Gymrat’s Weblog

This Thursday, firefighter and 2006 World’s Strongest Man, Phil Pfister, 35, appeared on The Late Show With David Letterman. Phil got to show his strength by flipping a car in front of Letterman’s studio. Phil is the first American to win this competition since Bill Kazmaier in 1982, ending a 24 year drought:

“Bill Kazmaier, a Wisconsin native who now lives in Alabama, was the last American to own the title, winning from 1980 to 1982. Kazmaier watched Pfister’s performance and called Saturday “one of the greatest days of my life, without a doubt.”

“I’ve watched him 10 years now develop and gain strength, both in body, mind and spirit,” Kazmaier said Tuesday. “It couldn’t have happened to a better man.”

In an interview prior to the Late Show event with Charleston Daily Mail Pfister was unsure if he was to be interviewed inside the studio (he wasn’t) by Letterman:

“In one sense it’s very exciting, but in another it’s potentially disappointing that I may or may not sit in the studio,” he said. “I’d prefer to sit down and have a reasonable conversation with whoever’s show I am on. I’d rather be a person than a spectacle.”

Pfister plans on competing at the Arnold Classic Strongman during Arnold Sports Festival, during Arnold Fitness Weekend in February in Columbus, Ohio. Next year he also hopes to defend his World’s Strongest Man title. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound Charleston firefighter was back at work three days after winning the 10-day competition in Sanya, China…

The contest will be broadcast on ESPN2 on Dec. 23, in a six-hour marathon from 6:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. American Strongman Corporation has more recent updates about Phil Pfister.

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For Immediate Release: August 4, 2006:

“The Arnold Sports Festival 2007 will premiere the two-day Arnold Amateur Bodybuilding, Fitness, and Figure Championships Friday, March 2 and Saturday, March 3 in Columbus, Ohio. This exciting and inspirational two-day event will showcase the aspiring talents of top male and female competitors from across the United States vying for top amateur status in men’s and women’s bodybuilding, and women’s fitness and figure.

The Arnold Amateur Bodybuilding, Fitness, and Figure Championships is expected to attract high caliber athletes from across the United States who have already placed in the top five or won at national qualifiers. The event will be judged by top judges from the NPC (the National Physique Committee). The total number of athletes accepted to compete will be limited. The first 15 athletes who register and meet the qualifying requirements to enter the men’s and women’s bodybuilding divisions will be accepted. The first 20 Fitness athletes and Figure athletes that register and meet the eligibility requirements will be accepted into the competition. The registration deadline is January 15, 2007.

Sponsorship inquiries are welcome for the Arnold Amateur Bodybuilding, Fitness, and Figure Championships by telephoning Bob Lorimer at 614/430-5962 or Mike Davies at 614/521-3510 or visit www.arnoldclassicamateurbodybuilding.com.

For more information please visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com.”

There is also a blog to answer any questions you may have concerning the Arnold Classic Amateur Bodybuilding, Fitness, and Figure Championships.

There is now a discussion tread on the subject over at Muscle Mayhem, everyone seems optimistic about this development.