Magnús Ver Magnússon
Encyclopedia
Magnús Ver Magnússon (born April 23, 1963) is a former powerlifter
and strongman
competitor from Egilsstaðir
, Iceland
. Magnus won the title of World's Strongest Man
four times (1991, 1994, 1995, and 1996).
, 275 kg (605 lb) bench press
with shirt and 250 kg raw bench press, 375 kg (827 lb) deadlift
, and a total of 1015 kg (2238 lb). He once held the world record for a tire deadlift of 445 kg (981 lb).
. He decided to focus solely on strongman competition after he won the 1991 World's Strongest Man
contest.
His strongman victories include the 1989 Pure Strength
contest in Scotland
, the 1991 and 1993 International Power Challenge, the 1992 Scandinavian Strongest Man (Finland
), the 1992 Nordic Strongest Man (Denmark
), the 1994 Europe's Strongest Man
, the 1995 World Muscle Power Championship, and the 1995 and 1997 Viking Challenge.
In addition to his four World's Strongest Man titles, he was also runner-up in 1992 and 1993. He has also won the Iceland's strongest man competition many times and the West coast Viking (Vestfjarðavíkingurinn) of Iceland nine times, he is considered to be one of the first modern strongman competitors, and is regarded by many to be one of the best strongmen of all time.
, Iceland
. Magnús frequently judges international powerlifting and strongman competitions.
Magnús owns a powerlifting and strongman gym in Reykjavik
called Jakaból (giant's nest). The name Jakaból is a reference to an old gym in Reykjavik where Jón Páll Sigmarsson
and many other Icelandic legends used to train.
Powerlifting
Powerlifting is a strength sport. It resembles the sport of Olympic weightlifting, as both disciplines involve lifting weights in three attempts. Powerlifting evolved from a sport known as 'odd lifts' which followed the same three attempt format but used a wide variety of events akin to Strongman...
and strongman
Strongman (strength athlete)
In the 19th century, the term strongman referred to an exhibitor of strength or circus performers of similar ilk who displayed feats of strength such as the bent press , supporting large amounts of...
competitor from Egilsstaðir
Egilsstaðir
Egilsstaðir is a town in east Iceland on the banks of Lagarfljót river.It is part of the municipality of Fljótsdalshérað, the county seat of Norður-Múlasýsla and the largest settlement of the Austurland region with, as of 2011, a population of 2,257 inhabitants.-Overview:Egilsstadir is located at...
, Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
. Magnus won the title of World's Strongest Man
World's Strongest Man
The World's Strongest Man is a well recognised event in strength athletics and has been described by a number of highly respected authorities in the sport as the premier event in strongman. Organized by TWI, an IMG Media company, it is broadcast around the end of December each year...
four times (1991, 1994, 1995, and 1996).
Powerlifting
Magnús began powerlifting in 1984, and in 1985 he won a medal in the junior European and World Championships. He won the Senior European title in the 125 kg (276 lb) class in 1988 and 1990. His best lifts in competition include a 400 kg (882 lb) squatSquat (exercise)
In strength training, the squat is a compound, full body exercise that trains primarily the muscles of the thighs, hips and buttocks, quads , hamstrings, as well as strengthening the bones, ligaments and insertion of the tendons throughout the lower body...
, 275 kg (605 lb) bench press
Bench press
The bench press is an exercise of the upper body. For bodybuilding purposes, it is used to stimulate the pectorals, deltoids, and triceps. While on his or her back, the person performing the bench press lowers a weight to the level of the chest, then pushes it back up until the arm is straight...
with shirt and 250 kg raw bench press, 375 kg (827 lb) deadlift
Deadlift
The deadlift is a weight training exercise where a loaded barbell is lifted off the ground from a stabilized, bent over position. It is one of the three canonical powerlifting exercises, along with the squat and bench press.-Overview:...
, and a total of 1015 kg (2238 lb). He once held the world record for a tire deadlift of 445 kg (981 lb).
Strongman
Magnús competed in his first strongman contest in 1985, finishing third in the Iceland's Strongest Man competition won by Jón Páll SigmarssonJón Páll Sigmarsson
Jón Páll Sigmarsson was a strongman, a powerlifter , and a bodybuilder from Iceland who won the World's Strongest Man Competition four times . In 1984 Jón won the Icelandic bodybuilding title in the +90 kg. class...
. He decided to focus solely on strongman competition after he won the 1991 World's Strongest Man
1991 World's Strongest Man
The 1991 World's Strongest Man was the 14th edition of World's Strongest Man and was won by Magnus Ver Magnusson from Iceland. It was his first title. Henning Thorsen from Denmark finished second after finishing fourth the previous year, and Gary Taylor from the United Kingdom finished third. The...
contest.
His strongman victories include the 1989 Pure Strength
Pure Strength
Pure Strength was a strongman competition held from 1987 to 1990 which was created by Tjalling van den Bosch.-Event History:The first year of the event was known as "Pure Strength Challenge" and was a single man competition featuring only Bill Kazmaier, Geoff Capes and Jon Pall Sigmarsson. The...
contest in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, the 1991 and 1993 International Power Challenge, the 1992 Scandinavian Strongest Man (Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
), the 1992 Nordic Strongest Man (Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
), the 1994 Europe's Strongest Man
Europe's Strongest Man
Europe's Strongest Man is an annual strength athletics competition which began in 1980. The event is held in various locations throughout Europe, and features exclusively European strongman competitors. Mariusz Pudzianowski currently holds the record for most wins with 6 titles...
, the 1995 World Muscle Power Championship, and the 1995 and 1997 Viking Challenge.
In addition to his four World's Strongest Man titles, he was also runner-up in 1992 and 1993. He has also won the Iceland's strongest man competition many times and the West coast Viking (Vestfjarðavíkingurinn) of Iceland nine times, he is considered to be one of the first modern strongman competitors, and is regarded by many to be one of the best strongmen of all time.
Personal life
Magnús is a single father and lives with his child in HafnarfjörðurHafnarfjörður
Hafnarfjörður is a port town and municipality located on the south-west coast of Iceland, about 10 km south of Reykjavík....
, Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
. Magnús frequently judges international powerlifting and strongman competitions.
Magnús owns a powerlifting and strongman gym in Reykjavik
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
called Jakaból (giant's nest). The name Jakaból is a reference to an old gym in Reykjavik where Jón Páll Sigmarsson
Jón Páll Sigmarsson
Jón Páll Sigmarsson was a strongman, a powerlifter , and a bodybuilder from Iceland who won the World's Strongest Man Competition four times . In 1984 Jón won the Icelandic bodybuilding title in the +90 kg. class...
and many other Icelandic legends used to train.
Facts
- In 2008, he made an appearance on Comedy CentralComedy CentralComedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
's The Daily ShowThe Daily ShowThe Daily Show , is an American late night satirical television program airing each Monday through Thursday on Comedy Central. The half-hour long show premiered on July 21, 1996, and was hosted by Craig Kilborn until December 1998...
. Video - Magnus appeared in a Coors LightCoors LightCoors Light is a light beer produced by the Coors Brewing Company. It was first produced in 1978.The beer has a "Cold Certified" label which turns the mountains on the label from white to blue when the beer's temperature is lowered to 4 degrees Celsius .- Promotions :In 2008, Coors Light became...
commercial as the "World's Strongest Man" which aired in the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.