The historic Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles, Cali., will be the site of the Arnold Strongman USA slated for January 19.
Tensions will be high at this event, brought to you by Arnold Sports Festival and Strongman Corporation. Not only will the winner of the Arnold Strongman USA advance to the 2019 Arnold Pro Strongman World Championships, set for March 2-3 in Columbus, Ohio, but the remaining top two in Arnold Pro Strongman World Series Qualifying Points will be determined, earning them a spot a the World Championships as well.
“We are really looking forward to hosting this huge, marquee event,” Strongman Corporation CEO Dione Masters said. “We are also excited and looking forward to work with ROGUE Fitness, X-pole and Midway Labs.”
The event will run from noon until 5 pm with a portion of the proceeds from ticket and clothing sales going to a fundraiser established to help the California wildfire victims and first responders.
“We all know that the families of both the victims and the fire and rescue personnel have been through a lot,” Masters said. “We felt like this was the perfect opportunity to give something back for all that they have done for the people of California.”
The legend himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger, will host the event and there will be a special appearance by all of the top athletes in the sport. Also, one of the MCs of the day will be Matt Iseman, from NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior” and “The Apprentice” fame.
Competitors for the Arnold Strongman USA include Matjaz Belsak (Slovenia), Jean-Francois Caron (Canada), Rauno Heinla (Estonia), Jitse Kramer (Holland), Martins Licics (USA), Jimmy Paquet (Canada), Jerry Pritchett (USA), Mateusz Kieliszkowski (Poland), Mateusz Ostaszewski (Poland), and Brian Clark (USA).
Fans will want to keep an eye on Kieliszkowski, Pritchett, and Belsak, as they are tied in the current standings with 25 points.
The Arnold Pro Strongman World Series features qualifying contests at Arnold Classic multi-sport festivals in Australia, South America, Africa and Europe. Additional qualifying events will be held at Festival Hommes Forts Warwick Warwick, Quebec, Canada with winners advancing to compete at the 2019 Arnold Pro Strongman World Championship at the 2019 Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio.
Events for the Arnold Strongman USA include the following:
Log Press for reps (385-pounds)
Last Man Standing Deadlift (Opening at 700-pounds with a 50-pound increase)
ROGUE Cyclone Sandbag carry (400-pounds)
Atlas Stone to Shoulder for reps (375-pounds)
Antique fire truck pull (30-feet for time)
The seven athletes who have already qualified for the 2019 Arnold Pro Strongman World Championships include:
Hafthor Bjornsson (Iceland) – 2018 Arnold Strongman Classic USA Champion
Rauno Heinla (Estonia) – 2018 Arnold Classic Australia Champion
Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine) – 2018 Arnold Amateur World Champion
Mikhail Shivlyakov (Russia) – 2018 Arnold Classic South America Champion
Jean-Francois Caron (Canada) – 2018 Arnold Classic Africa Champion
Brian Shaw (USA) – 2018 Forts Warwick Champion
Martins Licis (USA) – 2018 Arnold Classic Europe Champion
For ticket information, visit arnoldstrongmanusa.com.