Phil Pfister has become the first American in 24 years to win the World's Strongest M

[Phreezer]

Charleston firefighter Phil Pfister has become the first American in 24 years to win the World's Strongest Man competition.

But it hasn't gone to his head. A weary Pfister was back at work Tuesday, three days after capturing the 10-day competition in Sanya, China.

"I haven't even gotten a good night's sleep yet," Pfister said, the echoes of a scanner in the background.

The 6-foot-6, 325-pound Pfister beat 25 athletes from around the world in events such as bus pulls, car pushes, tire turns and stone lifts.

Bill Kazmaier, a Wisconsin native who now lives in Alabama, was the last American to own the title, winning from 1980 to 1982.

Kazmaier watched Pfister's performance and called Saturday "one of the greatest days of my life, without a doubt."

"I've watched him 10 years now develop and gain strength, both in body, mind and spirit," Kazmaier said Tuesday. "It couldn't have happened to a better man."

Pfister, 35, a firefighter since 1999, was in second place behind defending champion Mariusz Pudzianowski of Poland entering the last day of competition but won the last five events. He overtook Pudzianowski in the waning moments of the final event, in which competitors carry stones ranging from 220 to 352 pounds and place them on platforms in the quickest time.

"None of this has sunken in yet," said Pfister, who arrived back in West Virginia on Monday morning. "I haven't even gotten back on my feet. I've got a lot of thank you's to say."

Charleston's City Council plans to honor Pfister next week, said Rod Blackstone, a spokesman for Mayor Danny Jones.

Pfister has trained at various gyms, homes and even a shutdown city junior high school, where he built equipment to simulate the same lifts used in the competition. Pfister used the hallways to practice giant-tire flips and often shattered flooring when dropping weights, said Brandon Walters, a Charleston YMCA trainer.

"In the last year, I've noticed a huge improvement in his work ethic," Walters said. "He devoted and dedicated himself to becoming the best."

Arden Cogar, a Charleston attorney and champion professional lumberjack, spent significant time working out with Pfister last fall and spring, concentrating on building strength in Pfister's torso. That included simple but awkward movements such as walking lunges.

"To do Strongman, it takes a special person," Cogar said. "Those events are so grueling. It's the most physically demanding thing humanly possible. I could not do that."