Riku Kiri
Encyclopedia
Riku Kiri (born April 5, 1963, in Kotka, Finland) is a Finnish
sportsman, best known for competing in the World's Strongest Man
competition, narrowly missing out on capturing the title on more than one occasion. He has been referred to as: "the strongest guy who has never won the World's Strongest Man competition."
and also his many world records. He has bench pressed more than 300 kg 'raw'. At 19 years old in 1983, Riku held a World Record in powerlifting in the squat lift in IPF competition, 350 kg (125 kg weight category).
In one of his first ever strongest man contests, he defeated reigning World's Strongest Man winner Jón Páll Sigmarsson
, in 1985.
For most of his appearances in World's Strongest Man
competition, Kiri has been hampered by ankle
injuries. Although Kiri placed 3rd and 2nd respectively in 1993
and 1996
, ankle injuries plagued him during both contests. In reference to the Car Carry event in 1993, Kiri's coach, Markku Suonenvirta, famously said: "His ankle is broken but he's a tough guy." Kiri's ankle was in fact not broken but badly injured and weakened. In the 1996 WSM final event (Power Stairs) Kiri was about to go head to head with Magnus Ver Magnusson
. However, just after the starter's whistle, Kiri dropped out due to another ankle injury. Kiri was also forced to drop out of the 1998 World's Strongest Man
final due to an ankle injury, finishing in 6th place.
His best powerlifting results were 390 kg (864 lbs) for squat [1987, IPF], 290 kg (642 lbs) for bench press [1991, WPC], 380 kg (840 lbs) for deadlift [1989, IPF] and a 1030 kg (2280 lbs) total [1989, IPF].
He is the uncle of fitness celebrity Connie Garner
, his background was in security work and he holds shares in Gold's Gym, Helsinki.
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...
sportsman, best known for competing in the 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...
competition, narrowly missing out on capturing the title on more than one occasion. He has been referred to as: "the strongest guy who has never won the World's Strongest Man competition."
Life and career
The 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in), 145 kg (320 lb) Kiri is particularly noted for his static strength that includes a 300 kg single-arm deadliftDeadlift
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 also his many world records. He has bench pressed more than 300 kg 'raw'. At 19 years old in 1983, Riku held a World Record in powerlifting in the squat lift in IPF competition, 350 kg (125 kg weight category).
In one of his first ever strongest man contests, he defeated reigning World's Strongest Man winner 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...
, in 1985.
For most of his appearances in 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...
competition, Kiri has been hampered by ankle
Ankle
The ankle joint is formed where the foot and the leg meet. The ankle, or talocrural joint, is a synovial hinge joint that connects the distal ends of the tibia and fibula in the lower limb with the proximal end of the talus bone in the foot...
injuries. Although Kiri placed 3rd and 2nd respectively in 1993
1993 World's Strongest Man
The 1993 World's Strongest Man was the 16th edition of World's Strongest Man and was won by Gary Taylor from United Kingdom. It was his first title after finishing fifth the previous year. 1991 winner Magnus Ver Magnusson from Iceland was runner up for the second year in a row, and Riku Kiri from...
and 1996
1996 World's Strongest Man
The 1996 World's Strongest Man was the 19th edition of World's Strongest Man and was won by Magnus Ver Magnusson from Iceland. This was Magnus' fourth WSM title, tying the record of fellow Icelander Jon Pall Sigmarsson. Riku Kiri from Finland finished second, and Gerrit Badenhorst from South Africa...
, ankle injuries plagued him during both contests. In reference to the Car Carry event in 1993, Kiri's coach, Markku Suonenvirta, famously said: "His ankle is broken but he's a tough guy." Kiri's ankle was in fact not broken but badly injured and weakened. In the 1996 WSM final event (Power Stairs) Kiri was about to go head to head with Magnus Ver Magnusson
Magnús Ver Magnússon
Magnús Ver Magnússon is a former powerlifter and strongman competitor from Egilsstaðir, Iceland. Magnus won the title of World's Strongest Man four times ....
. However, just after the starter's whistle, Kiri dropped out due to another ankle injury. Kiri was also forced to drop out of the 1998 World's Strongest Man
1998 World's Strongest Man
The 1998 World's Strongest Man was the 21st edition of World's Strongest Man and was won by Magnus Samuelsson from Sweden. It was his first title after finishing third the previous year. 1997 champion Jouko Ahola from Finland finished second, and Wout Zijlstra from the Netherlands finished third....
final due to an ankle injury, finishing in 6th place.
His best powerlifting results were 390 kg (864 lbs) for squat [1987, IPF], 290 kg (642 lbs) for bench press [1991, WPC], 380 kg (840 lbs) for deadlift [1989, IPF] and a 1030 kg (2280 lbs) total [1989, IPF].
He is the uncle of fitness celebrity Connie Garner
Connie Garner
Connie Garner is a fitness competitor, model, and fitness celebrity from Australia.Connie has won World Fitness Titles and won back to back Australian Fitness Titles. She was also Miss World Fitness 2000. Connie is a personal trainer, university educated and fitness models for a number of...
, his background was in security work and he holds shares in Gold's Gym, Helsinki.