There is no name bigger in the current strongman world, than the King himself Zydrunas Savickas.

Quite Simply he is a Living Legend..

Phil Burgess: How did you get started in Strongman Competitions?

Zydrunas Savickas: I saw strongman sport on TV and start to dream that I can also be very strong.

I WANTED TO BE THE STRONGEST MAN IN THE WORLD

At 13 years old I started training in a gym and at 16 competed in my first strongman contest.

My father was very muscular and strong but he never trained. I train very hard to build Power and Muscles.

Phil Burgess: Which World’s Strongest Man title means the most to you and why?

Zydrunas Savickas: WSM 2009, because I was IFSA World Champion and did not compete in Worlds Strongest Man for 4 of my best years.

It was very important to come back to show who was the strongest, me or Mariusz.

Phil Burgess: What is your worst strongman weakness, and how have you worked on this?

Zydrunas Savickas: In the beginning all events were heavy for me, but every year I get stronger and stronger in all events.

For sure some years I had bad events, but then I start to work very hard to improve them. Like the Farmers Walk for example, in 2009 I was 4th in that event, and in 2010 I won the farmers walk. I worked very hard for one year to get my grip stronger.

Phil Burgess: When you need coaching advice who do you turn to? Do you coach any other strongmen?

Zydrunas Savickas: In the beginning I had a coach, but now I can coach myself. I train young strongmen, but as I am still competing I do not have alot of time for that.

Phil Burgess: Now Zydrunas we have some questions from a range of Strongmen.

What has been the best moment in your long strongman life?

from Jordan Steffens (2012 Giants Live Competitor)

Zydrunas Savickas: The first time when I won Lituania’s Strongest Man in 1998 at 23 years old and when I won the 2003 Arnold Strongman Classic.

How the HELL did you get your shoulders so strong?

from Jordan Steffens (2012 Giants Live Competitor)

Zydrunas Savickas: In the beginning my shoulders were not so strong, but i like to train shoulders because its the easiest training, just sitting and pressing bar.

I like it very much and my shoulders get so strong.

How many times do you train each week, and how often do you change your routine?

from AJ Bhardwaj (Australian Amateur Strongman)

Zydrunas Savickas: I train 5-6 times per week. I never change my training routine, I just lift more weight every training session and every year. Its very simple but works very well.

What has been your biggest obstacle in becoming such a great strongman champion, i.e. injuries, family, work, or training?

from Colm Wolfe (2012 New Zealand’s Strongest Man)

Zydrunas Savickas: Lithuania was not strongman country and for me was very hard to get invite to World’s Strongest Man competition.

Also injuries stopped me in 2001, when I was very strong and I needed 3 years to get my power back.

What’s your favourite food when preparing for a competition?

from Marc Wells (Australian Strongman)

Zydrunas Savickas: My favourite food is Steak and Potatoes.

How much do you eat in a day? How many calories roughly?

from AJ Bhardwaj (Australian Amateur Strongman)

Zydrunas Savickas: I eat 6 times per day, 4 times food and 2 times shakes, around 6000 calories, sometimes more.

Phil Burgess: Ok, Zydrunas I have a few more questions for you.

Phil Burgess: Why are there so many strong Lithuanians for such a small country?

Zydrunas Savickas: The reason is because Lithuanian people always were warriors and Lithuanians have always been very tall and strong. We have good genetics for this sport.

Strongman sport in Lithuania is also very popular and young people want to be strong.

Phil Burgess: Where are you from in Lithuania, can you describe it?

Zydrunas Savickas: I was born in the North East part of Lithuania, in a small city called Birzai.

Since 2004, I live in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius.

Phil Burgess: What are your goals for 2012?

Zydrunas Savickas: I won Europe’s Strongest Man, now I want to win Worlds Strongest Man and Strongman Champions League Overall.

Phil Burgess: What do you do to relax? Do you have any interesting hobbies? (Geoff Capes kept Budgerigars)

Zydrunas Savickas: I like to read books and fishing. I also like to travel.

Phil Burgess: How do you decide what competitions to compete in, and how many do you envisage you will do in 2012?

Zydrunas Savickas: This year I will compete in all major competitions and most Strongman Champions League stages.

I will compete in about 18 competitions, but for me the most important are title events, rather than prize money.

Phil Burgess: You are 37 now how many more years do you think you will be competing at the top level?

Zydrunas Savickas: I will retire when my results stop growing. For me it is only interesting when I am lifting more and more. To lift the same or less for me is not interesting.

Phil Burgess: Do you think you will still be involved in the sport of strongman when you retire from competition?

Zydrunas Savickas: I have a gym and work in the city council, but I will stay in the strongman sport as a referee.

This concludes our interview, Zydrunas Savickas you are a legend, and we wish you all the best for 2012, and trust that your goals will be achieved.