Who are the top contenders?
In the 1980’s America’s Bill Kazmaier and Iceland’s Jon-Pall Sigmarsson dominated the sport with Sigmarsson winning the world title for four times (most recently in 1990) and Kazmaier thrice. In 1989 it was UK’s Jamie Reeves. In the 90’s Iceland’s Magnus Ver Magnusson has won the title three times (1991, 1994 and 1995), Holland’s Ted van der Parre won in 1992 and UK’s Gary Taylor won in 1993. All of these men have a strong background in powerlifting, and they are all large men, averaging about 192 cm (6’4”) and 135 kg (300 lbs). Bill retired in the 80’s and Jon-Pall died in 1992. His aorta was torn while deadlifting in the gym — an injury attributable to a family related heart debility. Magnus Ver Magnusson has said that Jon-Pall was aware of this weakness, as his sister suffered from same thing. The other champions mentioned are still active. Some of the other contenders: • Manfred Hoeberl — Austrian with lots of coverage in bb-magazines (eg. profile in the April ’96 issue of MMI)
