Name: Matt Carroll
Time: 9:46
Date: Mar 17, 1999
Question: I read that Magnus Ver Magnuson has or had a blood clot and that he might never be able to compete again. Is this true?
Answer: Magnus did have some health trouble in 1998, but he's doing all right now. When we last spoke, he said that he's
having a good time doing appearances and seminars and the like. He also said he doesn't plan on too much heavy competition anymore. He's already won everything
there is to win, and it's not worth the risk of his health.
Name: Andrew May
Time: 14:32
Date: Mar 22, 1999
Question: Do you have any contact details where Gerrit Badenhorst can be reached? Please include this in your FAQ section, as I believe Gerrit is one of the more popular athletes!
Answer: I have contact info for many strongmen, including Gerrit Badenhorst, in my strongman contact info section.
Name: NKoya
Time: 9:48
Date: May 3, 1999
Question: What has Happened to Manfred Hoeberl? Why has he not competed? Has he retired?
Answer: After Manfred was in a bad car accident a few years ago, he tried competing again after his recovery. It didn't
really work out, as he was quite prone to injury afterwards, so he decided to give up on competing, and focus his attention to organizing contests.
Manfred nows works with the American Federation of Strength Athletes and is working hard to promote the sport in the United States. More info can be found
in my interview with Manfred or through Manfred's AFSA site.
Name: Jeff King
Time: 12:32
Date: May 12, 1999
Question: Why was the 1998 World's Strongest Man made up of 10 heats with 1 guy in
each to the final instead of 5 heats with 2 finalists each as was normal?
This had to be very time consuming and expensive for everyone involved.
Answer: The main reason was the fact that there were simply SO many competitors involved this year.
As the sport gains popularity worldwide, more and more countries have qualifying contests, and more and more competitors are invited to
compete each year. There was an unprecedented total of 40 strongmen competing in 1998. If they had been broken up into just 5 heats,
each heat would have been a mini-final with 8 men! I expect this to be the regular structure for the future, because it gets more countries
involved and will help to promote the sport... even though it may be time consuming and expensive.
Name: Rod Hadley
Time: 2:42
Date: May 15, 1999
Question: I was wondering if you know anything about the upcoming
Halifax N.S strongman contest. Secondly, I am 16 and have been
competing in highland games for three years. I am currently the
Nova Scotia junior champ and wanted to know how highland games
athletes rank in strongman competitions.
Answer: First, the Halifax strongman contest has been cancelled.
From what I heard, there were some major disputes between the two sides working with it, and that's all I can say.
To answer your other question, a lot of Highland Games athletes have competed in strongman competitions over the
years. Generally, they haven't done quite as well as the powerlifters or Olympic lifters. A large number of strongmen,
however, have turned to Highland Games and done very well. By definition, the Highland Games athlete's emphasis has
to be on throwing, so he may not get as much work on other aspects necessary for strongman contests. The training for
the two is very different.
Name: Jeff King
Time: 8:11
Date: June 4, 1999
Question: Will Gary Taylor recover enough to compete again from his tire flip accident?
Answer: I was told that Gary's legs never recovered strong enough to compete again.
He did, however, recently referee an AFSA contest in Dubai - so he is back involved in the strength scene.