Mariusz Pudzianowski [mar-yush pooj-ya-nov=shkee] (born 1979, Biala Rawska , Poland) is one of the world's leading strongman competitors. The 1.86m (6'1"), 125kg (275lb) giant was the 2002 World's Strongest Man and retained his title in 2003 by the biggest winning margin ever achieved in the competition. In March 2004 he also became the IFSA Strongman Super Series World Champion.

Mariusz Pudzianowski has been involved in strength sports since the December of 1990. At the young age of 16, he entered his first national bench press competition and managed to press 160kg (353lb). Two years later, Mariusz joined the four-wheel club with a 205kg (452lb) lift. His domination of the Polish Championships in the four years that he entered would be the beginning of a pattern of victories that would lead him to become the World's Strongest Man in 2002 and 2003. He finished third in 2004 and fourth in 2001.

Pudzianowski was disqualified from the 2004 World's Strongest Man "for a breach of the new IFSA Strongman Health Policy" and has received a one year ban from competiton.

External link

1. *Official Website