seat and had to shatter world records just to be able to make up Årsjö's early lead.
Watch Battle of the Norse Giants LIVE Nov. 12 only on FloElite
Benedikt Magnússon (Iceland)
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BLilB6-jAQI/?taken-by=benni_magnusson" hide_caption="0"]
Does Benni really need any introduction? One the best deadlifters ever to walk the earth, he's held both strongman and powerlifting world records (one of which he still has a firm grip on). Benni is an unprecedented pulling machine. The only lingering question is, can he transfer that incredible strength over to the other four events? After watching his training though, I have no doubts that he will be a genuine contender if he is healthy. Obviously, he is one to watch on the deadlift.
Terry Hollands (England)
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMN_9-QDXa1/?taken-by=terryhollands79" hide_caption="0"]
Terry Hollands announced last year his short retirement had come to end, and the legend would return to the platform. His comeback wasn't without its doubters though, who questioned whether he still had the same fire he once did. After a disappointing performance at Europe's Strongest Man those naysayers got a little bit louder. However, they learned the hard way that you just can't write off an athlete like Hollands. This year, he is back leaner, stronger, faster, and is a force to be reckoned with. Weighing in at 169kg, he's still one of the biggest competitors in the lineup. Could this be his first win since his return? It's worth mentioning that the combination of his gigantic frame and explosive power means he might be pushing Thor's keg toss record.
Mark Felix (England/Grenada)
Felix will be hoping to move on up the podium after finishing third in Sweden last year behind the ever-impressive Thor and Johannes. Even at 50 years old, Felix is still a threat due to his mythical consistency. Felix never seems to finish without a medal around his neck, including at his last showing where he finished second in the World's Strongest Masters competition. All the events suit the veteran with the exception of the keg toss, which he really struggled on last year. Watch him on the deadlift, an event he rarely loses.
Antti Mourujärvi (Finland)
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BBNew-MARe2/?taken-by=anttimourujarvi" hide_caption="0"]
The Finn didn't have a great time at Giants Live Sweden last year, struggling to keep up with the truly world-class standard. Finishing the competition in the unenviable position of dead last, he'll be searching for redemption this year and could very well find it. The events suit him a little better, and he has come on leaps and bounds in the past 12 months.
Will Baggott (England)
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BJr_OTHj8ah/?taken-by=willstrongman" hide_caption="0"]
Baggott has been on the verge of cracking the international strongman scene for years. He just needed the right opportunity. That breakthrough moment finally came at the Scottish Official Strongman qualifier, where Baggott put in a world-beating performance to walk away with the win. Training under the tutelage of British strongman legend Rob Frampton, Baggott has been looking stronger with every session. One of the smaller and fitter competitors, he could present a lot of problems on the carry medley.
Luke Herrick (USA)
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMVerBeDhH1/?taken-by=luckyhulk67" hide_caption="0"]
Of the few ways to qualify for Giants Live, none carry the same prestige as Official Strongman North America. Herrick competed under scorching conditions in Indianapolis this summer to earn a spot in Norrkoping, and that demands respect even in the icey climes of Sweden. The other competitors will be taking Herrick's debut seriously. He'll be out to cause an upset, especially on the overhead.
Jimmy Paquete (Canada)
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BLJNFXph9Pi/?taken-by=paquet.jimmy" hide_caption="0"]
This might be the Canadian's Giants Live debut, but he's already proved himself on the world stage this year. After beating out a tough lineup that included Dainis Zageris, Alex Moonen, and Krzysztof Radzikowski to take the victory at Strongman's Champion's League Curaçao, Paquete will be hoping to carry his winning momentum over to Sweden. He is a deadlift reps machine and could even take the win on that event.
Johannes Årsjö (Sweden)
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BL8_xkKAX1h/?taken-by=johannesarsjo" hide_caption="0"]
For someone who has competed at several WSM competitions, taken silver twice at Europe's Strongest Man, and won Sweden's Strongest Man more times than I wish to count, Årsjö doesn't get half the recognition he deserves. Strong on everything, especially the overhead and competing in his backyard, Årsjö is without a doubt a big favorite.
Martin Forsmark (Sweden)
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMUfv5aglXG/?taken-by=forzmark" hide_caption="0"]
Forsmark has come a long way since competing last year in Norrkoping. That's not to say that the police officer didn't put in an impressive performance in 2015, finishing seventh overall. However, Forsmark's placing would have been a lot higher had he not struggled in the keg toss and placed second to last. Since then, he has been training like a man possessed, especially on that keg toss, as well as deadlifting 385kg for a double.
Joachim Gustavsson (Sweden)
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BL6Ii8hh9sH/?taken-by=strongmanjocke" hide_caption="0"]
At only a 130kg, Gustavsson might not be the biggest guy lining up in the Norrkoping Arena, but that doesn't mean he won't be a threat to the bigger guys. Powerfully strong with near flawless technique, Gustavsson will be wanting to make a real impact in his Giants Live debut. The 29-year-old is definitely one to keep an eye out for on the stones.
Johan Liljeblad (Sweden)
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMExUPrlWtV/?taken-by=johnjohnclimps" hide_caption="0"]
The title of the fifth strongest man in Sweden belittles just how good this up-and-comer truly is, not to mention what he will be. With a powerlifting background, Liljeblad's static strength is almost unparalleled in this competition (let's not forget about Benni). The young Swede is no one-trick pony, and his moving events have improved lately -- partly due to sessions with Arsjo.
How to Watch The Battle Of The Norse Giants
ON TV: Now available on Roku and Apple TV 4STREAMING: Available only on FloElite - $20 monthly or $150 yearly. Yearly FloPRO access is to ALL FloSports sites. SIGN UP HERE
Join FloPRO now for access to the best elite fitness, weightlifting, and strongman content on the planet! Get live streams, original documentaries, technique videos and more.
Results Found Here
While you're waiting... strongman and chill?
