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      Who are the previous winners of World’s Strongest Man?

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      THE World’s Strongest Man is an annual strongman competition that began back in 1977.There have been 24 winners of the contest, which takes place in the US in the summer but isn’t aired in the UK until late December.
      Brian Shaw of USA is one of the past winners of the World’s Strongest Man competitionCredit: Victor Fraile/Getty Images
      Who are the winners of the World’s Strongest Man?
      Bruce Wilhelm – 1977-1978
      Bruce Wilhelm won the first ever World’s Strongest Man contest, which was held at Universal Studios, California, in 1977.
      He went on to win the competition again the following year, beating runners-up Bob Young and Ken Patera.
      After his wins, Wilhelm helped organise and officiate subsequent contests.
      He was also a member of the executive board of the United States Olympic Committee. 
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      Don Reinhoudt – 1979
      Don Reinhoudt was named the World’s Strongest Man in 1979, a year after he placed as a runner-up at the 1978 event.
      Despite his win, Reinhoudt would go on to compete only once more, placing ninth in 1980.
      Bill Kazmaier – 1980-1982
      Bill Kazmaie is a former World’s Strongest Mans champion and world record holderCredit: Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images
      Bill Kazmaier dominated the World’s Strongest Man contest from 1980 to 1982.
      He was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame in 2017 and is widely considered to be one of the greatest strength competitors of all-time.
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      Geoff Capes – 1983, 1985
      British strongman Geoff Capes was the first non-American to win the World’s Strongest Man contest in 1983Credit: Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
      Brit Geoff Capes became the first non-American to win the World’s Strongest Man title in 1983.
      The former shot putter also had a very successful athletic career and represented both England and Great Britain.
      He competed at the Commonwealth games, the European indoor championships, and at three Olympic Games.
      Jón Páll Sigmarsson – 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990
      Jón Páll Sigmarsson won the title of World’s Strongest Man four times
      Jón Páll Sigmarsson was a strongman, powerlifter and bodybuilder from Iceland.
      He was the first man to win the World’s Strongest Man four times.
      Sigmarsson died on January 16, 1993, after suffering a heart attack while deadlifting.
      Jamie Reeves – 1989
      After placing third the year before, Jamie Reeves took home the win at the 1989 World’s Strongest Man competition.
      The former coal miner, from Sheffield, was also a professional wrestler.
      After retiring from competitive sports, Reeves worked as a referee, event promoter and coach for strength contests.
      Magnús Ver Magnússon – 1991, 1994-1996
      Magnús Ver Magnússon, from Iceland, is one of the most famous World’s Strongest Man winnersCredit: Antonio RIBEIRO/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
      Icelandic strongman Magnús Ver Magnússon dominated the World’s Strongest Man contest for much of the 1990s.
      Like his fellow Icelandic competitor Sigmarsson, Magnússon won the competition four times.
      Ted van der Parre – 1992
      Ted van der Parre won the World’s Strongest Man contest in 1992, with the 6’10” athlete becoming the tallest ever competitor to take the title.
      As of 2023, he is the only competitor from the Netherlands to win the competition.
      Van der Parre competed again in 1994 but was forced to drop out due to a calf injury.
      Gary Taylor – 1993
      Welsh strongman Gary Taylor won the title of World’s Strongest Man in 1993.
      According to Guinness World Records, 6′ Taylor is the shortest ever winner of the contest.
      The sportsman, from Cardiff, has become a commentator and organiser for the annual UK’s Strongest Man contest since retiring from competing himself.
      Jouko Ahola – 1997, 1999
      Jouko Ahola is a former strongman, powerlifter and actor from Finland.
      He won the World’s Strongest Man twice and is also a two time winner of the Europe’s Strongest Man competition.
      Ahola has starred in films like Kingdom of Heaven, Bad Day to Go Fishing and War of the Dead.
      He also had a role in the History Channel series Vikings.
      Magnus Samuelson – 1998
      Magnus Samuelsson competed for the title of World’s Strongest Man three times before winning in 1998.
      He has been named one of best arm wrestlers in the world and was a European Arm Wrestling champion before moving into strongman competitions.
      Samuelson is also an actor and has starred in Swedish crime thriller series Arne Dahl as well as the BBC’s The Last Kingdom.
      Janne Virtanen – 2000
      Janne Virtanen of Finland was once the World’s Strongest Man competition winner but has since retiredCredit: China Photos/Getty Images)
      Finland’s Janne Virtanen was a runner-up in 1999 but moved up to the top of the podium in 2000.
      He also won Finland’s Strongest Man in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001, the Helsinki Grand Prix in 2000), and the Turkey Grand Prix in 2002.
      Virtanen announced his retirement in 2007 and now works as a carpenter.
      Svend Karlsen – 2001
      Svend Karlsen became Norway’s first World’s Strongest Man in 2001.
      He retired from competing in 2006 and began working in TV.
      Karlsen has worked as the presenter and producer of the Norwegian version of the World’s Strongest Man contest, and for the qualifying tour Giants Live.
      Mariusz Pudzianowski – 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008
      Mariusz Pudzianowski is a former strongman and MMA fighterCredit: Maciej Gillert/Gallo Images Poland/Getty Images
      Mariusz Pudzianowski is a former strongman competitor and MMA fighter.
      The sportsman, from Poland, has the nicknames “Pudzian” and “Dominator”.
      Pudzianowski won five World’s Strongest Man titles in seven years, the most in history.
      He retired in 2009 and made his debut as an MMA fighter the same year.
      Vasyl Virastyuk – 2004
      Vasyl Virastyuk won the World’s Strongest Man contest in 2004.
      He is one of only two people to defeat Pudzianowski during his seven-year stint at the contest.
      Virastyuk is also a politician and in 2021 he was sworn in as a member of the Ukrainian parliament.
      Phil Pfister – 2006
      Phil Pfister won the World’s Strongest Man contest in 2006Credit: Ron Antonelli/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
      Phil Pfister was named the World’s Stongest Man in 2006.
      He was the first American to win the title since Kazmaier in 1982.
      Pfister came in fourth at the 1998, 2001, 2007, and 2008 contests but retired from the sport in 2009.
      Žydrūnas Savickas – 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014
      Zydrunas Savickas of Lithuania has won the World’s Stongest Man competition four timesCredit: Victor Fraile/Getty Images
      Zydrunas Savickas knocked Pudzianowski off the top spot to claim his first World’s Strongest Man win in 2009.
      He went on to win the competition three more times and break over 70 world records.
      The Lithuanian hasn’t appeared at the World’s Strongest Man competition since 2018, when he finished tenth.
      Brian Shaw – 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016
      Brian Shaw of USA is a four time winner of the World’s Strongest Man contestCredit: Victor Fraile/Getty Images
      Brian Shaw is one of Savickas’ fiercest competitors and has also won the World’s Strongest Man competition four times.
      The athlete, from Colorado, became the first man to win the Arnold Strongman Classic and the World’s Strongest Man competitions in the same calendar year in 2011.
      He then replicated this feat in 2015.
      Shaw is the fourth most decorated strongman in history and announced his official retirement in August 2023.
      Eddie Hall – 2017
      Eddie Hall was crowned the World’s Strongest Man in 2017Credit: John Phillips/Getty Images
      Eddie Hall is a former strongman and boxer who won the World’s Strongest Man competition in 2017.
      Hall is best known for setting the world-record 500kg deadlift in 2016, widely regarded as one of the most iconic lifts in the history of the strongman sport.
      Since retiring from strongman, Hall has revealed plans to move into bodybuilding.
      Hafthor Björnsson – 2018
      Hafthor Julius Bjornsson is a World’s Strongest Man champion
      Hafthor Julius Björnsson won the World’s Strongest Man contest in 2018, after missing out by just one point the previous year.
      He is the first and only person to have won the Arnold Strongman Classic, the Europe’s Strongest Man, and the World’s Strongest Man competitions in the same calendar year.
      Björnsson is also an actor and is best known for his role as “The Mountain” Ser Gregor Clegane in the HBO’s Game of Thrones.
      Martins Licis – 2019
      Professional Strongman Martins Licis was named the World’s Strongest Man in 2019Credit: Paul Archuleta/Getty Images
      Latvian-American professional strongman Martins Licis had a surprise win at the 2019 World’s Strongest Man event.
      He went on to win the 2021 Rogue Invitational and 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic strongman championships.
      Oleksii Novikov – 2020
      Ukraine’s Oleksii Novikov won the World’s Stongest Man competition in 2020Credit: The Sun
      Oleksii Novikov claimed his first World’s Strongest Man title in 2020.
      The Ukrainian became the second youngest man to win the competition, triumphing when he was 24 years and 278 days of age.
      Sigmarsson is the youngest to have won, clocking in at 24 years and 271 days of age when he gained his title in 1984.
      Tom Stoltman – 2021, 2022
      Tom Stoltman has won the World’s Strongest Man title twiceCredit: Antonio Brecht Grist/ Alamy Live News
      Tom Stoltman made history when he became the first Scot to win the World’s Strongest Man title in 2021.
      The sportsman won the contest again 2022, becoming only the tenth man in the competition’s history to win the title of World’s Strongest Man twice.
      Mitchell Hooper – 2023
      Mitchell Hooper won the World’s Strongest Man competition for the first time in 2023
      Mitchell Hooper claimed the World’s Strongest Man title for the first time in his career in 2023.
      Hooper, from Midhusrt Canada, became the first Canadian in World’s Strongest Man history to win.
      What is the prize for World’s Strongest Man?
      The prize for winning World’s Strongest Man is monetary.
      The amounts have changed over the years and the prize pot went up significantly after 2021.
      Read more on The Sun
      It has been reported that the 2020 first prize was around £42,000, while in 2021 it increased to just over £117,000.
      Runners-up also receive money for their efforts. More

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      World’s sexiest swimmer Andreea Dragoi soaks up winter sun on Dubai vacation wearing barely-there bikini on sunlounger

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      SAN Jose State star swimmer Andreea Dragoi dazzled her adoring fans with her latest social media post showing off her vacation.The 21-year-old Romanian model and college swimmer took to social media on Tuesday to share a series of photos showcasing her voyage to Dubai.
      Andreea Dragoi is a swimmer at San Jose StateCredit: instagram @dragoi_andreea
      Dragoi stuns in her latest post on social mediaCredit: Instagram/dragoi_andreea
      Dragoi is enjoying a much-needed vacation as the collegiate swimmer is in the middle of her junior season for the program.
      She’s a freestyle and butterfly specialist, and the Bucharest-born model scored a first-place victory against California State University East Bay last season.
      Dragoi studies kinesiology, sports management, and psychology. 
      She regularly provides her fans with stunning selfies, beach vacations, and workout videos.

      And, on Tuesday, the collegiate swimmer displayed her time at a waterpark in Dubai.
      She shared the experience on her Instagram story, showing her outfit and figure. 
      Dragoi posed in a white and sheer print bikini as she stretched out on a lawn chair, soaking up the sun of the Persian Gulf.
      The social media star has had a hectic year, traveling back and forth across the country for school and modeling gigs. 
      Most read in Athletics
      Earlier this month, she shared pictures from a trip to Hawaii as she recapped her November.
      Fans were left gushing as one said: “So beautiful.”
      Another commented: “Golden princess.”
      And her modeling career has blown up after appearing at the New York Swim Week earlier in the summer.
      In July, Dragoi modeled for multiple brands at New York Swim Week.
      Dragoi is vacationing in Dubai.Credit: Instagram/dragoi_andreea
      Dragoi has over 80,700 followers on InstagramCredit: instagram @dragoi_andreea More

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      Netflix to show Drive to Survive style show about new sport with hopes of popularity boost like F1

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      SEB COE hopes a warts-and-all 2024 Netflix show will boost athletics’ global appeal and popularity — like it did to Formula One.Since 2019, there have been five series of Drive to Survive, which sees F1 drivers and team owners bicker behind the scenes.
      Seb Coe hopes Netflix’s new athletics show can boost the sport’s appealCredit: Sportsfile
      The worldwide fan base of that sport, particularly in the US, has exploded as it ingeniously tapped into a younger audience.
      Now camera crews have been following 100 metres and 200m sprinters over the past year, including Brits Zharnel Hughes and Dina Asher-Smith.
      The episodes are set to be shown around next summer’s Paris Olympics.
      Double gold medallist Coe, 67, is president of World Athletics and said: “The important thing is that Netflix themselves said they were surprised.
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      “They were genuinely shocked by the universality, the global nature of our sport.”
      It has been a breakthrough year for Hughes, who has broken the British record in both the 100m and 200m in 2023.
      The 28-year-old also claimed a bronze medal in the 100m at the World Championships in Hungary.
      Hughes came close to more medals at the event, finishing fourth in both the 200m and 4x100m relay.
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      British 100m and 200m record holder Zharnel Hughes will feature in the seriesCredit: PA
      However, it has proved to be a less successful year for Asher-Smith across the 100m and 200m distances.
      She followed her World Championship bronze from last year with a seventh place finish this time around, along with coming eighth out of nine athletes in the 100m final.
      Asher-Smith will hope to follow the new series with a return to glory in Paris, though, having medalled in the 4x100m relays at the last two Olympics.
      Fellow Brit Dina Asher-Smith will also appear as she sets her sights on Paris 2024Credit: PA More

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      Glam British athlete Lauryn Davey joins no-bra club and shows off toned abs in selfie as fans call her ‘force of nature’

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      LAURYN DAVEY has joined the no-bra club and shown off her toned abs in her latest selfie.The glamorous British athlete was called a “force of nature” by her fans after sharing the snap to social media.
      Lauryn Davey showed off her abs as she joined the no bra clubCredit: instagram/laurynlouisedavey
      Her fans called her a ‘force of nature’Credit: instagram/laurynlouisedavey
      Davey posted a series of selfies to Instagram this week as she gave fans a glimpse at her life lately.
      She flaunted her physique in the snaps as she posed in front of a mirror at the gym.
      The 24-year-old also stunned in a tight green crop top, trousers and a black jacket.
      Other selfies on the post showed Davey in an online meeting, on a podcast set and in scrubs as a medical student.
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      Alongside the snaps, she wrote in the caption: “Cooking up a storm.
      “Busy few weeks balancing being on wards, in meetings, on track, in gym, teaching and all that jazz.”
      Her followers were left in awe of the Welsh athlete as they flooded the comments with support.
      One fan wrote: “You’re a force of nature girl.”
      Most read in Athletics
      Davey flaunted her physique in the gym
      The heptathlete is also a medical student at Swansea University
      Another added: “Is there anything she can’t do?!”
      A third follower also commented: “Looking absolutely stunning.”
      Davey is currently a medical student at Swansea University alongside her exploits as a heptathlete.
      She also has a strong social media fanbase with 26,500 followers on Instagram.
      Her fans are regularly treated to glamorous snaps and action shots from the athletics track.
      The Olympic hopeful also gives a look into her day-to-day life as she aims to represent Team GB at future games.
      Davey has 26,500 followers on Instagram
      She regularly gives fans a look into her day-to-day life More

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      Rising sports star Zulqarnain Haider, 14, suddenly dies as tributes paid to ‘phenomenal’ young athlete

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      AN aspiring teenage athlete has been hailed as a “phenomenal talent” after dying suddenly at the age of 14.Zulqarnain Haider was a rising star at the Keilor Little Athletics Club in Melbourne, Australia.
      Zulqarnain Haider has died aged 14Credit: Facebook
      The teen was a rising star at Keilor Little Athletics Club in MelbourneCredit: Facebook
      The teen also had 18 records to his name and represented Victoria at national level.
      Keilor Little Athletics Club wrote: “Little Athletics Victoria is shocked and saddened to learn of the recent and sudden passing of Keilor Little Athlete, Zulqarnain Haider.
      “‘Zulq’, to those who knew him, was an athlete with extraordinary ability.
      “His athletics achievements in his very short life were possibly peerless.
      “Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Zulqarnain Haider was 14 years old. Rest in peace.”
      The track star scooped the U15 100m titles at the Australian Junior Championships.
      He had also previously won gold medals in 100m, 200m, 400m, 80m hurdles and 200m hurdles.
      In emotional tributes, Zulqarnain has been described as a “superstar” with an “infectious smile”.
      Most read in Athletics
      Coburg Little Athletics wrote: “Coburg would like to pass our sincere condolences to Zulq’s family and friends. 
      “He was a joy to watch and many of our athletes stopped what they were doing whenever he ran. A phenomenal talent taken too soon.”
      A statement from Cranbourne Little Athletics added: “We would like to send our deepest condolences to the Haider Family and the Keilor Little Aths Family.
      “An incredible and humble athlete with an infectious smile.” More

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      Abandoned UK stadium with fox poo everywhere handed new lease of life with huge new plans for forgotten site

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      CRYSTAL PALACE athletics stadium could see top-level events held there by the end of the decade.The dilapidated South London arena is several years off being ready to emulate the heady days when Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt ran there in 2009.
      Crystal Palace athletic stadium has fallen into disrepair in recent yearsCredit: The Times
      Its interior has been damaged in recent yearsCredit: The Times
      Initial repairs have recently taken placeCredit: The Times
      The stadium shut its doors in 2020, with its stands since having been covered in fox excrement.
      Initial repairs to the 400 metres running track have taken place in recent weeks.
      And temporary floodlights have been installed to allow club training to happen over the winter.
      The Mayor of London Office has committed funding to the long-term project and plans will include an outdoor 200 metres track.
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      Site architect Ben Woods said: “The push here is to look at this as a London home for athletics.
      “For completion of phase two, which is the stadium, we are talking in five years’ time. That’s the plan.
      “That’s not to say we cannot have events in the stadium before that.
      “We have a wonderful stage.
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      “We are looking at what we need to do with those structural checks, to bring it up to modern standards.
      “Maybe we could run school events. Then regional championships up to national championships.
      “We want this stadium to be the athletics home for London 365-days-a-year.
      “This won’t live or die off one-off events.”
      Explore the dilapidated Crystal Palace athletics stadium…
      Its stands have been covered in fox excrementCredit: The Times
      The stadium had a 19,000 capacityCredit: The Times
      Its interior has become a safety hazardCredit: The Times
      Gradual repairs are expected to take placeCredit: The Times
      A five-year plan has been prepared to restore the stadiumCredit: The Times
      The stadium could host schools eventsCredit: The Times
      Bosses want it to be a 365 days a year athletics hubCredit: The Times
      It previously shut its doors in 2020Credit: The Times More

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      Major sporting event watched by 28 million people on the BBC at risk of being axed with no city willing to host

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      THE future of the Commonwealth Games is in doubt after a potential host city for the 2026 event pulled out.More than 28million people tuned in to BBC to watch last year’s theatrics in Birmingham.
      The future of the Commonwealth Games has been plunged into doubtCredit: Getty
      Over 28million people tuned in to BBC to watch last year’s Games in BirminghamCredit: PA
      England finished second behind Australia and ahead of Canada in what was hailed as one of the most successful Commonwealth Games ever.
      However, questions are now being raised about the future of the prestigious event.
      Gold Coast, the 2018 hosts, looked set to step in after fellow Aussies the State of Victoria decided in July against staging the event because of the cost.
      An initial £1.4billion estimate had leaped to over £3bn, according to the government.
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      But now the Queensland city have withdrawn their bid too, despite originally reckoning they could do a streamlined version for £360million.
      And it leaves no candidates for either the ’26 and ’30 Games, despite reports of a secret plan to move the next event to Scotland.
      It appears federal and state governments in Oz have ruled out supporting the 93-year-old Games.
      And organisers are now facing the possibility of postponing or even cancelling the 2026 Games.
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      Two Australian cities have now pulled out of hosting the 2026 eventCredit: Getty
      England finished second at last year’s GamesCredit: Reuters
      Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate said: “We did our best and that’s all people can expect.”
      A spokesperson for the Commonwealth Games Federation added: “Since the sudden withdrawal of Victoria in July 2023 as the host of the 2026 Games, the Commonwealth Games Federation has been working tirelessly with Commonwealth Games Associations to find a new host who would be able to step in at such short notice.
      “We are in active conversations with a number of potential hosts across the Commonwealth and hope to provide an update on those discussions in early 2024.” More

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      Glam British athlete Lauryn Davey shows off toned abs in red bikini as stunned fans say ‘woah’

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      LAURYN LOUISE DAVEY had fans in awe with her latest social media post.The British Olympic hopeful took a break from her training to share a stunning snap on Instagram.
      Lauryn Louise Davey shared a stunning snap in a red bikini to her Instagram pageCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      Davey is a Team GB Olympic hopefulCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      She is a British Heptathlete champion at junior levelCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      Heptathlete Davey is gunning to be part of Team GB’s Olympic squad.
      However, Paris 2024 comes too soon for the 24-year-old.
      Instead, the 2026 Commonwealth games are what the Welsh National hero is eyeing as her ticket to the 2028 Olympics.
      And it seems she will take a number of fans with her.
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      Davey currently has nearly 25,000 followers on Instagram.
      Reacting to her latest post, captioned: “Power of now 🙏🏼,” fans had nothing but well wishes and praise.
      She was seen wearing a red bikini in the post.
      One fan said: “Woah 🔥🔥🔥🔥.”
      Most read in Athletics
      A second said: “Beaut & strong.”
      A third added: “Champ❤️.”
      As well as her Olympic dream which she has had since the age of five, she is also taking a medical degree at Swansea University.
      Davey, who also has a vegan diet, recently shared snaps of herself following a gym workout.
      Davey regularly shares shows off her figure on her social mediaCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      Davey has nearly 25,000 fans on InstagramCredit: instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      She is aiming to use the 2026 Commonwealth Games as her tickets to the OlympicsCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      She is currently doing a medical degree at Swansea UniversityCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey More