Born: July 15, 1975
Height: 6'3" Weight: 408lbs (185kg) Years Active: 1998-Present Birthplace: Biržai, Lithuania Honors: 4 time World's Strongest Man, 8 time Arnold Strongman Classic champion, 2 time IFSA Strongman World Classic Champion, 3 time Europe's Strongest Man, world records in the Log Lift and the Super Yoke (500 kg) (among others) |
Žydrūnas "Big Z" Savickas was born in Biržai, Lithuania where he quickly found that he was not a normal person. He always had a greater size and stature, which would lend itself well to strength sports and especially Strongman. In 1989, Savickas would see his first ever competition on television. Inspired, Big Z trained for three years before competing in his first ever competitions, one in strongman and another in powerlifting. Soon afterwards Savickas set the Lituanian records in the squat, bench press and deadlift.
It was not long after this that the Big Z won Lithuania's strongest man for the first time. With this victory Savickas made his first appearance in the 1998 World's Strongest Man. Unfortunately, Savickas was unable to qualify in either of his early appearances in 1998 and 2000. Savickas finished 3rd in qualifying in 2000 to Phil Pfister and Mariusz Pudzianowski.
Then disaster seemed to strike when Savickas tore both of his patellar ligaments in a contest in the Faroe Islands. Many considered this to be a disappointing end to a promising career. But the Big Z continued to fight against the injury and in just 9 months he was competing again. After winning both the Lithuanian Powerlifting Championships and Lithuania's Strongest Man, Savickas went on the compete in and win the Arnold Strongman Classic in 2003. He would retain this title consecutively until 2008.
Despite such strong success Zydrunas would fail to win World's Stongest Man from 2002 to 2004, losing to three different men, finishing second each time. Zydrunas did not compete in World's Strongest Man for several years after this. In his absence Mariusz Pudzianowski started to show great dominance over the field, winning 5 titles, beating Sigmarsson's record.
Then in the 2009 World's Strongest Man Zydrunas returned to face Mariusz. It was a fierce competition between two men who would both be fighting for something very special. Mariusz was looking to extend his record beyond 5 titles, and Big Z was looking to gain his first ever win at WSM. In a field of tough athletes, Savickas and Pudzianowski came out on top, with Savickas winning the competition by five points.
From here Zydrunas kept up his dominance winning again in 2010, 2012 and 2014. In 2010, Savickas married Jurgita Savickiene. Savickas has served as one of the strongest athletes in the Strongman history, with over a dozen world records and more championships than any other strongman, including being the only modern strongman to ever win World's Strongest Man, the Arnold Strongman Classic, Europe's Strongest Man, Fortissimus and the IFSA World Championships.
It was not long after this that the Big Z won Lithuania's strongest man for the first time. With this victory Savickas made his first appearance in the 1998 World's Strongest Man. Unfortunately, Savickas was unable to qualify in either of his early appearances in 1998 and 2000. Savickas finished 3rd in qualifying in 2000 to Phil Pfister and Mariusz Pudzianowski.
Then disaster seemed to strike when Savickas tore both of his patellar ligaments in a contest in the Faroe Islands. Many considered this to be a disappointing end to a promising career. But the Big Z continued to fight against the injury and in just 9 months he was competing again. After winning both the Lithuanian Powerlifting Championships and Lithuania's Strongest Man, Savickas went on the compete in and win the Arnold Strongman Classic in 2003. He would retain this title consecutively until 2008.
Despite such strong success Zydrunas would fail to win World's Stongest Man from 2002 to 2004, losing to three different men, finishing second each time. Zydrunas did not compete in World's Strongest Man for several years after this. In his absence Mariusz Pudzianowski started to show great dominance over the field, winning 5 titles, beating Sigmarsson's record.
Then in the 2009 World's Strongest Man Zydrunas returned to face Mariusz. It was a fierce competition between two men who would both be fighting for something very special. Mariusz was looking to extend his record beyond 5 titles, and Big Z was looking to gain his first ever win at WSM. In a field of tough athletes, Savickas and Pudzianowski came out on top, with Savickas winning the competition by five points.
From here Zydrunas kept up his dominance winning again in 2010, 2012 and 2014. In 2010, Savickas married Jurgita Savickiene. Savickas has served as one of the strongest athletes in the Strongman history, with over a dozen world records and more championships than any other strongman, including being the only modern strongman to ever win World's Strongest Man, the Arnold Strongman Classic, Europe's Strongest Man, Fortissimus and the IFSA World Championships.