Tag: GI News

Rob Kearney Appeared On “The Joe Rogan Experience” To Discuss Injury And Strongman

Rob Kearney Appeared On “The Joe Rogan Experience” To Discuss Injury And Strongman

Rob Kearney provided his thoughts and some recent updates on one of the top podcasts.
The latest strongman to appear on The Joe Rogan Experience was Rob Kearney. The former Arnold Strongman Australia champion appeared on the top podcast to discuss a triceps injury he suffered during the World’s Ultimate Strongman “Feats of Strength” series. During the event, Kearney was attempting to break the American log lift record.
Kearney did some serious damage to his triceps and it was not fully revealed until it was time for him to have surgery to repair the injury. This led to the surgeons having to reconsider the steps they were going to take. The full interview can be found on the PowerfulJRE YouTube page.
“The MRI showed it was torn, but not to what extent. The doctor said it looked like a firecracker had gone off in my tendon,” Kearney explained.

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It was not an easy fix for Rob Kearney. It took 14 sutures to reassemble the tendon to be attached by four anchors that were drilled into the elbow. There are few things that can keep a strength athlete out of the gym. For Kearney, he took two weeks off but quickly returned to train his lower body. During this time, he had to endure serious rehab to gain full range of motion. During the taping of the podcast, Kearney was still unable to extend his arm fully.

Rob Kearney was able to successfully make his return to competition last weekend during the 2021 Rogue Invitational. He still did not have full range of motion but was able to finish sixth out of 10 competitors in Round Rock, TX. This performance showed that Kearney will return to full strength soon. Even without full range of motion, he was able to make an impact against some of the other top strongmen in the world.
Joe Rogan has sustained one of the top podcasts in the Internet for quite some time. During his tenure, Rogan has featured some elite competitors in both strongman and bodybuilding. Kearney joined the likes of Ronnie Coleman, Robert Oberst, and Mat Fraser as athletes who have appeared on the show.
It was good to see Rob Kearney back in competition and it will only get more exciting as he continues to get healthy. The next time he steps on stage could produce some better results than in Texas.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Anabolic Doc Answers: What Defines Actual Steroid Abuse In Bodybuilding?

The Anabolic Doc Answers: What Defines Actual Steroid Abuse In Bodybuilding?

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Use it, don’t abuse it: Where is the actual line drawn when it comes to steroid abuse in bodybuilding?
Steroid use has been a constant controversial issue in most professional sports – but the spotlight is particularly shined on bodybuilding throughout the decades. While not endorsed by any leagues – it’s widely considered common knowledge that the size of muscle seen in pro bodybuilding is impossible without the use of steroids. It’s also well documented that steroid abuse can lead to serious medical problems in the long term. But where is the line drawn between use and abuse? Is it possible for bodybuilders to use steroids safely? In our latest GI Exclusive interview, the Anabolic Doc attempts to break down the distinction between safe use of steroids and abuse of steroids in bodybuilding.
First thing’s first, recreational use of steroids for athletic enhancement is illegal in the United States and not endorsed by pro bodybuilding leagues. That doesn’t stop athletes from finding ways to use it. For many professional athletes (not just in bodybuilding), there is a choice that needs to be made. Is the athlete willing to take a potential health risk to achieve athletic greatness? If an athlete does indeed choose to go down the path of steroids – is it possible to still gain benefit and be safe? We asked Dr. Thomas O’Connor, aka the Anabolic Doc, this very question.

There is somewhat a limit on what the Anabolic Doc could say on this topic to avoid danger of losing his medical license. But he was able to touch upon the confusion behind the “use it, don’t abuse it” sentiment with steroid use. We’ve spoke to other experts who claim that bodybuilding steroid use is always abuse in order to achieve the physiques we see on stage. Is this true? Or can some bodybuilders gain benefit from steroids and PEDs safely?
The Anabolic Doc admits that low doses of certain steroids can be safe – but the doses are so low that they would barely help with athletic performance. At least, in the way that bodybuilders and many star athletes aim to achieve. The doctor also admits that the definition of abuse in bodybuilding is very confusion. A big part of that confusion comes from lack of research.

The truth is, as it currently exists right now, there is no clear answer on what is safe and what is not in recreational steroid use. Due to its illegal status in the United States, there have been limited studies on the real effects happening in sports where steroids are used regularly. While the Anabolic Doc cannot advocate for legalizing steroids – he does raise the question. Would legalizing steroids lead to a healthier society? Much like the slow legalization of marijuana, it may actually be better for society’s health to provide safe and legal access to these drugs.
Oregon, for example, has decriminalized all drugs ranging from marijuana all the way to heroine. It’s still in the early stages but it would be interesting to see if this has a negative or positive effect on the health of Oregon residents who use drugs. Theoretically, if steroids were made legal for use in sports, individuals could get safer access to drugs and safer access to medical help. It could actually lead to pro athletes being monitored, preventing serious health issues.
So where is the line drawn under the “use it, don’t abuse it” motto? The sad truth is that there is no line. Each individual is different and there is not enough research to safely prove these kinds of definitions. The Anabolic Doc sees medicine and views on drug use/abuse improving over the decades, however slowly, he is optimistic that these questions will one day have real answers. It will simply take time.
You can watch the Anabolic Doc go into full detail about the definition of steroid abuse in real world practices by watching our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
*DISCLAIMER: Generation Iron does not recommend or condone the use of steroids or other PEDs. The views and opinions expressed in this video are not that of Generation Iron.

Mohamed Shaaban Unhappy With Judging Following 2021 KO Pro Egypt

Mohamed Shaaban Unhappy With Judging Following 2021 KO Pro Egypt

Mohamed Shaaban went off on judging following his second-place finish at the 2021 KO Pro Egypt.
The 2021 KO Pro was one of the biggest post-Olympia shows to date and saw plenty of top competitors take the stage. Mohamed Shaaban was one of the athletes to watch and put on a great performance finishing second behind Regan Grimes. This was an outcome that Shaaban was not happy with and he did not hide his feelings.
Shaaban was critical of the judging following the event. This is not the first time that an athlete or trainer spoke out on judging in recent years. Shaaban’s comments came after an event he feel he should have won. During the 2021 Olympia, Shaaban finished 10th while Grimes came in at 15th. Just a few weeks later, Grimes was able to jump Shaaban on stage.

Shaaban took to Instagram to make his comments. This included some critical remarks about judges and that he believes they have something against him.
“I have no words…. I should have listened to my wife @mzdang_ifbbpro when she told me not to compete. I’m sorry baby….”
“This lost truly hurts more than anyone can understand. I usually accept all my placings…. but this 2nd feels like a last call out at Olympia.
I’m going to take some time off social media and come back with a clearer mind, spirit, and physique for 2022,” Shaaban continued.
“I’m sorry I failed you all. I’m sorry I failed you again @andrew_vu87
Show after show. I feel like they just don’t want me up there…. like how much I can lose before they see me give up….” Shaaban added.
“Thank you my ig family for all your love and support.
One of those shows…. You will remember forever @kosquadegypt”

This is clearly plenty of frustration coming from Mohamed Shaaban. His finish in Egypt was his best since coming in second during the 2021 Puerto Rico Pro. Shaaban now has three second-place finishes in his career and has not picked up a victory since 2019, when he won the Portugal Pro. He has performed in just two Olympia’s and this year was his best outcome.
Brandon Curry finished second at the Olympia and this caused some disgruntled feelings from his coach Abdullah Alotaibi. He was unhappy with Curry’s second consecutive loss to Big Ramy and was not shy about making comments on judging. This could be the new trend around the sport and Shaaban is the latest to comment.
It will be interesting to see what happens next time Shaaban steps on stage. If he has a new chip on his shoulder, this could be some more motivation that he has to prepare and train the right way to make any necessary improvements.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Rapper Kevin Gates Believes Women Liked Him Better With Dad Bod

Rapper Kevin Gates Believes Women Liked Him Better With Dad Bod

Kevin Gates is a believer that the dad bod craze was real.
The dad bod might not have just been a phase that took over the internet. According to rapper Kevin Gates, women might have liked him better when he was sporting the dad bod.
Recently, Gates has been working on his health and has shown a real dedication to improving himself. This has become apparent on Instagram as the rapper has given plenty of updates and even some workouts. Gates’ 9.1 million followers on social media have been given some tips and exercises to try.

Another Instagram video was of Adrienne Bailon explaining how Gates feels women preferred the dad bod. Gates believes this is because the pressure is taken off of them and it stems down to their own insecurities. You can check out the full video below.
“What y’all think? #dadbod or #daddyasf ???????? #therealdaytime“

This has not been confirmed or denied but it is interesting to see the opinion coming from Gates. There is no doubt that there has been some serious progress made by the musician in the gym.

This is not the first time we have seen transformations like this from celebrities. It is most common in Hollywood stars because they have to transform their bodies to the role that they are playing. In music, Lil Uzi Vert comes to mind as the most recent transformation made in the gym.

Kevin Gates is following a long line of rappers who have displayed impressive physiques. In the past, 50 Cent has graced the cover of Muscle & Fitness magazine while Nelly and LL Cool J remained in shape during the highlight of their careers.
Gates seems to be next and this has been shown in recent months. He has posted some impressive workouts for his fans to try.

Kevin Gates has an entertaining and specific opinion on how women felt about his dad bod. Either way, he has made the transformation and this is an ongoing experiment that could produce new results over time.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Generation Iron Network To Produce Biopic On Legendary Pro Bodybuilder Robby Robinson

Generation Iron Network To Produce Biopic On Legendary Pro Bodybuilder Robby Robinson

The documentary film will chronicle the iconic life story of Robby Robinson, his illustrious pro bodybuilding career, and his game changing 6-Step Blueprint to the best physique of your life.
Generation Iron Network in association with The Vladar Company have announced that they are set to produce a feature film documentary exploring the life story of pro bodybuilding legend Robby Robinson. An iconic athlete from the “Golden Era” of bodybuilding, Robinson is the first ever black man featured on the cover of a bodybuilding magazine. He is also well known for using his platform to advocate for equal rights in the sport. 
Born and raised in Florida, Robby Robinson was one of 14 children – son to an illiterate mother and bootlegger father. He grew up facing extreme poverty and racism throughout his entire childhood. Overcoming the odds, Robinson discovered bodybuilding and competed in over 300 amateur competitions before entering the IFBB Pro league. He would go on to become a star competitor and eventually make history as the first ever Mr. Olympia Masters champion. 

During the prime of his career, he was openly outspoken in bodybuilding over racism and unfairness in the sport – and even put his career on the line to promote change. His comments proved controversial at the time eventually landing him a double-lifetime ban from the IFBB Pro league forcing him into retirement. Despite no longer being able to compete, he remained in shockingly impressive shape well into his 60s and 70s – often being touted as finding the fountain of youth.
“It’s a rare opportunity to work on a film about one of the most interesting, unique and underrated figures in bodybuilding,” says director Vlad Yudin. “Robby Robinson’s film will not focus solely on his bodybuilding career. It will dive way beyond the sport and explore Robby’s struggle, purpose and legacy.” 

The Robby Robinson biopic will chronicle his entire life story from struggling in childhood and through his illustrious yet controversial career. It will explore the nuance behind his claims of racism in the sport – including statements made against beloved bodybuilding figure and mogul Joe Weider and the subsequent backlash. A complicated yet inspiring figure in the sport, the film will unearth the man behind the myth and muscle.
The documentary will also follow Robby Robinson’s current life including the friendship he formed with Tim Taylor. A man who hired Robinson for a four day training session that led to Taylor befriending the notoriously private Robinson very late in his life. Robinson had never let anyone inside his private life until meeting Taylor.  
Through their bond and trust – Robby Robinson transformed Tim Taylor’s life and physique at 56 years old using a 6-Step Blueprint. This transformative fitness program was not documented until Robinson and Taylor trained together for those 16 weeks. Taylor documented their training conversations into a journal every day and created the 6-Step Blueprint in order to replicate them long term. 50 years of Robinson’s wisdom and knowledge organized into a training system like never before.
Taylor now believes bringing this 6-Step Blueprint to the public eye will solidify the legacy of Robinson – the final crowning achievement that he can leave behind long after he is gone. Acting as a sort of window into the true Robby Robinson – audiences will witness a never before seen side of the legend.
The Robby Robinson biopic will be directed by Vlad Yudin (Generation Iron, Ronnie Coleman: The King, Dorian Yates: The Original Mass Monster) and produced by Edwin Mejia Jr. (Canyon Del Muerto, Generation Iron, The Hurt Business, Ronnie Coleman: The King) and Tim Taylor. 
The Robby Robinson biopic is set to be released in 2022 on limited screens.
Photo courtesy of Jason Ellis Photography.
Generation Iron Network 
Generation Iron is the first digital media company delivering health, fitness, bodybuilding and strength sports content worldwide. Since launch, Generation has been the leading publisher of original programming, films, and premium entertainment content with the biggest names in Strength Sports worldwide. Generation Iron today is dedicated to making the highest quality digital series aimed at educating and entertaining fans and athletes. Today, Generation Iron has a catalogue of over 30 titles and in depth docu-series which have built the backbone of its original programming.
The Vladar Company
The Vladar Company is a media and entertainment company, which focuses on developing, financing, and packaging a library of intellectual properties. Recent films include Jeremy Scott: The People’s Designer, The Hurt Business, Medeas, and Generation Iron. The company has become a leading producer of many niche genres and multiple mediums in US and international markets, while also expanding into acquiring and distributing high quality content.
Vladar continues to develop, finance, and release projects in different formats as well as create and build media brands. Vladar also focuses on creating and developing new distribution models, and contributes to the success of independent film and TV production.
*Header image courtesy of Jason Ellis Photography

Mr. America Champ Corey Brown On His First Cheat Meal After A Momentous Victory

Mr. America Champ Corey Brown On His First Cheat Meal After A Momentous Victory

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Corey Brown Answers: What Will Be His First Cheat Meal After Winning Mr. America 2021?
This past October held one of the biggest and most historic bodybuilding events of the year – the Mr. America 2021. With its roots going back all the way to 1939 – the competition somewhat disappeared in the new millennium until 2020, when it was revived with the aim of going mainstream in the sport. Now in its second year of revival, the event has already received much attention, praise, and a featured broadcast on CBS Sports. We had a chance to chat with the Men’s Open champion from the event, Cory Brown immediately after his victory. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Cory Brown shares what his first cheat meal will be after being crowned Mr. America.
The Mr. America competition has a dedication to represent the purity of competition within bodybuilding. With that in mind, its revival decided to ensure that this was a natural show by committing to WADA standard drug testing. With a media coverage partnership with Generation Iron and CBS Sports Network broadcasting – it’s well on its way to reaching a wider audience and, hopefully, making bodybuilding more mainstream. Partially leading that charge will be the champion athletes – such as Mr. America 2021 winner Corey Brown.

Generation Iron had a chance to catch up with Corey Brown right after his victory. Still stunned by the weight of the victory, Brown showcased himself as a humble but confident athlete and champion. He shared insight into the kind of work he had to put in to earn the title and also his future plans for the coming year.
But competitive bodybuilding can also take a major strain on your psych when it comes to nutrition and dieting. After putting so much effort into being perfect for stage, it’s only natural for an athlete to indulge in a bit of a cheat meal. With Corey Brown being somewhat new to the public gaze – we wanted to help let fans get to know Brown a little better now that he’s Mr. America champion. We thought of the perfect way – what’s his ideal cheat meal to celebrate his big victory.

Still somewhat awe-struck from his victory, he claimed that he had a lot going on in his head. Ultimately, he landed on trying something delicious and new to him. Not being native to the east coast of the US, he had always heard New York pizza is the best in the country. He wants to put that to the test and grab a slice or two for himself.
“Since this is my first time on the east coast, I want to try something on the east coast that I’ve never ate,” Corey Brown stated during our interview. He continued:
“I don’t ant to go to no chain restaurant. One of my guys told me that if I ever tried pizza here or in New York that I’ll never want pizza again when I go back. So I wanna see how good their pizza is actually.”
The staff here at Generation Iron (a New York located business, by the way) wish Corey Brown the best on his pizza journey and hope it lives up to his expectations. It only makes sense to try the best pizza in America when you’re the Mr. America champion.
You can watch our full post-victory interview with Corey Brown in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!

Martins Licis Sets New World Record With 300-Pound Hammer Lift

Martins Licis Sets New World Record With 300-Pound Hammer Lift

Martins Licis had quite a weekend during the 2021 Rogue Invitational.
Martins Licis made his return to competition over the weekend during the 2021 Rogue Invitational. He ended the event with a championship and even broke a world record in the process. After winning the competition, Licis returned to Dell Diamond in Round Rock, TX to win yet another award.
Licis was one of five competitors to return and attempt to break the world record in Thor’s Hammer Lift. In the end, it was Licis who was able to complete the heaviest lift by getting a new world record of 136kg (300lb) off the ground.

For his victory at the strongman competition, Licis earned the largest winning in the history of the sport at $133,351. After setting the world record in the hammer lift, Licis added another $5,000 to his overall pot.
The Thor’s hammer Lift is a grip challenge. The competitor must hold the handle of the gammer and lift it off the ground to a full standing position. The judge then gives the down command and this is when the weight can be returned to the ground. The competitor could use either hand and even change hands on each attempt. This was a timed competition where athletes had one minute to complete the lift.

Hafthor Bjornsson held the previous world record at 118kg (260lb). Over the weekend, the opening weight was 90.kg (200lb) and all six competitors were successful. It was the raised to 102kg (225lb) and all but Trey Mitchell were successful. It eventually moved up to 125kg (275lb), which was more than Bjornsson’s record. Mikhail Shivlyakov set the initial mark followed by Mateusz Kieliszkowski. Laurence Shahlaei did not control the big lift after initially getting it off the ground.

Josh Thigpen was also eliminated and the weight was moved up to 300lb. Shivlyakov attempted the lift with both hands but miss and Kieliszkowski failed as well. This left Licis to make an attempt and was able to complete it with his left hand. Licis then attempted to lift a 147.3 (325lb) hammer but failed. It did not matter as his 300-pound feat was enough to set a new world record.

Martins Licis has been one of the best strongmen in the world for years now. He won the 2019 World’s Strongest Man title. He has been out of competition for awhile now with different injuries but made his return in Texas and put on a memorable performance.
Licis will certainly be present at upcoming strongman events to continue to put up big numbers. When healthy, there is no doubt that he is one of the top competitors in the sport.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Flex Wheeler Shares Update On Condition, Receives Well Wishes From Dave Bautista

Flex Wheeler Shares Update On Condition, Receives Well Wishes From Dave Bautista

Flex Wheeler gave a recent update during his battle with COVID-19 and it included a message from Dave Bautista.
Flex Wheeler was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Oct. 9 and has been dealing with the virus ever since. He has provided updates on his condition over the last few weeks and it has been a struggle for the former bodybuilder. Wheeler recently provided another update and it featured well wishes from Dave Bautista.
Wheeler has been able to stay positive throughout the recovery process as he continues to fight the virus. There has been plenty of support for Wheeler from the bodybuilding world but they are not the only community sharing well wishes.

Bautista, a former WWE star turned actor, shared a video message where he had some kid words to say to Wheeler.
“We love you big dog. Just do your thing and get better, like you always do. Just pull through this and keep inspiring people. It’s not your time brother,” Bautista said.
Flex Wheeler shared the video of Dave Bautista on his Instagram page and responded right away. Wheeler thanked the star for his kind words and agreed with the sentiment.
“Sincerely appreciate your support homie ? @davebautista
“The Original Super Duper Fly”
You’re 100% right brother, it’s not my time.
I can’t wait to get out of here to check out your new movie ? ?
I want to congratulate you on all your success and future success.
Your friendship means the world to me. I hope you and the Family have a amazing Halloween tonight save me some candy.”

Flex Wheeler has been through a lot over the last month. In his previous update, he shared that he was in acute kidney failure. The virus has even done some damage to his lungs but Wheeler has continued to shine and be as positive as ever. This is not surprising as he continues to fight to defeat the virus.

On Saturday, Flex Wheeler took to Instagram to share a video of a positive message. He showed the hospital room he is in and discussed the path that God has put him on. Throughout the video and the message, Wheeler can be seen with a smile. This is the type of person he was throughout his career and that has continued.

The entire staff here at Generation Iron send out hope and support for Flex Wheeler during this time. The Generation Iron Fitness Network will continue to provide updates as they become available for this developing story. We all hope for a smooth and strong recovery in the days ahead.

Registration Is Now Open For The 2022 Mr. America

Registration Is Now Open For The 2022 Mr. America

Bodybuilders can now sign up for the 2022 Mr. America competition.
This past October not only held the Mr. Olympia, but the Mr. America 2021. A historic event that dates back further than both the Olympia and Mr. Universe, Mr. America has been in a sort of revival since 2020’s comeback. The event has drawn attention due to it’s dedication to all-natural competition and being picked up to broadcast by CBS Sports Network. You can also catch Generation Iron’s full coverage and results of the event right here. Now the competition is making an open call to all bodybuilders across all divisions of the sport – the Mr. America 2022 registration window is now open.
The Mr. America competition is leading the charge to make pro bodybuilding a mainstream sport broadcast on national television. Ever since the historic event’s return in 2020, a major step was taken to help ensure that future. The CBS Sports Network has been broadcasting the event since 2020. With the event not holding competition in any single specific league – any competitive bodybuilder can register to be a part of this growing televised event. Information on registration for the 2022 Mr. America can be found at the official website here.

Recapping The Mr. America 2021
Generation Iron provided full reporting on the results from the Mr. America 2021 and was also on the ground for the full play-by-play experience. There were many returning winners looking to defend their title at the 2021 competition. Joe LaCerra returned to defend his title in the Pro Classic category while Dora Avila was the reigning champion in Pro Bikini. Johnny Dotson returned after a 2020 victory in Pro Men’s Physique and Jenna Bidoglio was the champion in Pro Figure.

In the end, it was Cory Brown who highlighted the show with a victory in Men’s Open. He appeared on stage in excellent shape with conditioning that was above the rest. Jeremiah Kenney-Wright was named the new champion in Pro Classic while Arius Norris won gold in Men’s Physique. Bidoglio was bested in Pro Figure but took home gold in Classic Figure.
History Of Mr. America
Mr. America has made great strides since its beginning in 1939. It was started by the Amateur Athletic Union when it championed the idea of Greek ideal that perfectly sculpted physiques. The IFBB was a challenger to Mr. America when it was founded. There was a slow decline of the original ideals when money became involved along with the idea that physiques and builds must be larger.
The AAU wold eventually stop hiding the contest and this caused it to fall out of the public eye a bit. Over the years, East Coast Fitness Concepts began taking over in an attempt to bring Mr. America back to prominence. Successful events over the last two years is beginning to accomplish this goal.
The 2021 event was broadcasted on CBS Sports Network. This is an important step for natural bodybuilding to gain an audience and continue to build a strong reputation. When it comes to all-natural competition, Mr. America is leading the way. This is the top competition in the natural bodybuilding scene and it will only continue to grow from here.
The 2021 competition was a rousing success and this was a huge step forward for a competition that continues to build momentum. It will be interesting and exciting to see how it continues to grow over the years.
The Future Of Mr. America
While there has not been much confirmation on the exact details for the Mr. America 2022, the official registration announcement promotes the return of CBS Sports providing a video broadcast of next year’s event. If you are a pro bodybuilder looking to get seen not only on the competition stage – but on the national stage – you can register for the event at their official website right here.
Generation Iron will also be releasing video interviews this month with the champions from the Mr. America 2021. So be sure to stick around and check out our GI Exclusives page for more updates on the Mr. America!

2021 Rogue Invitational Strongman Contest: Martins Licis Finishes As Champion

2021 Rogue Invitational Strongman Contest: Martins Licis Finishes As Champion

Martins Licis was able to take home the title at the 2021 Rogue Invitational Strongman Contest.
Martin Licis proved superior over the weekend during the 2021 Rogue Invitational. Some of the top strongmen in the world gathered in Round Rock, TX and competed in five events to see who would be crowned champion. In the end, it was one of the former World’s Strongest Man competition winners who took home the prize.
Licis was not the only former WSM winner in the competition. The 2019 winner was able to outlast the two previous champions. Tom Stoltman, who was the WSM champion in 2021, finished second while 2020 WSM Oleksii Novikov finished with the bronze medal. Novikov was on a roll with three victories already this year and one second-place finish. Now, he can add another top-three finish to his resume.

For Licis, this was his first competition since the 2020 Arnold Strongman Classic as he was recovering from injuries. A force in the sport, Licis proved that he is still a force and is fully back from any injuries that have been suffered. There is no better return than a first-place finish against some of the other top competitors in the world.
All competitors competed in five different events and were fighting for placement to split a total pool of $1,436,638. By finishing in first place, Licis took home $133,351, which is the largest winning in the history of the sport. Stoleman claimed $66,601 while Novikov earned $39,3991 for his third-place finish.

The full results have been released and you can checkout how the entire competition played out below!

2021 Rogue Invitational Results
Overall

Martins Licis — 45 points
Tom Stoltman — 42 point
Oleksii Novikov — 34 points
Mateusz Kieliszkowski — 29.5 points
JF Caron — 28 points
Rob Kearney — 26 points
Brian Shaw — 23 points
Luke Stoltman — 22 points
Mikhail Shivlyakov — 13.5 points
Jerry Pritchett — 12 points

Elephant Bar Deadlift
This event kicked off the competition where athletes were to complete the heaviest lift they could. The order of lifts went based on the weights that were chosen by the men. JF Caron took first place in the first event. Brian Shaw finished fourth but was forced to skip him third and final lift after a hamstring injury.

JF Caron — 420 kilograms (926 pounds)
Tom Stoltman — 413 kilograms (911 pounds)
Martins Licis — 410 kilograms (906 pounds)
Brain Shaw — 400 kilograms (881 pounds)
Rob Kearney — 397.5 kilograms (876 pounds)
Oleksii Novikov — 390 kilograms (861 pounds)
Jerry Pritchett — 388 kilograms (856 pounds)
Luke Stoltman — 383.5 kilograms (846 pounds)
Mateusz Kieliszkowski — no successful lift (T-ninth)
Mikhail Shivlyakov — no successful lift (T-ninth)

Cyr Dumbbell Ladder
Mateusz Kieliszkowski holds the world record for the heaviest dumbbell lift at 150kg (3330.7lb) but this was an event based on speed. Athletes had to lift five dumbbells overhead in the fastest time possible. The dumbbells weighed 253, 274, 280, 290, and 300 pounds. Novikov was the only competitor to complete all five lifts and did so in just over a minute.

Oleksii Novikov — five dumbbells in one minute, five seconds
Martins Licis — three dumbbells in 37 seconds
Mateusz Kieliszkowski — three dumbbells in one minute
Brian Shaw — two dumbbells in 21 seconds
Tom Stoltman — two dumbbells in 28 seconds
Rob Kearney — two dumbbells in 29 seconds
Luke Stoltman — one dumbbell in eight seconds
Mikhail Shivlyakov — one dumbbell in seven seconds
JF Caron — one dumbbell in nine seconds
Jerry Pritchett — no successful lift

Wheel of Pain
The Wheel of Pain is a behemoth that weights 20,000 pounds. Made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger, athletes are required to turn the wheel as far as possible in one minute. Each competitor was given 60 seconds and in the end, Stoltman moved it furthest at just over 89 feet.

Tom Stoltman — 89 feet, three inches
Martins Licis — 85 feet, six inches
Mateusz Kieliszkowski — 83 feet, six inches
Oleksii Novikov — 76 feet, 3 inches
Luke Stoltman — 73 feet, nine inches
Rob Kearney — 63 feet, three inches
Mikhail Shivlyakov — 55 feet, nine inches
Brian Shaw — 54 feet, nine inches
Jerry Pritchett — 50 feet, nine inches
JF Caron — 29 feet, six inches

Timber Yoke Carry/Overhead Log Press Medley
The athletes had a two and a half minute time limit to complete this event. They were required to carry a 455kg (1,000lb) yoke a distance of 50 feet before pressing a 163kg (360lb) log overhead three times. The fastest time determined the winner and it was Kieliszkowski, who defeated Licis by three seconds.

Mateusz Kieliszkowski — 0:41.74
Martins Licis — 0:44.70
Tom Stoltman — 0:52.06
JF Caron — 0:56.03
Oleksii Novikov — 1:05.51
Brian Shaw — 1:37.83
Luke Stoltman — two reps on the log in 37 seconds
Rob Kearney — one rep on the log in 27 seconds
Mikhail Shivlyakov — yoke carry in 50 seconds
Jerry Pritchett — no distance credited

Inver Stone Over Hitching Post
This is another event with a time limit — this time two minutes. Athletes had to lift the oddly-shaped stones over a 50-inch high log. The stones weighed 275, 300, 365, 400, and 420 pounds. Heading into this event, Licis needed to place at least second to win the competition and he ended it with a win. Licis completed the five stones nearly six seconds faster than Stoltman, who is known as “King of Stones.” The inver stones are a bit different than Atlas because of their shape.

Martins Licis — five stones in 24.45 seconds
Tom Stoltman — five stones in 30.08 seconds
JF Caron — five stones in 43.51 seconds
Oleksii Novikov — four stones in 1:04.5 seconds
Rob Kearney — four stones in 33.4 seconds
Luke Stoltman — three stones in 17.6 seconds
Jerry Pritchett — two stones in 13.3 seconds
Mikhail Shivlyakov — two stones in 12.1 seconds
Mateusz Kieliszkowski — one stone in 9.4 seconds
Brian Shaw — no lifts

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