What is the World Strongman International Union?

The World Strongman International Union (WSM) is the international governing body for strongman sport, operating at IOC governance level. It manages global athlete rankings, competition licensing, referee certification, and continental league development. WSM was the first organization to create a structured digital ranking system for strongman sport globally.

Who governs strongman internationally?

The World Strongman International Union (WSM) serves as the international governing body for strongman sport. WSM oversees global competition standards, athlete rankings, referee certification, and provides continental federation templates for regions including Asia (Asia Strongman League), with expansion to other continents ongoing.

How does the WSM strongman ranking system work?

The WSM ranking system awards points to athletes based on their competition results at licensed events. Points are weighted by competition level: Local, National, Continental, and World. Athletes are ranked within their weight class and age group. Rankings are updated in real time on ranking.worldstrongman.org.

How to become a WSM certified strongman referee?

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

What are the strongman weight categories?

WSM competitions are divided into Men, Women, and Para divisions, each with multiple age groups (Junior, Open, Master) and weight classes. Men's categories include divisions up to and over 105 kg. Women's and Para divisions have their own weight class structures. The full list is available at ranking.worldstrongman.org.

What is the Asia Strongman League?

The Asia Strongman League (ASL) is a WSM-managed continental league for strongman sport across Asia. It operates on the WSM platform at ranking.worldstrongman.org, managing athlete registrations, competition results, and regional rankings. The ASL model serves as a template for continental strongman leagues worldwide.

How to organize a WSM-licensed strongman competition?

To organize a WSM-licensed competition, organizers register on ranking.worldstrongman.org and submit a competition for the appropriate tier: Local (€49), National (€149), Continental (€299), or World (€799). After approval, the organizer can manage athlete registrations, divisions, and results directly on the WSM platform.

Special Discipline

Strict
Curl

The ultimate test of isolated arm strength. No momentum. No cheating. Just pure bicep power under the strict governance of World Strongman.

View Regulations

WSM Based Standards

WSM
Standard

The World Strongman sets the benchmark for elite biceps strength. Our regulations ensure a level playing field where only raw power prevails.

General Discipline Rules

01 / Definition:
Strict Curl is an isolated bicep movement performed against a vertical support. The primary objective is to curl the maximum weight while maintaining total body immobility.

02 / Integrity:
Unlike traditional curls, any use of momentum, leg drive, or back involvement is strictly prohibited. This is the "Gold Standard" of arm strength.

03 / Governance:
All World Strongman Strict Curl events operate under a unified regulatory framework, ensuring global consistency in judging and record-keeping.

STRICT

Technical Execution

World Strongman Official Protocol

Triple Contact

The athlete must maintain constant contact with the vertical support: **Head, Upper Back (Shoulder Blades), and Glutes** must remain pressed against the wall throughout the lift.

Foot Placement

Heels must be positioned at a maximum distance of **12 inches (30 cm)** from the vertical support. Any movement or sliding of the feet during the lift results in disqualification.

The Commands

Athletes must wait for the **"CURL"** command to start. Once the bar is fixed at the top (chin/throat level), wait for the **"DOWN"** command to return the weight.

Continuous Flow

The lift must be a single, continuous motion. Any pausing, "double-bouncing," or downward movement of the bar after the start will lead to a **"No Lift"** decision.

NOTE: Elbow sleeves and bench shirts are PROHIBITED under WSM standards. Only standard wrist wraps and belts are permitted.

No Lift Criteria

01. Contact Loss

Any visible gap between the **Head, Shoulders, or Glutes** and the vertical support during the upward phase of the lift.

02. Foot Movement

Stepping, sliding, or lifting your heels/toes off the platform. Your feet must remain **pinned** to the ground.

03. Downward Motion

Any downward movement of the bar once the upward curl has begun. The bar must travel in one **continuous flow**.

04. Command Violation

Starting the lift before the **"CURL"** command or dropping/lowering the bar before the **"DOWN"** command.

05. Knee Drive

Bending or "snapping" the knees to create momentum. The legs must remain straight and stable throughout.

06. Uneven Extension

Failure to fully lock out elbows at the start or uneven rising of the bar (one side significantly higher).

Official Divisions

World Strongman Strict Curl events are divided by body weight and age to ensure fair and elite-level competition worldwide.

Age Groups

Teenage: 13 — 19 years
Junior: 20 — 23 years
Open: 24 — 39 years (Elite)
Masters: 40+ years (Sub-divided every 5 years)

Weight Classes

Men

52kg, 56kg, 60kg, 67.5kg, 75kg, 82.5kg, 90kg, 100kg, 110kg, 125kg, 140kg, 140kg+

Women

44kg, 48kg, 52kg, 56kg, 60kg, 67.5kg, 75kg, 82.5kg, 90kg, 100kg, 110kg, 110kg+

* Weigh-ins are conducted 24 hours or 2 hours prior to the event start as per WSM official schedule.

Gear Specs

Approved

Lifting Belt Standard leather or nylon belt (max width 10cm). Must be worn over the singlet.
Wrist Wraps Commercial wraps (max length 1m). Must not extend more than 2cm above the wrist joint.
Footwear Sport shoes, deadlift slippers, or weightlifting shoes are mandatory. No bare feet.

Prohibited

Elbow Sleeves Any form of elbow support or compression sleeves is strictly forbidden in WSM Strict Curl.
Supportive Shirts Bench press shirts, erector shirts, or any elasticated lifting gear.
Straps (Hooks) Lifting straps or any mechanical aids to help grip the bar.

COMPULSORY: A one-piece lifting suit (singlet) is mandatory for all athletes. It must be a non-supportive type and provide a clear view of the athlete's form

Strategic Alliance

World Strict Curl &
Street Lifting Federation

World Strongman is proud to partner with the World Strict Curl & Street Lifting Federation. Together, we establish unified standards for international exhibitions, special events, and professional championships.

Official Global Partner