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00:00Yippee-ki-yay, strongman lovers,
00:26and welcome, everybody, to the Wild Wild West.
00:29This year, the SPD World's Strongest Man
00:31is back in Sacramento, California,
00:33in the original Gold Rush City,
00:35where we've got something special in prospect.
00:3825 men bringing the biggest of big guns
00:40to a shootout in the sun,
00:42and amongst them, the duo who've dominated this sport
00:44so far this decade, Hooper, Stoltman.
00:47This town ain't big enough for the both of them.
00:52The thing is, I have beat Tom
00:54the last five times that I've faced him
00:57in various shows.
00:58For me, I'm not ready to bother
01:00about what he does now.
01:01I'm here for myself, myself only.
01:04I'm not here to make friends, I'm here to battle.
01:06I have a very consistent history
01:08of getting the best of Tom.
01:09It's not me versus Hooper,
01:10I think it's me versus, well, 24.
01:13The World's Strongest Man title this year
01:15is likely to go home to Canada or to Scotland,
01:18and only time can tell.
01:19Wow.
01:26But here we are then with Eddie Hall,
01:282017 World's Strongest Man.
01:31Eddie, first of all, the big question here,
01:32who've you got, Tom or Mitchell?
01:33Oh, I'm going to have to sit on the fence this year.
01:36The two phenomenal athletes both won it.
01:38I don't want to say right now.
01:40It's not just those two either, is it?
01:41Because this is an incredibly stacked field
01:43we've got this year.
01:44Any one of the 25 athletes here
01:45could make the final.
01:47Yeah, and of the 25,
01:4816 have made the final, which is...
01:51Previously?
01:51Yes.
01:52So the field is super high.
01:54Well, before we get the action underway,
01:56just to mention a major change to the format
01:58that's taking place this year.
01:59The old days of a points reset
02:01after the group stage are over.
02:03As of this year,
02:05everything that the 10 finalists do
02:07from the very first event in the heats
02:08is going to count towards their final placings.
02:11What's that going to mean, Eddie?
02:12Well, it means a lot.
02:13I mean, from the athletes' point of view,
02:15it makes it so much harder.
02:17It means they've got to go 100% from the get-go.
02:19In the past, they would breeze through the heats,
02:22do as little as they possibly could
02:24to conserve their energy for the final.
02:26Now, they've got to give 100%.
02:28And over the 10 events
02:30versus the heats in the finals,
02:32that is a lot to ask out of these athletes.
02:35Qualifying group one stands
02:36and ready to introduce them.
02:37Let's welcome our commentators,
02:39Colin Bryce, and first, Danny Wallace.
02:41Well, thanks, James.
02:42Thanks, Eddie.
02:43Here we go, then, Colin Bryce.
02:44World's Strongest Man begins.
02:45Oh, yeah.
02:46I'm excited for this one.
02:47With the format changes,
02:48this should be an out-and-out gunfight.
02:50So who have we got?
02:52Well, they call him the Mexican,
02:53Eddie Hall, Austin Andrade.
02:55And Big Thomas Evans from the USA,
03:00the strength and conditioning coach from North Carolina.
03:03From South Africa, Yarko Schoonwinkel,
03:05and who will be Schoonwinkled this year?
03:08The Scottish titan, Big Tom Stoltman,
03:11back once again to hold his title.
03:13And with the voice of an angel,
03:14Australia's singing strongman, Eddie Williams.
03:17So those are our strongmen for group one.
03:22We'll move into event one, the loading race.
03:25Well, this is all about sandbags,
03:26and it's a medley.
03:27You have to carry them down the course 75 seconds.
03:30And as you'll see,
03:31you have to load them into the back of these Cybertrucks.
03:34So our first pair
03:37elegantly take their places
03:41from South Africa.
03:44Fifth generation farmer, Yarko Schoonwinkel,
03:47up against,
03:49from North Carolina,
03:51Thomas Evans.
03:5775 seconds.
03:58They've got to load as many of these as they can
03:59in the back of that truck.
04:00Yes, indeed.
04:03If they do all four, though,
04:04they'll get a finishing time.
04:06And, well,
04:07good chuck there from Tom Evans.
04:09The further you put them down,
04:11the easier it is to get the next one
04:12and the next one on.
04:13As I said,
04:14four in total.
04:15Schoonwinkel just in the lead at the moment.
04:17Oh, he slipped there, though.
04:19That was a big mistake there from Schoonwinkel,
04:21allowing Evans to edge ahead.
04:25There it goes.
04:26Two very different techniques, Colin.
04:27Yeah, onto the shoulder technique.
04:29Better for running with.
04:31Harder to throw up to the shoulder, though.
04:33And it's much easier to pick up
04:35the way Schoonwinkel's doing,
04:36but it starts to really destroy
04:37the arms and hamstrings
04:38as you move with it.
04:40It's a very awkward
04:41sack to carry.
04:44The shield shakes,
04:45but Evans making good work of it.
04:48Well ahead of Schoonwinkel.
04:50Yeah, look at that.
04:51Under 50 seconds.
04:52Both of them.
04:53Schoonwinkel was catching again, though.
04:55So a good time for him, too.
04:57Let's take a look at this, Danny.
04:58The last one, the shield shape.
05:01It's so awkward.
05:03It's quite slippy, the material as well,
05:05but both of them finishing.
05:0648.58.
05:08Let's hear it from...
05:09Well, sub 50 seconds,
05:10and he's delighted.
05:11All four in 48.58 for the American.
05:16And Schoonwinkel.
05:17Well, currently in second,
05:20but then they've only been two.
05:22Four in 50.34.
05:25That's very true.
05:26I think these will be solid times.
05:28Big Tom, though,
05:29with those long legs of his,
05:31stands over six foot seven.
05:34He should chew up the ground.
05:35Austin Andrade.
05:38So we've already called it
05:38the Mexican Eddie Hall,
05:40also known as Smash.
05:42Up against, well,
05:43three-time world's strongest man,
05:46Tom Stoltman.
05:48Tom Stoltman!
05:50He said that.
05:53A lot of Scots have made the trip over
05:55to Sacramento.
05:56Very proud of Tom,
05:58and he starts his defense
06:01at the title right here,
06:03and he's great at this kind of event normally.
06:06Looking good so far.
06:08He is the most successful
06:09British strongman of all time,
06:12and this is why...
06:14He shot put that sack
06:16from a couple of meters away.
06:17Goodness me.
06:22Breathing like a steam train.
06:23He's already on to the final sack.
06:27The only fear is he gasses out here,
06:29and it slips out his hands.
06:30He's gone at it really hard,
06:32but so far so good.
06:33Around about 46 seconds to beat.
06:36Now he's going to beat it
06:36by a comfortable margin.
06:39Goodness me.
06:39A great time for Tom Stoltman.
06:44There's Austin Andrade.
06:45Gets a little bit of encouragement
06:47from the mighty Scott.
06:48He's just pointing that way.
06:50I think he knew.
06:52There it is.
06:56Just put it over there, mate.
06:59Thank you, Danny.
07:00Yes.
07:02Words of encouragement from Tom,
07:04who did that very well indeed.
07:06Well, Austin Andrade.
07:0753.33.
07:10Not delighted with that.
07:13But Tom Stoltman
07:13takes this kind of thing in his stride.
07:1738.71.
07:19Stoltman!
07:20Tom enjoying some fast times.
07:22He's taken the lead
07:23in the loading medley,
07:24but event one isn't over
07:25until the singing strongman
07:27does his thing.
07:28It's Eddie Williams
07:29when we return
07:30on the SPD World's Strongest Man.
07:32Welcome back to Sacramento.
07:44It's the opening event
07:45of this year's competition,
07:46the Loading Medley.
07:48Tom Stoltman's performance
07:49has left Eddie Williams
07:50with loads to do.
07:51Can he take top spot?
07:52Over to Colin and Danny.
07:54In lane number one.
07:55Well, thank you, James.
07:56Representing Australia,
07:57now the Australian
07:58Eddie Williams
07:59wants his first final, Colin.
08:03Yes, he's good enough to do it,
08:05but he's got to go solo here.
08:07He's running on his own.
08:09There's only five in each heat,
08:10but he has a good time
08:12to chase in Tom Stoltman's
08:1338 seconds,
08:15and he looks quick, Ed.
08:17Well, this is a very determined
08:18performance so far
08:19from Eddie Williams.
08:21Look at the speed on him.
08:25He used to be a rugby player.
08:26Imagine him trying to tackle him.
08:29Unbelievable.
08:30Now then,
08:3125 seconds for three.
08:32This is on course to be...
08:34Oh, slowing up a little bit.
08:36Yeah, yeah.
08:37I think he may have overdone it
08:38on that previous run,
08:40or is he just making sure?
08:43He's been getting better and better
08:44since we first saw him here in 2019.
08:47I'm not sure if it was a grimace
08:49or a smile,
08:49but he's going to beat Andrade.
08:51He's going to beat
08:52Skunwinkel and Evans.
08:56The singing arrival
08:58only to his dancing.
09:02All four on.
09:04There you go,
09:05the time,
09:06second best.
09:07The singing strongman,
09:08Eddie Williams!
09:09So moving into seconds
09:10with that,
09:11four in 44.7,
09:13Eddie Williams.
09:13As we see on the board,
09:18that's the defending champion,
09:20Tom Stoltman.
09:20A full six seconds ahead of him,
09:23and it all counts.
09:24Tom is with Michelle now.
09:26Tom,
09:26cracking start to the competition.
09:28Yeah,
09:28I need to set a marker.
09:29It's not me versus four other people,
09:32it's me versus 24,
09:33so I put a marker down
09:34and let's see what happens,
09:35but I'm happy with that time.
09:36Great marker.
09:37Now, Tom,
09:37you've also made some changes
09:38to your backroom staff.
09:40Let me ask you,
09:40is this the best version
09:42of Tom Stoltman
09:43that we're going to see?
09:44Yeah,
09:44that was probably
09:44my fastest loading time,
09:45and I'm down 10k from last year,
09:48got a new coach.
09:49Mentally,
09:49I'm much in a better space now as well,
09:51and yeah,
09:52I feel great.
09:52That was a nice stretch
09:54of the legs to the traditional,
09:55so that was a good event to start.
09:56How does it feel
09:57being back in Sacramento?
09:59I mean,
09:59you must have fond memories
10:00here winning twice over.
10:02Yeah,
10:02even standing here,
10:03I remember loading
10:04the last Stoney Hades,
10:05Brian Shaw,
10:05but yeah,
10:06it's unbelievable
10:06being back here,
10:07and hopefully I can keep
10:08that streak going soon.
10:09Look forward to seeing you
10:10in the next event.
10:10Thank you very much,
10:11Stuart.
10:15So our reigning champion,
10:16the fastest
10:16of putting the sacks down
10:17in sack town,
10:19fully six seconds quicker
10:20than the nearest man,
10:22Eddie Williams,
10:22and 15 faster
10:24than the man in last place,
10:25the rather tardy,
10:26Austin Andrade.
10:27Up next,
10:28it's event two,
10:29which is deadlift for reps,
10:31and the man here
10:32with the biggest rep
10:32in deadlift,
10:33I lift half a ton,
10:34Eddie Hall.
10:35Eddie,
10:36talk us through,
10:37this is 350 kilos
10:38and 60 seconds
10:39to do as many lifts
10:40as you can.
10:41Yeah,
10:41350 kilos,
10:42which is a lot of weight.
10:43It's a very stiff bar,
10:45which makes it a lot harder
10:46to pull from the floor,
10:47and also these globes
10:48landing on rubber,
10:48they're going to be
10:49bouncing around,
10:50and it really pulls
10:50the guy's center of gravity
10:52off a lot.
10:53this kind of event,
10:55who does it favor
10:55from our heat?
10:56It really favors
10:57the bigger,
10:58slower,
10:59more powerful athletes.
11:00You find the ones
11:01that pull it really fast
11:02off the floor
11:02really struggle with this,
11:04but everyone in this group
11:05is pretty much big,
11:06slow,
11:06and powerful.
11:07Okay,
11:07let's see how it goes.
11:08Deadlift a rep,
11:09Colin and Danny.
11:11Well,
11:11thanks,
11:12James,
11:12thanks,
11:12Eddie.
11:13And first up,
11:14after a disappointing
11:15first event,
11:16Mexico's Austin Andrade.
11:19We are expecting
11:20big things here.
11:21He's a member
11:22of the 1,000-pound club.
11:25That's what he can lift,
11:26not what it costs
11:26to join.
11:29Yes,
11:29it's a very small club indeed.
11:32Over 453.5 kilograms
11:34he's deadlifted,
11:35and he hasn't done it
11:37that long ago either,
11:38so he is top strong,
11:41and right now,
11:43three reps down,
11:44looking very good indeed.
11:47No signs of slowing,
11:49is there?
11:51Maybe I spoke too soon
11:53there,
11:54Colin.
11:54That's a sign of slowing.
11:56I don't think anyone's
11:57going to be pulling
11:57for the full time period,
11:59that's for sure.
12:00It's almost redundant,
12:02a time limit
12:05in this kind of event.
12:06He's just a little bit dizzy,
12:07I think,
12:08but he might be worth
12:08one more if he can recover
12:10in the next five or ten seconds.
12:12He absolutely knows
12:13he needs at least one more.
12:17Setting those markers,
12:18but that's it.
12:20That might be too much
12:21for Austin Andrade.
12:23Well, you know,
12:24throw into the calculator
12:25just the sheer heat
12:27of being in Sacramento.
12:28His body weight,
12:29you can see he's
12:30lashing with sweat.
12:32Ladies and gentlemen,
12:33show your appreciation.
12:34And the doctor's got
12:35the oxygen out here.
12:36Give it up,
12:37Austin Andrade.
12:37suit doesn't make it
12:38any easier either
12:39to breathe.
12:44You know what it's like
12:45in a deadlift suit, Danny.
12:46Yes.
12:47I'm wearing one now.
12:55Representing the United States
12:56when we move on then.
12:57To the American,
12:58Thomas Evans.
13:00Love the crowd behind him.
13:02My goodness me,
13:03you talk about the heat.
13:06And a sweat on him.
13:07He's only just looked
13:08at the deadlift.
13:10And Schoenwinkel.
13:13Used to the farms
13:15of South Africa,
13:16of course,
13:16in this kind of heat.
13:19I think Tom Evans
13:20is probably the man
13:22in better condition
13:24at the moment.
13:26Schoenwinkel didn't have
13:27a particularly great season.
13:29He's still recovering
13:30from an ACL injury
13:31from a couple of years ago,
13:32but he always surprises
13:34Schoenwinkel.
13:36It was only a few years ago
13:37he beat Brian Shaw
13:38in a heat
13:39at World's Strongest Man
13:40as a relative unknown.
13:42Yes,
13:42he kind of came from nowhere,
13:43didn't he?
13:44Yeah,
13:44it became a verb
13:45to be Schoenwinkel.
13:47It did.
13:49Well,
13:49he Schoenwinkeled himself.
13:51Look at that.
13:51The blood
13:52coming out of his nose
13:53now from the sheer strain.
13:55He's got to lock it out.
13:56Neither of them
13:56locked that one out.
13:57So neither gets
13:58the seventh threat.
13:59Goodness me.
14:00What a battle it was,
14:01though,
14:01before that seventh,
14:03which, as you say,
14:04ultimately,
14:04they both lost.
14:06I think it was a fair call,
14:07though.
14:09So that's six for Evans.
14:12And six for Schoenwinkel.
14:16He's not looking
14:16as prettiest.
14:17No,
14:18the battle for the seventh
14:18there really did cost him
14:20a lot,
14:21a lot more than Evans'
14:22effort anyway.
14:23Look at this.
14:23He gets stuck on the knees.
14:25Sarts just to try
14:26and jack it up his thighs
14:28a little bit.
14:29But really not getting...
14:31much purchase
14:32on that at all
14:33and it was never
14:34locked out.
14:36We move on then
14:37to the Australian
14:37Eddie Williams
14:38up against
14:41the intimidating sight
14:44of Tom Stoltman.
14:46World's strongest man,
14:48Tom Stoltman!
14:49Big Tom,
14:50very good at reps,
14:51normally, Tom.
14:52It's a huge
14:53max deadlift.
14:55Eddie,
14:56well,
14:57we've seen in the past
14:58he struggles a bit
14:58with static,
14:59but
14:59he's worked
15:01very hard at it.
15:02So let's see
15:03where he's at.
15:03Now,
15:04Tom,
15:05he's got a long way
15:09to go,
15:09but
15:09he's got
15:11plenty of power
15:12to do it.
15:14Eddie is going to want to
15:15match Stoltman
15:18lift for lift.
15:20Pulling very slowly,
15:21Tom,
15:21but that's the way
15:22to do it
15:22with this
15:23thick,
15:23solid bar.
15:25No point in
15:25jerking at it,
15:26just as Eddie Hall
15:27said in the opener.
15:29My goodness,
15:30Eddie Williams
15:31is matching him.
15:32This is
15:32extraordinary.
15:34Not just matching.
15:38Could he?
15:40Yes.
15:41Oh,
15:42yes,
15:42he gave it to him,
15:43he locked it out.
15:45Well,
15:46can Stoltman do the same?
15:48Also,
15:49yes.
15:50That may be enough
15:51for both men.
15:52Yeah,
15:53a little glance
15:54just to see
15:54what Eddie's doing.
15:56Eddie Williams,
15:57I mean,
15:57that's a good result
15:58for Tom Stoltman,
15:59but he was pushed.
16:01Yeah,
16:02Williams gave him
16:02something to think
16:03about there.
16:05Andrade,
16:05I think,
16:06acted as a warning.
16:08I'm stunned,
16:08really.
16:09I really am,
16:10but his first rep
16:10didn't look that good
16:11either,
16:11Eddie Williams.
16:13Not much better
16:13than his seventh.
16:15He really ground them out
16:16and Tom was forced
16:17to fight.
16:18Well,
16:19head ref,
16:19Magnus Ver Magnussen,
16:20four-time World's
16:21Strongest Man,
16:22shaking Eddie's hand there.
16:23It's like a blessing
16:24from the Pope.
16:25Just as Eddie Hall
16:26said,
16:27all of these men
16:28putting in a big
16:28performance,
16:29seven for the top two,
16:31and Eddie Williams
16:31is with Michelle now.
16:34Eddie,
16:34amazing performance there,
16:36seven reps.
16:37How are you feeling?
16:38That's a massive improvement.
16:40Just finished an event.
16:42I'm still managing
16:43to be able to talk,
16:43so, yeah.
16:45It's very impressive.
16:46Just watching that event,
16:48I mean,
16:48it is clearly not easy,
16:50but for you being up against
16:51the current World's
16:52Strongest Man,
16:53I mean,
16:53does that provide you
16:54with a bit of
16:55extra motivation?
16:57Every year.
16:58Fun fact,
17:00I've had a
17:01Stoltman in my group
17:02the last four years,
17:03so,
17:04it shows
17:06what they say about,
17:09you hang out with
17:10strong people,
17:11you get stronger.
17:11It's clearly working,
17:13and we all know you,
17:14Eddie,
17:14as being the singing
17:15strong man.
17:16You're the life and soul
17:16of the party.
17:17It's joyful to be around you,
17:19but how important
17:20is it also for you
17:21to show that you can deliver
17:22and just compete
17:25against the best of them?
17:28It's super important for me
17:29because I can be a joyful
17:31and peaceful person,
17:33but I can also be a beast,
17:35so,
17:35having that,
17:36yeah,
17:37that connection
17:38and showing people
17:39you don't have to be angry
17:40to lift,
17:42you know,
17:42I use it as therapy
17:43and you can see it.
17:44It's great to see you
17:45in that event, Eddie.
17:46Congratulations.
17:47Thank you very much.
17:50Another Eddie
17:51getting his beast on
17:52and making a real charge
17:53for this year's final.
17:55He stays a point back
17:56from Tom Stoltman
17:56at the top of the standings,
17:58but it's three clear now
17:59of Thomas Evans.
18:01The battle for places
18:02in the grand final
18:03continues under
18:04the Sacramento sun
18:05when we return
18:06on the SPD
18:07World's Strongest Man.
18:16Welcome back, everybody,
18:22to Sacramento
18:23where we're ready
18:24for our next evento.
18:26It's the overhead medley.
18:28Eddie, it's intense.
18:29It's a hot day.
18:30What are the athletes
18:30going to be going through
18:31as they make their way
18:32up this course?
18:33Well, it's all about the rhythm.
18:34You know,
18:34you're going to be
18:35in the dumbbell twice,
18:36so you're used to one arm
18:37and then you're back
18:38to two arms.
18:39You're on the log press.
18:39You're going to do that twice.
18:41You've got to think
18:41at this point,
18:42after four reps,
18:43the heart rate's going to get
18:44into like 150s, 160s.
18:46Then they're doing
18:47the circus barbell.
18:48Another two reps
18:49of a different apparatus.
18:51Heart rate's going to be getting
18:51in the 170s, 180s.
18:53And then you've got to do
18:54something different again.
18:55The 168 axle
18:56for the final lift
18:58is a very, very tough lift.
19:00If you do that on its own,
19:01it's a tough lift.
19:02Never mind after six previous.
19:04So, you've really got
19:05the hands full.
19:06Excellent.
19:06All right.
19:06Overhead medley
19:08over to Colin and Danny.
19:13Well, thank you, James.
19:14Thank you, Eddie.
19:15And first up
19:16with the overhead medley,
19:18Austin smash Andrade.
19:21Going on his own.
19:22And he's really
19:23under some pressure now.
19:25I think that's fair to say.
19:27Two events down
19:28and he really hasn't
19:29quite performed as well
19:30as he hoped he would have.
19:32Made the final
19:32in his debut year last year,
19:34but deals with that dumbbell
19:36fairly well.
19:38He is a great presser.
19:40Brilliant log presser.
19:42See how he gets on.
19:43That's good.
19:44But he's...
19:44Remember, this is all about time.
19:46It's not just about weight.
19:47He's...
19:47He's being a bit too deliberate
19:50for my liking, really.
19:51Well, he is going on his own, isn't he?
19:54So...
19:55That will hinder him, maybe.
19:58Yes, that's, uh...
20:00Sadly, his honor
20:02for coming last in the previous.
20:04Overhead it goes.
20:06One more,
20:07and then he's on to this axle,
20:08and that'll really separate
20:09the men from the boys.
20:12He's up to 55 seconds now.
20:16The difficult thing
20:17is he's seen no one else go,
20:18so he doesn't really know
20:19the tactics to play here.
20:21Should he have
20:21sprinted through this?
20:22Will everyone find this easy?
20:23I doubt it,
20:24because this is heavy.
20:26I think he's just focused,
20:27doesn't he,
20:27on getting all seven lifted
20:29and doing it well.
20:34Well, well, well,
20:35he nails it.
20:37It was within the time limit.
20:40Just.
20:41All seven
20:42in 1.13.
20:44Get him out
20:45the second and a half
20:46to play with.
20:47Let's hear it for
20:47Austin Andrade!
20:50They're not normally
20:50a big talker,
20:51but a big shouter
20:52when it goes well, eh?
20:53He's a bit happy about that.
20:55So are we.
20:58Representing South Africa,
20:59Skunwinkel.
21:01Up next.
21:04There he did it.
21:05Hoisting, lifting.
21:08Thomas Evans.
21:09Up against Tom Evans.
21:12Just look at him.
21:14He's built to press.
21:15He's got plenty
21:15of upper body meat
21:17about him.
21:18Big Tom.
21:19Ooh.
21:20Skunwinkel nearly
21:21jumped the gun there.
21:24Tom, straight away.
21:25Off he goes.
21:26Now, remember,
21:27three years ago,
21:28Skunwinkel made the final.
21:29In his first ever
21:30attempt at World's
21:31Strongest Man.
21:32And this was the event
21:33in the final.
21:34He damaged his ACL on.
21:36So he gets through that.
21:37That must have been
21:38a bit of a monkey
21:39off his back there.
21:40Yeah.
21:40Yeah, he ruptured it,
21:41didn't he?
21:42That's right.
21:43Struggling now.
21:44Skunwinkel with that log.
21:46Looked a little bit off,
21:47didn't it?
21:48He's not locking it out,
21:49is he?
21:49No.
21:49I don't know if he's
21:50got elbow problems,
21:51but his lockout
21:52looks a bit dodgy
21:53and Magnus isn't happy.
21:55Now he gives it.
21:57This is a very good
21:59classic technique
22:00from Evans
22:01using the power belly.
22:03Down.
22:04There he goes.
22:06He moves on to the axle.
22:08Skunwinkel dropped behind.
22:10He's making too many mistakes,
22:11Skunwinkel, this year.
22:13Tom Evans could grab the lead here.
22:15He indeed can do it.
22:19I think he will do it.
22:20He's got such
22:20impressive, impressive power.
22:22There we go.
22:23Was it ever in doubt?
22:27A little less elegant
22:28at the end though.
22:29He had to stay
22:30one of the referee running
22:31want to help him.
22:33Well, that's that.
22:35Time's up.
22:35Skunwinkel.
22:38Not a great performance.
22:40Things are looking a bit
22:41sticky for Skunwinkel.
22:44Tom Evans keeping himself
22:45in the running.
22:47Still have a pair to go
22:48of course.
22:53Seems to almost black out
22:54there, didn't he?
22:54That's all seven
22:55in 105.
22:58I think with that
22:59sort of performance
23:00he's putting himself
23:01in great position
23:02for his first final.
23:07So having watched
23:08that keenly
23:09tugged Eddie Williams
23:11to step up.
23:14Representing
23:15and Tom Stoltman
23:17with all that
23:18experience
23:19under his belt
23:21could be a walk
23:23in the park.
23:23six foot eight man
23:25has no right
23:26being a good presser
23:27with long arms as well.
23:29But watch this
23:29the big one.
23:30Oh, a little bit
23:31of a slip there.
23:32That's what you
23:33don't want to do.
23:35Start having to play
23:36catch up
23:36but he managed
23:37to hold on to it
23:38no problem.
23:39It's only 90 kilos
23:40which for him
23:40is a bit of a baby bell
23:42really.
23:43It's good though
23:44to know
23:44you're fallible
23:45as focuses the mind.
23:47Eddie Williams
23:50once again
23:50he's some man
23:52keeping up
23:52close to Tom here.
23:55This probably
23:56has been his
23:56Achilles heel
23:57if you like.
23:58Eddie Williams
23:59depressing
23:59and the past
24:01has scuppered him
24:03from making a final.
24:04Big Tom
24:05no bother
24:08for the big year.
24:09He's really
24:09extended that lead
24:1145 seconds
24:12as he approaches
24:13the Axel
24:14in some nonchalance
24:15but look at the time
24:17he's got to play
24:17with Colin.
24:19Yes, he's got
24:19plenty of time
24:20to beat both
24:22Andrade and Evans
24:23and he does!
24:24He does!
24:25And that's a great time
24:26and maybe the highest
24:28that Axel
24:28has ever been.
24:30What is that?
24:31Just under 57 seconds?
24:33Yep, roundabout
24:34Eddie Williams
24:35trying to clean
24:37this up to his shoulders
24:38doesn't get under it.
24:40A little more
24:41Olympic weightlifting
24:42I think
24:42looks like he's spat out
24:43pure steam there
24:44that's how hot he is
24:45at the moment
24:46but what a performance
24:47from Tom Stoltman
24:48just way ahead.
24:52Big Tom Stoltman
24:53the final Axel
24:55the endgame monster
24:57no problem.
24:59Yeah, 56.95
25:01Goodness me
25:03finishing first
25:04overhead medley
25:05Tom Stoltman
25:06holding up four fingers
25:09at the end there
25:09looking for his fourth title
25:117.56 seconds
25:13is huge for Stoltman
25:14and he's with
25:15Michelle now.
25:19Cracking job there Tom
25:21did it feel like
25:21there was a bit of
25:22added pressure
25:23with this event
25:23because obviously
25:24Austin Andrade did it
25:25Thomas Evans did it as well
25:26I'm confident I can do this
25:28I've proved time and time again
25:29in press medleys
25:30I'm one of the best in the world
25:32and it felt alright
25:33I just kept my head
25:34and I'm glad that I was able
25:35to win the group
25:36and hopefully win the whole thing.
25:37All going according to plan
25:39so far would you say?
25:40It's all going to plan
25:41I wanted to get a good result
25:43on the deadlift
25:43I did that
25:44so now
25:45the next two events
25:46after this are amazing
25:47for me
25:47so it's going to be
25:48all amazing from here
25:49We're rooting for you Tom
25:50good luck
25:51thank you very much
25:51three events into heat one
25:56and we've got one Tom
25:57five points clear
25:58on top of the group
25:58the other Thomas Evans
25:59moving up to tie
26:00Eddie Williams
26:01for second
26:02on then to event four
26:05it's the Titans toss
26:07it's a throwing event
26:08but not as we know it
26:09as we walk down to the end
26:10which is what
26:10fully 12 metres away
26:12how is that going to play
26:13with them
26:14trying to work out
26:15the trajectory on the fly
26:16it's pretty tough
26:17because throwing events
26:18in the past
26:19you just throw it
26:19over an obstacle
26:20that's perhaps
26:21six foot behind you
26:22you know
26:22five six metres high
26:24but with this
26:25you're changing the trajectory
26:26every single time
26:27and if you get it
26:28one
26:28two
26:29three
26:29four
26:29five percent off
26:30it's a bit like a rocket ship
26:32if you get that percentage
26:32off a little bit
26:33it doesn't land on the target
26:34they're going to fall short
26:35they're going to go straight up
26:36and come down
26:37but in general
26:38it's hard
26:39and as far as you can
26:41behind you
26:42is the key
26:42excellent
26:43let's get tossing
26:44over to Colin and Danny
26:45representing
26:46well thank you James
26:48thanks Eddie
26:48Eddie Williams
26:49so first to take on
26:51the Titans toss
26:53I just
26:56I just talked about him
26:57I don't name him
26:57is Eddie Williams
26:59and this game of
27:01endurance
27:03strength
27:04and physics
27:04wow
27:07looking powerful at the moment
27:09Eddie Williams anyway
27:10but with
27:11each pair
27:13they have to go
27:13a metre
27:14further out
27:15and it gets harder
27:16and harder
27:17of course
27:17as they get
27:18tired
27:18and tired
27:19oof
27:22just over
27:23things are starting to look
27:24a little tricky
27:25number seven
27:26goodness me
27:29gets it
27:30all over the country
27:33people who work in
27:34health and safety
27:35can feel their buttocks
27:37tightening
27:38oh no
27:40up and down
27:41went too high
27:42slipped down his hands
27:43this is
27:44the last one
27:45from 12 metres away
27:47he's got to stay
27:48behind that line though
27:49well that one
27:51doesn't count
27:52and
27:52either that floor's
27:55very hot
27:55or that was breakdancing
27:56great effort
28:01from Eddie
28:01only missed two
28:02with eight sandbags
28:04in a time of
28:0535.66
28:07giving up
28:08for the singing
28:09strongman
28:09Eddie Williams
28:11well he's delighted
28:11with that
28:12what do you think
28:16of his moves
28:16that'd be one way
28:18to clear a nightclub
28:19representing
28:22Mexico
28:22on to
28:23Austin Andrade
28:24hopefully he's
28:27learned from
28:27Williams
28:28and will not
28:29be dancing
28:29up against
28:32Jako Schoonwinkel
28:33I think he's
28:35going to relish
28:36this
28:36yes the ever
28:38happy Jako
28:39Schoonwinkel
28:40he was
28:43hoping to do
28:44well in this
28:44certainly
28:45in training
28:46he looked good
28:46he's very explosive
28:47and again
28:50so too is
28:50Andrade
28:51if you have
28:51a big deadlift
28:52chances are
28:53you will have
28:53a big toss
28:54that's the old
28:57saying isn't it
28:57but such a
29:00confident
29:01performance here
29:01for both men
29:02Schoonwinkel
29:03very powerful
29:05throw I want to
29:07say
29:07is there another
29:08word we can use
29:08oh Schoonwinkel
29:10missing there
29:11and again
29:14Andrade too
29:18they're getting
29:18harder and harder
29:19each toss as they
29:20get further away
29:21well that's it
29:22well that's it
29:22for Schoonwinkel
29:22oh
29:25Andrade still
29:26has one left
29:27it's the 12 meters
29:28jumps back
29:30and like Eddie
29:31Williams
29:32ends up on the
29:32floor
29:33well seven
29:34put your hands
29:35together
29:3531
29:35one
29:36Austin Andrade
29:36and
29:37Skoonwinkel
29:39and Skoonwinkel
29:40seven in a better
29:41time
29:41just over 25 seconds
29:43yes one of the
29:44tactics
29:45to go fast
29:46to try and save
29:47yourself for the
29:47final few
29:48you burn out so
29:50quickly in this
29:51kind of event
29:51next up
29:53Tom Stolman
29:54and Thomas Evans
29:55will send their
29:56sandbags sailing
29:57through the
29:58Sacramento sky
29:59it's the top two
30:00when we return
30:01on the
30:01SBD World's
30:02Strongest Man
30:03welcome back to
30:11Sacramento
30:12California
30:12group one
30:13of the
30:13SBD World's
30:14Strongest Man
30:15with defending
30:16champion
30:16Tom Stolman
30:17in the lead
30:17and next to go
30:18in the
30:18Titans toss
30:19back to
30:20Colin and Danny
30:21well thank you
30:22James
30:23so we continue
30:26with this event
30:28Thomas Evans
30:30up against
30:33Tom Stolman
30:35the Titans toss
30:38that's right
30:39Tom with his
30:40height
30:40certainly has
30:41some advantage
30:42test of stamina
30:44can be but speed
30:46would be even
30:47better
30:47the quickest
30:4810 is really
30:50what you want
30:50but we haven't
30:51seen that so far
30:53look at Tommy
30:54goodness me
30:55low flying planes
30:56beware
30:57so far so good
31:00and I'll tell you
31:01what he's handled
31:01the pressure of
31:02this rules format
31:04change where he
31:05is taking on
31:06everyone in every
31:07heat now
31:08when you realise
31:09that the pressure
31:11is huge on him
31:12goodness me
31:13it's just never
31:14ending
31:14well I say that
31:15we're at the end
31:15now and look at
31:16this from Stolman
31:16he manages it
31:19and that's put Evans
31:21off his game
31:22he does the 10
31:24that's a great result
31:27for Tom Stolman
31:28he's back
31:30he's in it
31:30to win it
31:31he wants his
31:32fourth title
31:32and can Evans
31:35finish off
31:36not quite
31:37let's hear it
31:39for Thomas
31:40but his 10th one
31:41managed to hit
31:43the upright
31:44and bounce over
31:45it all counts
31:47it all counts
31:48that was extraordinary
31:50we thought it might
31:51be an impossible
31:52task but big Tom
31:53has done it
31:552-3-4
31:59he's gonna get
31:59his fourth he says
32:00and it starts
32:02right here
32:02with 7 sandbags
32:04at a time of
32:05so 7
32:05in 29 seconds
32:07for Tom Evans
32:08for Thomas Evans
32:10must have been
32:12frustrating at the end
32:13there when he knew
32:14that this guy
32:15had already completed
32:17all 10
32:1931.97
32:21is there any
32:23stopping this man
32:24there it is then
32:30all 10 sandbags
32:32dispatched
32:32in a little
32:33over 30 seconds
32:34consider that
32:35a warning toss
32:36to all Tom's
32:37rivals
32:37and it means
32:39that overall
32:39the big Scott
32:40has now sealed
32:41his place
32:42in this year's
32:42grand final
32:43he still has
32:44work to do
32:44though
32:44his results
32:45in all five
32:46group events
32:46will be ranked
32:47against the other
32:48finalists
32:48to determine
32:49their starting
32:50order
32:50well on then
32:53to the last
32:54event
32:54the stone medley
32:55for Schoonwinkel
32:57Evans and
32:58Williams
32:58this is a shot
32:59at capturing
33:00the second
33:01qualifying spot
33:02for Tom Stolman
33:04meanwhile
33:04it's a chance
33:05to be king
33:05of the stones
33:06once again
33:07and boost
33:07his ranking
33:08in the final
33:09Mexico's
33:10Austin Andrade's
33:11hopes of qualifying
33:12were sadly
33:13already over
33:13but he still
33:14went out with a
33:15boom
33:15putting up
33:16all four stones
33:17in a time
33:18over one minute
33:19over one minute
33:19and 25 seconds
33:20showing the rest
33:21of the field
33:22that this brand
33:23new event
33:23should be done
33:24South Africa's
33:28Yako Schoonwinkel
33:29was still in
33:30contention
33:31but lying four points
33:32behind Eddie Williams
33:33he needed something
33:34big
33:34putting up one stone
33:36in 12.44 seconds
33:38wasn't it
33:39on then to the man
33:41in third
33:42and needing to close
33:43a two-point gap
33:44to reach its first
33:45final
33:45it's America's
33:46Thomas Evans
33:46back to Colin
33:47and Danny
33:48well thank you James
33:50and what intimidating
33:52event this is
33:55a mix of
33:56weights and tasks
33:58this first stone
34:01over 20 stone
34:02lift and press
34:05that's quite something
34:08and just balancing
34:09on your chest
34:10before you can get
34:11your hands under it
34:12is half the battle
34:12oh
34:13massive chest
34:17Tom Evans
34:17I'm not sure that
34:18helps in this scenario
34:19there's no room
34:21for the stone
34:21looking like this
34:24is going to be
34:25a bit of a struggle
34:26already
34:26and that is a
34:27heck of a weight
34:28on the chest
34:28oh my goodness me
34:31he's uh
34:35the press-up is optional
34:36that he decided to do it
34:38I'm not sure if you
34:39had a little sleep
34:40there or not
34:40I think the referees
34:43have decided he was
34:44alright
34:45so they're letting him
34:46carry on
34:46I'm sure there's a lot
34:49of people watching
34:50between their fingers
34:51right now
34:51yeah
34:52I'm one of them
34:53yes
34:54I'm pleased to hear
34:55this is the only
34:56overhead one
34:57oh no
34:57Tom he got the
34:58balance all wrong
34:59well I mean it did
35:00go over his head
35:01didn't lock out though
35:02I'm afraid
35:03no rep for Tom
35:04and I think
35:05Magnus Ferris
35:06stepping in and saying
35:07stop there
35:08enough's enough
35:09he so desperately
35:12wanted to get it up
35:13with Eddie Williams
35:14still to come
35:15and he's within
35:17points distance
35:18of making the final
35:19but he'll get zero
35:20but he'll get zero
35:20now
35:21representing Australia
35:25I wonder what's going
35:25through
35:26Williams' head
35:27I haven't seen that
35:29well if you think about
35:31the maths of it all
35:32Schoonwinkel could
35:34possibly jump ahead of
35:36Eddie Williams here
35:36if he doesn't get this
35:37up
35:38he needs to get at least
35:40this stone
35:40Andrade might have done
35:42all of them
35:42but he's out of the
35:43points
35:44and he's looking good
35:46my goodness
35:47he's bent double
35:48a little bit of a
35:49wobble on
35:50but he gets it
35:51wow
35:51that's impressive
35:52so he will qualify
35:56ahead of Schoonwinkel
35:57yes
35:59he's made it to the final
36:00you can say that right away
36:01but he's got to continue here
36:03if he wants to get good
36:05points going into the final
36:07because of course
36:08now you finish in the heat
36:10will be judged against
36:12all those others
36:13who make the final
36:14and we go on
36:16to the stone carry
36:18this is the shape
36:22of the Hussafel stone
36:23Eddie should be pretty good
36:26at this kind of thing
36:27it was the pressing
36:28that would have worried him
36:29he got through that hurdle
36:31Hussafel stone shaped
36:33and drops it down
36:35thank you very much
36:36he's done it
36:38he's made the final
36:39and this will mean
36:41an enormous amount
36:42to Eddie Williams
36:43ladies and gentlemen
36:44through to his first
36:46SPD
36:47his wife is here
36:48she was here last year
36:49with the disappointment
36:50it's the singing stronger
36:51it's just got better and better
36:53and now the Australian
36:54has finally done it
36:56the school teacher
36:57who spent so much time
37:00so much effort
37:01and energy
37:02and money
37:02trying to get himself
37:04into shape
37:04to make a final
37:05and this will mean
37:06a huge amount to him
37:08and no doubt
37:09all of his kids
37:10that he teaches
37:10back home to
37:11they'll be cheering
37:12away right now
37:13a dream achieved
37:15for Australia's
37:17Eddie Williams
37:17I do wish he'd
37:19stopped doing this
37:19to me though
37:20Eddie Williams
37:23you've done it
37:24you've made it through
37:25to your first ever
37:27World's Strongest Man
37:28final
37:29I don't even know
37:30where I am right now
37:30I'm kind of
37:32yeah I don't even
37:34I don't even get to the
37:36anyway
37:37I'm so sorry
37:37we know just how much
37:39this means to you
37:40we also know that
37:41family
37:42is so important to you
37:44we saw your wife
37:45Hannah just run up
37:46and give you the biggest
37:47of hugs
37:48we know your mum's
37:49looking after the kids
37:50back at home
37:51they've been rooting for you
37:52this whole time
37:53haven't they
37:54it's crazy
37:56you know
37:56it takes the village
37:57to raise kids
37:58so I think
38:00my mother-in-law
38:02father-in-law
38:02brother-in-law
38:03mum and dad
38:04I can do what I can do
38:08because we have the
38:09support
38:09and I have my
38:10my wife here
38:12she knows me
38:14inside out
38:14so
38:14I'm so glad
38:16I get to share
38:17that with her
38:18she knows how
38:19hard we train
38:21you know
38:22we could see
38:23the determination
38:24that you had
38:25coming into this year
38:26Eddie
38:26the resilience
38:28had you changed
38:29your approach
38:30anything within training
38:31or was it just the mindset
38:32of you know what
38:33I'm going to get it
38:34this year
38:34you know
38:36I didn't want to
38:36get ahead of myself
38:37because every year
38:39you know
38:40you get close
38:40and then
38:41you know
38:42last year was a taste
38:43of that
38:44so
38:45this was my goal
38:47to get to the final
38:48so anything
38:49from the next two days
38:51is going to be
38:52you know
38:53I'll surprise myself
38:54what's the plan
38:55for tonight then
38:56resting
38:57regrouping
38:57with a massive
38:58smile on your face
38:59cheesecake factory
39:00tonight
39:00enjoy it
39:02Eddie Williams
39:02congratulations
39:03appreciate it
39:04thank you so much
39:06welcome
39:07thank you
39:07let's hear it
39:10one more time
39:10for Eddie Williams
39:12so we move on
39:18as Eddie
39:20prepares to destroy
39:22all cheesecakes
39:23to Tom Stoltman
39:25well normally
39:28the man in first
39:29in such a commanding position
39:31in the heat
39:31well he'd be resting now
39:33he'd have made it through
39:35the final
39:35or he'd be taking it easy
39:37there'd be no point
39:37but this
39:38is all about
39:40points
39:40in the final
39:41for Big Tom
39:42with the likes
39:43of Mitchell Hooper
39:44and all the other
39:45greats still to come
39:46he needs to lay down
39:48the law here
39:48and put in
39:49a good performance
39:50well
39:55slipping a wee bit there
39:56he's known for his
39:57stone lifting
39:58there it goes
39:59stone to shoulder
40:00oh
40:01wow
40:02my goodness
40:02he should surely
40:03put it down
40:03stand up with it
40:05crikey
40:09that was a bit
40:10of a gamble
40:10I think only Tom
40:11Stoltman is strong
40:12enough to stand up
40:13with a
40:13350 pound stone
40:16in his shoulder
40:16goodness me
40:17worried about his
40:19ankle there
40:19this is a struggle
40:24now
40:25it is
40:26he's tired himself
40:27enormously there
40:28should have really
40:29just dropped it
40:30and regrouped
40:30for a second
40:31and
40:32this
40:34he's maybe just
40:36showing the nerves
40:37about this
40:39counting towards
40:40the final
40:40for the first time
40:41he's made it
40:42into the final
40:43and that was
40:44no problem at all
40:45and it's as if
40:46he's competing
40:47against all the
40:48others now
40:48he must keep
40:52his focus
40:52if he can get
40:53this up
40:53he's got 90 seconds
40:54remember
40:55come on Tom
40:56I think he's
40:59it's rare you say
41:01this
41:01but he's run out
41:02of power
41:02his fuel tank's
41:03on empty
41:04and that's it
41:05well that is two
41:08in 105.88
41:11but where did it go
41:13wrong Colin
41:14I guess right here
41:16trying to stand up
41:18with a 300
41:18oh sorry
41:19350 pound stone
41:22and it took him
41:23down as well
41:23I hope he's not
41:24injured
41:24might be feeling
41:26that later
41:26I'm feeling it now
41:28so Andrade
41:30well he takes
41:31that event
41:32he showed the
41:32others it was
41:33possible
41:33but we say
41:34goodbye to him
41:35the real drama
41:35well Williams
41:37did enough
41:37to make the final
41:38but not how
41:38Stoltman would have
41:39liked it to play out
41:40yes just one
41:42blemish on a near
41:43perfect record
41:44in the five events
41:45in the heats
41:46let's hear how Tom
41:47is feeling
41:48he's with James
41:48and Eddie
41:49well after all of
41:50that here he is
41:51Tom Stoltman
41:52through the final
41:52again Tom
41:53he gave us a bit
41:54of a scare
41:55in the stone medley
41:56what happened
41:56yeah a wee bit of a scare
41:57but yeah nothing
41:58nothing to worry about
41:59just lost my footing
42:00and slipped over
42:00but yeah the stone
42:02got the better of me
42:02there but I'm all good
42:03I'm all good
42:04the good news is
42:04you got the better
42:05of it afterwards
42:05you rescued the situation
42:06yeah 100%
42:07yeah no it's just a wee
42:09switch off moment for me
42:10but yeah I'm through
42:11to the final
42:11that's the main thing
42:12what's the mentality
42:13coming into the final
42:14now
42:14yeah the train's been
42:15going very good for it
42:16you know like I even
42:17probably expected not to
42:18win a few of these
42:19events in the qualifiers
42:20a lot of people
42:20probably wrote me off
42:21like they usually do
42:23come in into shows
42:24that are like
42:24got grip events
42:25and stuff as well
42:26but I've been
42:26trained very very hard
42:28for this event
42:28and you know
42:29there's so many points
42:30to play for in the finals
42:30there's so so many
42:31and yeah I'm ready
42:32I'll be switched on
42:33tomorrow and I'll be
42:33putting on a show
42:34100%
42:35awesome man I'm excited
42:36Tom there's loads
42:37of Scottish people here
42:38in kilts and whatnot
42:40loads at home
42:40what message do you have
42:42for them about what
42:42you're going to bring
42:43in the final
42:43yeah I mean
42:44they've not seen
42:44anything yet
42:45like you know
42:45Head said I won
42:46four to five events
42:47I was pretty dominant
42:48and yeah I'm ready
42:49and I'm going to be
42:50switched on tomorrow
42:50to put on a show
42:51100%
42:51magnificent
42:52alright
42:52well Tom's through then
42:54can Mitchell Hooper
42:55join him
42:55funnily enough
42:56we'll be seeing the moose
42:56in our next heat
42:57at the SPD
42:58World's Strongest Man
42:59in a tough looking group
43:00alongside the likes
43:01of Wes Diwinski
43:02and Matthew Rag
43:03and also the young
43:04British athlete
43:05Paddy Haynes
43:06who did so well
43:06at the recent Europe
43:07how's he going to do
43:08at the world
43:08we'll find out next time
43:10at the SPD
43:10World's Strongest Man
43:11that's right here
43:14on five tomorrow evening
43:15at six
43:16in an hour
43:17pop takes on rock
43:18as two of the biggest
43:19bands in history
43:20go head to head
43:21it's ABBA versus Queen
43:22but who are the greatest
43:24new at eight
43:25after unseen tapes
43:27of ABBA
43:27the Carpenters
43:28and Dolly Parton
43:29are delve into TV archives
43:30from around the world
43:31including Karen Carpenter
43:33in her element
43:34behind the drums
43:35it's brand new
43:36next
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