I have been very fortunate in my strongman career as an athlete, promoter and announcer to compete with and meet some of the very best in the strength world.
Legends, really. For example, on many occasions I have sat in the office of Classic Productions in Columbus, OH and heard the great Jim Lorimer tell the story of how he and Arnold met years and years ago, and, how the 25 years plus of the Arnold Sports Festival was founded on a handshake. In this day and age a handshake deal is an anomaly. I mean just imagine a multi-million dollar, multi-sport, multi-country enterprise based on a handshake!
Well, I certainly don't have a multi-million dollar deal, but what I do have is a handshake and opportunity. I had the good fortune to sit with the current president of Classic Productions, Bob Lorimer, this 2016 Arnold Weekend in Columbus, OH. And, I was able to chat with Bob and shake his hand and make this deal for United States Strongman. The two Champions HW and SHW from the United States Strongman Nationals will receive paid airfare and entry to the Arnold Classic Europe and, as their coach, they will be accompanied by our USS president and strength legend, Willie Wessels. We at United States Strongman are very excited to give our athletes the opportunity to compete internationally at the Arnold Classic Europe! A win in Europe leads to the biggest show in all of strongman, the Arnold Strongman Classic!
Best of luck to all of our athletes and our most sincere thanks to Bob and the entire Classic Productions team!
Mike Johnston, PT, CSCS
United States Strongman Athlete Advocate