Not long to wait now, folks! 1 March 2014 shall see the return of the Arnold Strongman Classic. This disgustingly heavy event is considered by many to be the truest test of strength – rather than the World’s Strongest Man contest that requires speed and athleticism (and strength too, of course) to prevail.

Despite the different nature of the events you’ll likely still see the same, familiar faces vying for the top spots. This year’s competitor list is as follows:

Hafthor Bjornsson (Iceland) – Finished third in World’s Strongest Man in 2012 and 2013

(Iceland) – Finished third in World’s Strongest Man in 2012 and 2013 Mike Burke (USA) – Won 2012 American’s Strongest Man and 2012 All-American Strongman Challenge

(USA) – Won 2012 American’s Strongest Man and 2012 All-American Strongman Challenge Vytautas Lalas (Lithuania) – Winner of 2013 Arnold Strongman Challenge

(Lithuania) – Winner of 2013 Arnold Strongman Challenge Robert Oberst (USA) – Winner of 2013 MetRx Odd Haugen Strongman Challenge at San Jose FitExpo

(USA) – Winner of 2013 MetRx Odd Haugen Strongman Challenge at San Jose FitExpo Jerry Pritchett (USA) — Winner of 2014 All American Strongman Challenge

(USA) — Winner of 2014 All American Strongman Challenge Krzysztof Radzikowski (Poland) – Fourth-place at 2013 Arnold Strongman Challenge

(Poland) – Fourth-place at 2013 Arnold Strongman Challenge Zydrunas Savickas (Lithuania) – Winner of the Arnold Strongman Classic from 2003 to 2008

(Lithuania) – Winner of the Arnold Strongman Classic from 2003 to 2008 Dimitar Savatinov (Bulgaria) — Finished third at 2013 America’s Strongest Man

(Bulgaria) — Finished third at 2013 America’s Strongest Man Brian Shaw (USA) — Winner of the 2011 Arnold Strongman Classic

(USA) — Winner of the 2011 Arnold Strongman Classic Mikhail Shivlykov (Russia) – Winner of the 2013 Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

And the events?

Max deadlift – we imagine this’ll be on tyres, it usually is.

The Austrian Oak (log press) – floor to overhead for maximum repetitions. The athletes will have the choice between a heavier log, weighing 200kg/441lb, or a lighter log, weighing 172 kg/379 lb. Presumably one rep on the heavy log will beat any number of the lighter.

Cyr Dumbbell – floor to overhead for maximum repetitions with a 124.5kg/273.25 lb dumbbell.

Timber Carry (frame carry) – previously this has been up a slope, it probably will be again?

The Growing Yoke – 550kg/1344lb to be carried approximately 3 m/10ft without being dropped. If successful, the weight of the yoke will be increased by at least 100kg/220lb. Rinse and repeat until the last man standing.

Traditionally, it would have been hard to look past Big Z for a competition like this. But with Shaw recently beating Z in a max deadlift event it’s all up for grabs. We wouldn’t be suprised if Lalas squeezed through and grabbed the title with his consistency across the events. Then there’s Burke too – he has a chance. Really, we have no idea whose going to win – it’ll be a pretty exciting competition!

Click here to see the results from the ASC 2014.