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The World's Strongest Man - Season 2025 Episode 9 -
The Finals: Heat 4
The Finals: Heat 4
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00:00This video is brought to you by D.A.G.
00:30Teddy Williams!
00:37Connie Hayes!
00:42Pete Howard!
00:45Three-day first, and he walks away!
00:50He's ready to go now!
01:00SPD, world's strongest man on that road to the final.
01:04We've already had three British athletes make their way there,
01:07Tom Stoltman, Paddy Haynes and Shane Flowers,
01:09and today we get the chance perhaps for a fourth with Luke Richardson.
01:13Now, four years ago, Luke came here to Sacramento,
01:16hoping to take the strongman world by storm,
01:18only to see his hopes derail by injury.
01:21Well, now the man they call the future is back,
01:24back in the sack, back on track,
01:26and hoping to put his injuries in the past.
01:30Where does the future move?
01:33It's been a long, hard road for me to get back here,
01:38if I'm being honest.
01:40My last world's strongest man was in 2021.
01:42I unfortunately tore my vice,
01:44it's been the first event of that.
01:48From there on, it's got worse and worse and worse.
01:51Five surgeries in the last, kind of, four years from then.
01:54It's been tough, life's been tough, but I'm tougher.
01:57As I was loading the last stone at Europe's Strongest Man,
02:02it was like a five-year snapshot reel, went through my mind.
02:07There's not many times that I sit there in my feelings and my thoughts,
02:11and really think, wow, you've done something amazing here,
02:14but that was an exception for sure.
02:22I'm a man who won't take anything lying down.
02:24You know, I hit things head on and I think, you know,
02:27that's kind of what strongman's all about, isn't it?
02:29It's a brutal sport, it's a sport for warriors, and I'm still here.
02:33I'm not going anywhere.
02:41Eddie Hall, great to see Luke Richardson back.
02:43How big a prospect was he when he first came through,
02:47and how tough is it now for him to come back after that many knocks?
02:50He was an amazing prospect.
02:52I mean, he won Europe's Strongest Man at 22 years of age,
02:55and usually people that win Europe's Strongest Man,
02:57half the time go on and win Will's Strongest Man.
02:59He's had six surgeries in the last five years, big injuries as well,
03:04so that's six months recovery, six months unable to train,
03:07six months unable to compete, six months lost experience each time.
03:11That's a lot he's lost out on.
03:12Other guys in this group have also had injury issues.
03:14Trey Mitchell, for example, last year we saw doing effectively
03:17the competition on one leg.
03:19Is he the biggest threat to Luke this time around?
03:21I would say he is.
03:22I mean, last year he came in six months after a full Achilles rupture,
03:26and he did pretty well.
03:28So we're a year on from that, he's back up to full strength and some,
03:32so Trey is looking really strong at the minute.
03:34Okay.
03:35Heat Force stands ready.
03:36Let's find out more about them with our commentators,
03:38Danny Wallace and Colin Blythe.
03:40Well, thank you, James.
03:42Thanks, little Eddie.
03:45And here are our competitors for Heat 4.
03:48From Canada, the Wolverine.
03:50It is, of course, Maxime Boudreau.
03:55The young Czech, Andre Foytu,
03:57just missed out on a final in his debut last year.
04:02From Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,
04:05World's Strongest Cop, Tristan Hoeth.
04:10The big Texan, the big thicket, Trey Mitchell,
04:13twice fourth of World's Strongest Man.
04:17And two times Europe's Strongest Man,
04:19his third appearance here, the Brit, Luke Richardson.
04:26And event one, the loading medley, Colin.
04:29Yes, if you've seen the other heats,
04:30it's all about loading sacks,
04:31four of them into the back of a Cybertruck.
04:33Up first then, it is Luke Richardson.
04:43Game of speed this, game of heft.
04:45Some of these sacks very awkward indeed.
04:47Trey Mitchell, he's used to this kind of thing,
04:50a former farmhand.
04:51Certainly expect Luke Richardson to be making the running here.
04:57He's very athletic, very dynamic.
05:00Mitchell gets a good pick up on the first one,
05:03and in it goes, and it's neck and neck at the moment.
05:05Richardson on the far side there.
05:07Man handles the second sack, and he's got a lead.
05:10Yes, Richardson has the speed.
05:15Mitchell, perhaps, the experience.
05:19Oh, no.
05:22Well, this doesn't look good.
05:25That's a look that says it's happened again, isn't it?
05:27Yeah, he's motioning in his right bicep there.
05:29It was his left bicep here in Sacramento.
05:32A few years ago that popped.
05:34Oh, goodness me.
05:35He wouldn't have stopped unless it was bad.
05:37Trey Mitchell trying to finish off here, 40 seconds.
05:39You compare that to the other heats,
05:42the best were winning in around about 38,
05:44but good times somewhere in the 40s,
05:46and he does that, 49.
05:48Well, Trey Mitchell completes,
05:50but what has happened to Luke Richardson?
05:52This could be a disaster.
05:56Well, it was the face of a man who knows
05:58he's just had a fairly major injury,
06:02but he's been there before.
06:04There was no panic in his face.
06:06He just has another six months of recovery
06:08if it's what he thinks it is, eh?
06:10Muscle.
06:11Is it?
06:12Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together,
06:13show your appreciation for Luke Richardson!
06:19Ed's, of course, suffered bicep tears.
06:21It's the battle scars that you get from the operation.
06:24This is a very common thing you see in Strongman.
06:27And that's bad luck.
06:30That's bad luck.
06:31Well, Trey Mitchell manages four in 49.38.
06:38So that's our benchmark for the others.
06:40Oh, fully.
06:42Partial below.
06:43Tear.
06:44Just that little experience.
06:47He knows exactly what's happened to him.
06:55He's saying about partial tear rather than a full tear.
06:58We have to wait to find out more on that,
07:00but Andre Foytu.
07:01Andre Foytu.
07:02All right.
07:03Next pair.
07:05Wes the Czech will be paired
07:07against Tristan Hoess from Canada.
07:11Tristan Hoess from Canada.
07:13Finished fifth in his debut in 2024.
07:16So impressive, Hoess.
07:19A cop from Canada.
07:21He made the final.
07:23He had to call up the police department where he's from
07:26and ask him to have a little more time.
07:29Benford is fifth as well.
07:30I mean, really impressive across all different disciplines.
07:34He's very talented all rounder,
07:35but right now it's Foytu.
07:37He's very much making the running.
07:38He's speeding along, isn't he?
07:40Foytu.
07:42Needs to make an impact quickly.
07:46He's doing that.
07:47Loaded three.
07:48Going back for the fourth and he's...
07:50put in a good solid sprint there.
07:5635 seconds to...
07:58not so far.
08:00It's 49 seconds for...
08:02Big Trey Mitchell in the first pairing.
08:05How was about 42?
08:06That's very quick.
08:08And Hoess...
08:10Won't beat Mitchell.
08:12Oh, he hasn't exactly packed the back of that truck well.
08:14He left himself a wall to get over there.
08:17That's the man who doesn't do the shopping at home.
08:19Yeah.
08:20Well said.
08:21Well, Hoess manages four in 51.6 seconds.
08:25Let's go for Tristan Ho!
08:30For Foytu.
08:31Much quicker.
08:32Four in 42 and a half seconds.
08:34Yes, he goes into first at the moment.
08:36We still have a...
08:37a singleton to come.
08:39From Andre Foytu.
08:40Overneath he, of course.
08:44He didn't struggle at all.
08:45Right now, he's leading the way.
08:50Yes, Foytu with the fastest time.
08:51But once again, Luke Richardson with a heartbreakingly early finish.
09:00The loading race continues with Maxime Boudreau when we return.
09:04Welcome back to the SPD World's Strongest Man.
09:18It's Group 4, where Luke Richardson has once again been forced to withdraw from the competition
09:24after a partial detachment of his bicep in the first event.
09:28It's a case of history repeating for Luke, who suffered the exact same fate four years ago.
09:33Luke, honestly, I don't know what to say.
09:38This feels like a very unsettling case of deja vu.
09:41Yeah, I am really good at tearing my bicep off in Sacramento, apparently.
09:45In Old Town Sacramento.
09:46It was the first event last time as well in 2021.
09:48I tore my left bicep and then now I've tore my right bicep.
09:52I remember chatting to you back in 2021 and it was so gutting then.
09:56We all had our eyes on you within this event.
09:58It looked to be going so well.
10:00And then it all changed.
10:02Yeah, it's just, that's life, isn't it?
10:05I'm a positive person.
10:06Obviously this stings.
10:07It'll probably sting a lot more later, physically and mentally.
10:10But, yeah, I've got some tough decisions to make.
10:14See what, you know, I've been fine the last few years, you know what I mean?
10:17I've got Laura, I've got my dog now.
10:19I've got my family and friends.
10:21Life's pretty good, I'll be honest.
10:23It was different last time to this time.
10:25So, yeah, I'll make my mind up what I want to do and go from there.
10:29And this is the thing, Luke.
10:30You're a strong guy in more ways than one.
10:32You talk about the physical and the mental.
10:34It's been a journey for you, hasn't it, since 2021 to come back here and show what you're made of?
10:39Yeah, obviously I wanted to come back here and get some level of vindication because this is where it all started to go wrong for me in 2021.
10:45That's kind of when the series of injuries started and it's just unfortunate that I've come back here and I seem to have continued on the same trend.
10:52But, like I say, that's life.
10:54You know, you get knocked down, you get back up and I'm sure I'll get up from this one as well.
10:57So, keep going.
10:58That's the thing and that's what's inspiring about you.
11:00Thank you so much, Luke.
11:01And take it easy.
11:02No, it's all right.
11:04Well, he's a battler, Luke Richardson.
11:11We'll see him again.
11:13Maxime Boudreaux, no stranger to injury either since we last saw him in 2022.
11:19He's broken his leg, torn his left lat and torn his left bicep.
11:25But, it's amazing what Superlou can do.
11:31Danny's joking, kids.
11:32Yes.
11:33Yes, to be clear, I'm joking.
11:35Well, Boudreaux onto the second sack.
11:38Quick on his feet.
11:40That's very quick indeed.
11:42On to the third one.
11:44So far, so good.
11:46Chasing down the best time.
11:4842 on just over 42 seconds.
11:51Well, as Boudreaux approaches 30.
11:53He's got this final awkward sack to lift.
11:57Much more awkward.
11:58Now, it's going to be close.
12:00He hoisted that up quickly.
12:01He's got quick feet.
12:02It's going to be very close.
12:06Well, too close to call.
12:08Goodness me.
12:13He could have slipped up, tripped up.
12:14Anything going to happen there.
12:15He was gambling the lot.
12:16He knew it was going to be tight.
12:18Let's have a look at the time.
12:20Right from Maxime Boudreaux.
12:23Well, four in 42.81 seconds.
12:26So close.
12:28Just three tenths of a second behind the check.
12:3142 at 42.55.
12:34Who takes the loading medley.
12:39Andre, congratulations on winning your first event.
12:42Thank you very much.
12:43How are you feeling going into the competition this year?
12:45Because you narrowly missed out on the final in last year's World Strongest Man, didn't you?
12:49Yeah, I was really nervous, especially with the competition that's here.
12:53Luckily, I got my parents in the stands.
12:55They're supporting me this year for the first time at Worlds.
12:57So I need to make them proud.
12:59What are the expectations and the plans going forward this year?
13:03This year, the goal is to get to the finals and then just have fun afterwards and get ready for next year.
13:08And what about the change in the format?
13:10Is that going to adapt your strategy somewhat?
13:13Sort of.
13:14But the strategy is to do the best in every event.
13:16So I don't think it will affect me that much.
13:19Keep it up.
13:20Well done, Andre.
13:21Thank you very much.
13:22The youngest man in the field.
13:24Top of the pile ahead of Boudreaux, Mitchell and Hoth.
13:27With Lou Richardson now withdrawn.
13:30On to event two.
13:32And it's a duel on the deadlift.
13:34350 kilos to wait.
13:3660 seconds to complete as many reps as possible.
13:39No one's beaten eight, so far at least.
13:41But to see how group four do, over to Colin and Danny.
13:44Tristan Ho!
13:46The Canadian Tristan Hoeth.
13:48Tristan!
13:49She knows.
13:50Up against Trey Mitchell from the USA.
13:55Trey Mitchell!
13:56Familiar face here at World's Strongest Man.
13:58Very good deadlifter as well.
14:01So too Hoeth though.
14:02We saw that in the final last year.
14:04Now Colin, explain the complicated rules here.
14:09Well, you grab the bar.
14:11Stand up with it.
14:12Put it back down again.
14:13Perfect.
14:14Thank you very much.
14:15And Mitchell is doing that.
14:16Hoeth as well.
14:17Matching each other.
14:18Down.
14:19Down.
14:20Down.
14:21Down.
14:22Down.
14:23We've seen from the other heats that have gone before.
14:25Seven.
14:26Often a winning number, but we have seen eight reps as well.
14:30Down.
14:31Mitchell.
14:32It's like a forklift truck, isn't he?
14:34Just up and down.
14:35No problems.
14:36Already on to six.
14:37Down.
14:38Down.
14:39Down.
14:40That's Mitchell.
14:41Found his rhythm, hasn't he?
14:42Yeah.
14:43You don't want to, you don't want to stop either.
14:44Down.
14:45Because if you stop, it's very unlikely you'll start again.
14:47We could see nine here.
14:48Oh, it's struggling a little bit.
14:50But Mitchell does nine, I think.
14:51Yes.
14:52He's been given it.
14:53Could we have double figures?
14:55He's got time.
14:56Fifteen seconds to go.
14:57Well, look at this from Trey Mitchell.
15:00Down.
15:01Locks out.
15:02That is double figures.
15:03Now that surely is enough for him.
15:06Well, remember, he's going to be compared to all the other firsts and seconds.
15:11The qualifiers from the other heats.
15:13And that could well be just about the best we'll see in Deadly from any heat.
15:18That was extraordinary.
15:19Oh, it's two though.
15:20Eight reps from Howard in any other heat.
15:23My goodness.
15:24That would be a winner.
15:25So far, that would be the winner.
15:26Yeah.
15:27And he just, uh, he's in the shade of Trey Mitchell here.
15:32And you saw it, ladies and gentlemen, with 10 repetitions.
15:35Well, if anyone can, Trey Mitchell can.
15:38Trey Mitchell!
15:39Ten reps.
15:40What a marker.
15:42What an animal.
15:43And the farmer from Texas.
15:46Certainly over his injury woes that he had last year and looking unbelievably strong.
15:51Look how brawny he is.
15:53I've never seen a thicker man in the chest.
15:55All right.
15:56Representing Canada.
15:57Bear to tear your eyes away from Trey Mitchell.
15:58Here's Maxime Boudreau.
15:59Deadlifting is one of his weaknesses, actually.
16:00Andre Foytu.
16:01Andre Foytu.
16:02Oh, that's the dream of Staviscus.
16:03Four times the world's strongest man, enjoying the sights.
16:04He's taking a picture of himself.
16:05Was it a selfie you think?
16:06So, Foytu.
16:07Down.
16:08We drove to the right.
16:09Look.
16:10Quick start from Foytu.
16:11A new Boudreau would struggle here, he's got one, he'll be pleased with that.
16:14Means he doesn't zero in here.
16:15And out.
16:16We'll get to the right.
16:17And out.
16:18And now.
16:19The one we have.
16:20A new Boudreau would struggle here, he's got one, he'll be pleased with that.
16:22And he doesn't zero in here.
16:23And out.
16:24And out.
16:25was it a selfie you think so footy down we drove to the right
16:33quick start from footy a new boudreau would struggle here he's got one he'll be pleased with
16:38that means he doesn't zero in here and out
16:43i think shakier finding it more difficult it is hot
16:48big breath in at the top he doesn't want to lose his form at the bottom
16:55here we go no no he didn't take it that time that's him that's done
16:58well five for 42. half of what mitchell managed boudreau kind of relieved to have just done one
17:08i mean it's sensible if you think about it it doesn't zero out in the event and uh
17:12he knew he wasn't going to do much more so why why tire yourself with five reps well for two
17:19takes third five reps pretty solid for him he's not known for his deadlifting he's really known
17:25for his pressing and of course that's coming up next
17:33well for two and boudreau's struggles there underlining how impressive hotham mitchell's
17:37performances were in that event an exhibition of deadlift and fresh from that monster
17:4210 reps the man they call the thicket is with michelle now trey we can see you gave it your
17:47absolute all in that event did you feel like you were going to dominate this yes uh deadlift is one
17:53of my favorite events and i'm really good at it uh i was aiming for nine to ten reps and really happy
17:58i you know wasn't really counting you know kind of just went uh into the zone and just tried to
18:04maintain a steady rhythm and just the last couple of reps like a kind of losing a little bit of gas and
18:12so just ran out of time for that 11th rep didn't really know how many i was doing so
18:17just was kept on going until i ran out of time well you're clearly looking good i mean if we reverse
18:21back to last year you were still suffering from your your torn achilles how's training been this
18:27year are you feeling injury free like a couple of times i've had some tweaks here and there in
18:33training so was it was a little worried especially on deadlifts you know tweaking my back a couple of
18:38weeks ago but getting some body work here and there like made me made me come back and like
18:45had the confidence to be able to push it in this event and what's the strategy going forward have
18:50you got your eyes on some of the events in the final that you you're feeling pretty good about
18:54yes i believe the final events are really suited towards my uh strengths like uh we got the max
19:0118 inch deadlift really good and really good at the overhead pressing and hercules hold is a really
19:06good event for me you know so i think i can really push that for you know top three in that event
19:12fingers crossed we see you there well done trey yeah thank you so much michelle
19:16phrase 10 lifts him now into a tie for top spot in the group with andre foitu still with just two
19:21points separating these four men the destination of the qualifying places is a long way from settled
19:29the texan well texan's stopping but what twist will our next event throw up coming up for this
19:34awesome foursome it's the overhead medley when we return on the spd world's strongest man
19:46welcome back to sacramento the state capital of california and this week the seat of real power
19:51with the spd world's strongest man squirrel next up for our men in group four is the overhead medley
19:58four different implements they must be pressed overhead for a combined seven reps in just 75 seconds
20:06first out in the sacramento sun maxine boudreau and andre foitu two masters of the discipline
20:11speaking of which over to colin price and danny wallace
20:17well thank you james maxi seven reps in total
20:21well it's fair to say boudreau will be looking forward to this tremendous presser and so too
20:27colin foitu two massive power pressers in these two canadian record holder in the log
20:36boudreau and world record holder at a junior level in foitu so uh stacks of shoulder power here how will
20:44they go on with this 90 kilo dumbbell first point to be able to balance and hold it two reps on each
20:54implement except the last one which is the 168 kilo accent rolls it up the chest
21:02boudreau just hoisted 150 kilos easy for foitu he looked very strong there this has proved to be uh
21:13quite a test this circus bar belt 350 pounds
21:19a very thick bar as well bending it bounces around coffee gets hit with it there got to be careful
21:31as you drop it that's for sure he drove for the second rep and for the axle a single rep only
21:37can he do it under a minute foitu
21:39he manages it well that's terrific from foitu and boudreau still a little time
21:52he'd rather save his energy could see that he wasn't going to do it in the the time remaining
21:59he knows when he's beat it's a big ask to lift that axle even just uh on its own never mind what
22:05he's done before it in this medley boudreau six and 57.99 seconds
22:14and then foitu
22:17and it is all seven of course just over at one minute
22:23but i mean we could forgive that well if he makes it into the grand final that'll be a good score
22:29only stoltman tom stoltman and mitchell hooper from the other heats have bettered that
22:34representing canada another canadian the world's strongest cop tristan howorth
22:46against the texan trey mitchell
22:51what a lovely character here at world's strongest
22:53big thicket as he's known great presser
23:01of course howorth has proven to be a really a tremendous all-rounder perhaps the medley
23:07setup suits someone like him a little bit better down down under the log
23:15it's like he's pressing nothing over his head it's just so easy for him that is extraordinary that's
23:27like the weight of two men just pressing it above your head it's just like nothing for him onto the
23:34circus barbell so far so good for the texan just bouncing it off that power belly and rolling it up
23:41he's got good flexibility as well sitting on his chest almost there excellent two done one to go
23:49just the axle for him can he beat foytu's one minute
23:56definitely has the power belly ledge to do it well it's going to be tight he does lock out
24:02the official time there is howorth
24:08five seconds so lock this one out pushes through manages it just in time
24:18just in time magnus definitely gave him the down signal so he'll be credited with six lifts but seven
24:23lifts for the texan very impressive there you go six in one minute thirteen for the canadian
24:30once again grinding out a good result but what about trey mitchell did he do enough to beat foytu
24:37three tenths of a second slower oh what a shame he was so quick off his chest
24:42i thought he was going much slower got it very close at the end
24:51let's just have a look at that axle again that was so impressive for the chest upwards
24:55like it was nothing you could have done 30 40 kilos more with ease
24:59well what an impressive group of pressers foytu takes first though mitchell just behind
25:14three events into heat four then and that's how they stand top two looking good
25:18andre foytu and trey mitchell trey particularly looking good in that deadlift earlier on eddie event
25:24two i know you'll have enjoyed that thoroughly enjoyed that 10 repetitions at 350 kilo that is
25:30on par with the best it's ever been right well i might just be looking at i'm not sure hey andre
25:35foytu for all of that is actually a point ahead of trey mitchell and beat him so narrowly but still
25:40beat him in the overhead medley yeah i mean it was like half a second in front of trey but trey has been
25:46the best at overhead events for years at will strongest man so for andre to come in and beat trey
25:50i think it's a big statement he's just 23 years of age he only just missed out on the finals last
25:55year is he going to do it this time i think so i think that extra year experience that actually
25:59you're building that strength up it's all you need he's well placed as we head into event four
26:04which is the titans toss danny and colin well thank you james and yes they could have called it
26:10sack attack or sky bags but no they settled on titan's toss and that's what representing
26:19tristan hoeth is going to have a go at right now
26:25those two people couldn't make it
26:27also representing canada and boudreaux will be going head to head against him
26:36we'll have to consult you on names next time thank you that was impressive thank you i like those sky
26:41bags but it's titan's toss folks and the first pair from seven meters out they weigh about 30 pounds 14
26:49kilograms each time you've got to launch them over the uprights so far so good for our pair of canadians
27:00boudreaux of course has had a share of the world record in the keg toss so he can really launch it
27:07very explosive those men really going for it having to adapt their technique as they get further and
27:14further away oh it's come up short there that's criminal damage
27:22boudreaux's done nine for 10 out of 10 for boudreaux here it is and he gets it that's 10 for boudreaux
27:31a full house
27:35and that ladies and gents is how you sky bag
27:39or sack attack well i'm trying to get people used to the title for next year because i bet it changes
27:48so seven in just under 30 seconds for tristan hoeth
27:54but it was boudreaux who shone in the sack attack with 10.
28:02there's only one man who's done better than that in fact there's only one man who's done all
28:0510 across all the heats and that was tom stoltman shows you how impressive it is
28:11definitely took his time with the last one very deliberate got it over
28:18trey mitchell's turn it's the big thicket trey mitchell
28:23the big thicket always sounds a bit like an insult to me but he's very happy with it
28:26unless he's seething there and andre foytu
28:36yet to be nicknamed just 23. maybe you can give him one eight
28:41i'd love to at some point i'd like to show up the checkmate so let's see what's going on
28:47you could shout foytos could do the second pair both of them trey mitchell a bit of a bigger longer
28:57pull almost too much energy wasted on these early ones for him and oh foytu makes an error he's a
29:02little sloppy there and again and again goodness me foytu's not going to finish with a good result in
29:10this one oh trey mitchell bounces it over both men really struggling with this struggling to get the
29:18trajectory right there both of them i won't be able to say checkmate yet that's three for foytos
29:25and 11.41 not his favorite event definitely the wrong tactics he he knew he wasn't particularly good
29:34at this he should have just taken the first five or six really slowly and tried to get them over
29:41well doubling foytos score six 27.22 he's not delighted about it
29:49you know i think trey mitchell knows he could have done a couple more
29:53there were a few sloppy misses and again probably just rushed it
29:59for that round of sky bags tightens things up again in this group maxime boudreau
30:04taking maximum points he's our third different winner from four events he celebrates now with michelle
30:12maxine i mean you really set the pace with this event how important was it for you to dominate
30:19well i'm in third place right now so i need that win to get ready for the stone off i was expecting
30:24to see you on event one but it is what it is i just keep playing keep working and let's climb up to
30:29get to the finals now this place is a hole i mean it holds good memories for you in fact it was
30:34in sacramento that you reached the final is that the goal for this year yeah it's a plan to make
30:38the finals it's a lot the weather is a lot nicer this year than it was three years ago and i'm just
30:43really happy to be back after two years missing for injuries well it's great to see you well done
30:48maxine perfect thanks a lot guys well just three points now separating these four men with foytos and
30:55mitchell level boudreau just a point behind and hose close behind him which of the four will be heading
31:02to the grand final it's all about what happens next in the stone medley hard rock action when we return
31:10from the spd world's strongest man
31:20welcome back to sacramento california it's the conclusion of group four with young czech andre
31:26foytu and texan trey mitchell leading the group level on points but two canadians tristan hof and
31:32maxine boudreau just a stone's throw behind and the decider is the natural stone medley four rocks of
31:39different sizes shapes and weights to be pressed shouldered carried and loaded inside 90 seconds
31:45let's rock with colin and danny thank you james so yes the natural stone medley ready
31:58first to take on one of these extremely heavy extremely unwieldy stones he has to pass this over
32:06his head that's the trickiest bit balancing in one of these guys can press over 120 kilos some of them with ease
32:17so anyway he gets through onto this very awkward shaped stone he's got a hoyte to his shoulder
32:24it's almost 350 pounds 160 kilos nigh on
32:29they're going to arm out and drop it do the arm out to prove you're in control
32:37and it looks fabulous it does yes now onto this unwieldy stone
32:44based on the famous icelandic stone
32:51now that 400 pounds of stone round the barrel and back and that's the third section over with
32:57and then you go on to the final big tombstone at the end
33:02dropping slightly but it's fine he's clinging on by his fingertips there 20 seconds has he got the
33:08energy to do this as you heard he's now got under 20 seconds to get this up i think he's tombstoned
33:13always grinds out results can he do it no not this time
33:24well didn't manage the tombstone
33:28tied out by the carry i think
33:30the time of one oh three in one oh four
33:37certainly puts out a good marker for the others
33:40we've seen from previous heats that's very impressive very few have made it to the fourth implement
33:46representing canada maxime boudreau fellow canadian boudreau highly experienced
34:04on the whistle the wolverine
34:06well he's two points ahead of hoeth coming into this
34:12just wants to get a clean press straight away oh chucks it up yep just threw that up
34:19very impressive at what cost though i don't think that's a joke
34:24he's seeing stars here the heat of sacramento all the previous events have taken their toll
34:33probably not exactly the thing you want to do at this moment is lift the stone to your shoulder
34:38that weighs 160 kilos nearly to be clear these are already quite exhausted men
34:44in the heat on a black surface trying to lift extraordinarily heavy things
34:50how would you do it
34:53it's only just dawned on me
34:57well boudreau probably having many of the same thoughts that you've just verbalized
35:01questioning his life choices right now what led him here
35:06the strong man's not meant to be easy here we go
35:09Sacramento the place he came third at world's strongest man
35:14that was four years ago
35:17not sure he's going to make the grand final at the moment with two men still to come
35:21time is ticking away
35:24and his energy seems to have gone what about his spirit
35:27not enough
35:35couldn't even get it off the ground at the end totally exhausted gave it us all great in the
35:41press though wasn't he absolutely threw that up there
35:43nearly lost consciousness but that's one in just under 10 seconds
35:49foy two then
35:56he's hoping to cement his place in the grand final here
36:00he knows that if he goes ahead of boudreau
36:04that's uh two up that's absolutely guaranteed
36:07and then of course how far can he go to try and get points towards that grand final that's what
36:14this is really all about now very impressive he's a great presser
36:20this is much much heavier though yes and much more unwieldy as well we've seen
36:26competitors struggle to even work out how to get off the ground he's got his technique
36:30hug it and lift it yeah he went around the narrow section that worked really well
36:37good for him he's obviously thought about that a lot
36:39absolutely he doesn't have the wingspan of a tom stallman why
36:43try and grab it the long way good for him now then the husafelt section section three
36:48yes a mighty chicken nugget it took a lot of energy just to try and bring it up to his chest rather
36:59than just getting going that might pay off if he finishes this i tell you that's fast as well
37:07i don't think he's going on to the last section is he he's done he's done well that's him in the
37:13final colin yeah great effort tremendous effort and with a good score and this as well
37:21just 23 the youngest man in the field the youngest man in the final
37:30his parents behind there the check flags are flying great moment for them
37:35and you know what i don't think we've had a check in the final before
37:38i don't know representing the united states of america checkmate colin so yeah i've got to say
37:45at the end trey mitchell then expecting good things from him
37:52such a great mindset on the whistle and just sheer power as well when it comes down to sheer horsepower
38:00trades your man
38:07leans backwards it looks awkward it is awkward he gets the press magnus for magnus is happy
38:13he's not waiting around magnus to give that signal he realizes quite how difficult that is
38:21nice and slow nice and deliberate
38:23oh look at that he picks it the long way up and twists it as he's waking it up to his shoulder
38:32very impressive power now then the who's of help he's just got that walk hasn't he trey mitchell that
38:37walk that says right what's next what needs lifting what needs carrying that's the the walk of a man with
38:4440 inch quads it's a unique one
38:50that's a good time so far he is tiring
38:54but again that walk what's next what needs lifting
38:59200 kilo stone or nearly 200 kilos about 430 pounds of tombstone
39:07oh come on trey mitchell nails it
39:11with time to spare yes absolutely one minute 13 and a half for trey mitchell
39:20and i've been checking no pun intended
39:24the last check competitor we had was nevich in 1998 didn't make it through the final support
39:29you is indeed the first check in the final and he'll be joining trey mitchell
39:35well after missing out last year good to see the big ticket back in the final again making his fifth
39:44appearance there remarkably he's the first american to make it through so far this year meanwhile as we
39:50heard also going through from the group for his first appearance is young andre foy too what a
39:55remarkable campaign he's had and it's with michelle now good job
40:03andre congratulations on making your first world's strongest man final how you feeling thank you very
40:08much it's it's i'm just really happy it's a it's a great feeling to bring you the first man from the
40:13czech republic to ever make the world's strongest man final and yeah it's just happy you know it can't
40:18really put it towards what i'm feeling right now i mean clearly you are physically strong but from a
40:23mental point of view what does it take to to have that preparation the resilience to secure your
40:28places as a finalist well everything i think the mental aspect of the sport is a bit more important
40:34than the actual physical aspect so keeping the heads cool and really focusing on the goal is just
40:39is just what makes a good athlete so what is the next step now then andre have you got your eyes on
40:43the podium well i would be lying if i did in the back of my head but for now the the goal is just to
40:49have fun tomorrow and after tomorrow so well enjoy it and congratulations again thank you very much
40:56so making history for the czech republic 42 he'll be cheered on by his beloved cats gg and oliver
41:03before taking on trey mitchell in the final a growing threat a man who's been to the grand final before
41:10he's finished fourth twice is this the year he steps up onto the podium trey mitchell back in the final
41:18where you belong great to see you there thank you so much for having me i'm really looking forward
41:22tomorrow i've got to say we saw you last year struggling with that achilles tendon nowhere near
41:27your best it's been such a tough road to recovery for you yeah you know last year at world strong
41:32man was only six months post uh surgery so wasn't 100 and so like all last year leading up here was
41:39just uh you know revenge arc you know just going like oh i gotta gotta get back to 100 even more 110 to
41:46get as strong as i can you know always looking to get to the next level and like prove that you
41:51know even if i get injured i'll still come back and he has yeah he has i mean 18 months on from a full
41:57achilles rupture is incredible to be back top 10 in the world i've got to say mate you're looking
42:02absolutely astronomically big you've got to be over 400 pounds no actually i'm actually lean i'm uh 39
42:09yeah 375. 375 last time i weighed myself i could have waited a little bit more from getting all the
42:14snacks from the concessions then trey you've missed out twice on the podium here at world's strongest man
42:21two fourth place finishes are you going to make it this time and what would that mean uh yeah i
42:24definitely think i'm ready for a podium finish this year and that's certainly a culmination a
42:31highlight of the you know my career right and make that comeback worthwhile yeah exactly excellent
42:35trey congratulations only two more places left in the final to be filled we'll see how those go
42:40next time out in heat five it features luke stallman looking leaner and possibly meaner than ever before
42:45but he's in a group with evan singleton and pablo cordiaca so he's going to have his work cut out if
42:49he is going to join his brother tom in the final ten we'll see how they get on next time on the spd
42:54world's strongest man and next time is tomorrow at 7 30 that's only if bruce willis can save planet earth
43:03in the blockbuster flick armageddon tonight at 10 30. next back to large muscles and a huge
43:09personality we celebrate jeff capes britain's greatest strongman brand new after the break
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