IMG, the Production company responsible for the Worlds Strongest Man has finally released the athletes who have won spots to this years event in Los Angeles. For some bizarre reason, IMG keeps the events, the athletes list and the location of the venue a complete secret until the closing weeks before the announced date. For fans, this keeps them paying attention, but keeps frustration levels high for those who want to support the athletes and the sport by not knowing the 5 W's of knowledge; Who, What, Where, Why and When. Of course we know the 6th elemnet is how, but it's strongman, we know about that one.
Below is the official list of athletes as released by IMG. These athletes have either won or placed high enough in Giants Live competition aorund the world, an officially sanctioned WSM event or are eligible to return based on their 2011 finish at WSM in North Carolina ala American Giant Brian Shaw. Of the list, several names are first timers. It will interesting to see how the pairings in the various heats will flush out.
Without a doubt there are a few who are heavy favorites coming into the event. Brian Shaw, last years winner suffered a bicep rupture at the 2012 
Arnold Strongman Classic but rumor has it his surgery was successful and he is back to full strength and aiming for a repeat. Mike Jenkins the man who went from winning the Arnold Amateur Strongman event in 2010, to placing runner up to Shaw in 2011 and winning with huge confidence in earlier this year, certainly has to be the odds on favorite to take the 2012. Jenkins went on two weeks after the Arnold and dominated the Giants Live Australia stop and has taken the rest of the year to prepare for his attack at WSM.
Derek Poundstone is always a threat and after seeing him at his home gym afew months back, I can tell you Derek is on point to surpass his previous bests. The 2009 and 2010 WSM Champion Zydrunas Savickas has competed several times throughout 2012, most recently winning the Giants Live Europe event. Of the lesser knowns in this country is the Polish powerhouse Krzysztof Radzikowski. Tremendous upper body strength should se him easily into the finals.
Stay tuned for more info as it becomes available and a special on the six Americans who have secured spots as well as the two who have been named as alternates.
The 30 athletes that will compete at WSM 2012 can be seen below. Athlete groupings will be announced next week.
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