Jump to content

North American Grip Sport Rankings


Eric Roussin

Recommended Posts

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?

  • Like 14
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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. 

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 👍

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

  • Like 3
  • Haha 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 💯

  • Like 2
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 by Tommy J.
  • Like 2
  • Haha 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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!

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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! 

  • Like 1
  • Sad 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, Eric Roussin said:

I believe they are in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Ah I see. I'm in the Houston area.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ivan Cuk if he's willing to compete this time around, One of the strongest guys i know

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 ^ :)

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 ...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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. 😜

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy policies.