Jesse Marunde

Jesse Marunde (September 14, 1979 – July 25, 2007) was an American strongman athlete who placed second in the 2005 World's Strongest Man competition.^[1] He is the brother of mixed martial artist Bristol Marunde.

Jesse Marunde

Personal information
Born	(1979-09-14)September 14, 1979 Glennallen, Alaska
Died	July 25, 2007(2007-07-25) (aged 27)
Occupation	Strongman
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Spouse	Callie Marunde-Best
Medal record Strongman Representing  United States World's Strongest Man Qualified 2002 World's Strongest Man Qualified 2003 World's Strongest Man 2nd 2005 World's Strongest Man Qualified 2006 World's Strongest Man All-American Strongman Challenge 3rd 2005 All-American Strongman Challenge 2nd 2006 All-American Strongman Challenge Strongman Super Series 2nd 2005 Venice Beach 3rd 2005 Poland 3rd 2005 Sweden 2nd 2005 Overall 2nd 2006 Mohegan Sun 3rd 2007 Venice Beach

Early life

Originally from Glennallen, Alaska, he later moved to Sequim, Washington. He was a high-school athlete, playing several sports, including Olympic lifting. He received an athletic scholarship to Montana State University, to play football.^[2] At age 18 he officially closed the No. 3 Captains of Crush Gripper, a hand gripper which requires 127 kg (280 lb)/ RGC 149 of pressure to close, and is the youngest person to achieve certified "Captain of Crush" status.^[3]

Strongman

In 2002, at age 22, Marunde was the youngest American ever to qualify for the 2002 World's Strongest Man.^[4] His second-place finish in 2005 behind Mariusz Pudzianowski made him the first American to place in the top two competitors since O.D. Wilson finished second in 1990, behind Jón Páll Sigmarsson. Marunde is also the first person to shoulder the 186 kg (410 lb) Odd Haugen Tombstone.^[5]

Death

On July 25, 2007 Marunde died following a workout in Sequim, Washington.^[6] The cause of his death was a genetic heart defect, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes.^[7] Jesse's widow Callie Marunde is now married to professional strongman competitor Nick Best.