Phil Pfister on The Greatest Strongmen of all Time

#Strongman #TalkingStrongmanClips
Phil Pfister talks about who he considers to be the greatest Strongmen of all time.
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11 X World's Strongest Man competitor
2016 Europe's Strongest Man
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2 X Britain's Strongest Man
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[@elvikingobarbaroja]

I love how Phil takes his time, measures his words and is very courteous, whilst also making jokes and being extremely well thought-out with his opinions. Genuinely had no idea he was so glib!

[@prateekyadav9811]

Pardon me, but doesn't glib carry a negative connotation?

[@prateekyadav9811]

@@musclegang8255 Yeah, I don't think he meant that.

[@lukef6969]

YOU MADE A BIG MISTAKE WEBSTER. REAL BIG ONE

[@elvikingobarbaroja]

@@prateekyadav9811 Glib means that he has good communication skills and can think fast.

[@elvikingobarbaroja]

@@lukef6969 Sorry Kaz.

[@spencerharden9175]

My top 3 of all time. Big z, shaw, kaz

[@caelahrens9767]

@Darth Dredd no Eddie was miles ahead of them in strength. There is no “might” here because we can compare their lifts. We know they couldn’t deadlift, press, or do any lift as well as him.

[@caelahrens9767]

@Darth Dredd Thor did not prove he was superior in his peak. Thor never won a title until Eddie retired and Brian was injured. He didn’t even retire on top like Eddie. He won on a year when Brian was injured, got 3rd the next year, and quit.

[@caelahrens9767]

@Darth Dredd I’m not even a fan of Eddie it’s just a fact

[@caelahrens9767]

@@memocourtade1582 yeah but Brian also had years that he completely dominated so your point about him dominating for a single year after Eddie retired doesn’t really matter. You also have to remember that Brian trained for titles not records. He even said that he’s not focused on breaking any records and that if they happen as a result of doing well in a competition then that’s that. He isn’t training to break specific records like Thor and Eddie did with the deadlift or how Tom is doing with the stones.

[@caelahrens9767]

@Darth Dredd you can say he easily won ever competition all you want but even he only won WSM with 51.5 points and guys like Brian have won multiple times with more points than that.

[@Dlardass]

Prime Zydrunas was something else... No one can touch him ever in his prime. No one.

[@meginna8354]

You might think that if you don't really follow strongman and quantify what tje aethletes are doing, but Shaw was neck in neck with prime Z, they were complete equals and were even getting stronger at the same pace. Thor surpassed both in terms of level reached

[@adreskorespondencyjny1551]

and why his 'prime' started after Mariusz retired from WSM? although he is older then Mariusz

[@sssssss8946]

@@adreskorespondencyjny1551 lol,he was 2x IFSA winner and 6x Arnold's winner before WSM 2009

[@MakeTaxationTheftAgain]

@@adreskorespondencyjny1551 He eventually beat Mariusz in WSM. WSM favored more "fitness" related feats in contrast to the Arnold which was more pure strength feats. Big Z was still competitive at WSM, but Mariusz was no where near as successful in the Arnold.

[@thareelhelloagain]

@@meginna8354 Thor did not surpass the two I don't think. He had a couple of year stretch where he was at the same level, but not better. Especially not as mentally tough.

[@CW-Design]

I think Jouko Ahola was sublime for his short but hugely successful career. Magnus ver Magnusson for his consistency and Mariuz for simply dominating. But if it was the strongest then I would say Big Z - ridiculous strength and longevity.

[@Kparris7]

I almost feel bad for Kaz, I think had he not been shafted he would be the first name mentioned whenever this question comes up

[@Lucas72928]

I personally think it adds to the legend, he's the guy that was too strong to compete, everyone else was fighting for second place

[@peterpereira3653]

People should not be assuming that had Kazmaier, been allowed to take part in those years he was kept away from World’s Strongest Man, that he would have just turned up and won.Sure Kazmaier might have won more if he was there but he wasn’t.It is not unreasonable to say Kazmaier could have won at least one more title during his absence.But then again Kazmaier could have been invited and tore a muscle or had some other significant injury happen, and not even finish the competition.We will never know for sure.As sad as that is because us fans, definitely missed out on some of his best potential years in strongman competitions.

[@A-A-RonDavis2470]

The problem is I think he, by concept and nature, cannot be the best Strongman ever. He competed in the younger days of WSM and Strongman contests, when events were experimented with and guys weren't even Strongman by title. He was ahead of his time, like with what happens with the early days of every sport, but you can't say his dominance paralleled Big Z's or Brian Shaw's success by any means. You can't consider a high-schooler great if their competition is middle-schoolers. Just because he was a step ahead of the comp, doesn't mean that he's on the same level as the modern Strongmen that have been the same.

[@shinyhappyshibas1385]

For sure.

[@MrTVx99]

@@peterpereira3653 He won squat and deadlifts one year with a torn pec so I don't think even a muscle tear stops that guy.

[@joshuacourtney3870]

This is a great interview!! Phil is legend

[@mustang8206]

In terms of being a great competitor and having the best career it would be Big Z and Kaz But Brian and Thor given the right preparation are scary strong

[@turinturambar8622]

Brain has also done so very much for strongman besides competing, He's brought thousands of new fans to the sport !

[@robertcrane1128]

1) Big Z 2) Shaw 3) Magnusson 4) Kaz-Mariusz

[@robertcrane1128]

He's 100% right there. I'm splitting hairs.

[@robertcrane1128]

I'm just looking at Arnolds. WSM. Giants. and other comps. Also I love Sig. He's my 5th or 6th.

[@robertcrane1128]

@Darth Dredd Ya everyone one on my list has multiple wins. Someone has to be left out. Donesn't mean he isn't 1 of the greatest. Plus you can put him where ever you like on your top 5 list.

[@mohammedsadeysalmi]

Big Z is the G.O.A.T.

[@shepchester3567]

For me there are two names that stand out, against many worthy contenders in terms of sheer brute strength - Kaz and Big Z, They had the right mix of consistency as in, no truly week events. plus the ability to blow everyone away on their favourite disciplines, which tended to be static, so I would argue a purer way to gauge ultimate strength. Out of the two, I would go for Big Z for his amazing longevity at the very top, plus the sheer joy of watching him press over head!

[@LogHewer]

Zydrunas always impressed me so much. The sheer longevity...it's one thing to be an elite athlete for a handful of years. But 20+ years at or near the top of your discipline? Balancing raw power with your health in such a way that you can keep on and on like a machine? That's what impresses me. Kind of reminds me of the career of a semi-retired strongman talk show host who we all privately hope will make a comeback. Not naming names or anything. 😅

[@piuforte]

Oh man I follow strongman sports for decades... But never knew that big Phil is such a humble guy. Always remember him as the salute man 😁

[@west92fnargle]

Phil Pfister is a LEGEND!!!

[@GoofballLOL]

In no particular order: Bill Kazmaier. The only man to have been too strong for WSM... he won 3 titles and probably could have done another 4 or 5 on top of that if he was allowed to compete. Plus he set powerlifting records before his WSM career that lasted a long, long time, and his margin of victory in WSM is still the biggest sweep in the history of the sport. Big Z. The most decorated strongman of all time... 8 Arnold's classic wins and 4 WSM wins and many others, the dude is a monster. He is to the logpress what Eddie Hall is to the deadlift; he has absolutely insane shoulder power -- with a record that is still safely his -- and also still surprisingly versatile across the board. Eddie Hall. It was basically this man's job for 5 years to break world records. He broke the deadlift world record multiple times, first man to deadlift 500kg and did it far before anyone else, and has the axle OHP world record as well. I truly believe that 2017 Eddie was one of the strongest, if not THE strongest, human to ever walk the planet. He had the mindset, the speed, and the strength, both upper and lower body, to overcome anything in a strongman contest. Hafþór Björnsson. Won every one of the big name strongman contests in a single year, got the 501kg deadlift, placed podium at WSM so many times, and even gave Brian and Big Z a run for their money as a newcomer at WSM when those two were at the peak of their rivalry. He was so well rounded in his prime that whether it was pulling, lifting, or throwing, he would have done exceedingly well. Brian Shaw. Anyone who can rival Big Z needs to be given a spot in this. Plus with 4 WSM titles and 4 Arnold classic wins, he is more than that rivalry. He has dominated WSM by appearing in more finals than any other competitor in history, and like Eddie, basically broke world records for a living. Mariusz Pudzianowski. The man won 5 WSM titles, something that 4 other people -- 2 of whom are on this list -- chased so desperately but could not achieve. He might not have been the best deadlifter, but he was still plenty strong in other lifts, crazy fast, and had the toughest mindset ever in strongman.

[@brandonanderson6843]

Love you'r interviews. It takes a great strongman to have them like you do.

[@DutchDread]

People may call me a fanboy, but strongest I am going to go with Thor when he did 501, when Eddie did 500 he was a deadlift monster, as he's always been, but it was obvious that this was not something he could sustain, he wasn't equipped to handle that weight and strength. But when Thor won WSM, the arnolds, WuS, he was just a titan of a man. He at that point was insanely strong at everything, able to compete with the top in any discipline while still maintaining a semblance of speed and athleticism. He was just what I'd expect an all-round strongest man to be, and it's just a shame that he quit when he did because of all of the nonsense. Greatest? I am going with Brian Shaw purely for everything he's done for the sport, he doesn't just have longevity, but he his basically the father of current day WSM imo, the leader, the face, whatever you want to call it.

[@narcissus79]

Great interview! Phil is a gentleman of the sport!

[@NielsHansen1983]

Great content big loz💪 can you do the mot embarrassing moments in strongman?🤣 thinking about you and Big Z outfits at a tournament🤪 could be fun

[@neilhogarth8449]

Great interview nice seeing Phil looking well

[@mustang8206]

Big Z #1 Followed by a close Brian and Kaz in 2nd

[@mustang8206]

@Darth Dredd Its so hard making a list because there are so many great strongmen and guys like Kaz, Magnus, and Jon Paul didn't have the Arnold so its hard to compare. Plus Kaz was banned from competing for being too good so who knows how many other titles he could have won.

[@BWP2933]

I used to date Phil’s niece and had the pleasure of spending quite a bit of time with Phil he’s such a kind down to earth guy

[@makaan699]

I have a question for you Loz, possibly an idea for a video: Could Louis Cyr actually lift the Louis Cyr Stone?

[@A-A-RonDavis2470]

@Sotiri Markou that sounds like a Paul Bunyan story lmao, as per usual of the time. He was 5'8" 285 lbs, a ball of a man who knew the only way to get strong was to eat like Brian Shaw. I doubt he did anything that was "documented". He died very early because he was a fat slob.

[@peterpereira3653]

Eddie Hall as strong as he undoubtedly was, simply cannot be in the conversation.He just hasn’t won enough top international strongman competitions as these other top guys.Just a single win and third place at World’s Strongest Man, and no top three placing at The Arnold Strongman Classic.Eddie Hall is great because first to lift a strongman deadlift of 500kg, which was a significant increase on the previous strongman deadlift world record.But several strongman competitors have better overall wins and records in top international strongman competitions than he has.

[@edwardchester1]

This. For all his intensity and clear potential to compete at the highest level for a while longer (maybe not that long cause he looked ill, he was so big), he bowed out. Were it not for the 500kg lift, the Thor beef and his move into presenting he'd not necessarily be forgotten already but certainly a foot note. That's why Thor doing the 501 then announcing the fight and bowing out of strongman was such a massive pysche-out move from Hall. Hall managed to diminish the massive accomplishments of Thor and goad him away from probably picking up at least one more WSM title by constantly having the two be compared. When of course there's absolutely no comparison. Three ASC wins compared to none, one WSM win and seven podiums compared to one win and one podium, five europe's strongest man versus none.

[@shepchester3567]

You have a fair point regarding Eddies lack of wins, and as it stands your right that it diminishes his record. But I think its worth pointing out, that had he not badly damaged his hand in the 2016 WSM, he could potentially of won. He was also only 29 when he retired in 2017, so potentially had a good few years at his peak, and possibly some more wins? those are ifs, buts and maybes, But what is objectively correct, Eddie in static events, was by quite a margin, stronger than 4x WSM winner Brian Shaw. My point being, Eddie still stands out as a strength monster, even without a better competition win record.

[@shepchester3567]

@Hidde de Roos Nobody can say with complete certainty, what would of happened in 2016, had Eddie not damaged his hand. or indeed if he had carried on competing for a few more years? And I completely agree that, certain events would defiantly put Eddie at a disadvantage, also injuries have always played a big part in how and who, ultimately wins. However my point still stands, i.e. he did enough in pressing, squatting and particularly deadlifting, to show that at his best, he could compete with, and beat some of the strongest men that ever lived, including Shaw, Big Z and Thor. There are many ways to consider the the greatest strongmen of all time, and success in competitions is legitimately one of them, but not the only way. So whilst I'm not suggesting he is the greatest ever (for me its Big Z) he should be in the conversation amongst several others, who have pushed the limits of strength, in one way or another.

[@Rover200Power]

Eddie Hall also wasted his best chances at Europe's Strongest Man because he was focusing on the deadlift and dropped out afterwards. Who knows how he would have done in 2014 or 2016 if he had completed the events.

[@zuv1]

I'm sure its been asked many times before, but any talk of getting an interview with the legend Kaz?

[@hellsSG]

Very interesting take on how to weigh greatness in strength sport.

[@Jeremiah_Gottwald]

Kaz for me. I think you do have to analyze strongman feats through the lens of their era. We don't know how good Kaz would be if he competed now, but we know that he was untouchable by his contemporaries. Everyone in a set time period would have had access to that time period's training methods and nutrition, so the fact that Kaz was that much better than the people of that period proves how good he was. As much as it can be proven, at least, since we can't know for sure. Aside from him, it's Z and Shaw. Z has more trophies, but Shaw had more competition as the level of athletes improved.

[@shepchester3567]

Very much similar logic to mine. However I would lean towards Z, purely on the basis of his sheer length of time, at the top...including a recant win at the age of 45! I also agree, that we cant really know for sure?

[@Jeremiah_Gottwald]

@@shepchester3567 I would lean toward Z, too, if Brian didn't exist. Both of them were so good and had overlapping careers. That's opposed to Kaz who was alone at the top. I think to put Z at the top, you have to say Brian was better than Kaz as well. Since they competed together, they're kind of a package deal. Which I have no problem with. It's either Kaz, Z, Brian, or Z, Brian, Kaz.

[@NDSTRUCTIBLE1]

​@Jeremiah_Gottwald you guys are missing JPS 32 4 titles and you could argue he was going into his prime with 4 titles does MVM have 4 if JPS didn't pass away at 32.

[@Bingy780]

I would love to see Phil back on

[@perulv4090]

So cool analysis! Seams like Phil has a lot of existential intelligence.

[@seanlafferty3085]

I think Jouko Ahola absolutely has to be in discussion. Only 125kg and at WSM he placed 1sd, 2nd and 1st then won the Atlantic Giants. Probably the most underrated ever.

[@james3876]

If you wanted pound for pound strongest, that sort of thing is better left to boxing than strongman though

[@scottdanewttruth5853]

Loved watching him , gave 5'7" me hope . He was amazing for his size .

[@mustang8206]

@@james3876 Not if you keep in the weight classes in strongman

[@mustang8206]

@@james3876 compete *

[@douglasnisbet1189]

Would be so epic to see prime Kaz, Z, Jon Pall, Magnus, Ahola, Mariusz, Z, Thor, Brian, Mateusz, Eddie etc all competing together in a 10 event contest.

[@TomHenksYT]

I'd love to see that too. Sadly, the only way for that to happen would be if someone made a Strongman video game.

[@yutman_12rodreg74]

Thor would win he was the most well-rounded. Could win static events against the best and win moving events

[@makaan699]

@@yutman_12rodreg74 It's surely an unpopular opinion but you're right. Thor was absolutely dominant against stronger lineup than there's ever been. In his shape from Arnold's 2020, he was unbeatable.

[@douglasnisbet1189]

@@yutman_12rodreg74 I think absolute prime either Thor or Z. Over 10 events though...anything could happen. Mateusz is so consistent as well. No one can beat him on dumbell, yoke, frame carry etc.

[@PeanutttGoat]

So many toxic people in these comments already. Just enjoy the content and soak it up!

[@pukulu]

I remember the year that Phil Pfister defeated Pudzianowski to win World's Strongest Man. Everyone was waiting for Pfister to falter but it never happened. Pfister never had another year like that either before or after.

[@ellistomago3369]

How many people smack talking Eddie - or Thor - have actually won anything themselves?

[@scottdanewttruth5853]

This ∆∆

[@rpantraxx9182]

Have you?

[@ellistomago3369]

@@rpantraxx9182 No I haven't, but I'm not going to second guess Loz or Phil or any of those guys.

[@charlestinsman7256]

Eddie Hall is an overrated one hit wonder

[@turinturambar8622]

@@charlestinsman7256 someones horribly jealous.

[@jamesr620]

eddie obv didn't even have close to the best career. but you could argue at his prime he was the strongest man ever

[@Docrocks437]

Eddie couldn't win international competitions. He pulled it off once then retired but he still did Britains strongest man a few times because he had no competition.

[@jamesr620]

@@Docrocks437 I'm not arguing he was great in competitions. I'm saying his strength in individual lifts at one time were arguably the most powerful we've ever seen

[@JPqbss]

Static strength Eddie is the strongest ever. Once you factor in moving events, I’d lean more towards a 2019 Arnold’s Hafthor or pre-injury Big Z

[@kanedelaney7645]

@@JPqbss or 2015 - 2016 Brian Shaw

[@djordjedangubic7270]

@@jamesr620 Thor better squat max and better deadlift max in which strongman individual lifts Eddie has advantage over Thor except Axle press ???

[@manamanamanamana1020]

My favorite strongman competitor of all is Gerrit Badenhorst. I think he is the best strongman ever to have never won the competition.

[@Tee_1102]

I watched the full interview and made me a bigger fan of Phil... i even went back and watch the 2006 heats and final Maybe Don Pope next?

[@shinyhappyshibas1385]

Shaw for me, competed so long against many all time greats and beat them all. However, I admit that an argument could be made for any of those other guys mentioned as well.

[@josephaugustinerhodenhiser1353]

Big Z, Brian, Thor top three for me.

[@AA-tq7dm]

100 percent, the big all round three strongmen.

[@rpantraxx9182]

Hahaha really

[@josephaugustinerhodenhiser1353]

@@musclegang8255 Eddie won how many major competitions? Arnold matters, Europe's matters, WUS, etc. Look at those and there's a reason Thor will be remembered in the sport.

[@josephaugustinerhodenhiser1353]

@@musclegang8255 Thor underachieved, but a multi million dollar boxing contract will do that to you.

[@CosmosZeroX]

@@josephaugustinerhodenhiser1353 You said Thor was up there for a while. He actually was the best strongman in the whole decade. Thor was in almost every WSM he participated on the podium. He was over many years nearly the winner but always lost with only a few points difference to Shaw or Savickas or Hall. He was dominant in the Arnolds and won Europes many times and WSM. Eddie Hall was exactly the opposite. He was in the WSM sport only over a couple of years and never dominant. He never won the Arnolds. Thor is almost exactly the same as Shaw and both of them are way better strongman than Hall.

[@zaneclone]

Big Z would be my choice as the greatest.... not least because he's STILL a beast !!! 4 WSM wins and 6 seconds ! Lithuania's strongest man this year- his 16th national title lol !!

[@youtubeconnollyfamily]

I always said big z was the best but after watching the shaw classic WSM. I’m going with Brian now. To see what he is doing at 38 years old is just insane. He’s still better than 95% of the strong men competing.. you don’t get bad and get older and then get better. Brian is doing the opposite of that right now. It’s really fun to watch.

[@standepain]

Don't forget Big Z was almost 40 when he won the 2016 Arnold Classic and he was just shy of 38 hit that 205 kg log for 4 that no one else even did it for 1...and he won that too.

[@Wkalsek12]

Kaz Big Z/Shaw Sigmarsson Pudz

[@mitchellcollier409]

Surprised they didn’t talk about Thor more. I don’t think there has ever been a strongman to perform at a level as high as him at his peak.

[@Rover200Power]

When was his peak? 2018?

[@mitchellcollier409]

@@Rover200Power I would say from 2018 to 2020. I think he was looking incredible in 2019 when he won the Arnold. Then he came in 3rd in 2019 WSM with a torn plantar fascia. He totaled 2425 at his power lifting meet (not including a very debatable third squat that didn’t pass). Not only was he very strong in mobile strongman events during this time, but his static strength was incredible as well.

[@MrMhtmht]

Magnus Samuelsson, Pudzian, Kaz/Jon Pall in my order

[@iXUZDAP]

Can't count out that Thor had 8 straight top3 finishes and had to battle Prime Shaw, Savickas and Hall. Some of the very best.

[@manamanamanamana1020]

1) Big Z 2) Kaz 3) Sigmarson 4) Shaw, Hall, Thor 7) Ahola

[@blaise7922]

I don't know. I would put shaw number 3. Possibly 2 but kaz and big z have done so much for the sport so I respect it.

[@Extrahello]

I know it’s all opinion but there is no way you can lump Shaw in with hall and Thor. He has done so much with the sport and especially when you go off of accolades he has way more than them

[@AA-tq7dm]

@@Extrahello I dont know if I agree. Shaw has more WSM wins but Thor reached a level Shaw proved he couldn't.

[@A-A-RonDavis2470]

@Darth Dredd The problem is about amount of competitions. When Brian went big-time, he stayed at the big-time events. More international guys like Thor could just go and win a Europe's, Britian's, or Iceland's Strongest Man no problem because he's head and shoulders above them. Of course Brian could go and do some of those events as well, but there's no point when he could keep his rest up and train for the more important shows. Just like how Big Z has won over 300 competitions, yet probably 90% or more of those don't really matter. Lithuania's Strongest Man really doesn't matter because he's the only guy that's consistently at a pro level, and all of the others are small or moderate shows that big-time guys like Z shouldn't compete in. No knock on him, but filling a trophy room with stuff that is basically filler to him is not really it.

[@dadesanya5966]

Putting shaw with hall and thor isnt just insanely dumb its legit disrespectful 😂😂🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Strongah359]

Kaz has to be number 1, certainly before his time and should have won 4-5 WSM titles and doesn’t get enough credit for how good he was!

[@horationelson8173]

1) Big Z 2) Pudz 3) Kaz 4) Shaw 5) Magnus

[@dilligaf2386]

Eddie was never afraid to tell another strongman your f...... good pal.

[@fishingfanaticsuk]

Its a toss up between kaz and big z... if kaz hadn't of been banned he would of won 5 maybe 6 times, big z has the longevity and has proved himself over and over.

[@thatguyfrommaine4400]

Kaz is my pick, he was so good they had to disallow him from competing WSM while in his prime for 5 years! edit, can we bring back the playboy bunny lift again

[@mustang8206]

Arrested for horny

[@bosjerka74]

Is it only me who noticed the thumbnail is a typo and says greastest? Edit: I see it was corrected now

[@martindunwell6099]

I go back a long way I remember pat roach competing in the UK strong man but for me it's kaz he's the only strong man who would have battered thanos no problem

[@FCMorba]

No mention of Magnus?

[@bdadamovicz]

The thing I don't see mentioned about Big Z is that when he didn't win he was almost always 2nd or 3rd. Who has more podium finishes than him?

[@drilldrulus1235]

Magnus Ver Magnusson should also be in the conversation

[@sonofabraham4094]

Laurence who was the guy he mentioned who was 6ft and a quarter and 265lb? I can't make out the name no matter how many times I rewind

[@peachymarketing4895]

@dude man33, I think he’s talking about Finnish strongman Jouku Ahola.

[@sonofabraham4094]

@@peachymarketing4895 thanks

[@nzrdb6]

I heard Phil was the last true natty strongman

[@wileecoyote5749]

Lifetime natural and today still very healthy and strong

[@kevindavis8016]

Paul Anderson should be in the talk!

[@mrkennedy2390]

All of the guys mentioned are legends in the sport but For me brian shaw is the greatest strongman of all Time...the guy is a true ambassador to the sport, a great athlete & an all round great guy. Cheers Lawrence for another great video mate

[@gerardmurphy8278]

Eddie only in the mix because of his dead lift Achievement If it was just his wsm win he wouldn’t be in contention In my opinion 1) big Z 2)mariusz pudzianowski 3) Brian shaw 4)Jon pall sigmarsson 5) Big Kaz , who could have been higher up my list if he was allowed to compete for those years guy was an absolute tank

[@scottdanewttruth5853]

Too difficult to separate Brian Shaw and Zydrunas Savickas for me , closely followed by Kaz

[@MulletMan3108]

Zydrunas definitely ahead imo - they're only equal on WSM titles. Big Z has more Arnolds, more world records etc.

[@caelahrens9767]

@@MulletMan3108 right but 1 of z’s wins was a tie with Brian and with the current rules Brian would have won so it should be Z with 3 titles and Brian with 5

[@MulletMan3108]

@@caelahrens9767 but there's loads of ifs buts and maybes. Those were the rules at the time. That's like saying if they picked event x instead of y, then Savickas would've won another year etc

[@MulletMan3108]

@Darth Dredd I don't care about their first 12 years. Eddies 2017 is better than Big Z's 2017, does that make him a better strongman?

[@scottdanewttruth5853]

Big Z dominated the Arnold's , can't arguevwith that , good point .

[@dadimadh4528]

"dumpy" - what a descriptor!

[@michaelsweeney1283]

Brian Shaw actually won wsm 5 times and big z 3 times if the count back was done differently when they drew

[@caltriton6904]

Phil is cool af.

[@larsandreaslowum1074]

The top STRONGEST men of all time(not the men with most tiltes) Are as follows : 1. Eddie Hall , haftor tied for 1 place. 2. are brian shaw, 3. Big Z

[@pizzaDhut]

I remember when he won, it was unexpected. Something just happened to him about half way through the Comp and he wanted it so bad he won it. Mind you he has the largest hands and that often means natural strength within. Good to see someone like him win, and such a nice humble guy.

[@Pugilistspecialist]

Eddie on the thumbnail while talking about the greatest strongmen of all time? Lol

[@seangentri8878]

At least it’s Eddie and not Thor lmao May the Fanboy arguments begin.

[@douglasnisbet1189]

Haha!!!!

[@Pugilistspecialist]

@@seangentri8878 Well Thor has accomplished much, much, much more than Eddie. Thor beat him 5x at WSM, 3x at Europe's and had the most dominant year in strongman in history winning the Arnold, Europe's, WSM and WUS in the same year. Won the Arnold 3x in a row and is a 5x Europe's Strongest Man. Eddie never made the podium at the Arnold and never won Europe's Strongest Man

[@akaakaakaak5779]

@@seangentri8878 whoever you prefer as an individual, you can't serious argue that Eddie was ever on Thor's level or has anywhere near as much a legacy

[@Maddolis]

@@seangentri8878 Haha I'm genuinely curious what your argument is - how is Eddie a greater strongman than Thor?

[@jordangroff8978]

If you took everybody in their prime and put them in a competition today with all of the technical advancements and what not, I think Kaz or Z would be the last man standing. That being said it's literally been proven that Z is the best ever.

[@VAHOSS]

I think Brian lost focus, but hands down accomplished more in a 5 or 6 year period than anyone. People forget that he should be 5x wsm already. He tied with Big Z back in 2010, but in all reality he was robbed of his 1st title.

[@darylkanofski9327]

I didn't hear clearly which person Phil said was a toothpick

[@mikepagani6996]

The best overall strongman was o hola entered wsm three times won it twice and came second the other time name me one other to do that in strongman

[@CWBush73]

Kaz, Jean Paul and Magnus

[@tjmerryman5868]

Kaz in his day was the man and if he competed now he would be heavier there all awsome but kaz is the man

[@Silky_boi]

We gotta get “The Daddy” Glenn Ross on here!

[@darthdump5440]

I know most people would say Big Z as the Goat, but honestly Shaw has to be the Goat for me. But Big Z is great too.

[@hristo5689]

Prime Pudzilla is unmatched

[@manishmagar7177]

Bill kazmaier is the G.O.AT♥️, if zydrunas and kaz were in same era😳🙄👍

[@jessehall9420]

Theres just too many ways of looking at it... In terms of just the wsm tournament itself then pudz would be the guy on top obviously with 5 wins but also is ability to be a well rounded guy at every event .. he just somehow managed to find a way to win or get good points, whether that be baby oil or talc powder lol ... then in terms of ... Longevity and records then it goes to big z .. Second to him in that category is brian shaw .. Pure power and intensity.. ridiculous static strength that goes to eddie and thor .. 500kg deadlifters Closely followed by kaz in that category.. if he was allowed to continue he would of got a 4th n maybe a 5th title easy ...

[@DT_Worlds_Strongest_Goth]

JP Sigmarsson is still my favorite even if Zydrunas is more impressive from a performance standpoint

[@DARK24-7]

Kaz-Big Z and Brian as far as consistently Thor and Eddie as one time greats!Brian gets my votse as the first athlete to bring "chess" to WSM-when the others were playing checkers...

[@edwardchester1]

Thor had one win, three second places and five 3rd places, plus three Arnold Classic wins and five Europe's strongest man wins. He was incredibly consistent and immensly unlucky not to have at least two WSM titles, all while retiring before he was 30. Putting Eddie in even the same conversation is to do Thor a massive discredit. You're also very late to the party if you think Brian was the first to bring some form of extra intelligence and gamesmanship to WSM.

[@DARK24-7]

@@edwardchester1 I disagree in the sense that i was talking about champions only m8-if i was talking podium finishes yes.But i was only considering winners.And yes there were some tacticians before Big B, but none on his level m8!

[@edwardchester1]

@@DARK24-7 All part of the same conversation, though. Consistency implies podium finishes as well as wins - bad luck and many other factors can prevent an outright win. Otherwise, clearly Mariusz is the outright winner when it comes to consistency. And I really don't see what you're getting at with the Brian brain thing. There are countless previous champions that were laser focussed, intelligent athletes. Brian just had the sheer size and talent to convert it to wins.

[@DARK24-7]

@@edwardchester1 Not of this convo m8-Just champs!!!And as for Mariusz-he's not in the top b/c of the split in the divisions.He didnt win his against the top comp.If you can't see the point w/Brian Shaw-i can't make it any simpler for you m8-sorry.But good luck to you.

[@edwardchester1]

@@DARK24-7 Can't see it cause you didn't really make one. What can you cite as being obvious evidence of his chess-like approach?

[@johndonovan5521]

Kaz = GOAT!

[@Docrocks437]

Eddie Hall is far from being a goat. He has 1 international title. He doesn't belong in this list.

[@jasonboyko]

It wasn't simply the number of WSM titles he had. It was the rate of improvement over the years leading up to it, like becoming the first human to deadlift 500kg ... less than a year before he won WSM, Britains Strongest Man 2014-2018, and UK Strongest Man 2011-2016. I wasn't a fan of Eddie at the time, because I liked the more humble mindset. It wasn't until later that I realized he was just extremely determined.

[@mustang8206]

He also retired after he won so who's to say he couldn't have done better. He is the first person to lift 500 kg. He broke the world record by 40 kg and he STRICT pressed the axle world record and nearly the log record as well

[@Docrocks437]

@@mustang8206 he retired because trying to keep up with superior athletes was killing him. Going of off what he could have done is complete bs and you know it. He couldn't compete on an international level. Yes, was the first to pull 500kg but be also fainted, bled and claimed it almost killed him. Since then several have pulled more than 500kg and walk away to do it again another day.. plain and simple... Eddie is an inferior athlete and isn't close to being a goat.

[@swaroopanand2379]

But he did that when no one was imagining or ever tried to pull half ton.

[@Docrocks437]

@@swaroopanand2379 he deserves recognition for that. He pushed his superior competitors to make more effort. When they did make the effort they did it with ease in comparison to Eddie. Every competitor in strong man competitions deserve credit. These are the best of the best. We are talking who is the top of that category.

[@Coach_BigMac]

Why is Eddie even in the conversation?

[@James-ik7zv]

They start answering your question around the 2 minute mark.

[@dadimadh4528]

Dang Phil. Stop mincing words. Tell us how you really think! 😅

[@radiorakim]

For me Riku Kiri, Jouko Ahonen, Shaw, Savickas, Thor, Eddie

[@benfuoco18]

Cousin It? Wow that was funny. Sorry Big Loz

[@kailanphillips7305]

Big Z Mariusz P Brian Shaw Thor Eddie

[@dadesanya5966]

Pudz above shaw? What shit are you on?😂😂😂

[@horationelson8173]

@@dadesanya5966 He has 5 titles while Brian has 4. Pudz is also much faster and athletic which made him way better at any moving event

[@johnnylazer83]

The choice of Eddie for this particular thumbnail is an insult to the sport.

[@Caspaah151]

watch the video. Salty fans like you are an insult to the sport.

[@johnnylazer83]

@@Caspaah151 I am sorry i thought i was entitled to my opinion. Truly sorry buddy , I will never try something like that again if it insults the real fanboys like yourself. I did watch the entire video and i do not agree with what Phil said. No, Eddie does not belong there just because of his mindset. Are we ok? Can i type that? Will you allow it?

[@Caspaah151]

@@johnnylazer83 No. To the gulag.

[@johnnylazer83]

@@Caspaah151 Typical far-left answer. More fascist than fascists themselves. When you are out of things to say you switch to personal attacks.

[@Caspaah151]

@@johnnylazer83 The fact that you see politics in this confirms that you are a loser.

[@ZeidGho]

Looks are very important for this guy Maybe he should've went to body building instead

[@jareddiehl1795]

This guy was the 2006 World's Strongest Man

[@Hamisrodriguez]

If there was a 10 event contest with Kaz Magnusson John pall Pudzianowski Big Z Shaw Thor Eddie Thor would Win he was the most complete strongman ever and such a shame he retired in his prime

[@dadesanya5966]

Wtf is that list big z and shaw not even top 5?😂😂😂😂😂🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️negative iq shit

[@Hamisrodriguez]

@@dadesanya5966 those aren't placings bro I was just listing the best guys and saying I think Thor would win

[@horationelson8173]

Pudz would destroy everyone on moving events. His combination of strength and athleticism have yet to be equalled

[@themachine3490]

If we are going by Longevity Kas Shaw Zydrunis Hollands Big Loz

[@josephaugustinerhodenhiser1353]

If we're talking longevity we have to talk about Thor being on the podium for so many years in a row.

[@scottdanewttruth5853]

Longevity , Mark Felix , Odd Haugen

[@mustang8206]

Longevity is a bad metric

[@FofosMoto]

Men.. I dont know why the hell more time to talk on eddie.. 500kg deadlift and one WSM title thats it, period!! while Thor have more than title and records to Eddie. Bitter is real... Thor deserve more credits. imo

[@blackerpanther3329]

Who thumbs downs Phil pfister?

[@lukea136]

Lol, why is Eddie Hall's face on the thumbnail! 😂

[@TotalWarChronicles]

"Eddie hall was a good deadlifter and presser" , lel he was the best squatter on all his competitions, only Z could rival him there

[@killle28]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@samharvey5427]

My top 3 are eddie 1st shaw 2nd big z for comp wins

[@dadesanya5966]

@@kawan3661 how da fok do they compare a 1 time winner to shaw and Z, shaw and Z literally won more contests than ed competed in lol

[@edwardchester1]

I detect a troll.

[@Caleb-lu3zl]

Z and Eddie are the greatest

[@Jousef9]

Brian shaw is the strongest man ever

[@brandonk1287]

Eddie is going to destroy Thor. Thor is soft as a grape.

[@NSD-fp9qj]

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