The 1977 World's Strongest Man was the 1st edition of World's Strongest Man and was held at the Universal Studios, California and took place over ten weeks. The title was won by Bruce Wilhelm from the United States. It was his first title. Bob Young from the United States finished second, and Ken Patera also from the United States third.
Background Originally commissioned by Trans World International for CBS, the concept for the World's Strongest Man event came from Scots David P. Webster and Douglas Edmunds. Webster had earned himself a name as an event organiser through his involvement with the Highland games, while Edmunds had experience in professional shot put, discus, and caber tossing. The event was mostly developed for entertainment purposes.
With no precedent for a worldwide 'Strongman' competition, the concept of a strongman competitor and event was new, and as such, the competitors came from a wide range of existing disciplines, including American football, powerlifting and track and field. This meant that none of the competitors had ever trained for the events taking place during the competition.
In addition, several of the events in which the athletes competed were poorly thought out or dangerous, as evidenced when Italian Franco Columbu fell during the penultimate event, the Fridge Race, dislocating his knee, forcing him to retire and putting him out of action for three years. The fridge carry was not reintroduced to the competition until 2004, with a crossbar added to stabilise two fridges on either side of the athlete.
Qualification Qualification to the event was by invite only 'on the recommendation of experts.'
Line-Up NameNationalityAgeProfessionNotable AccoladesJon Cole34WeightlifterAAU US National Powerlifting Champion: 1968, 1970, 1972Franco Columbu34BodybuilderMr. Olympia: 1976 IFBB Mr. World: 1971
IFBB Mr. Universe: 1971
IFBB Mr. Europe: 1971Mike Dayton29Stuntman Kung Fu ArtistTeen Mr. America: 1967 Kung Fu Master of Chi: 1976Lou Ferrigno26Bodybuilder ActorIFBB Mr. Universe: 1973, 1974 IFBB Mr. America: 1973
Starred as The Incredible Hulk in the TV series.George Frenn36Hammer Thrower1971 Pan American Games, Hammer Throw: Silver 1967 Pan American Games, Hammer Throw: BronzeKen Patera34Weightlifter Wrestler1971 Pan American Games, Weightlifting: Gold 1971 World Weightlifting Champions: SilverBruce Wilhelm31WeightlifterAAU US Super Heavyweight Weightlifting Champion: 1975, 1976 1975 Pan American Games, Weightlifting: SilverBob Young35American FootballerNone at the time of the competition.
Results # Name Nationality TOTAL 1 Bruce Wilhelm 63.25 2 Bob Young 43.25 3 Ken Patera 34 4 Lou Ferrigno 27.5 5 Franco Columbu 23.25 6 Jon Cole 21.5 7 Mike Dayton 19.25 8 George Frenn 10
References
External links Official site