What Is 2009 World's Strongest Man

Overview

The 2009 World's Strongest Man (WSM) competition marked a historic moment in strength athletics, as Lithuanian powerhouse Žydrūnas Savickas claimed his first title after years of near-misses. Held in Valletta, Malta, the event spanned five days in late September and early October, drawing 15 of the world’s strongest athletes to compete in 10 grueling challenges.

Organized by TWI and broadcast globally, the 2009 WSM showcased a blend of raw power, endurance, and technique. Savickas outperformed seasoned rivals like Brian Shaw and Derek Poundstone, cementing his legacy after finishing second three times previously.

• Žydrūnas Savickas: At 33 years old, Savickas finally won after podium finishes in 2002, 2003, and 2006, proving his consistency and dominance in strength sports.
• Event Location: For the first time, the finals were held in Valletta, Malta, a shift from traditional venues like the U.S. or Africa.
• Competition Duration: The contest ran from September 30 to October 4, 2009, with events spread across multiple days to test recovery and stamina.
• Atlas Stones: Savickas won this crucial event, lifting 5 stones ranging from 100 to 160 kg onto platforms in under 22 seconds.
• Global Broadcast: The event reached over 100 countries via ESPN and Eurosport, increasing the sport’s international visibility.

Events and Challenges

Each event in the 2009 WSM tested different aspects of strength, from static lifts to dynamic carries. Competitors earned points based on placement in each event, with the highest total winning the title.

• Deadlift: Athletes lifted a 370 kg (815 lb) barbell for maximum reps in 60 seconds, with Savickas completing 6 lifts.
• Log Lift: The log weighed 160 kg (353 lb), and Savickas completed 6 repetitions, outpacing Poundstone’s 4.
• Car Carry: Competitors carried a modified car weighing 140 kg (309 lb) over 15 meters, testing grip and core stability.
• Fingal’s Fingers: Five weighted poles dropped sequentially; Savickas cleared all in 28.6 seconds, the fastest time.
• Timber Carry: A 20-meter race with a 160 kg wooden frame, where Savickas placed second, gaining crucial points.
• Stone-Over-Bar: Lifting a 130 kg stone over a 4-foot bar three times; Savickas finished in third with a time of 31 seconds.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the top five finishers compared across key events:

The table highlights Savickas’s consistency—he didn’t win every event but placed in the top three in six of ten. Poundstone led early but faltered in the final two events, allowing Savickas to overtake him. The narrow margin—just 2.5 points between first and second—underscores the competition’s intensity.

Why It Matters

The 2009 World's Strongest Man had lasting implications for strength sports, athlete legacies, and global interest in strongman competitions. It marked a generational shift, with veterans like Savickas finally claiming the crown while newcomers like Björnsson signaled future dominance.

• Legacy for Savickas: His 2009 win was the first of four WSM titles, solidifying him as one of the greatest strongmen in history.
• Rise of Brian Shaw: Despite placing fourth, Shaw’s performance launched his career—he would win WSM in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2016.
• Global Expansion: Hosting in Malta broadened the event’s geographic reach, encouraging participation from non-traditional strongman nations.
• Media Exposure: Increased TV coverage helped grow the sport, leading to more sponsorships and professional circuits like the Giants Live series.
• Training Influence: Savickas’s training regimen, emphasizing technique and recovery, became a model for aspiring strongmen worldwide.
• Cultural Impact: Björnsson’s early appearance foreshadowed his later fame, linking strongman to mainstream entertainment via Game of Thrones.

The 2009 contest remains a benchmark in strongman history—combining dramatic finishes, athletic excellence, and the culmination of a champion’s long journey to the top.