Kevin Fulton Posted October 20, 2002 Share Posted October 20, 2002 This year was another successful and fun competition with high intensity. Matt Graham was the overall winner in the men's division for the second consecutive year. I feel that Matt is truly one of the top grip competitors in the world and at age 25, he will continue to get better. He was much improved over last year. In ADDITION to the competition events, Matt showed us that he could deadlift the Inch DB replica, pinch 2 45 lb plates with one hand, easily SNATCH the 50 lb. york blob!!, and close my number 3 gripper (416 lbs.). THEN he proceeded to do a one hand clean and jerk with 185 on a 2" barbell (7 ft. length). He also one hand cleaned 195 on the 2" bar and narrowly missed the jerk. This was done outside on the grass, making the jerks more difficult. To appreciate those lifts, just try doing a one hand deadlift on a 2" barbell. Matt also did some impressive snatches with some of our anvils. I think it is remarkable that he did these feats all in one day in a relatively short time period. These were in addition to the 6 competition events which made for a hard day of gripping. Matt is not just a grip specialist, he has posted some impressive lifts in other areas including a farmers walk with 804 lbs. using the PDA farmers bars. I believe there may be a clip of him doing this on their website. Most importantly these are not just claims made by Matt, but feats witnessed by other grip athletes in a competitive environment. When you consider these accomplishments along with Matt's official lift of 540 in the 2" bar deadlift using a double overhand grip at last year's competiion, I think he would have to be one of the top all-round grip athletes in the world. Thanks to all those that made this event successful including several members of the gripboard who traveled long distances to compete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGuy Posted October 20, 2002 Share Posted October 20, 2002 Sounds like he is at 25, already in the same league as Chris James and Mark Henry. Offhand the only other name that comes to mind is Jesse Marunde. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mg6680 Posted October 20, 2002 Share Posted October 20, 2002 Would have been fun to watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Piche Posted October 20, 2002 Share Posted October 20, 2002 Funny I was just watching that video clip of Matt yesterday again! Awesome performance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGuy Posted October 20, 2002 Share Posted October 20, 2002 Here is a link to pics of last years competition. Some of you may not have seen it. http://www.purepowermag.com/live/grip.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amaury Posted October 20, 2002 Share Posted October 20, 2002 Seems like Matt would easily give air time to a millenium dumbbell, no? And even deadlift it !? Mind blowing ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mac Posted October 20, 2002 Share Posted October 20, 2002 VERY impressive list of performances. Well done!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom of Iowa2 Posted October 20, 2002 Share Posted October 20, 2002 Kevin, Could you post the 6 events?What were they? Or is there a web site with this years list of events/ contest on it? What part of the country are you in? Sounds like Matts the top dog.Congratulations to him and all involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom of Iowa2 Posted October 20, 2002 Share Posted October 20, 2002 whoops-your the guys in Nebraska.I've read about the last years contest.Events the same? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sybersnott Posted October 20, 2002 Share Posted October 20, 2002 Kevin, Are those t-shirts available to only competitors, or can they be made available to us too? I'd like an XL, please!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnimalCage Posted October 21, 2002 Share Posted October 21, 2002 For all those who have never been to a grip competition, let me just say that you are missing out on the best part of the grip world. It's been great participating in this forum for over a year now, but it doesn't come close to the excitement of 6 hours of competing against such incredibly strong, and really great, guys and women. Everyone there was great. Kevin was a great host. Matt was awesome. Mary McConneghy (sp?) is a sweetheart. Bob and Don were amazing. And the group of teenagers competing were a great bunch. I was wholly unprepared for the experience as far as training goes, and it was a humbling experience. As far as points go, I got my butt kicked by everybody, including a 13 year old girl. Go Sarah! I watched, I learned, and I participated. At 37 years old, I entered my first weightlifting competition, and it was FANTASTIC! I can still feel the rush! Or maybe the blood hasn't returned to my forearms yet..... What's your excuse for not going? It isn't good enough. Get out there and do it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mg6680 Posted October 21, 2002 Share Posted October 21, 2002 I strongly agree with animalcage. I discovered very quickly the weak areas of my grip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 21, 2002 Share Posted October 21, 2002 Nice work again Kevin! Matt is a wonder it seems - that Farmer's Walk is impressive stuff. Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roark Posted October 21, 2002 Share Posted October 21, 2002 Kevin, By chance did you measure anyone's hand length/width at the competition? If so, will you share the info please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 77-1005097254 Posted October 21, 2002 Share Posted October 21, 2002 I saw Matt's farmers walk a while back and it blew me away then. 400Ibs in each hand!!! AWESOME!!! It is one of the greatest feats of strength that i have ever seen. Michael. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnimalCage Posted October 21, 2002 Share Posted October 21, 2002 The farmer's walk was one of a few highly impressive feats of the day. Kevin mentioned others in the beginning. I was honored to be the finish line judge and to be able to call Matt's walk. If you look at just the numbers, 290 lbs in each hand doesn't compare with 400 lbs per hand . But remember, this was 290 lbs on two 7-ft barbells, balanced, and carried 66 ft on a dirt driveway. And let's not forget that Kevin and Bob also did over 500 lbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 115-1005574997 Posted October 22, 2002 Share Posted October 22, 2002 well done Matt and everyone who lifted! Fantastic display of strength and that MUST put Matt in the top 5 of best all rounders in the world to date. well done matt (Eh, UK blob daddy Jim "the man" Wylie.... wot u messin at Shame you and Chris cant go head to head on that OH stuff. amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Fulton Posted October 22, 2002 Author Share Posted October 22, 2002 I'll try to get your questions answered: Tom-- the events change from year to year. THis is our fourth consecutive year. The events were two hands plate pinch, COC grippers, 2" bar deadlift with overhand grip, 2.5" DB deadlift, rectangular fix, and farmers walk. Snott--sorry, no t-shirts this year. My supplier was gone for 2 weeks and couldn't get them made in time. We'll plan on doing it next year. I'll expect you to be here in person to get yours!! Joe-- Didn't measure any hand lengths but did compare mine to Matt's. Mine are 7 3/4 " and his were a good 1 inch longer at least. Matt has incredibly long thumbs in proportion to the rest of his hands which allows him to really wrap around on the thick bar stuff. He is about 6' 7" tall and weighed in at 263 lbs. I'll try to get the results posted as soon as I can get them typed up. I thought the most challenging event was the Goerner Stroll (farmer's walk). I would encourage those of you who enjoy farmer's walks to try this. You simply use 2 olympic bars so the balance and stabilization needed is very demanding. We had to go a distance of 4 rods (66 ft.) and you were disqualified if the bar or plates touched the ground. Each athlete had 3 attempts. I made 520 on by last attempt and took the lead and thought I might prevail in this event but Matt took 580 on his last attempt and made it with an incredible effort. Bob Burtzloff, 46 years old, made 500 lbs. Thank God we did this event last!! We had 14 athletes entered from Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Unfortunately we had three no-shows, so ended up with 11 competitors total and it was a really good group. Dan Wagman, former world champion powerlifter and world record holder and now editor of PurePower magazine competed and placed 5th. I'm going to get things organized soon for next year and we hope to get even more competitors. We have had interest expressed from some of you from England and Australia and we hope some of you will come and add an international flavor to this event. Thanks again for the support and encouraging words! Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 115-1005574997 Posted October 22, 2002 Share Posted October 22, 2002 Kev well done again for organising such a fantastic event and some truly amazing feats 290lbs per bar on Oly bars for farmers thats 132k each!!!! Outstanding!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Euclid Posted October 23, 2002 Share Posted October 23, 2002 6'7, 263#? The bodyweight isn't that high in proportion to the height compared to other strongmen, making the lifts all the more impressive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sybersnott Posted October 23, 2002 Share Posted October 23, 2002 Forget about his BW. Durn, he's 6'7"!! He's got dem BIG HANDS!! :0 :crazy :0 :hehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyBurks Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 Kevin, Congratulations on a great event. Sorry I missed it again. I plan on making it next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bseedot Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 Congrats to all who competed. I sure wish I could have been there. BC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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