Magnus Rikiya's quest for strength began in kindergarten when he watched Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson win the title of World's Strongest Man. He talked his parents ears off about that event for a month before they signed him up for a physical education class. They did not allow weightlifting due to pediatric recommendations, but the class was at least able to provide him an outlet for his endless energy. It would also provide the foundation for his quest to become the world's strongest.
He was allowed to begin weight training at the tender age of nine and it was then that his true talent was discovered. Whether he was gifted towards it or not he would have continued, but luckily for young Magnus he had the gift. Even as an elementary school student he was able out lift the average high school student after just a month of dedicated training. His passion for the project was enough to guarantee his parents support for his quest to become the world's strongest.
Although his parents were supportive they expected Magnus to gain interest in other things as he aged, but his drive for strength never stopped. Even in middle school with dances and girls his focus was always on his own strength. That is not to say that he was oblivious to the world around him though as there were several times that he put his strength to good use for those around him. There were no bullies left in his middle school by the time he reached his second year there as they realized not to interfere with his quest to become the world's strongest.
High school was where Magnus found his second passion as he caught the attention of Fordyce's quarterback when he won a fight that the offensive line had picked with him in his first week at the school. The sly wheeling and dealing quarterback talked to Mr. and Mrs. Rikiya and managed to recruit their son to the football team the same day. Even as a freshman with he took over as their starting nose tackle and left guard where his superb strength more than made up for his lack of experience. It was in those positions where he realized that this competition would serve as an important step in his quest to become the world's strongest.
The difference he made in his first season with the team was tremendous as they averaged over 200 more rushing yards per game compared to the previous season. Despite this they were able to see even then that he was better suited to the defensive side of the ball. He was undeniably team MVP as nose tackle as they did not give up a single rushing touchdown all season thanks to his ability to dominate the line of scrimmage. This made him a superstar in the school and the surrounding area, but his focus remained on his quest to become the world's strongest.
He made a jump his sophomore year as he earned countrywide recognition for his ability on the inside. Working with a unique running back committee their team was able to lead the country in rushing yards thanks to his ability to block as a guard on offense. His sophomore season even saw him score his first offensive touchdown as a fullback on the goal line in the state championship. Of course he was more proud of the strip six that he got on defense though as it was more befitting of his quest to become the world's strongest.
Him getting a goal line carry in big games was a tradition his coach deemed nice enough to repeat his junior year, but unfortunately they came up short in the championship game. While their offense was productive it did not match the quick pass plays of their opponent. Despite all of his strength Magnus found himself unable to disrupt their passing patterns as he was too slow. The frustration of losing even though he was the superior strength served as perfect motivation on his quest to become the world's strongest.
His senior year he earned the badge of being the world's strongest high school student as he controlled the line of scrimmage to perfection. Every run that came behind him on offense went for a first down that season. Meanwhile on defense he continued his streak of not allowing any rushing touchdowns up the middle, and upped the ante by not allowing a single rushing first down up the middle. He carried this dominance into the championship game where he got his revenge against the quick passing players of last year. It does not matter whether you are slow or fast if you can sack the opposing quarterback by throwing his own offensive linemen into him. Getting revenge by virtue of his superior strength immersed him even further in his quest to become the world's strongest.
Magnus was a five star recruit and chased after by dozens of schools, but ultimately decided on The University of Washington because of their School of Medicine. While his borderline superhuman strength did not mean as much in college against similar athletes he still held his own even as a true freshman. It took a bit of an adjustment period for him to get his strength to work in the college game, but once it did he resumed the dominance he displayed in high school. His first season earned him recognition as a Second Team All-Pac-12 and Freshman Defensive Player of the Year as he continued on his quest to become the world's strongest.
Just like in high school Magnus' sophomore season saw several steps taken in his game. He had grown strong enough to overwhelm even his fellow college athletes as he manhandled everyone at the line of scrimmage. The terror that he inflicted on them served him well in acquiring individual accolades as he was First Team All-Pac-12 and was awarded the Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year award. Although the award that he cherished most was the Morris Trophy as it proved his fellow competitors had recognized the effort he put in on his quest to become the world's strongest.
Magnus' junior season got off to a terrific start just like his sophomore season. Just a few games into the season and he was already the favorite to win defensive player of the year yet again. Every game he was in he recorded a sack and a turnover on his way to prove just dominant his strength could be. Unfortunately his junior season ended early after a tragic car accident where he saved a young child's life, but at the cost of his arms and possibly his quest to become the world's strongest.
Over half a season of game experience was lost to the injury and all of the doctors he went to warned him that he may never be able to regain the strength that was lost. Luckily for him it was then that he met the person that would become his spouse. A young doctor in training at the university who believed they could not only help him regain his strength, but believed that he would be able to gain even more strength. Together with that lovely young doctor Magnus was able to continue on his quest to become the world's strongest.
Although he was able to continue his quest it still required a detour due to the doctor's recommendations. He would not be able to recover his strength in time for his senior year, but he refused to let his team down just because of a few shattered bones. So Magnus set to work training both his legs and his mind. Even if he could only recover a portion of his strength if he could make up the deficit with film study and footwork he would be of value to the team. Right now being of value to the team that supported him through his recovery was more important than his quest to become the world's strongest.
It was clear from the first snap that he had lost the herculean strength that made Magnus Rikiya a borderline household name. However just as clear was the burst of speed that he had acquired thanks to the training he went through. Combined with the intense film study that he had undergone and he was able to increase his sack numbers relative to his dominant sophomore season. His new all around approach allowed him to take home First Team All-Pac-12 honors yet again, and to put another Morris Trophy on his shelf as he continued his quest to become the world's strongest.
When the combine came around all eyes were on him as he set out to prove that he had regained enough strength to compete in the DSFL. Before he had a chance to do that though he had to run the forty yard dash. It was there that he would prove himself worthy of being drafted as he ran the forty in five seconds flat despite his three hundred pound frame. All of the commentators agreed a man that size should not be able to move that fast, but it made perfect sense to a man on a quest to become the world's strongest.
While the bench press was the event that had the most eyes on him; it was also the event that he dreaded the most. He knew that he would not reach the highs he had before his accident, but he had to give it his all anyway. Unfortunately he was right about being unable to reach his previous personal best repetition mark. Thankfully that did not matter much as he was able to put up thirty-five reps and prove himself worthy of an opportunity in the DSFL that would serve as yet another stepping stone on his quest to become the world's strongest.
His performance quickly raised questions from the assembled media on whether this meant that his goal to be the world's strongest was over now. It did not take him long to give them a response that would make headlines. "That is a good question since I originally wanted to become the physically strongest person in the world, and if I'm honest that is still my goal. Now though; I also want to be the best teammate, the best competitor, the best husband, and down the road the best father that I can be. So the definition may not be the exact same as it was back when I was in high school or elementary school, but I will never give up on my quest to become the world's strongest."
He was allowed to begin weight training at the tender age of nine and it was then that his true talent was discovered. Whether he was gifted towards it or not he would have continued, but luckily for young Magnus he had the gift. Even as an elementary school student he was able out lift the average high school student after just a month of dedicated training. His passion for the project was enough to guarantee his parents support for his quest to become the world's strongest.
Although his parents were supportive they expected Magnus to gain interest in other things as he aged, but his drive for strength never stopped. Even in middle school with dances and girls his focus was always on his own strength. That is not to say that he was oblivious to the world around him though as there were several times that he put his strength to good use for those around him. There were no bullies left in his middle school by the time he reached his second year there as they realized not to interfere with his quest to become the world's strongest.
High school was where Magnus found his second passion as he caught the attention of Fordyce's quarterback when he won a fight that the offensive line had picked with him in his first week at the school. The sly wheeling and dealing quarterback talked to Mr. and Mrs. Rikiya and managed to recruit their son to the football team the same day. Even as a freshman with he took over as their starting nose tackle and left guard where his superb strength more than made up for his lack of experience. It was in those positions where he realized that this competition would serve as an important step in his quest to become the world's strongest.
The difference he made in his first season with the team was tremendous as they averaged over 200 more rushing yards per game compared to the previous season. Despite this they were able to see even then that he was better suited to the defensive side of the ball. He was undeniably team MVP as nose tackle as they did not give up a single rushing touchdown all season thanks to his ability to dominate the line of scrimmage. This made him a superstar in the school and the surrounding area, but his focus remained on his quest to become the world's strongest.
He made a jump his sophomore year as he earned countrywide recognition for his ability on the inside. Working with a unique running back committee their team was able to lead the country in rushing yards thanks to his ability to block as a guard on offense. His sophomore season even saw him score his first offensive touchdown as a fullback on the goal line in the state championship. Of course he was more proud of the strip six that he got on defense though as it was more befitting of his quest to become the world's strongest.
Him getting a goal line carry in big games was a tradition his coach deemed nice enough to repeat his junior year, but unfortunately they came up short in the championship game. While their offense was productive it did not match the quick pass plays of their opponent. Despite all of his strength Magnus found himself unable to disrupt their passing patterns as he was too slow. The frustration of losing even though he was the superior strength served as perfect motivation on his quest to become the world's strongest.
His senior year he earned the badge of being the world's strongest high school student as he controlled the line of scrimmage to perfection. Every run that came behind him on offense went for a first down that season. Meanwhile on defense he continued his streak of not allowing any rushing touchdowns up the middle, and upped the ante by not allowing a single rushing first down up the middle. He carried this dominance into the championship game where he got his revenge against the quick passing players of last year. It does not matter whether you are slow or fast if you can sack the opposing quarterback by throwing his own offensive linemen into him. Getting revenge by virtue of his superior strength immersed him even further in his quest to become the world's strongest.
Magnus was a five star recruit and chased after by dozens of schools, but ultimately decided on The University of Washington because of their School of Medicine. While his borderline superhuman strength did not mean as much in college against similar athletes he still held his own even as a true freshman. It took a bit of an adjustment period for him to get his strength to work in the college game, but once it did he resumed the dominance he displayed in high school. His first season earned him recognition as a Second Team All-Pac-12 and Freshman Defensive Player of the Year as he continued on his quest to become the world's strongest.
Just like in high school Magnus' sophomore season saw several steps taken in his game. He had grown strong enough to overwhelm even his fellow college athletes as he manhandled everyone at the line of scrimmage. The terror that he inflicted on them served him well in acquiring individual accolades as he was First Team All-Pac-12 and was awarded the Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year award. Although the award that he cherished most was the Morris Trophy as it proved his fellow competitors had recognized the effort he put in on his quest to become the world's strongest.
Magnus' junior season got off to a terrific start just like his sophomore season. Just a few games into the season and he was already the favorite to win defensive player of the year yet again. Every game he was in he recorded a sack and a turnover on his way to prove just dominant his strength could be. Unfortunately his junior season ended early after a tragic car accident where he saved a young child's life, but at the cost of his arms and possibly his quest to become the world's strongest.
Over half a season of game experience was lost to the injury and all of the doctors he went to warned him that he may never be able to regain the strength that was lost. Luckily for him it was then that he met the person that would become his spouse. A young doctor in training at the university who believed they could not only help him regain his strength, but believed that he would be able to gain even more strength. Together with that lovely young doctor Magnus was able to continue on his quest to become the world's strongest.
Although he was able to continue his quest it still required a detour due to the doctor's recommendations. He would not be able to recover his strength in time for his senior year, but he refused to let his team down just because of a few shattered bones. So Magnus set to work training both his legs and his mind. Even if he could only recover a portion of his strength if he could make up the deficit with film study and footwork he would be of value to the team. Right now being of value to the team that supported him through his recovery was more important than his quest to become the world's strongest.
It was clear from the first snap that he had lost the herculean strength that made Magnus Rikiya a borderline household name. However just as clear was the burst of speed that he had acquired thanks to the training he went through. Combined with the intense film study that he had undergone and he was able to increase his sack numbers relative to his dominant sophomore season. His new all around approach allowed him to take home First Team All-Pac-12 honors yet again, and to put another Morris Trophy on his shelf as he continued his quest to become the world's strongest.
When the combine came around all eyes were on him as he set out to prove that he had regained enough strength to compete in the DSFL. Before he had a chance to do that though he had to run the forty yard dash. It was there that he would prove himself worthy of being drafted as he ran the forty in five seconds flat despite his three hundred pound frame. All of the commentators agreed a man that size should not be able to move that fast, but it made perfect sense to a man on a quest to become the world's strongest.
While the bench press was the event that had the most eyes on him; it was also the event that he dreaded the most. He knew that he would not reach the highs he had before his accident, but he had to give it his all anyway. Unfortunately he was right about being unable to reach his previous personal best repetition mark. Thankfully that did not matter much as he was able to put up thirty-five reps and prove himself worthy of an opportunity in the DSFL that would serve as yet another stepping stone on his quest to become the world's strongest.
His performance quickly raised questions from the assembled media on whether this meant that his goal to be the world's strongest was over now. It did not take him long to give them a response that would make headlines. "That is a good question since I originally wanted to become the physically strongest person in the world, and if I'm honest that is still my goal. Now though; I also want to be the best teammate, the best competitor, the best husband, and down the road the best father that I can be. So the definition may not be the exact same as it was back when I was in high school or elementary school, but I will never give up on my quest to become the world's strongest."