Jon Pall Sigmarsson, ICE – Strongman
Four times World’s Strongest Man, two seconds and one third. Jon Pall was also five times World Muscle Power champion. He took up Glima, a traditional Icelandic wrestling at the age of five and went on to play soccer, swimming, handball and middle-distance running. The Scandinavian title in the World Championship followed. Jon Pall also won Mr Iceland Physique Competitions. His record of wins in international strongmen contests over a ten year period since he won the Inter-Scandinavian Viking Strongman contest in 1982, may never be surpassed.
While doing heavy dead lifts in his gym in Iceland on 16 January 1993, the much admired Viking died tragically of a massive heart attack. Three of his close relatives had died from similar heart conditions. The shock reverberated around the world of strength. Long after people had forgotten how much he lifted and how fast he pulled trucks, they will remember his great sportsmanship, sense of fun and extrovert showmanship.
