The first time he competed at the World’s Strongest Man, Martins Licis placed sixth. He would place fourth the next two times he went to the event in 2017 and 2018. This year, having never even reached the podium before, Martins Licis vaulted over third and second to win the title of the World’s Strongest Man.
Articles around the world trumpeted Licis, also known as “The Dragon,” taking the mantle from 2018 winner Hafthor Bjornsson, known to most as the guy who played The Mountain on Game of Thrones. “Dragon Beats the Mountain.” The headlines wrote themselves.
Known for his laid back, self deprecating brand of humor and relatively small stature (at just over 6’2” he’s about seven inches shorter than Bjornsson and three inches shorter than second place finisher Mateusz Kieliszkowski), Licis has been building his YouTube presence on the side. Since winning the title he’s uploaded four videos — 104 minutes long in total — detailing his time at the World’s Strongest Man.
That’s a full documentary movie about the World’s Strongest Man, directed by the World’s Strongest Man (and his cameraman Romark Weiss) all for free. Watch the videos below.
Day1: Truck Pull and Super Yoke/Farmer’s Walk Medley
[Read our recap of Day 1 of the World’s Strongest Man]
Day 2: Deadlift and Overhead Press
[Read our recap of Day 2 of the World’s Strongest Man]
Day 3: The Last Man Standing
Note that Licis only spectated on Day 3, as he had already qualified for the final.
[Read our recap of Day 3 of the World’s Strongest Man]
Day 4: The Finals
[Read our recap of Day 4 of the World’s Strongest Man]
As BarBend knows all too well, if you’re allowed behind the scenes at World’s Strongest Man, you’re not allowed to film people actually winning the events. (I was reporting from the event myself; catch me in the background from 2.00 to 2.10 in the Day 3 video.)
So in these videos, Licis generally avoids showing the actual moment of victory, the final rep or movement of an event. But he couldn’t help it for the Atlas stones that won him the title: 28.08 is when the final race starts, he swiftly wins, and Licis being the class act he is, immediately cheers on Mateusz Kieliszkowski until he finishes his own stones.
Licis’ videos offer an unparalleled behind the scenes look at this year’s event and we’re grateful he published them. Want to see more moments of victory? Prefer TV-level cinematography? Watch it on TV! Episode 1 has already aired on CBS — get the rest of the schedule at our guide to how to watch the rest of the 2019 World’s Strongest Man.
Featured image courtesy World’s Strongest Man
