Scl Kuala Lumpur And World Championships

Martin Wildauer just learns that he is the MHP  2014 Strongman Champions League World Champion. IronMind® | Aryn Lockhart photo

Throughout the history of sports, there have been amazing, inspiring competitions that fans and athletes alike talk about for years to come. Whether it’s the 1980 US vs. Russia Olympic hockey game or the German soccer match of 1954, the 2014 Strongman Champions League Final in Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia became one of those historical competitions for the Strongman Sport.

The two day competition was completed on Saturday, 15 November in front of a screaming crowd that endured torrential downpours and high humidity to find out who would become the Strongman Champions League 2014 World Champion. At the end of Friday’s events, the athletes began calculating every possible scenario that could determine the ultimate victor. Martin Wildauer, the SCL Leader, started the competition in top form. He managed an impressive tie for second place with 1:07 in the front hold and he tied with J.F. Caron for the win in the van deadlift. They both completed seven reps. The evening ended with Wildauer falling to the ground after only a few steps during the truck pull with fears that he had torn his achilles.

After a trip to the hospital, it was confirmed. Wildauer had torn his achilles. Despite this news, he was determined to continue. “I was extremely disappointed,” Wildauer stated, “I had worked so hard for this entire season and couldn’t believe this happened.” After consulting his doctors it was determined that he could have his surgery upon his return to Austria and it was possible, if his leg could be stabilized and taped well, he could compete on Saturday.

After Friday’s aftermath, Eddie Hall had the lead for the day with Vidas Blekaitas and Kryzstof Radzikowski in second. Hafthor Bjornsson was only trailing by a half point. Wildauer was tied for 5th place ensuring he was still a contender for the overall win.

Saturday began with the Farmer’s Walk. 150 kg in each hand for 40 meters. Wildauer started. The tension was high to see if Wildauer could continue. In an amazing feat of pure determination, Martin carried the suitcases just short of 20 m with his torn achilles. The crowd and fellow athletes alike cheered madly as his focus was unbreakable. The farmer’s walk proved to be quite heavy with six athletes unable to complete the course. Hafthor Bjornsson breezed through this event with lightening speed finishing with an incredible 17.22 sec several seconds ahead of the next competitor.

The next event was the log lift. 150 kg for reps. The heat and humidity played a significant factor as many of the athletes struggled with completing a single rep. In an impressive display, Martin Wildauer, managed one full rep despite his injury. Vidas Blekatis and Eddie Hall both completed this event with an impressive 8 reps.

During the break, the downpour came. As a result of the weather, the tire flip was cancelled making the hand over hand truck pull the final event. The crowning of the world champion would come down to the last event and the last athlete.  Eddie Hall and Hafthor Bjornsson were battling it out to take the win on the day, but the real story was the placement as it affected the overall standings. Martin Wildauer limped his way to the hand over hand truck pull. With assistance he was able to start seated. With intensity in his eyes and the screams of the crowd behind him, Wildauer began to pull. Slowly the truck began to move and it continued in the din of the crowd. After 49.13 seconds Martin Wildauer not only completed the event, he had taken the best time. Despite his injury, Wildauer won the truck pull.

It was determined, based on Wildauer’s results, Eddie Hall would have to beat Radzikowski in the truck pull. The competition literally went down to the last event and the last athlete. Martin Wildauer stood on the sidelines screaming for Eddie. The final results ended with Eddie Hall finishing the hand over hand with 7.1 m while Radzikowski completed 6.35 m.

In the end, the winners of the Kuala Lumpur stage were:

1. Hafthor Bjornsson
2. Eddie Hall
3. Kryzstof Radzikowski

Martin Wildauer placed 9th giving him enough points to win the overall championship.

The support of the athletes to Martin Wildauer was unmistakeable. This is the unique, amazing thing about the sport. Despite being competitors, each athlete was willing to offer Wildauer a helping hand as he worked through his day with an injury.

“The 2014 Strongman Champions League made history today,” Marcel Mostert stated. “This was the most amazing way to finish the season. Martin showed tremendous fight and passion to become the world champion.”

Final Stage Kuala Lumpur Standings

1. Hafthor Julius Bjornsson – Iceland 67
2. Eddie Hall – England 67
3. Krzysztof Radzikowski – Poland 61.5
4. J.F. Caron – Canada 57
5. Ole Martin Hansen – Norway 54
6. Vidas Blekaitas – Lithuania 51.5
7. Ervin Katona – Serbia 50.5
8. Dainis Zagaris – Latvia 50
9. Martin Wildauer – Austria 47.5
10. Alex Moonen – Holland 40
11. Matjaz Belsak – Slovenia 30.5
12. Lauri Nami – Estonia 26.5
13. LV Xiang – China 8
14. Zarol Alfiyan – Malaysia 5

by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2014 IronMind