Eric Roussin Posted September 10, 2021 Share Posted September 10, 2021 I haven’t updated my list of the current overall Top 10 North American active grip sport athletes since March, but I still believe it to be pretty accurate. A few guys who don’t appear had strong performances in the first stage of the Grip Genie super series, but I don’t yet feel comfortable ranking them due to the limited variety of events in the contest. 1 - Tanner Merkle (TX) 2 - Carl Myerscough (CA) 3 - Jason Dingey (OH) 4 - Jedd Johnson (PA) 5 - Gil Goodman (TN) 6 - Luke Raymond (PA) 7 - Joel Dircks (MN) 8 - Brad Provick (SK) 9 - Adam Glass (TX) 10 - Steve Millard (CO) I expect all ten of these men to compete in King Kong in late October, so it will be interesting to see what changes will result. Is anyone else poised to crack the top ten? 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kluv#0 Posted September 10, 2021 Share Posted September 10, 2021 Eric, very strong list and cool that you do these rankings. I agree with your top 4 for sure and would put you in the top 10 and elevate Adam a few spots. Shoutout to stellar Steve Millard, who is freakin amazing grip athlete. Steve is 56 years young with sub 7 3/4” hands weighing around 215 lbs. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinnie Posted September 10, 2021 Share Posted September 10, 2021 2 hours ago, Kluv#0 said: Eric, very strong list and cool that you do these rankings. I agree with your top 4 for sure and would put you in the top 10 and elevate Adam a few spots. Shoutout to stellar Steve Millard, who is freakin amazing grip athlete. Steve is 56 years young with sub 7 3/4” hands weighing around 215 lbs. Yeah on Steve, I admire older guys who still do strong work, it is a great inspiration. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigfoot Grip Posted September 10, 2021 Share Posted September 10, 2021 2 hours ago, Kluv#0 said: Eric, very strong list and cool that you do these rankings. I agree with your top 4 for sure and would put you in the top 10 and elevate Adam a few spots. Shoutout to stellar Steve Millard, who is freakin amazing grip athlete. Steve is 56 years young with sub 7 3/4” hands weighing around 215 lbs. It was nice of you to say that about Steve. Being new to gripsport myself Steve is someone I look up and he is a very underrated gripster. Not suprised at all that he could make the top 10. You're an underrated gripster yourself Michael, I appreciate all you have done for the sport and your videos are inspiring as is your enthusiasm for the sport and its athletes. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinnie Posted September 10, 2021 Share Posted September 10, 2021 15 hours ago, Eric Roussin said: I haven’t updated my list of the current overall Top 10 North American active grip sport athletes since March, but I still believe it to be pretty accurate. A few guys who don’t appear had strong performances in the first stage of the Grip Genie super series, but I don’t yet feel comfortable ranking them due to the limited variety of events in the contest. 1 - Tanner Merkle (TX) 2 - Carl Myerscough (CA) 3 - Jason Dingey (OH) 4 - Jedd Johnson (PA) 5 - Gil Goodman (TN) 6 - Luke Raymond (PA) 7 - Joel Dircks (MN) 8 - Brad Provick (SK) 9 - Adam Glass (TX) 10 - Steve Millard (CO) I expect all ten of these men to compete in King Kong in late October, so it will be interesting to see what changes will result. Is anyone else poised to crack the top ten? Given what little I know about the sport, I defer to you guys to say who are the very best, but I think like in ranking anything -- athletes, colleges, intellect, whatever -- there are usually more than 10 who are "top ten" material in the sense that they are in a league with each other, and any of them could place in the top ten depending on the criteria used and when assessed. So I am kind of saying that there are probably 15 to 20 people who COULD place in the top 10 depending on the day, events, and who else shows. So yeah, Eric's name could be on there as well, without casting any aspersion on the 10 already named. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kluv#0 Posted September 10, 2021 Share Posted September 10, 2021 1 hour ago, Bigfoot Grip said: It was nice of you to say that about Steve. Being new to gripsport myself Steve is someone I look up and he is a very underrated gripster. Not suprised at all that he could make the top 10. You're an underrated gripster yourself Michael, I appreciate all you have done for the sport and your videos are inspiring as is your enthusiasm for the sport and its athletes. Yes, Steve is one of the best in world and great to watch. Certainly a man I admired during my time in Gripsport. Thanks for the kind words - very much appreciated. Iam just a gripper guy now but having fun and learning 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boulderbrew Posted September 10, 2021 Share Posted September 10, 2021 I appreciate you placing me so high on your list. Just a quick aside for those who may not know my background. I did competitive rock climbing for 13 years before discovering gripsport. Rock climbing competitions are tremendously taxing mentally and physically. Participating in these competitions as a kid hardwired me to always try harder than the next guy, it also ingrained in me a love of competition. If someone were to come out and train with me on any random day, I probably wouldn’t be able to demonstrate anything super inspiring. I really think a lot of grip guys are better than me, I just do really well when it’s on the line in a competition. 3 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kluv#0 Posted September 10, 2021 Share Posted September 10, 2021 26 minutes ago, Boulderbrew said: I appreciate you placing me so high on your list. Just a quick aside for those who may not know my background. I did competitive rock climbing for 13 years before discovering gripsport. Rock climbing competitions are tremendously taxing mentally and physically. Participating in these competitions as a kid hardwired me to always try harder than the next guy, it also ingrained in me a love of competition. If someone were to come out and train with me on any random day, I probably wouldn’t be able to demonstrate anything super inspiring. I really think a lot of grip guys are better than me, I just do really well when it’s on the line in a competition. Tanner, awesome climbing background, I knew you were high level climber but over a decade is very impressive. Have a question(s) for you- what are your short term grip goals? Long term gripper certs goals and grip feats? Best of luck in quest for three-peat at Kong’21. BTW, I don’t think Eric should rank you as you reside on another planet 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy J. Posted September 10, 2021 Share Posted September 10, 2021 (edited) 4 hours ago, Boulderbrew said: I really think a lot of grip guys are better than me Tanner can you save some of whatever you’re smoking for me? Edited September 11, 2021 by Tommy J. 2 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boulderbrew Posted September 11, 2021 Share Posted September 11, 2021 5 hours ago, Kluv#0 said: Tanner, awesome climbing background, I knew you were high level climber but over a decade is very impressive. Have a question(s) for you- what are your short term grip goals? Long term gripper certs goals and grip feats? Best of luck in quest for three-peat at Kong’21. BTW, I don’t think Eric should rank you as you reside on another planet Thanks man! Short term I would like to consistently be deep setting my 4. Maybe one day I’ll try the MM ladder. The three-peat would be sweet! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boulderbrew Posted September 11, 2021 Share Posted September 11, 2021 4 hours ago, Joe Sullivan said: This is Funniest thing since that speech some guy with Alzheimer’s gave last night... Good one, Tanner! 4 hours ago, Tommy J. said: Tanner can you save some of whatever you’re smoking for me? I’m just well rounded enough I guess. But there are pinch specialists and gripper guys who have done far greater things on those disciplines than I ever will…that’s what I’m getting at Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonD Posted September 11, 2021 Share Posted September 11, 2021 I’m not sure if I’m doing KK, yet. I don’t know if you heard Eric, but I tore a biceps tendon in the super series contest. I cried about it to almost everyone, so maybe you’re aware? At any rate, you’ve proven your unparalleled eye for talent, yet again! The only problem with being number 3, for me, is I’ve reached my pinnacle. Honestly, not sure I’m worthy, but it sure feels good to be mentioned in the same class as these other guys! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Roussin Posted September 11, 2021 Author Share Posted September 11, 2021 1 hour ago, JasonD said: I’m not sure if I’m doing KK, yet. I don’t know if you heard Eric, but I tore a biceps tendon in the super series contest. I cried about it to almost everyone, so maybe you’re aware? At any rate, you’ve proven your unparalleled eye for talent, yet again! The only problem with being number 3, for me, is I’ve reached my pinnacle. Honestly, not sure I’m worthy, but it sure feels good to be mentioned in the same class as these other guys! Ouch. I missed this bit of news. On which event did your injury occur? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonD Posted September 11, 2021 Share Posted September 11, 2021 9 hours ago, Eric Roussin said: Ouch. I missed this bit of news. On which event did your injury occur? The hilt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChimpGrip Posted September 11, 2021 Share Posted September 11, 2021 On 9/9/2021 at 11:26 PM, Eric Roussin said: I haven’t updated my list of the current overall Top 10 North American active grip sport athletes since March, but I still believe it to be pretty accurate. A few guys who don’t appear had strong performances in the first stage of the Grip Genie super series, but I don’t yet feel comfortable ranking them due to the limited variety of events in the contest. 1 - Tanner Merkle (TX) 2 - Carl Myerscough (CA) 3 - Jason Dingey (OH) 4 - Jedd Johnson (PA) 5 - Gil Goodman (TN) 6 - Luke Raymond (PA) 7 - Joel Dircks (MN) 8 - Brad Provick (SK) 9 - Adam Glass (TX) 10 - Steve Millard (CO) I expect all ten of these men to compete in King Kong in late October, so it will be interesting to see what changes will result. Is anyone else poised to crack the top ten? What parts of Texas are Glass and Merkle from? I live in Texas, close to closing the 3.5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Roussin Posted September 11, 2021 Author Share Posted September 11, 2021 6 minutes ago, ChimpGrip said: What parts of Texas are Glass and Merkle from? I live in Texas, close to closing the 3.5 I believe they are in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChimpGrip Posted September 11, 2021 Share Posted September 11, 2021 Just now, Eric Roussin said: I believe they are in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Ah I see. I'm in the Houston area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jermiah Merciconah Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 Ivan Cuk if he's willing to compete this time around, One of the strongest guys i know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradProv Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 Quote I’m not sure if I’m doing KK, yet. I don’t know if you heard Eric, but I tore a biceps tendon in the super series contest. Ya Jason, I thought I saw something about a surgery, didn't know it was your bicep...damn... been there. Twice. Good luck with the recovery sir I was looking forward to seeing what I could muster against you in October! Thanks Eric - everyone on that list is a killer, I'm honoured. Can't wait to see how King Kong shakes out-- with your win last week and a proper showing in Kong you should be back on that leaderboard ^ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinnie Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 On 9/10/2021 at 11:52 PM, Boulderbrew said: Maybe one day I’ll try the MM ladder. Waiting until you can do all 10 with no breaks to train lol? I know you could do MM2 with three fingers probably in either hand, and while I hear there is a big jump from MM2 to MM3, I'd be surprised if you couldn't get up to at least 4 with what you've already got, if not 6 or 7. Isn't 7 like an easy COC 4? If you are deep setting any 4, you must be close to that, and past most of the lower ones ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boulderbrew Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 1 minute ago, Vinnie said: Waiting until you can do all 10 with no breaks to train lol? I know you could do MM2 with three fingers probably in either hand, and while I hear there is a big jump from MM2 to MM3, I'd be surprised if you couldn't get up to at least 4 with what you've already got, if not 6 or 7. Isn't 7 like an easy COC 4? If you are deep setting any 4, you must be close to that, and past most of the lower ones ... Grippers are fun and collectible but for me to progress on grippers, I have to neglect all other aspects of my training so that my CNS is primed. I just don’t really care to dedicate that much time to grippers at this time. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fist of Fury Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 11 hours ago, Boulderbrew said: Grippers are fun and collectible but for me to progress on grippers, I have to neglect all other aspects of my training so that my CNS is primed. I just don’t really care to dedicate that much time to grippers at this time. Honestly you could do up to at least level 3 in your sleep probably. No need to hurry, just do it while you're healthy and have no injuries. You never know what might happen in the future. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy J. Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 9 hours ago, Fist of Fury said: Honestly you could do up to at least level 3 in your sleep probably. No need to hurry, just do it while you're healthy and have no injuries. You never know what might happen in the future. I agree that it would be fun to see. based off what I’ve seen from Tanner first hand on grippers, I’d say he could M5 or maybe even M6 without hardly much dedication. M4 is practically the same gripper as M3. And there has only been 1 guy (to my knowledge) that has done M3 and not M4. And I think that was simply due to M4 not existing at the time of his gripper exploits. That guy was RVJ. When it comes to Tanner, I mean we are talking about the same guy who WR the silver bullet, and also has a 3.5 cert. I may even push it… and just pay Matt shipping to start sending Tanner the MM grippers one at a time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy J. Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 I wouldn’t do that further than about M4 tho.. that way Tanner can come back in and request the other ones when he’s ready. But yeah, he could M4 like right now for sure, no question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy J. Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 Actually… done. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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