Aivars Šmaukstelis (born 20 September 1987) is a Latvian strongman.[1] Having competed in 74 International strongman competitions, he has won 26 of them, making him the fifth most decorated strongman in history behind Žydrūnas Savickas, Mariusz Pudzianowski, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson and Brian Shaw.[4]

Aivars Šmaukstelis
Personal information
NationalityLatvian
Born (1987-09-20) 20 September 1987 (age 37)
OccupationStrongman
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[1][2]
Weight145–148 kg (320–326 lb)[1][3]
Medal record
Strongman
Representing  Latvia
World's Strongest Man
Qualified 2018 World's Strongest Man
Qualified 2019 World's Strongest Man
8th 2020 World's Strongest Man
Qualified 2021 World's Strongest Man
Qualified 2022 World's Strongest Man
Qualified 2023 World's Strongest Man
10th 2024 World's Strongest Man
World's Ultimate Strongman
3rd 2020 World's Ultimate Strongman
3rd 2021 World's Ultimate Strongman
World Strongman Championships
1st 2022 World Championships
1st 2023 World Championships
Europe's Strongest Man
6th 2022 Europe's Strongest Man
3rd 2023 Europe's Strongest Man
2nd 2024 Europe's Strongest Man
Shaw Classic
9th 2021 Shaw Classic
7th 2022 Shaw Classic
12th 2023 Strongest Man on Earth
13th 2024 Strongest Man on Earth
World's Strongest Viking
4th 2018 World's Strongest Viking
2nd 2020 World's Strongest Viking
Giants Live
10th 2021 Strongman Classic
2nd 2022 Strongman Classic
8th 2024 World Open
Arnold Pro Strongman World Series
4th 2019 Warwick Strongman Festival
8th 2019 Arnold Europe
Strongman Champions League
8th 2014 SCL Latvia
5th 2015 SCL Latvia
7th 2015 SCL Savickas Classic
1st 2016 SCL Latvia
1st 2016 SCL Serbia
2nd 2016 SCL Finland
6th 2017 SCL Holland
3rd 2017 SCL Serbia
1st 2017 SCL Romania
6th 2017 SCL World Finals
2nd 2018 SCL Finland
3rd 2018 SCL Serbia
1st 2018 SCL Romania
3rd 2018 SCL World Finals
2nd 2019 SCL FIBO
1st 2019 SCL Russia
2nd 2019 SCL Finland
2nd 2019 SCL World Record Breakers
1st 2019 SCL World Finals
2nd 2020 SCL Finland
1st 2021 SCL Romania
2nd 2021 SCL World Finals
1st 2022 SCL World Record Breakers
1st 2022 SCL England
2nd 2022 SCL Poland
1st 2022 SCL Gibraltar
1st 2022 SCL World Finals
3rd 2023 SCL Finland
1st 2023 SCL Holland
1st 2023 SCL World Record Breakers
4th 2023 SCL Poland
2nd 2023 SCL World Finals
1st 2024 SCL Iceman
2nd 2024 SCL Holland
1st 2024 SCL World Record Breakers
Marijampolė International
2nd 2017
1st 2018
1st 2020
Pasaulio Taurė
1st 2019
2nd 2020
1st 2021
Savickas Classic
3rd 2016
1st 2020
Dainis Zageris Cup
1st 2023

Career

edit

Šmaukstelis began his career at the age of 16 as a powerlifter. After training for a couple of years, he achieved a personal best of 800 kg (1,764 lb) total (equipped/ multi ply category) at the age of 18.[5] Following advice from his coach, he tried strongman and progressively excelled, winning Latvia's Strongest Man and entering the Strongman Champions League hailing from its IFSA roots.[6] It gave Šmaukstelis the opportunity for international exposure, competing against the best strongmen in the world.

Having competed prolifically in the Strongman Champions League since 2014 throughout many Grand Prix competitions in Latvia, Germany, Netherlands, Finland, Norway, Serbia, Russia, Poland, Romania, Gibraltar, Bosnia and Herzegovina and England, Šmaukstelis won 15 international titles, 11 silver and 4 bronze medals.[1] His other international titles include World Strongman Championships, Marijampolė International, Pasaulio Taurė, Savickas Classic and Dainis Zageris Cup. He is also a World's Strongest Man 8th-place and 10th-place winner (2020 & 2024),[3] two time World's Ultimate Strongman bronze medalist (2020 & 2021), Europe's Strongest Man silver (2024) and bronze medalist (2023) and Giants Live strongman classic silver medalist (2022).

Šmaukstelis is a well rounded strongman with several strong events. With 14 career stone event wins out of 29, he is the seventh greatest stone lifter in history.[7] Together with a noteworthy grip strength, he is also noted for his prowess in distance and endurance based events.[5] He also holds the Guinness World Records for the fastest 10 x kegs keg toss (18–25 kg) over a 15-foot bar in 21.02 seconds[8] and fastest 15 steps Power Stairs with 225 kg (496 lb).

Personal records

edit
  • Deadlift - 390 kg (860 lb) and 372.5 kg (821 lb) (Raw)
  • Hummer tyre Deadlift (from 15" height) - 408 kg (899 lb)
  • Squat - 317.5 kg (700 lb) x 10 reps
  • Log press - 181 kg (399 lb)
  • Log press (for reps) - 140 kg (309 lb) x 9 reps
  • Viking press - 160 kg (353 lb) x 15 reps
  • Circus Dumbbell press - 125 kg (276 lb)
  • Circus Dumbbell press (for reps) - 95 kg (209 lb) x 10 reps
  • Manhood Stone (Max Atlas Stone) – 215 kg (474 lb) over 4 ft bar
  • Atlas Stones - 5 Stones weighing 110–180 kg (242–397 lb) in 17.10 secs (World Record)
  • Natural stone lift to platform – 5 Rocks ranging from 160 to 210 kilograms (353–463 lb) in 28.94 seconds
  • Keg toss – 15 kg (33 lb) over 6.71 metres (22 ft 0 in) (2024 Strongest Man on Earth)
  • Keg toss – 10 kegs (18–25 kg (40–55 lb)) over 4.57 metres (15 ft 0 in) in 21.02 seconds (World Record)
  • Power Stairs (3 x 225 kg (496 lb) Duck walks / total of 15 steps) – 31.16 seconds (2024 Guinness World Records, Italy) (World Record)
  • Power Stairs (200 kg (441 lb), 225 kg (496 lb) & 250 kg (551 lb) Duck walks / total of 15 steps) - 41.67 seconds
  • Super Yoke – 425 kg (937 lb) (25 meter course) in 10.75 seconds
  • Basque circle (Conan's wheel) - 300 kg (661 lb) for 860° rotation

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d "Aivars Šmaukstelis". Strongman Archives. 17 June 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  2. ^ "Aivars Šmaukstelis - Latvia". M.L.O. Nutrition. 30 March 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  3. ^ a b "ATHLETES: Aivars Šmaukstelis". worldsstrongestman.com. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  4. ^ "Strongman Archives - Athletes". Strongman Archives. 17 June 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  5. ^ a b "AIVARS ŠMAUKSTELIS". Giants Live. 7 December 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  6. ^ "AIVARS SMAUKSTELIS WINS THE WORLD TITLE". Strongman Champions League. 18 December 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  7. ^ "Most Successful Athletes: Stones". Strongman Archives. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  8. ^ "Fastest time to toss 10 kegs (male)". Guinness World Records. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
edit