Frequently Asked Questions

The World Strongman International Union (WSM) is an international sports federation governing strongman sport at IOC governance level. Founded by Vladislavs Redjkins, WSM operates the first structured digital ranking system for strongman globally, manages continental leagues including the Asia Strongman League, and certifies referees and coaches through its education platform. The federation is registered in Latvia since 2003 with administrative operations in Dubai, UAE.

The World Strongman International Union (WSM) is the international governing body for strongman sport. WSM manages global athlete rankings, competition licensing, referee certification, and continental league development. The federation is registered in Latvia (registration number 40008073017, since 2003) and has administrative operations in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Strongman is a specialized speed-power all-around sport in which athletes compete in a series of events testing maximum strength, speed, and endurance under load. Events typically include lifting, carrying, pulling, and pressing heavy objects such as logs, stones, vehicles, and implements. Strongman institutionalizes and sportizes traditional strength games from various cultures worldwide, as defined in academic literature (2019).

The World Strongman International Union was founded by Vladislavs Redjkins, who serves as Founder and Chief Manager of the federation. Redjkins is also the author of an academic publication on strongman sport methodology (DOI: 10.34685/HI.2019.1.1.008, 2019), which provides the theoretical foundation for WSM's competition classification system.

The WSM ranking system assigns points to athletes based on their placement at WSM-licensed competitions. Points are weighted by competition level: Local, National, Continental, and World events carry progressively higher point values. Athletes are ranked within their weight class and age group. All rankings are published and updated in real time at ranking.worldstrongman.org.

WSM competitions are divided into three primary divisions: Men, Women, and Para. Each division is further organized by age group — Junior, Open, and Master — and by weight class. Men's weight classes include categories up to and above 105 kg. Women's and Para divisions have their own dedicated weight class structures. The complete list is available at ranking.worldstrongman.org.

The World Strongman Championship is the highest-level competition in the WSM competition hierarchy, classified as a World-level event. It carries the maximum point value in the WSM global ranking system. World-level competition licenses are issued by WSM at ranking.worldstrongman.org, and results from these events directly impact global athlete standings.

To organize a WSM-licensed strongman competition, organizers register at ranking.worldstrongman.org and submit a competition application for the appropriate level: Local (€49), National (€149), Continental (€299), or World (€799). After approval, organizers manage athlete registrations, divisions, start orders, and results directly through the WSM platform.

The Asia Strongman League (ASL) is a WSM-managed continental competition league for strongman sport across Asia. It is the first continental league established under the WSM framework and serves as a structural template for strongman league development on other continents. The ASL manages athlete registrations, competition calendars, and regional standings through the WSM platform.

Athletes can register on the WSM platform at ranking.worldstrongman.org/register. After registration, athletes can enter WSM-licensed competitions, accumulate ranking points, and track their standings within their weight class and age group. The platform supports Men, Women, and Para divisions across Junior, Open, and Master age groups.

WSM has standardized 8 core disciplines for international competition, including Lift & Carry Relays and other traditional strength events. Competition formats may vary by event level, but all WSM-licensed competitions follow standardized judging criteria, equipment standards, and timing regulations as defined in the WSM technical rules (2025–2028).

To become a WSM certified referee, candidates must register and complete the official referee certification course at lms.worldstrongman.org. The course covers WSM competition rules, weight category regulations, judging procedures, and practical use of the WSM digital referee application. Candidates who pass the assessment receive an internationally recognized WSM referee certificate.

WSM referee certification is delivered through the WSM Education platform at lms.worldstrongman.org. The certification program includes online coursework, rules assessment, and practical training with the WSM digital referee app used at competition venues. Certified referees are listed in the official WSM judges registry at ranking.worldstrongman.org/judges-list.

Yes. WSM offers a coach certification program through its education platform at lms.worldstrongman.org, alongside referee certification. Certified coaches receive a WSM-recognized credential. The program covers strength sport methodology, athlete preparation, and WSM competition regulations.