Riku Kiri

Last updated
Riku Kiri
Personal information
Born (1963-04-05) April 5, 1963 (age 62)
Flag of Finland.svg Kotka, Finland
Occupation(s) Powerlifting, Strongman
Height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
SpouseSari Kiri
Medal record
Strongman [1]
Representing Flag of Finland.svg  Finland
World's Strongest Man
3rd 1993 World's Strongest Man
3rd 1994 World's Strongest Man
2nd 1996 World's Strongest Man
Qualified 1997 World's Strongest Man
6th 1998 World's Strongest Man
World Strongman Challenge
1st1988
1st1991
Le Defi Mark Ten International
2nd1985
World's Strongest Team
1st1997 w/Jouko Ahola
Europe's Strongest Man
1st1995
1st1996
1st1997
European Hercules
1st1990
1st1991
1st1992
1st1993
IFSA European Open
1st1995
1st1997
Finland's Strongest Man
1st1988
1st1993
1st1994
Powerlifting
Representing Flag of Finland.svg  Finland
EPF European Powerlifting Championships [2]
2nd1986+125kg
FPF Finnish Powerlifting Championships [2]
2nd1984125kg
2nd1985125kg
1st1986+125kg
NPF Nordic Powerlifting Championships [2]
2nd1986+125kg

Riku Kiri (born April 5, 1963 in Kotka, Finland) is a Finnish former strongman and powerlifter, best known for competing in the World's Strongest Man competition, narrowly missing out on capturing the title on more than one occasion. He has been referred to as: "the strongest man never to win World's Strongest Man." [3]

Contents

Having competed in 25 International strongman competitions and winning 11 of them, Kiri is among the 20 most decorated strongmen of all time. [4]

Life and career

The 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in), 145 kg (320 lb) Kiri is particularly noted for his static strength including a 300 kg (661.4 lb) single-arm deadlift and a 302.5 kg (666.9 lbs) raw bench press. He squatted 440 kg in the Dutch Open strongman contest of 1995 in a Smith machine apparatus. He also bench pressed 290.0 kg (639.3 lb) raw in an official WPC meet along with many other records. At 19 years old in 1983, Riku held a World Record in powerlifting in the squat lift in IPF competition, 350 kg (125 kg weight category).

In one of his first ever strongest man contests, he defeated reigning World's Strongest Man winner Jón Páll Sigmarsson, in 1985.

For most of his appearances in World's Strongest Man competition, Kiri has been hampered by ankle injuries. 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 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 World's Strongest Man final due to an ankle injury, finishing in 6th place.

His background is in security work, and he holds shares in Gold's Gym-Helsinki.

Personal records

Strongman

Powerlifting

References

  1. "davidhorne-gripmaster.com" . Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 "Kiri Riku - powerlifting and bench press performances, records, bio, photo, video". All Powerlifting. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  3. Strossen, Randall J. (2014). "David Webster speaking to Ironmind on Tuesday, March 21, 2000 Kiri Coming Back...". Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  4. "Athletes, Men". Strongman Archives. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Riku Kiri : Conditioning and Strength Training - UFC Videos, MMA Videos, Fight Videos". MMALinker. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  6. "STRENGTH RECORD, Section 02 - Squats". www.strengthrecord.com. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
  7. "STRENGTH RECORD, Section 06 - Throwing". www.strengthrecord.com. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  8. "STRENGTH RECORD, Section 12 - Stairs & walks". www.strengthrecord.com. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
  9. "STRENGTH RECORD, Section 13 - Revolving, Pushing & Carrying". www.strengthrecord.com. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
  10. "STRENGTH RECORD, Section 17 - Arm over Arm". www.strengthrecord.com. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  11. "Riku Kiri, FIN – Strongman & Powerlifter". Irish Strength Association. Retrieved 8 February 2015.