HARRISBURG - Local strongman Mike Jenkins has undergone knee surgery and will not be able to defend his title at the 2013 Arnold Classic.
Jenkins said he underwent surgery on Thursday to clean up some loose cartilage and arthritis in his left knee. Surgery was a last resort; he had been battling knee pain for awhile but had still hoped to compete.
He won the 2012 Arnold Strongman Classic; setting several world records, including the Circus Dumbbell and Timber Carry. He lifted his 255 lb. dumbbell seven times, breaking the old record he set in 2011. He also posted a world-record time in the Timber Carry; he carried approximately 881 lbs. (400kg) up a 36-foot long inclined ramp in a mere 7.4 seconds.
He also set a world record in the Austrian Oak.
Jenkins is originally from Westminster, Maryland, but now resides in Dauphin County.
The 6'5," 395-pound Jenkins hopes to be healthy enough to compete in the America's Strongest Man competition in June.
Jenkins finished fifth -- according to reports -- in the 2012 World's Strongest Man, which will air Sunday afternoon on ESPN. Jenkins is not allowed to disclose how he finished, per his contract with the event. The finals took place on September 30-October 1.
