The eyes of many strongman fans was in Wembley Arena, but that wasn’t the only event taking place this weekend. The 2019 Festival Hommes Forts Warwick was highlighted by the Arnold Strongman Canada event where the winner would earn a qualification to the 2020 Arnold Strongman Classic. Outside of the local favorite and eventual winner, many up and coming strongman competitors were there to showcase their talents. So fans in attendance may have seen some future champions while they are on the rise now.
Winner – JF Caron
The Canadian champion was not going to be denied at this event. Even after competing at the World’s Strongest Man, he was prepared to do what he had to do here and was successful. He only won one event which was the deadlift. He placed high on the other events and the points added up which is why he sealed the victory.
2nd Place – Maxime Boudreault
Caron’s fellow Canadian made him earn that victory. Boudreault won three individual events (Truck Pull, Barrel Toss, and Farmer’s Walk) but finished last in two others (Yoke and Deadlift). Those struggles are why he would finish the day six points behind Caron.
3rd – Evan Singleton
“T-Rex” pulled off a great comeback to climb from 7th place to finish as the lone American on the podium. He achieved that feat by winning the final event of the day which was the “méli-mélo,” a medley event. Singleton is considered by many to be a future star that will contend for world titles sooner rather than later. Had he not struggled with the Deadlift and Barrel Toss, he could’ve possibly made it past Boudreault.
4th – Aivars Smaukstelis
He posted on Instagram that this was his first Arnold Pro Strongman World Series event so nerves may have gotten the best of him. He did also compete at the World’s Strongest Man along so he may not have been fully recovered from that event. He finished 2nd in the last two events which is how he made it up to 4th. Those were his highest placings of the weekend.
5th – Matjaz Belsak
Belsak won the Viking Press on Day 1 and would finish 3rd in the Truck Pull. With him being a threat to be near the top at any event he enters, that was how this event was starting to look for him. Unfortunately for him, he lost momentum at the Stones event and never appeared in contention after that.
Next Arnold Strongman Event
The next event in the Arnold Strongman Pro World Series is the Arnold Strongman Europe which will take place on September 20 and 21. The winner of that event, like the others in this series, will earn a spot at the 2020 ASC in Columbus, Ohio.
