If a first-timer puts themselves on the map during the 2022 World’s Strongest Man (WSM), they’re likely going to need a tentpole event. That seems to be no problem for strongman Kim Ujarak, who will make his WSM debut in late May.
On May 10, 2022, Ujarak powered through an intense deadlift ladder of…
- 330 kilograms (727.5 pounds)
- 350 kilograms (771.6 pounds)
- 370 kilograms (815.7 pounds)
- 390 kilograms (860 pounds).
He completed each pull from a conventional stance (a necessity by strongman rules) while wearing a lifting belt and wrist wraps. Ujarak had minimal rest between each pull, only stepping back and taking a short breath while two people added additional weight to his loaded barbell.
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Notably, the second step of Ujarak’s deadlift ladder — 350 kilograms (771.6 pounds) — eclipses the final weight of the 2022 WSM’s Deadlift Ladder event by almost 10 kilograms (22 pounds). Ujarak did not confirm whether he planned his training session with that closing figure in mind.
“Tough weights after the last four weeks of very tough training. That’s the last heavy deadlift until Worlds!”
Nonetheless, it is undoubtedly a potential great omen of his chances during the Qualifying Round event.
Ujarak at a Glance
At 29-years-old, Ujarak is a relatively new competitor in the international strongman sphere. According to Strongman Archives, here’s the Greenland native’s record of international strongman competitions to date:
Kim Ujarak | International Strongman Results
- 2018 Burn Showdown Battle of the North (Open) — Seventh place
- 2021 Magnús Ver Magnússon Strongman Classic (Open) — 10th place
Despite his international inexperience, Ujarak can point to some worthy accolades.
In October 2021, during the inaugural 2021 Arnold Strongman Classic UK, Ujarak won the Log & Deadlift Rep Championships on the Men’s side. He notched that victory by log-pressing 140 kilograms (309 pounds) six times in a minute.
The highlight of Ujarak’s career thus far might be his status as the five-time reigning Greenland’s Strongest Man (GSM) Champion (2017-2021). Since Greenland only began its strongman competitions in 2017, that technically means Ujarak is the country’s only-ever champion.
The WSM Lies Ahead
It was announced that Ujarak was part of the 2022 WSM roster in late March 2022. It will mark his first appearance in the prestigious competition. He’ll try to make a name for himself amongst some of the sport’s active greats like reigning champion Tom Stoltman, 2020 champion Oleksii Novikov, four-time winner Brian Shaw (2011, 2013, 2015-2016), and the victor in 2019, Martin Licis. Names like Chance “Trey” Mitchell and Adam Bishop could also be in play.
If Ujarak is to surprise his competitors with a quality performance, he’ll need to do well during the Qualifying Round. His deadlift ladder training session is an excellent step toward that goal.
The 2022 World’s Strongest Man will take place on May 24-29, 2022, in Sacramento, CA.
Featured image: @ujarak_strongman