Everything To Know About America’s Strongest Man And Woman 2020

Check out key details and other information about America’s Strongest Man and Woman 2020 in Savannah, Georgia.

America’s Strongest Man and Woman is set to take place in Savannah, Georgia on November 7 and 8 and will be hosted by Iron Resurgence. After throwing a successful Platinum Plus show in San Diego last year, Iron Resurgence was granted the honor of hosting America’s Strongest for this year. Originally scheduled for June, COVID restrictions made it impossible to host in California and after tirelessly persevering for a new venue, Iron Resurgence landed on Georgia.

This show is geared up to be one of the more electrifying events for American strength to date as athletes have spent these extra months preparing. Forty professional strongmen and women will converge in Savannah for the chance to win their respective titles. From veterans to newcomers, anyone has a chance of taking the title in efforts to prove their status in the sport.

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Strongman Corporation and Generation Iron recently teamed up to make Generation Iron the official media partner of Strongman Corporation. As this exciting partnership begins to unfold, both groups seek to promote and bring awareness to the sport by providing the latest news, competition standings, and world record attempts so fans and those interested can stay updated on all the happenings surrounding the sport.

Key Details

When: Saturday, November 7-Sunday, November 8, 2020

Where: Savannah, Georgia, USA at the Savannah Convention Center

Events:

  • Circus Dumbbell Press for Reps
  • Sandbag Toss Over 15ft
  • Basket Deadlift for Reps
  • Arm Over Arm Truck Pull
  • Husafell Carry, Max Distance
  • Sandbag Carry & Load

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A Look Into The Circus Dumbbell

With each event set to challenge all of these athletes in a test of sheer strength, endurance, and will let’s take an inside look into a classic event of the circus dumbbell.

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The first event of the competition shows a feat of strength centuries old that seems to humble even the most well-versed strength athletes. Timing, explosion, lockout and reset are the four key elements to being proficient with this implement. The athlete must clean and press each rep, from floor to lockout in the given sixty second timeframe.  Even the smallest of mistakes in timing, a misplaced drop or a soft lockout that yields a “no rep” could be the difference in one or two leaderboard placements.  There are a few known athletes that excel in this movement spread amongst the classes so let’s take a look at each event.

Lightweight Women’s Division

In the Lightweight Women’s Division, Laura Anderson has been training relentlessly, varying her techniques, making small tweaks along the way.  She holds several competitions under her belt, so the experience is there. Joelle Pecci yields some impressive athletic ability, allowing for the dumbbell to rocket off her shoulder once she is set and looks to be a threat.  Rebecca Lorch boasts an intense training mindset and really knows how to endure the entirety of sixty second events which is a huge advantage when stacked against competitive classes. Kristin Graham is one of the newest members to the LWW division, however her training has been nothing short of immersive in the past three months.

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Middleweight Women’s Division

The Middleweight Women’s Division is one of the largest classes the show has seen in recent years, containing experienced athletes along with some athletically blessed newcomers. Abigail Deal recently earned her pro status in the past year and has been hyper focused on her training seeking to prove her might now on the professional stage.  She recently suffered minor setbacks due to injury, however she has battled back and is ready to create some turbulence in her incredibly talented division. Gabriele Burgholzer, a member of the U.S Army Fitness Team, has an impressive overhead, along with Jodi Kennedy and Erin Murray. Erin recently suffered a calf injury, however after conversing with her, she doesn’t intend to let that hold her back.

Casey Garland was a late sign up, but word on the street is she was training events for quite some time before deciding to compete. Brittany Diamond has returned to the sport from her hiatus, so she is a wild card in most events, however after viewing her training with the dumbbell, she looks efficient and will be able to score some good points. The newcomer Erin Walklet, earning her pro card only a few weeks ago at Strongman Nationals, boasts an impressive log clean and press but will it transfer over to the Circus Dumbbell? Time will tell, and that time is rapidly approaching.

Heavyweight Women’s Division

In the Heavyweight Women’s Division, the rivalry between Melissa Edwards and Jessica Fithen continues. Jessica performed immensely well at the Arnold back in March, boasting impressive numbers on the Circus Dumbbell lift away from the main arena.  Her training has been on point, as has Melissa’s.  Amanda Kelly out of Alabama will be lobbying for good numbers in this event as well.  The smallest of the heavyweight women, Cori Butler, is a force from the north.  She could be the monkey in the wrench on the press event.

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Middleweight Men’s Division

The Middleweight Men’s Division has shaped up to be the largest in the competition.  Anthony Fuhrman, two time world champion and one of the only MWM to perform over a 230lb circus dumbbell in the past will be in attendance, but there are twelve others in the division looking to claim the crown.  Those men include Nicholas Cambi, whose press is well-known in the community, Gary “Biceps” Pitrowski and Jesse Nelson.

Tyler Stickle, Adam Geiger and Johnny Wasiczko will be incredibly proficient as well, along with Anthony Diehl, Tom Mutaffis and Nate Bolling whose training cycles for the past 12 weeks have been on point, making them contenders. James Deffinbaugh, another proficient presser had a minor hamstring setback a few weeks ago, but has recovered well and is ready to perform. Tommy Sharp is another guy to watch out for, as he could steal some points in this event with proper time management and speed.  Justin Loy, another Strongman Corporation Nationals pro card earner only 3 weeks prior to this event is looking to make some waves, although has exclaimed numerous times his disdain for this movement.

Heavyweight Men’s Division

The Heavyweight Men’s Division is absolutely stacked, featuring without a doubt some of America’s strongest pressers. Jose Baez recently put up 270lbs in this movement for a double, so he is pitted to do well. However, guys like Eric Small, Tyler Cotton, Nate Goltry and Spensir Remick are boasting impressive numbers in training.  Michael Strooza recently suffered an injury to his knee, however with rehab and some good old fashioned grit, he certainly is not going to roll over and let the young bucks take the reins.

Casey Garrison, a former professional baseball player, yields a good press ability as well, although his specialty is more geared towards dynamic athletic movements instead of static. Travis Ortmayer returns to the light after a few years off to prove that the phoenix can rise once more. He has been diligently training his press. Marcus Crowder’s training has been proficient leading up to the competition, so we can expect him to be towards the top of the pack after the first event.  Finally, Josh Hatfield, earning his pro card weeks ago along with Justin Loy and Erin Walklet at nationals, aims to prove his worth amongst an elite group of American Strongmen.

Wrap Up

America’s Strongest Man and Woman is set to be an exciting event as fans can expect a seriously great show full of potential upsets and surprises as many new athletes join the fold to compete for the coveted title. Strongman Corporation, Generation Iron, and Iron Resurgence will work tirelessly to keep you updated on results as we arrive on the heels of this event. Be sure to check with Iron Resurgence and Strongman Corporation for details on the live stream through their social media pages so you can watch all the action live and stay tuned to Generation Iron for athlete highlights and results as America’s Strongest begins.

Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

Austin Letorney
Austin Letorney is a writer, actor, and fitness enthusiast. As a former rower, he has shifted his focus to sharing his knowledge of the fitness world and strength sports with others.