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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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
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]
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 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
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
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
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
Powerlifting
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
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) – 205 kg (452 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 continental cleans and presses (World Record) (2010 Arnold Strongman Classic)
Apollon's Axle press (for reps) – 188 kg (414 lb) × 5 continental 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 joint-world record) (2011 World's Strongest Man - group 4)
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]
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 (705 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 85 cm (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 (Self-claims):
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
Deadlift – 435 kg (959 lb)[58]raw with straps on stiff Power bar
Deadlift (for reps) – 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 – 340 kg (750 lb) for 3 reps, and 320 kg (705 lb) for 5 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
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:
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
Gallery
During the Strongman Champions League Ireland contest in Limerick, Ireland, 2010.
Savickas during the IFSA Strongman World 2-Man Championship in 2007
Political career
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]
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]
^Guginis, Andrius (January 1, 2010). Žydrūnas Savickas – žmogus iš geležies [Žydrūnas Savickas – A Man Of Iron] (in Lithuanian). Metafora. ISBN978-609-408-104-0.
