Since Hercules took shape in the ancient Olympics, all men have been obsessed with physical strength. Thus, we decided to rank the strongest man in the world today. However, wrestling matches are no longer in use to determine the strongest man alive.
With the advent of the World’s Strongest Man in 1977, the methods for determining the strongest man have changed so much. In today’s post, we ranked the strongest man in the world based on his titles in;
- World’s Strongest Man
- International Federation of Strength Athletes
- Arnold Sport Festivals
All of the men listed down have a legitimate claim to be considered history’s strongest man. However, there are multiple titles; thus, we didn’t just check their strength but also their potential to be constant with their titles. So, let’s not delay anymore and see the No. #1 strongest man in the world.
1. Mariusz Pudzianowski
If we talk about the most iconic strongest man in history ever, the discussion will always end at this man. It has to be said that no one could capture the crowd’s attention like this Polish strongman. The strongest man in the world, Pudzianowski, has set many records in deadlifting, powerlifting, raw squats, and other strength test sports. He has more WSM in history than any other competitor.
Biggest Achievements:
- 5 times World’s Strongest Man winner
- 2003-04 Strongman Super Series Champion
- 2006-07 World Strongman Cup Federation
2. Žydrūnas Savickas
In our opinion, he is undoubtedly the strongest man in the world of all time. Besides his proclaimed achievements, he set a new world record for the Giant Wooden Log lift by lifting 500 pounds. He usually dominates the events that include a pure test of strength.
Biggest Achievements:
- 7 times Arnold Strongman Classic winner
- 2005 IFSA Strongman World Championship
- 2002-04 World’s Strongest Man Winner
3. Jón Páll Sigmarsson
The true dominator in the world of strength athletics, Jón Páll Sigmarsson, has named many world records, including Rectangular-handled wheel deadlift – 523 kg, Ox-cart deadlift – 515 kg, and Silver dollar deadlift (18 inches with wrist straps) – 525 kg. He would’ve surely accomplished the title of the strongest man in the world if he had still been with us. Sadly the strongest man in the world passed away at the age of 33 in 1993.
Biggest Achievements:
- 4 times World’s Strongest Man winner
- 1987 Pure Strength Winner
- Commonwealth Highland Games Champion
4. Mark Henry
WSM champion and former WWE wrestler Mark Henry proved to be a worthy candidate for the title “strongest man in the world”. Besides being two times Olympian, Mark Henry still has world records in squats and deadlift. He didn’t only win but also accomplished the following titles in record time.
Biggest Achievements:
- 2002 Arnold Strongestman Classic
- 1996 NACAC Champion
- 1995 WDFPF World Champion
5. Bill Kazmaier
The winner of the ‘80, ‘81, and ‘82 World’s Strongest Man championship, “Kazmaier” is considered the strongest man in the world by man. He has many records in bench pressing, McGlashen Stone lifting, and deadlifting. He is also a former wrestler and World Powerlifter Champion.
Biggest Achievements:
- 1980-82 World’s Strongest Man
- 2 times Pure Strength Champion
- 1983 USPF National Powerlifting Championship
6. Svend Karlsen
The second athlete to appear in the World’s Strongest Man’s “Wall of Fame,” Karlsen surely deserves to be the strongest man in the world. Some of his amusing early records include 400 kg squat, 260 kg bench press, and a 412.5 kg deadlift.
Biggest Achievements:
- 2001 World’s Strongest Man Champion
- 2005 IFSA Champion
- 2002 Strongman Super Series Winner
7. Paul Anderson
This is perhaps the most controversial name on the list of the strongest men in the world. Like others on the list, he also shares a long list of world records, including 1,200-pound squats. Although there are many debates on whether or not this is an authentic record, former wrestler and founder of Arnold Strongman Classic has witnessed him squat 700 pounds of 8 rips.
Biggest Achievements:
- 2 Times gold medalist in Olympics
- 1955-56 USNWC champion
8. Vasyl Virastyuk
The first man in the history of world strength athletics to win both Met-rx and IFSA titles, Vasyl Virastyuk is the strongest man in the world. A well-known powerlifter, deadlifter, and wrestler, Virastyuk defeated two-times IFSA World Champion Savickas in 2007 and became the first man to hold World’s Strongest Man title and an IFSA World title constantly.
Biggest Achievements:
- Six times Ukraine’s Strongest Man Winner
- 2004 World’s Strongest Man winner
- 2007 IFSA Champion
9. Louis Uni (Apollon The Mighty)
French Strongman Apollon The Mighty, aka Louis Uni, was especially famous for his grip strength. His name is not well known today, but in the 19th century, Louis Cyr or Uni was considered the strongest man in the world. He still holds the world record of lifting 4.300 lbs, 65 lbs pinch lifting, and Horace Barre.
Biggest Achievements
- Being the world’s first strength athlete, he couldn’t participate in any on-record competition.
10. Brian Siders
Last but not least, Brian Siders or Brian Cameron Siders is an American World Champion powerlifter and regular participant in Arnold Strongman Classic. A muscle monster, Brain is regarded as the strongest man in the world ever lived. His best raw lifts include 650 lbs and 840 lbs deadlifts. His strength was truly a blessing.
Biggest Achievements:
- 2002-06 USAPL National Powerlifting Championships
- 2003-04 IPF World Powerlifting Championships
These are the strongest men in the world based on the strength athletic rankings. We were expecting a few of the greatest MMA players on this list, but they couldn’t make it. Anyways, if you loved this blog, let us know your feedback in the comments below.
