Jouko Ahola
Jouko Ahola in 2007
Born (1970-12-01) 1 December 1970 (age 53)
Hämeenlinna, Finland
Occupation(s)Strongman, powerlifter, actor
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) [1]
Title2× World's Strongest Man
2× Europe's Strongest Man
Finland's Strongest Man
WebsiteOfficial website
Competition record
Strongman
Representing  Finland
World's Strongest Man
1st 1997 World's Strongest Man
2nd 1998 World's Strongest Man
1st 1999 World's Strongest Man
IFSA
1st 1998 Finland Grand Prix
1st 1999 Germany Grand Prix
1st 1999 Finland Grand Prix
2nd 1999 Czech Grand Prix
2nd 1999 Holland Grand Prix
2nd 1999 Hungary Grand Prix
Europe's Strongest Man
4th 1996
1st 1998
1st 1999
European Hercules
1st 1995
1st 1996
2nd 1997
Atlantic Giants
1st 1999
World's Strongest Viking
4th 1996
World Muscle Power Championships
1st 1998
World Strongman Challenge
1st 1995
1st 1999
World's Strongest Team
1st 1997 w/Riku Kiri
2nd 1998 w/Sami Heinonen
1st 1999 w/Janne Virtanen
Finland's Strongest Man
2nd 1996
1st 1997
Strongest Man Alive
1st 1998
1st 1999
Powerlifting
Representing  Finland
IPF Junior World Championships[2]
5th 1993 125kg

Jouko Ahola (born 1 December 1970) is a Finnish former strongman, powerlifter and actor. He is a two time World's Strongest Man winner, a two time Europe's Strongest Man winner, and is regarded as one of the best pound for pound strongmen in history.

Strongman

Jouko is best known for winning both the 1997 and 1999 World's Strongest Man, and finishing second in 1998.[3] Ahola also won the Europe's Strongest Man contest twice, in 1998 and 1999, and finished fourth in 1996.[3] Jouko won the World's Strongest Team in 1997 and 1999, and was second in 1998.[3]

Ahola set world records for the Hercules hold (45.7 sec, 197 kg) and Atlas Stones (215 kg).[4]

He is one of only ten men to be a repeat champion in the World's Strongest Man competition.[4]

Jouko was a very successful strongman competitor, at 6' 1" (1.85 m) and 275 lbs (125 kg), corresponding to a BMI of 35.8, which is low by WSM standards.[4]

Personal Records

Acting career

After his strongman career, Ahola has directed his focus towards films. So far, his most notable roles have been in Kingdom of Heaven, Bad Day to Go Fishing, War of the Dead and Invincible.[6]

Ahola starred in Werner Herzog's 2001 film Invincible as early 20th century Jewish strongman Zishe Breitbart.[6] Jouko played a former world wrestling champion in Alvaro Brechner's 2009 film Bad day to go fishing, (Mal día para pescar). The film premiered at Cannes Film Festival.

Jouko appeared in the music video for Robin's "Faija skitsoo" in 2012.[7] He also made a cameo appearance on the second season of The Dudesons TV series, which aired worldwide in 2008.

Jouko also serves as a judge and event organizer for the World's Strongest Man contest.[8]

In 2013 he appears in the new History Channel series Vikings.[9]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2001 Invincible Zishe Breitbart
2005 Kingdom of Heaven Odo
2006 7 miljonärer Jerry
2009 Bad Day to Go Fishing Jacob van Oppen
2011 War of the Dead Captain Niemi
2012 Basement Perspective Short
2013 Vikings Kauko 3 episodes
2013 Ella ja kaverit 2 - Paterock Paten turvamies
2015 Wendyeffekten Yeton
2018 Veljeni vartija Oululainen portsari #3

Miscellaneous

References

  1. ^ HITstrongman (2012-01-11). "1997 World's Strongest Man". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-08-18.[dead YouTube link]
  2. ^ "Ahola Jouko - powerlifting and bench press performances, records, bio, photo, video". En.allpowerlifting.com. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
  3. ^ a b c "David Horne's World of Grip". Davidhorne-gripmaster.com. 2014-03-30. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Jouko Ahola's Official Home Page". Dlc.fi. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
  5. ^ a b c Sami Koskinen. "Powerbuilding WSM - Workout with Jouko Ahola". Samson-power.com. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
  6. ^ a b "Jouko Ahola".
  7. ^ "Tässä on teinipoppari Robinin uusi musavideo". Findance. Retrieved 2012-05-22.
  8. ^ "Jouko's Back!". Ironmind.com. 2005-05-02. Archived from the original on 2013-03-16. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
  9. ^ "Jouko Ahola vaihtoi työkalut järeään sotakirveeseen | Hämeen Sanomat" (in Finnish). Hameensanomat.fi. Archived from the original on 2014-05-05. Retrieved 2014-08-18.

External links

World's Strongest Man champions
World Muscle Power champions
World Strongman Challenge Champions
Europe's Strongest Man champions
Authority control databases
Categories