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Žydrūnas Savickas

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Žydrūnas Savickas
Savickas in June 2010
Personal information
NicknameBig Z[1]
Born (1975-07-15) July 15, 1975 (age 49)
Biržai, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union
Occupation(s)Strongman, powerlifter
Height191 cm (6 ft 3 in)[2]
Weight170 kg (375 lb)[1] – 182 kg (401 lb)[3]
Spouses
Jurgita Savickienė
(m. 2010; div. 2021)
Brigita Lacytė
(m. 2022)
WebsiteOfficial website
Medal record
Strongman
Representing  Lithuania
World's Strongest Man
Qualified 1998 World's Strongest Man
Qualified 2000 World's Strongest Man
2nd 2002 World's Strongest Man
2nd 2003 World's Strongest Man
2nd 2004 World's Strongest Man
1st 2009 World's Strongest Man
1st 2010 World's Strongest Man
2nd 2011 World's Strongest Man
1st 2012 World's Strongest Man
2nd 2013 World's Strongest Man
1st 2014 World's Strongest Man
2nd 2015 World's Strongest Man
9th 2017 World's Strongest Man
10th 2018 World's Strongest Man
Arnold Strongman Classic
1st 2003 Arnold Strongman Classic
1st 2004 Arnold Strongman Classic
1st 2005 Arnold Strongman Classic
1st 2006 Arnold Strongman Classic
1st 2007 Arnold Strongman Classic
1st 2008 Arnold Strongman Classic
2nd 2010 Arnold Strongman Classic
3rd 2011 Arnold Strongman Classic
3rd 2012 Arnold Strongman Classic
1st 2014 Arnold Strongman Classic
2nd 2015 Arnold Strongman Classic
1st 2016 Arnold Strongman Classic
Arnold Pro Strongman World Series
1st 2012 Europe
3rd 2015 Europe
2nd 2016 Europe
2nd 2016 Asia
3rd 2016 Australia
IFSA Strongman World Championships
1st 2005
1st 2006
3rd 2007
IFSA Grand Prix
5th 1996 Lithuania Grand Prix
5th 2001 Atlantic Giant
1st 2005 Hungary Grand Prix
1st 2006 Dubai Grand Prix
1st 2006 Holland Grand Prix
1st 2006 Latvia Grand Prix
1st 2006 Lithuania Grand Prix
1st 2007 Lithuania Grand Prix
Europe's Strongest Man
3rd 2001 Europe's Strongest Man
7th 2002 Europe's Strongest Man
4th 2003 Europe's Strongest Man
3rd 2004 Europe's Strongest Man
1st 2010 Europe's Strongest Man
1st 2012 Europe's Strongest Man
1st 2013 Europe's Strongest Man
4th 2018 Europe's Strongest Man
World's Ultimate Strongman
10th 2018 World's Ultimate Strongman
Shaw Classic
12th 2021
10th 2022
World Muscle Power Championships
5th 2003
3rd 2004
Fortissimus
2nd 2008 Fortissimus
1st 2009 Fortissimus
Strongman Champions League
1st 2008 Latvia
1st 2008 Serbia
1st 2008 Holland
2nd 2008 Bulgaria
1st 2008 Lithuania
1st 2008 Romania
2nd 2008 Finland
1st 2008 Overall
1st 2009 England
1st 2009 Hungary
1st 2009 Ukraine SCL Finals
3rd 2009 Overall
1st 2010 SCL Iceman Challenge
1st 2010 Ireland
7th 2010 Overall
1st 2011 SCL Iceman Challenge II
1st 2011 Germany FIBO
1st 2011 Canada
1st 2011 Latvia
1st 2012 Sarajevo SCL Finals
2nd 2011 Overall
1st 2012 SCL Iceman Challenge III
1st 2012 Germany FIBO
1st 2012 Holland
1st 2012 China
1st 2012 Portugal
1st 2012 Finland
1st 2012 Poland
1st 2012 Gibraltar
1st 2012 Spain
1st 2012 Lithuania SCL Savickas Classic
1st 2012 Martinique SCL Finals
1st 2012 Overall
1st 2013 Holland
1st 2013 China
1st 2013 Russia
2nd 2013 Poland
1st 2013 Gibraltar
1st 2013 Lithuania SCL Savickas Classic
1st 2013 Brazil SCL Semi-finals
1st 2013 Malaysia SCL Finals
2nd 2013 Overall
1st 2014 Germany FIBO
16th 2014 Overall
2nd 2015 Netherlands
2nd 2015 Finland
12th 2015 Overall
Giants Live
1st 2010 Turkey
1st 2014 Poland
1st 2017 World Tour Finals
3rd 2017 Scandinavian Open
11th 2018 World Tour Finals
Strongman Super Series
3rd 2002 Sweden
2nd 2002 Hawaii
3rd 2002 Overall
3rd 2003 Hawaii
2nd 2003 Holland
2nd 2003 Overall
2nd 2004 Moscow
2nd 2004 Sweden
1st 2004 Overall
World Strongman Challenge
2nd 2002 World Strongman Challenge
3rd 2003 World Strongman Challenge
1st 2007 World Strongman Challenge
Força Bruta
1st 2014
3rd 2015
Globe's Strongest Man
1st 2010
4th 2011
Ultimate Strongman World Championship
7th 2016 Summermania
3rd 2017 Summermania
Battle of the North
4th 2015
4th 2016
1st 2017 Burn Showdown
World Strongman Cup
1st 2020
IFSA Strongman European Championships
1st 2005 IFSA Europe's
IFSA World Team Championships
1st 2005 Team Europe
1st 2007 Team Lithuania
Lithuania's Strongest Man
3rd 1996 Lithuania's Strongest Man
2nd 1997 Lithuania's Strongest Man
1st 1998 Lithuania's Strongest Man
1st 1999 Lithuania's Strongest Man
1st 2000 Lithuania's Strongest Man
2nd 2001 Lithuania's Strongest Man
1st 2002 Lithuania's Strongest Man
1st 2004 Lithuania's Strongest Man
1st 2005 Lithuania's Strongest Man
1st 2006 Lithuania's Strongest Man
1st 2007 Lithuania's Strongest Man
1st 2008 Lithuania's Strongest Man
1st 2009 Lithuania's Strongest Man
1st 2012 Lithuania's Strongest Man
1st 2013 Lithuania's Strongest Man
1st 2014 Lithuania's Strongest Man
1st 2015 Lithuania's Strongest Man
1st 2017 Lithuania's Strongest Man
1st 2020 Lithuania's Strongest Man
1st 2022 Lithuania's Strongest Man
World Log Lift Championships
1st 2008 Championships
1st 2009 Championships
1st 2011 Championships
1st 2012 Championships
1st 2013 Championships
1st 2015 Championships
SBD World Log Lift Championship
1st 2018
Ultimate Strongman Masters
1st 2017 Masters
1st 2018 Masters
Official Strongman Games
1st 2017 Masters WSM
1st 2021 Masters WSM
1st 2022 Masters WSM
Static Monsters
1st 2020 Senior Male Static Monsters
Žydrūnas Savickas
Medal record
Representing  Lithuania
Powerlifting
IPF World Powerlifting Championships[4]
6th 1998 IPF World's +125kg
5th 1999 IPF World's +125kg
2nd 2000 IPF World's +125kg
EPF European Powerlifting Championships[4]
2nd 1998 EPF Europe's +125kg
2nd 1999 EPF Europe's +125kg
2nd 2000 EPF Europe's +125kg
2nd 2001 EPF Europe's +125kg
Lithuanian National Powerlifting Championships
1st 1995 National's +125kg
1st 1996 National's +125kg
1st 1997 National's +125kg
1st 1999 National's +125kg
1st 2000 National's +125kg
1st 2001 National's +125kg
1st 2002 National's +125kg
1st 2003 National's +125kg
1st 2004 National's +125kg
1st 2005 National's +125kg
IPF Junior World Championships[4]
3rd 1997 IPF Junior's +125kg

Žydrūnas Savickas (Lithuanian pronunciation: [ʑiːˈdrûːnɐs sɐˈvʲɪtskɐs]; born July 15, 1975) is a Lithuanian retired strongman and powerlifter. Due to his 84 international wins in strongman including four World's Strongest Man titles, eight Arnold Strongman Classic titles, two IFSA Strongman World Championships, and over 70 world records, he is widely regarded as the greatest strongman of all time.[5][6][7][8]

Career

[edit]

Žydrūnas Savickas first became interested in strength sports after watching a Lithuanian strongman contest on TV in 1989.[3][9] Three years later, he took part in that same strongman contest and defeated a number of older and more experienced competitors. At age 17, Savickas began to train in powerlifting. In his second powerlifting contest, he broke all the Lithuanian records.[10]

In 1998, Savickas won his first Lithuania's Strongest Man contest.[10] He would later go on to win this contest a total of 17 times, with the latest coming in 2022.[11] Savickas then competed in the 1998 and 2000 World's Strongest Man contests, but failed to qualify for the finals both times. He won the silver medal in the World powerlifting championship in Japan with a total of 1,020 kg (2,250 lb),[4][12] just 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) behind Brad Gillingham.[13]

2001–2008

[edit]

In 2001, a contest in the Faroe Islands dealt Savickas a major setback, as he tore both patellar tendons during the Conan's Wheel event. Many believed that the extent of the injury meant that his career was over.[9] However, nine months later, Savickas won the Lithuanian powerlifting championships and a short time later, he also won the 2002 Lithuania's Strongest Man contest.[10] Savickas would go on to finish in 2nd place at the 2002 World's Strongest Man in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He would finish in 2nd place five more times in 2003, 2004, 2011, 2013 and 2015 and 1st place at the 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014 World's Strongest Man contests.

Savickas won the Arnold Strongman Classic six consecutive times from 2003 to 2008.[3] Savickas won the IFSA European Championships in 2005 which qualified him for the IFSA World Championships.[14] In September 2005, he broke three world records and won the IFSA Strongman World Championships in Quebec, Canada.[15] In December 2005, Savickas won the IFSA World Team Championships with Team Europe and won the IFSA World Championships for the 2nd time in 2006 in Reykjavík, Iceland.[15]

On October 24, 2005, Savickas represented Lithuania in a team competition with Vidas Blekaitis, Saulius Brusokas, and Vilius Petrauskas. Team Lithuania placed 5th overall at the IFSA World's Strongest Nation contest in Ukraine.[citation needed]

In September 2007, Savickas finished in 3rd place at the last ever IFSA World Championships behind runner-up Mikhail Koklyaev and champion Vasyl Virastyuk in Geumsan, South Korea.[16]

Savickas won 5 out of the 7 total contests during the inaugural 2008 Strongman Champions League season and won the 2008 overall title 58 points ahead of second-place finisher Ervin Katona.[17]

2009–2010

[edit]

In June 2009, Savickas won Fortissimus after finishing runner-up in 2008 behind Derek Poundstone.[18] On October 3, 2009, Savickas won the 2009 World's Strongest Man competition ahead of defending champion and five-time winner Mariusz Pudzianowski. He had not competed at WSM since 2004.

On the set of Lo Show dei Record in Rome, Italy on April 1, 2010, Savickas set a record of 70 metres (229 ft 7 in) for the longest distance carrying a 300 kg yoke. The record was part of the Italian TV series Lo Show dei Record.[19] In June 2010, Savickas won the Europe's Strongest Man competition.

In September 2010, Savickas and Brian Shaw tied for points at the 2010 World's Strongest Man competition, but Savickas won the championship on countback.[20] He also set a new world record for the Giant Wooden Log Lift by lifting 210 kg (460 lb).[21]

Savickas also won the World Log Lift Championships in 2008, 2009, and 2011 (no contest was held in 2010).

2011

[edit]

In April 2011, Savickas set a new Guinness World Record performing a 20-meter Farmer's Walk in 7.55 seconds with 150 kg (330 lb) implements in each hand. The event was broadcast on the Guinness TV show in Europe.[22]

Savickas won five Strongman Champions League events during the 2011/2012 season, in Finland in March 2011, Germany on April 16, 2011,[23] the SCL Semi-finals in Canada in October 2011, Latvia in November 2011 and the SCL Finals in Sarajevo, Bosnia on February 7, 2012.[24] Ervin Katona won the overall championships, with Savickas as the runner-up.[25] During the SCL Finals in Sarajevo, Savickas set a new world record in the Log Lift with 215 kg (474 lb).[25] This was his 7th consecutive world record in the Log Lift, not including his world record in the Giant Wooden Log Lift set at the 2010 World's Strongest Man contest.[21]

In September 2011, Savickas lost his WSM crown to Brian Shaw at the 2011 World's Strongest Man contest at Wingate University, North Carolina, coming in second place for the fourth time.

2012

[edit]

Savickas won the 2012 Europe's Strongest Man contest on June 23, 2012, his second ESM title after winning in 2010.[26] Savickas also set a new world record in the Log Lift with a lift of 216 kg (476 lb). This was his 8th consecutive Log Lift world record.[26]

Savickas won 11 of the 14 Strongman Champions League contests in the 2012 season and won the overall championships title.[27] During the SCL Holland event, Savickas set another world record in the Log Lift with a lift of 217.5 kg (480 lb).[28] This was Savickas' third Log Lift world record in 2012 and 9th consecutive Log Lift world record.

On October 1, 2012, Savickas regained the WSM crown by winning the 2012 World's Strongest Man contest in Los Angeles, California.[29] This was Savickas' third WSM title, and became the fifth competitor in WSM history to win three or more WSM titles. Savickas also set a new Log Lift world record in the finals with a lift of 220 kg (484 lb).[30][31]

On October 7, 2012, Savickas won the 2012 World Log Lift Championships[32] which was held at the same venue as the SCL Savickas Classic event.[33] This was his fourth consecutive World Log Lift Championships title.

2013

[edit]

Savickas won his inaugural 2013 contest, the Strongman Champions League Holland event held in Kalkar, Germany on June 22, 2013.[34][35] Savickas also attempted a new Log Lift world record of 221 kg (487 lb), but failed to lockout the weight overhead.[35] Savickas won seven SCL contests in the 2013 season and came second in the overall championships behind Krzysztof Radzikowski.[36]

On June 29, 2013, Savickas won his third Europe's Strongest Man title.[37] He also set a new Log Lift world record with a lift of 221 kg (487 lb).[37]

In August 2013, Savickas finished second in the 2013 World's Strongest Man contest behind Brian Shaw.

2014

[edit]

At Giants Live Poland, Savickas set a new world record on the Log Lift for 227 kg (500 lb).

In the 2014 World's Strongest Man, he managed to win his fourth title with just half a point difference over the second placed Hafthór Júlíus Björnsson. He became the oldest WSM winner in history, at 38 years and 258 days. Zydrunas also set a new world record in the giant barbell squat event by squatting 329 kg (725 lb) for 15 repetitions.

Savickas also won the 2014 Arnold Strongman Classic, edging out perennial rival Brian Shaw.[38]

2015

[edit]

Savickas placed 2nd in both the 2015 Arnold Strongman Classic and the 2015 World's Strongest Man competitions, this year losing to Brian Shaw. He also won the 2015 World Log Lift Championship.

2016

[edit]

Savickas again won the 2016 Arnold Strongman Classic, a record 8th time. However, Savickas would miss the 2016 World's Strongest Man competition because of a back injury.[39]

2017

[edit]

In 2017, Savickas returned to the World's Strongest Man competition. While he made the finals, he was hampered by past injuries, and finished in 9th place. This was the first time he placed lower than 2nd at WSM since the year 2000.

2018

[edit]

Savickas placed 4th in the 2018 Europe's Strongest Man, and 10th overall in the 2018 World's Strongest Man finals. Savickas had to withdraw from the WSM finals due to injuries to his Achilles and bicep. [40] As of 2024, this would be his last appearance so far at the WSM.

Personal records

[edit]

Powerlifting

[edit]

Done in official powerlifting competitions under IPF rules (single-ply equipment).

  • Squat – 425.5 kg (938 lb) (2005 Lithuanian National Championships)[4][12] (Lithuanian record)
  • Bench press – 265.5 kg (585 lb) (2004 Lithuanian National Championships)[4][12] (Lithuanian record)
  • Deadlift – 400 kg (880 lb) (2004 Lithuanian National Championships)[4][12] (Lithuanian record)
  • Total – 1,090.5 kg (2,404 lb) (425|265.5|400) (2004 Lithuanian National Championships)[4][12] (Lithuanian record)

Strongman

[edit]
  • Log press – 228 kg (503 lb) (former world record) (2015 Arnold Classic Brazil)[41] Savickas has broken this world record a total of 16 times ever since he did it first with 188 kg (414 lb) in 2004. This includes 14 times with the standard log and once each with the WSM giant log at 210 kg (460 lb)[21] and SCL giant log at 205 kg (452 lb).
  • Log press/ Austrian Oak (for reps) – 204 kg (450 lb) for 4 reps (World Record) (2015 & 2016 Arnold Strongman Classic's)[42][43]
  • Apollon's Axle press – 215 kg (474 lb) (former world record) (2010 Giants Live Istanbul)[44] Savickas has broken this world record a total of 6 times (4 times in his own & 2 times shared) irrespective of IFSA and Giants Live discrediting each others verifications
  • Apollon's Axle press (for reps) – 208 kg (459 lb) × 2 cleans and presses (World Record) (2010 Arnold Strongman Classic)
  • Apollon's Axle press (for reps) – 188 kg (414 lb) × 5 cleans and presses (World Record) (2011 Arnold Strongman Classic)[45]
  • Apollon's Wheels press (for reps) – 166 kg (366 lb) × 8 continental cleans and presses (joint-world record) (2006 Arnold Strongman Classic) Savickas has broken this world record a total of 4 times ever since he did it first with 4 reps in 2003
  • Metal Block press – 150 kg (330 lb) (former world record) (2011 World's Strongest Man)
  • Cyr Dumbbell press – 136 kg (300 lb) (2016 Arnold Strongman Classic)[43]
  • Cyr Dumbbell press (for reps) – 124 kg (273 lb) x 4 reps [has achieved this feat twice] (2014 and 2015 Arnold Strongman Classics)[46][42]
  • Giant Barbell Squat (for reps) – 329 kg (725 lb) × 15 reps (single-ply suit w/ wraps) (World Record) (2014 World's Strongest Man)[47]
  • IronMind S-Cubed bar Deadlift (at 1-inch deficit with straps) – 442 kg (974 lb) (former world record) (2011 World's Strongest Man)[48][49]
  • Rogue Elephant bar Deadlift (raw with straps) – 404 kg (891 lb) (2016 Arnold Strongman Classic)[43]
  • Giant Barbell Deadlift (for reps) – 320 kg (710 lb) × 10 (former joint-world record) (2006 IFSA World Championships)[50]
  • Hummer Tire Deadlift (15 inches from the floor) – 524 kg (1,155 lb) (former world record) (2014 Arnold Strongman Classic)[51][52]
  • Cart wheel Deadlift (for reps) (18 inches from the floor) – 363 kg (800 lb) for 14 reps (2008 Fortissimus)
  • Bavarian Stonelift – 275 kg (606 lb) for 85cm (2012 SCL FIBO)
  • Keg Toss – 8 kegs (18–25 kg (40–55 lb)) over 4.80 m bar in 15.71 seconds (World Record) (2013 Europe's Strongest Man)[53]
  • Weight over bar – 25.5 kg (56 lb) over 5.60 metres (18 ft 4 in) (2013 SCL Russia)
  • Medicine ball toss – 22 kg (49 lb) for 17 ft (5.18 m) (joint-world record) (2004 Arnold Strongman Classic)[54]
  • Fingal's Fingers – 200–320 kg (441–705 lb) 5 fingers in 28.69 seconds (World Record) (2009 World's Strongest Man)[55]
  • Power Stairs (3 x 225 kg (496 lb) Duck walks / total of 15 steps) – 31.60 seconds (former world record) (2014 Guinness World Records, Italy), and 33.97 seconds (2015 World's Strongest Man)[56]
  • Power Stairs (204 kg (450 lb), 227 kg (500 lb) & 238 kg (525 lb) Duck walks / total of 15 steps) – 42.07 seconds (2009 Fortissimus)
  • Manhood Stone (Max Atlas Stone) – 243 kg (536 lb) over 4 ft bar (2011 Arnold Strongman Classic)[45]
  • Manhood Stone (Max Atlas Stone) for reps – 238 kg (525 lb) x 3 reps over 4 ft bar (2008 Arnold Strongman Classic)
  • Atlas Stones (110–180 kg set) – 22.31 seconds (former world record) (2007 IFSA Lithuania Grand Prix)
  • Atlas Stones (140–180 kg set) in IFSA circle setup – 25.65 seconds (World Record) (2006 IFSA World Championships)[50]
  • Natural stone lift to platform – 5 Rocks ranging from 102–159 kilograms (225–350 lb) in 19.44 seconds (2010 Lithuania's Strongest Man) (World Record)
  • Super Yoke – 640 kg (1,410 lb) for 4 meters in 3.87 seconds (World Record) (2014 Arnold Strongman Classic)[46]
  • Timber carry – 500 kg (1,100 lb) with straps for 35 ft in 13.01 seconds (2016 Arnold Strongman Classic)[43]

During training:

  • Squat – 440 kg (970 lb) for 2 reps;[57] 425 kg (937 lb) for 3 reps;[58] 400 kg (880 lb) for 5 reps[59] Raw with knee wraps
  • Bench press – 285 kg (628 lb) Raw [60]
  • Bench press Raw – 250 kg (550 lb) for 3 reps[61]
  • Deadlift – 435 kg (959 lb)[58] raw with straps on stiff Power bar
  • Deadlift – 400 kg (880 lb) for 5 reps in preparation for Arnold Strongman Classic 2014[60] raw with straps on stiff Power bar
  • Standing Overhead Press – 200 kg (440 lb) for 5 reps[61] without leg drive
  • Log Lift – 205 kg (452 lb) for 5 reps in preparation for Arnold Strongman Classic 2015 [60] on steel IFSA log
  • Front Squat – 320 kg (705 lb) for 5 reps[59] Raw with knee wraps
  • Front Squat – 340 kg (750 lb) for 3 reps[59] Raw with knee wraps
  • 18 inch deadlift – 525 kg (1,157 lb) for 1 rep in preparation for Arnold Strongman Classic 2014 [59] Raw with straps on stiff Power bar

Legacy

[edit]

In his career which spanned 25 years facing 3 generations of strongmen, Žydrūnas has competed in more competitions than anyone else (153) and has won more international competitions than anyone else (84) as well.[62] His winning percentage of 55% is seconded only to Mariusz Pudzianowski. However, the winning streak and number of victories of Žydrūnas Savickas, as evidenced by nearly 250 trophies and 200 medals, may never be matched.[63] During an interview with strongman analyst Laurence Shahlaei in 2020, Žydrūnas said that Mariusz Pudzianowski, Svend Karlsen, Derek Poundstone, Brian Shaw and Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson are the 5 greatest strongmen he has competed against.[64]

In brief, Žydrūnas has dominated the following competitions:

Achievements

[edit]

Placements: 130 x 1st places, 32 x 2nd places and 22 x 3rd places = 184 x podium finishes from 218 total competitions.

  • Winning percentage: 54.9% in International circuit & 70.7% at National circuit
  • Podium percentage: 81.7% in International circuit & 90.8% at National circuit
  • Top 5 percentage: 92.2% in International circuit & 95.4% at National circuit
Professional 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th Total
Lithuanian 46 9 4 1 2 1 2 65
International 84 23 18 9 4 2 3 1 2 3 2 2 153
Combined 130 32 22 10 6 3 3 1 2 5 2 2 218
[edit]

Political career

[edit]

Savickas entered politics as a member of the Liberal and Centre Union and expressed interest to run for office since 2008.[65] In 2012, he explained that participating in politics was a "pastime", as he saw his sporting career as his free time and didn't understand what sportsmen are "supposed to do all day".[66]

In 2011, he joined the nonpartisan team of former Mayor of Vilnius, Artūras Zuokas, and won a seat in the Vilnius municipal council in the 2011 local elections.[67] He stated that he does not have large political ambitions and will be an "observer".[68] During his time in office, he led a councillor group on promoting culture and combating alcoholism.[69]

He ran with Zuokas's political party YES in the Biržai-Kupiškis constituency in the 2012 parliamentary election,[70] however, he did not get to the second round. After it merged with the Liberal and Centre Union to form the Lithuanian Freedom Union, he joined the Liberal Movement instead.[71] He ran as their candidate in the Naujoji Vilnia constituency in the 2016 parliamentary election.[72] Describing his political views as a candidate to the Seimas, he identified as a businessman as well as a sportsman, and expressed his desire to lower taxes and reduce the bureaucratic apparatus.[73]

From 2020 onwards, he has been accused of spreading misinformation about George Soros, Antifa,[74] and the COVID-19 vaccine.[75] In 2020, it was reported that he was a moderator of a Lithuanian QAnon conspiracy theory group on Facebook.[76] He was one of the leaders of an anti-restriction protest during the commemmoration of the January Events in 2022 and described the pandemic controls of the Šimonytė Cabinet as a "dictatorship" and "anti-constitutional",[77] which got members of the municipal council in his home town Biržai to propose revoking his honorary citizenship.[78]

He switched to the Lithuanian Regions Party and was elected to the council of Molėtai District Municipality on their list in 2023.[79]

Personal life

[edit]

Savickas married his longtime girlfriend Jurgita Savickienė on July 24, 2010, in Lithuania.[80]

At the end of September 2010, a biography entitled Žydrūnas Savickas – žmogus iš geležies (Žydrūnas Savickas – A Man Of Iron) was published in Lithuania.[81]

Zydrunas Savickas has a YouTube channel where he talks on strongman related topics such as recovery, diet, and training habits. In June 2021, Žydrūnas and his wife Jurgita got divorced.

He got married for a second time on October 12, 2022, in Molėtai taking Brigita Lacytė to be his spouse.[82]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Zydrunas Savickas". World's Strongest Man. Archived from the original on September 5, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  2. ^ Bill Henderson (November 13, 2022). "Žydrūnas Savickas". strongmanarchives.com. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Žydrūnas Savickas". Rogue Fitness. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "Savickas Žydrūnas". AllPowerlifting. Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  5. ^ Savickas, Zydrünas; Hall, Eddie (October 11, 2021). King, Robbie; Fernandez, Alfonso (eds.). Born to be Strong: The Incredible True Story of the Strongest Man Who Has Ever Lived. Independently published. ISBN 979-8-4947-1930-0.
  6. ^ "Zydrunas Savickas, the Greatest Ever". Iron Mind. December 14, 2017. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  7. ^ "Watch Zydrunas Savickas Crush 2020 Lithuania's Strongest Man". Barbend. December 10, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  8. ^ Zeglinski, Robert (May 18, 2022). "Žydrūnas Savickas Gives Advice to Up-and-Coming Strongmen, Breaks Down Legendary Career". Breakingmuscle. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Legends of WSM: Žydrūnas Savickas". Strongman.org. January 27, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  10. ^ a b c "Zydrunas Savickas, LIT – Strongman & Powerlifter". Irish Strength Association. February 8, 2015. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  11. ^ "Strongman Archives - 2022 Lithuania's Strongest Man". strongmanarchives.com. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c d e "Žydrūnas Savickas". Open Powerlifting. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  13. ^ Boly, Jake (May 31, 2018). "Throwback To Zydrunas Savickas' Epic Powerlifting Performance". BarBend. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  14. ^ Strossen, Randall J. (July 17, 2005). "Zydrunas Savickas: Unstoppable at the IFSA European Championships Today". IronMind. Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  15. ^ a b "Previous News – 2006". IFSA Strongman. Archived from the original on January 7, 2007.
  16. ^ Strossen, Randall J. (September 15, 2007). "Vasyl Virastyuk Wins IFSA World Championships". IronMind. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  17. ^ "Results and Rankings 2008". Strongman Champions League. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  18. ^ Strossen, Randall J. (June 29, 2009). "Fortissimus 2009: Bigger and Better". IronMind. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  19. ^ "Longest distance carrying a 300 kg yoke". Guinness World Records. April 1, 2010. Archived from the original on January 8, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  20. ^ "World's Strongest Man Archive". World's Strongest Man. Archived from the original on April 24, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2021. See 2010 Final – Sun City – South Africa
  21. ^ a b c Strossen, Randall J. (September 21, 2010). "Zydrunas Savickas Breaks Log Lift World Record at the World's Strongest Man Contest". IronMind. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  22. ^ Strossen, Randall J. (April 15, 2011). "Zydrunas Savickas Sets New Guinness World Record". IronMind. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
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