World Strongman Federation
World Strongman Federation, now rebranded as World Strongman International Union of associations and clubs, is a global body for strength athletics. It was founded in 2003 by Vlad Redkin after a financial dispute with the World Strongman Cup Federation (WSCF). The headquarters are in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and the federation runs multi‑event competitions through an annual tour, with the World Cup as its flagship program.
Over the years, the WSF hosted grand prix events and national championships featuring top strongmen such as Mariusz Pudzianowski, Brian Shaw, Mikhail Koklyaev, Krzysztof Radzikowski, Tarmo Mitt, Kevin Nee, Stefan Solvi Petursson, Laurence Shahlaei and Mark Felix.
In 2007 a WSCF-linked event in Khanty-Mansijsk was renamed the Grand Prix of Khanty-Mansijsk after Vlad Redkin left WSCF due to financial concerns and disagreements over closer ties with the International Federation of Strength Athletes. Redkin had planned to cooperate with the Strongman Super Series in 2008 but instead formed the World Strongman Federation.
The World Cup began in 2008, though the initial season attracted fewer top-tier names than hoped and events were largely in former Soviet countries. In 2011 the federation expanded globally again, launching an Asian World Cup won by Tarmo Mitt, with Kevin Nee making a comeback in the field. In August 2011 the WSF announced agreements with eight countries to revive a World Cup, which materialized as the 2011/12 World Cup season.
The first WSF World Strongmen Championship was held February 12–14, 2012 in Abu Dhabi, under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan. Twenty-five athletes competed, with the field trimmed to 15 after day one and to eight for the finals.
In 2022, the organization was rebranded to World Strongman International Union of associations and clubs. In September 2023 Vladimir Burdun (UAE) was elected President of the International Union.
The 2013 World Championships were planned for December in the United Arab Emirates, serving as the finals for the 2013 World Cup. The federation also emphasizes fitness and nutrition for youth, aiming to inspire the next generation of athletes.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 18:21 (CET).