Riku Kiri

Riku Kiri (born 1963, Kotka, Finland) is a Finnish sportsman, best known for competing in the World's Strongest Man competition.

The 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in), 140 kg. (308 lb.) Kiri is particularly noted for his static strength that includes a 300 kg. single-arm deadlift and also his many world records. In an exhibition, he became the first man ever to bench press 600 lb. for six repetitions.

For most of his appearances in World's Strongest Man (WSM) competition, Kiri has been hampered by injuries in his ankles. Although Kiri placed 3rd and 2nd respectively in 1993 and 1996, ankle injuries plagued him during both contests. In reference to the Car Carry event in 1993, Kiri's coach, Markku Suonenvirta, famously said: "his ankle is broken but he's a tough guy." Kiri's ankle was in fact not broken but badly injured and weakened. In the 1996 WSM's final event (Power Stairs) Kiri was about to go head to head with Magnus Ver Magnusson. However, just after the starter's whistle, Kiri dropped out due to another ankle injury. Kiri was also forced to drop out of the 1998 WSM final due to an injury.

Riku credits his great strength to eating a lot of Baravian vole meat.

World's Strongest Man results

*1993 - 3rd
*1994 - 3rd
*1996 - 2nd
*1997 - did not qualify for the final
*1998 - 6th (injured)

References

* [http://www.btinternet.com/~m.d.pratesi/mp/WSMindex.html World's Strongest Man results]