DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Odd Haugen, above, concentrated on lifting more than 500 pounds as he readied for this weekend's strongman competition. Haugen believes strong hands are a must to be successful in such a contest.
Coming on strong LAST week at the 24 Hour Fitness on Kapiolani Boulevard, I had the chance to live out a fantasy from my days of working out on a regular basis (currently, I stay in shape with 12-ounce curls -- check out my "Barfly" column on Page 18). Staring back from the rack in front of me was 500 pounds of metal and rubber on an axle much bigger than your typical barbell. For the first time ever, people working out around my corner of the gym stopped in midrep to stare at what was about to happen.
Odd Haugen finds joy in building strength
By Jason Genegabus
jason@starbulletin.comToo bad it would turn out to be a man almost 30 years older than me who would end up lifting the weight -- not me.
FOR 53-YEAR-OLD Odd (pronounced "ode") Haugen, a 500-pound axle with a tire at each end isn't much to get worked up about -- it's a tool of the trade. When the 1999 Strongest Man in America and part-time Hawaii resident gets to Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park tomorrow, he'll join the top 10 competitors in the "World Strongman Super Series," sponsored by the International Federation of Strength Athletes (IFSA). There'll be the usual things -- you know, flipping 900-pound tractor-trailer tires, lifting 330-pound logs, racing with an 800-pound yoke on his back -- that kind of stuff.
"This is the perfect sport for me," Haugen says of his participation in world-class strongman events. In the past year, he's traveled to 11 contests in various countries around the world and continues to be a contender among men in the sport 15 to 20 years his junior. Although the former Mr. Norway and founder of Gold's Gym travels relentlessly year-round for his job with 24 Hour Fitness and the aforementioned competitions, he still finds solace in the simple joy of lifting some seriously heavy weight.
"Some of the guys are professionals ... for me it's still a hobby," said Haugen.
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Tony Leiato strained as he lifted 500-plus pounds. The men were training at the Kapiolani Boulevard 24 Hour Fitness.
"I do this instead of golf. ... I enjoy it. I'm very much an all-around person that don't really like to practice technique all day long. I'd rather just go train and be strong."
Over the course of the next two days, the IFSA will both crown a champion in the 2002 Strongman Super Series Championship Final and kick off the 2003 World Championship Strongman Super Series. The top 10 ranked athletes in the 2002 Super Series have been invited to Honolulu for a shot at the championship tomorrow, which features events like the "World Class Farmers Walk," the "LifeFitness Tire Flip Race" and the "Mondo Front Squats with the Iron Mind Apollon Axle" competition. Some of the world-class athletes scheduled to participate this weekend include Norway's Svend Karlsen, Poland's Mariusz Pudzianowski and Finland's Jouko Ahola. 2002 Hawaii Strongman Champion and former Olympic athlete Tony Leiato will also join Haugen in representing the 50th state during the event.
Barring any injuries or last-minute changes, all the "Beauty and the Beast" competitors will return to Hawaii Waters Adventure Park on Sunday for the start of the 2003 World Strongman Super Series. In addition to Honolulu, the IFSA will also visit Qatar, Scotland, the Czech Republic, Sweden and a North American city yet to be determined. And to provide a bit of variety for the athletes, different events will be used on the second day of competition. Along with the "Ohana Hotels Lava Rock Circle" and "24 Hour Fitness Front Hold," the "World Class Super Heavy Medley (Carry & Drag)" also awaits. Combining a 200-pound fire hydrant, 450-pound anvil and a sled, the "Super Heavy Medley" promises to separate the men from the boys at the water park.
Where: Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park "Beauty and the Beast" Strongman Competition
When: 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow and 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday
Tickets: $5 general admission for competition only; $15.99 for competition and admission to the park for keiki ages 4-11; $25.99 for ages 12 and up
Call: 674-9283AFTER SPENDING MOST of the last year in Norway, Haugen's wife and daughter are also in town for the weekend. But even with his birthday to celebrate this week, a contest to plan (he also serves as promoter of "Beauty and the Beast") and family in town, Haugen is excited to mix it up with some old friends and well-known adversaries. And he doesn't plan on hanging it up any time soon, either.
"It's a lot of fun," Haugen insists between sets of dead lifts. "I like the competitions. ... I must say I really enjoy (them).
"It's a family thing because my wife comes with me, and now the baby (too) ... so that's kind of fun." Daughter Sophia Jin Haugen will celebrate her first birthday with her extended strongman family after Sunday's awards ceremony.
"It's fun to train, but it's the competition that I'm doing it for. My theory is that I really think it's you that gives up it's not your body.
"Barring injury ... I don't see myself quitting. I want to test that (theory)," Haugen said.
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