Jouko Ahola

Jouko Ahola (born 1 December 1970) is a Finnish former strongman, powerlifter and actor. He is a two times World's Strongest Man winner, a two times Europe's Strongest Man winner, and a World Muscle Power Classic winner.

With a career 48% international winning percentage with 12 wins, he is also regarded as one of the best pound for pound strongmen in history.

Strongman 1994–1996 Ahola started his career with the 1994 European Hercules competition. The following year he won 1995 World Strongman Challenge in Russia and then 1995 Europe's Strongest Man. He then won 1996 European Hercules and broke two stonelifting world records and another world record in the car walk event, walking a car for 27.6 metres.

1997 Ahola started the year by winning 1997 Finland's Strongest Man and placing second in the 1997 European Hercules. He then participated in his first World's Strongest Man competition and won 1997 World's Strongest Man held in Nevada, winning it in his very first appearance. Together with Riku Kiri, Ahola also won the World's Strongest Team competition. becoming a two times champion. To this day, he is one of only ten men to be a repeat champion. He also managed to win 1999 IFSA Finland Grand Prix, 1999 Atlantic Giant, 1999 Beauty and the Beast, and together with Janne Virtanen, won World's Strongest Team again. Deadlift – raw Crucifix hold – for 44.59 seconds (1999 IFSA Finland Grand Prix) (World Record) Crucifix hold – for 97.53 seconds (1998 Strongest Man Alive) (World Record)

Ahola starred in Werner Herzog's 2001 film Invincible as early 20th century Jewish strongman Zishe Breitbart. 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.

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

Filmography

Miscellaneous He regards Arnold Schwarzenegger as his role model. His nickname is "Jokke." His name is often misspelled as Juoko Ahola, Finnish for "Does Ahola drink?"