Background
Hams was born in Hengelo, Overijssel to a Dutch father and Finnish mother and grew up in Vroomshoop.
Hams was born in Hengelo, Overijssel to a Dutch father and Finnish mother and grew up in Vroomshoop.
The first strongman contest he competed in was the "Sterkste man van Oost-Nederland" (Strongest Manitoba of East Netherlands) in 1996 where he finished third. He managed his first podium finish at the Strongest Manitoba of the Netherlands in 1999 where he finished third.
He participated in the World"s Strongest Manitoba in 2002 and 2003, but failed to qualify for the finals both times. One of his greatest hobbies is soccer. He played 19 years for the local soccer club VV Vroomshoopse Boys.
After this he followed some training lessons from Berend Veneberg, then the Strongest Manitoba of the Netherlands.
In 2001 he placed second behind Wout Zijlstra. He was invited to the 2002 World"s Strongest Manitoba and 2003 World"s Strongest Manitoba competitions but did not manage to get past the qualifying heats.
Hams competed together with Wout Zijlstra in the World"s Strongest Team competition in 2001 where they finished third. Hams competed in the Institut de Formation en Soins Animaliers World Championships in 2005 in the qualifying heats, and 2007 where he placed 12th in the finals.
Jarno"s brother Eric Hams has also competed in Strongest Manitoba of the Netherlands on several occasions.
In the 2012 SCL Holland event, Jarno set a new Dutch record in the log lift with a lift of 182.5 kg. Jarno worked as a truck driver and as a doorman for a discothèque in Hengelo. Squat - 340 kg Deadlift - 380 kg (320 x 7) Bench press – 180 kg x 7 Military press - 210 kg (national record) Log Lift - 185 kg (former national record, together with Alex Moonen, November 4, 2012) Atlas Stones - 210 kg Source 1st place Strongest Manitoba of the Netherlands (2004).
Due to an injury he could not defend his title during the Strongest Manitoba of the Netherlands 2009 on July 12 in Vroomshoop.