STEVE KIRIT IS THE 2004 STRONGEST MAN ALIVE®!

SEEN HERE ACCEPTING THE FIRST PLACE CHECK FROM OUR FRIENDS AT PACIFICO FORD

About 10,000 fans watched the three segments that made up the Pacifico Ford Strongest Man Alive Championship.
Steve Kirit won first place finishing first in the Stones Challenge in front of 7,000 fans that packed Daniel S. Fawley Stadium in Wilmington, Delaware. (a copy of one of Sunday's papers in on http://www.footballstories.com/  )
Many athletes such as Magnus Ver Magnusson, Walt Gogola and Jesse Marunde had their first names chanted by the focused audience during their runs.
Jon Anderson suffered a quad injury in the truck dead lift and could not participate in the stones.
Marunde turned the event into a mini-WWE show when, after his run, flattened Rocky Moose, the Blue Rocks mascot, in what was really an exaggerated high five...Rocky was OK but refused to be in the picture like he did last year.
A big part of the crowd booed Marunde as he flexed in the middle of the infield. You really, really had to be there.
They did cheer later when Robby, the PA guy, got Marunde to kiss Rocky and make up.
In all, including the Phillies promotion (say what you want about it), 54,000 people saw strongman live and countless millions more on TV.
Gary Mitchell was incredible as the ref and Bryan Neese was great talking to the crowd. Robby, the other announcer, was hired by the Blue Rocks as their announcer because of the job he did.
The order of finish:

1. Steve Kirit

2. Jesse Marunde

3. Karl Gillingham

4. Jon Anderson

5. Chad Coy

6. Walt Gogola

7. Magnus Ver Magnusson

8. Mark Keshishian
   
   Log Lift winner: Jon Anderson
   Conan's Wheel: Jesse Marunde
   Truck pull: Jon Anderson
   Truck Dead Lift: Chad Coy
   Stones: Steve Kirit

The Latest Poster!

CN8 called me today to confirm they are coming out to shoot the last three events of the Pacifico Ford Strongest Man Alive Championship on Saturday, July 3rd.
The Ford F-150 dead lift
The 30,000-pound Truck pull (with harness)
Atlas Stones - Five stones arranged from third base to first base inside the stadium and in front of about 7,000 screaming fans.

The shooting is for a new (untitled but described as a new version of "Wide World of Sports") 90-minute sports show hosted by Lou Tilley. There will be two sports events equally covered on each show.

So we have 45 minutes of it...minus 10 minutes of commercials...a net of 35 minutes of action. The average WSM show gets a net of 22 minutes.

The show will air July 16 (at a time TBA). CN8 Network broadcasts from Boston through the Carolinas on the East Coast. I am told a copy of the show will be available to the public from the network for about $25.

I am trying to make sure they use Brian Neese as part of the broadcast.

I still expect coverage for at least Friday night from WPVI (Philly's ABC affiliate) and the full print media.

Thanks,

Al T.
gymtalk@yahoo.com

FYI-The new house ad in Footballstories Magazine will be on Footballstories.com by the weekend. Click photo, then strongman to see.

4-2-04  Final Lineup for Strongest Man Alive® Atlas Stones Challenge July 2nd & 3rd - Delaware County, Pa & Wilmington, DE
Alphabetical order (starting with first name):

Chad Coy
Jesse Marunde
Jon Anderson
Karl Gillingham
Magnus Ver Magnusson
Mark Keshishian
Steve Kirit
Walt Gogola

Magnus to compete at Blue Rocks event July 2 & 3

Four-time World's Strongest Man champion Magnus Ver Magnusson will compete in the Strongest Man Alive® Atlas Stones Challenge July 2 & July 3 in the Philadelphia area.
Kudos to Mark K. for his efforts in getting this done.

Giants starting offensive tackle Luke Petitgout confirmed his appearance at the Strongest Man Alive Atlas Stones Challenge July 2 & 3. He will be there to sign autographs an promote his O-Line clothing line (oline.com)

Luke is a Delaware native and will help sell tickets to events both Friday & Saturday night. Saturday night at Daniel S. Fawley Stadium is a virtual lock to sell out all 7000 seats including standing room only. The game is between the Wilmington Blue Rocks and the Lynchburg Hillcats.

Also in attendance Friday night will be 610 WIP All-Sports Radio personality Big Daddy Graham.

Former World's Strongest Man competitor Brian Neese will be on hand to do the announcing.

Gary Mitchell will be there are event coordinator and referee.

There are several of us working very hard to get the title sponsor taken care of and announce the purse. We are close.

Arnold Classic Bench Press Champion and current world record holder Gene Rychlak will also be on hand both nights. The Philadelphia area native set a world record in the bench press last November of 900 pounds and won the Arnold March 6 with a 876 bench.

We are negotiating with two local networks (UPN 57 and CN8 to televise Saturday's events. If all goes well it'll be LIVE! I hope Art relishes a challenge.

There are two events Friday night at the Lagoon in Essington, Pa. (a mile from the Philly airport). The Northeast Sports Overhead Log Lift and (to be named) Conan's Wheel.

There will be two events before the game in the parking lot. The (to be named) Farmers Walk and the Mustang Expediting Truck Pull.

After the game and before the fireworks it's the Atlas Stones
Challenge.

I feel very awkward and humbled with the amount of pro strongmen who have inquired about being in the event. Guys who want to see a potentially great show succeed and don't seem to be overly concerned about the purse.

Because of the logistics involved with the two venues, we can only have eight athletes compete. Perhaps next year we can figure out how to increase the lineup and still keep that amazing audience.

I will do my best to fill the rest of the lineup fairly.

Thank you,

Al Thompson

_________________________________________

Jesse Marunde joins Atlas Stones lineup

Two-time World's Strongest Man competitor Jesse Marunde has confirmed his appearance in the

Strongest Man Alive® Atlas Stones Challenge
July 2 & 3.
The two-day showcase takes place at the Lagoon in Essington, Pa. (just South of Philadelphia) and at the Wilmington Blue Rocks-Lynchburg Hillcats Minor League baseball game at Daniel S. Fawley Stadium in front of almost 7,000 fans. Two more spots are left and will likely be gone after this weekend.
So far we have:

Steve Kirit
Mark Keshishian
Walt Gogola
Chad Coy
Steve Pulcinella
Jesse Marunde
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STRONGEST MAN ALIVE® AND STRONGEST WOMAN ALIVE® will be a sponsor for the Atlas Stones Challenge July 2nd and 3rd, 2004!

The Lagoon entertainment and hotel complex in Essington, Pa (just south of Philadelphia airport and sports complex) will host the Atlas Stones Challenge and Strongman Showcase with two events on Friday night, July 2nd.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks are hosting the final three events Saturday, July 3 -- two in the parking lot (late afternoon) before the game -- and the Atlas Stones event after the game (about 9:30 p.m.) in front of an expected crowd of 7,000 fans.

Two events will be held at the complex in The Lagoon's outdoor arena. This area has been used for pro boxing in the past and has a spotlight and PA system, a large area (perfect for a Conan's Wheel) to perform and has three bars. There is enough space for over 1,000 fans to watch the event. We expect a full house.

All competitors (who need it) will have complimentary hotel rooms for both Friday and Saturday night at the Lagoon as well as a full buffet and beverages after the event Friday night.

It is about a 20 minute ride from the hotel to the Blue Rocks Stadium. We will provide transportation for all competitors to and from the stadium as well as the airport.

The airlines use this hotel all the time so it is a nice place.

The night club routinely draws over 2,000 fans every Friday and Saturday night.

There will be a Continental breakfast offered Saturday and Sunday morning (We are working on upgrading that if at all possible).

I will continue to update everyone as more details unfold.

Competitors confirmed to compete:

Steve Kirit
Walt Gogola
Mark Keshishian
Steve Pulcinella
Chad Coy

There will be three more spots offered after a title sponsor is named and a purse amount confirmed.

Thank you,

Al Thompson
Meet Promoter
gymtalk@yahoo.com

What is the sport of "Strongman?" and Who is The Strongest Man Alive™?

Strong·man (strôngmn) n.: an intense sport of which the modern derivation is a direct descendent of the Scottish and Icelandic/Scandinavian test of manhood. A typical strongman competition is a test of strength, endurance, ingenuity and heart. It consists of events adopted from traditional Scottish Highland Games, variations of powerlifting, Olympic lifting and just plain “crazy” events such as the rope and harness truck pull.

The Strongest Man Alive™ is just such a test. A test of strength, as they combine an all out effort with incredible strength, speed, endurance, mental toughness, excitement and fun...and...all to finally show the World Who really is The Strongest Man Alive™.

Entertainment for the family and people of all ages.

Sponsors

Pacifico Ford

Samson-Power.com