Matt Wanat

Matt Wanat is a professional strongman competitor from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, born on 16 September 1975. After playing football as a walk-on at the University of Iowa he studied chemical engineering and began competing in strongman in 2003, taking second place at his first contest. He earned his pro card in June 2005 at the Strongest Man on Grand contest in St. Paul, Minnesota, and placed seventh at America's Strongest Man in 2007. He has also competed in Strongman Champions League events in Finland, Holland, Slovakia, Serbia, South Africa and Gibraltar, and his recent accomplishments include fifth place at the World Loglift Championships in Vilnius, Lithuania. He names Bill Kazmaier, Zydrunas Savickas and Karl Gillingham as his biggest influences.