Former defending ESM champion and fellow Ukrainian countryman Oleksii Novikov finished in second place. Novikov was notably nursing a recent minor lat muscle injury, and that may have played a part in falling short of defending his title. According to Strongman Archives, despite the injury and runner-up result, it is Novikov’s eighth podium placing in his last nine contests dating back to early 2022. Rounding out this year’s ESM podium was Latvia’s Aivars Šmaukstelis, winner of the 2022 World Strongman Championships (WSC), in third place. It is Šmaukstelis’ seventh consecutive podium result dating back to August 2022.

The 2023 ESM featured five events in this order:

• Log Press Ladder
• Load and Push Race
• Deadlift for Reps
• Conan’s Wheel
• Castle Stones

To notch his victory, Kordiyaka won the Log Press Ladder (five lifts in 52.55 seconds), the Load and Push Race (a time of 44.14 seconds), and the Conan’s Wheel (with a rotation of 1009-degrees; almost three complete revolutions). That rotation length is a new World Record on the Conan’s Wheel. Kordiyaka recorded three reps of the 350-kilogram (771.6-pound) Deadlift in one minute for sixth place. The athlete ranked second on the Castle Stones (an Atlas Stones variation) when he lifted all five in 21.76 seconds. Only Šmaukstelis fared better (five in 20.47 seconds).

Here are the final standings from the 2023 ESM:

2023 Europe’s Strongest Man Final Standings

• Pavlo Kordiyaka (Ukraine) — 57.5 points
• Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine) — 53.5 points
• Aivars Šmaukstelis (Latvia) — 51.5 points
• Eythór Ingólfsson Melsted (Iceland) — 45.5 points
• Adam Bishop (United Kingdom) — 41.5 points
• Shane Flowers (United Kingdom) — 37 points
• Pa O’Dwyer (Ireland) — 36.5 points
• Konstantine Janashia (Georgia) — 30.5 points
• Dennis Kohlruss (Germany) — 26 points
• Paul Smith (United Kingdom) — 25.5 points
• Gavin Bilton (United Kingdom) — 17.5 points
• Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf (France) — 16.5 points
• Graham Hicks (United Kingdom) — 8 points

Per Strongman Archives, this ESM triumph could arguably be the best of Kordiyaka’s career to date. The 27-year-old can also boast wins in the 2020 Ukraine’s Strongest Man (USM), the 2021 Official Strongman Games (OSG), and the 2022 Marijampole International. His previous best finish in the ESM was a fourth-place debut in 2022.

Kordiyaka will next compete in the 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) on Apr. 19-23, 2023, in Myrtle Beach, SC. He failed to advance to the Final in his 2022 WSM debut. Momentum from his 2023 ESM win might push Kordiyaka to thrive on this next occasion.

Featured image: @pavlo_kordiyaka on Instagram

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During a Mar. 18, 2023, YouTube video, Novikov revealed he suffered “a small tear” in his lat muscle during a training session in preparation for the upcoming 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man (ESM) and World’s Strongest Man (WSM) contests. Novikov didn’t disclose precisely when the injury occurred or its exact degree, but characterized it as a minor ailment suffered at some point during a sandbag-focused workout.

He will proceed with his plans to compete in the 2023 ESM on Apr. 1 in Leeds, England, and the 2023 WSM on Apr. 19-23, 2023, in Myrtle Beach, SC. Novikov is the defending ESM champion and the winner of the 2020 WSM.

Despite his injury, Novikov made it seem like it wasn’t much of a hindrance. The video of his reveal featured the strongman powering through various upper-body centric movements including a standing log press, an incline press with the same log implement, and even the famed Fingal’s Fingers: a staple event at many strongman contests.

At the same time, a careful Novikov maintained he wasn’t trying to “activate” his lat muscles as much as he normally would. Novikov’s resolve to defend his ESM title and vie for a second career WSM championship might be admirable, but the injury could put a hitch into his plans. If the strongman is anything less than 100% at either competition — again, the exact timeline and nature of his injury and ensuing recovery process are unknown at the time of this writing — it could potentially impact both respective podiums.

Here is the roster for the 2023 ESM at the time of this article’s publication:

2023 Europe’s Strongest Man Roster

• Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine) — Reigning Champion
• Pavlo Kordiyaka (Ukraine)
• Konstantine Janashia (Georgia)
• Rauno Heinla (Estonia)
• Aivars Šmaukstelis (Latvia)
• Eythór Ingólfsson Melsted (Iceland)
• Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf (France)
• Dennis Kohlruss (Germany)
• Pa O’Dwyer (Ireland)
• Paul Smith (United Kingdom)
• Adam Bishop (United Kingdom)
• Gavin Bilton (United Kingdom)
• Graham Hicks (United Kingdom)
• Shane Flowers (United Kingdom)

Here is the 2023 WSM roster:

• Tom Stoltman (United Kingdom) — Reigning two-time WSM Champion
• Pavlo Kordiyaka (Ukraine)
• Evan Singleton (United States)
• Mitchell Hooper (Canada)
• Trey Mitchell (United States)
• Adam Bishop (United Kingdom)
• Aivars Šmaukstelis (Latvia)
• Kevin Faires (United States)
• Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted (Iceland)
• Paul Smith (United Kingdom)
• Rauno Heinla (Estonia)
• Bobby Thompson (United States)
• Mateusz Kieliszkowski (Poland)
• Gavin Bilton (United Kingdom)
• Spenser Remick (United States)
• Eddie Williams (Australia)
• Pavlo Nakonechnyy (Ukraine)
• Konstantine Janashia (Georgia)
• Graham Hicks (United Kingdom)
• Luke Stoltman (United Kingdom)
• Mathew Ragg (New Zealand)
• Gabriel Rhéaume (Canada)
• Brian Shaw (United States)
• Jaco Schoonwinkel (South Africa)
• Mark Felix (Grenada)
• Fadi El Masri (Lebanon)
• *Maxime Boudreault (Canada) (qualified but withdrew due to shin injury)

According to Strongman Archives, Novikov recorded a podium finish in seven of eight competitive strongman appearances in 2022. In addition to his ESM victory, the athlete was triumphant in the 2022 Giants Live Strongman Classic and the 2022 Strongman Rogue Invitational. Novikov finished in third place behind Martins Licis (second) and two-time reigning champion Tom Stoltman at the 2022 WSM.

It appears Novikov won’t let any obstacles get in his way of fruitful 2023 performances. Whether he can persevere through his injury and still shine at the 2023 ESM and WSM remains to be seen. Regardless, something says this superstar will find the means to make it all come together beautifully.

Featured image: Oleksii Novikov [ENG] / YouTube

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Nakonechnyy suffered his knee injury on March 4, during the deadlift event at the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC). The strongman tied with two-time WSM champion (2021-2022) Tom Stoltman for sixth place during the contest, while fellow young star Mitchell Hooper was the eventual ASC winner. The ESM roster, featuring Ukrainian countryman and defending champion Oleksii Novikov, will now soldier on without Nakonechnyy.

In the wake of Nakonechnyy’s withdrawal, the Giants Live organization revealed that 2022 England’s Strongest Man Paul Smith would take the athlete’s vacated spot. Shane Flowers will round out the ESM roster as the 14th athlete. The international competition features nine different countries in representation.

At the time of this article’s publication, here is the complete 2023 ESM roster as it stands:

2023 Europe’s Strongest Man Roster

• Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine) — Reigning Champion
• Pavlo Kordiyaka (Ukraine)
• Konstantine Janashia (Georgia)
• Rauno Heinla (Estonia)
• Aivars Šmaukstelis (Latvia)
• Eythór Ingólfsson Melsted (Iceland)
• Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf (France)
• Dennis Kohlruss (Germany)
• Pa O’Dwyer (Ireland)
• Paul Smith (United Kingdom)
• Adam Bishop (United Kingdom)
• Gavin Bilton (United Kingdom)
• Graham Hicks (United Kingdom)
• Shane Flowers (United Kingdom)

Here is an overview of the events confirmed for the 2023 ESM:

2023 Europe’s Strongest Man Events

• Log Press Ladder
• Load and Push Race
• Deadlift for Reps
• Conan’s Wheel
• Castle Stones

The 2023 ESM will be a single-day competition comprised of five different events. At the time of this writing, specifics have not been clarified on each event’s details. Information involving exact implements, weights, and potential formats could be disclosed in the near future.

At age 25, per Strongman Archives, Nakonechnyy is still relatively new to the strongman scene. While he’s been competing since September 2019, the strongman may have officially broken out with his first victory in the 2022 Giants Live World Open. He followed that performance up with a fourth-place result at the 2022 Giants Live World Tour Finals, a fifth-place finish at the 2022 Strongman Rogue Invitational, and his sixth-place ranking at the 2023 ASC.

As Nakonechnyy’s first WSM appearance nears, only time will tell how the ascending strongman heals and potentially shines in South Carolina.

Featured image: @giantslivestrongman on Instagram

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2023 Europe’s Strongest Man Events

The 2023 ESM will be a single-day competition comprised of five distinct events. Here’s an overview of the events for the European strongman contest.

• Log Press Ladder
• Load & Push Race
• Deadlift for Reps
• Conan’s Wheel
• Castle Stones

At the time of this writing, specifics have not been offered on the details of each event. Such information concerning exact implements, weights, and potential formats may be shared at a later date.

Novikov is the defending ESM champion, but there is no shortage of potential top contenders for his title. Athletes to watch might include fellow Ukrainian countryman Pavlo Nakonechnyy, who captured a victory in the 2022 Giants Live World Open last summer. The third-place finisher from the 2022 ESM, Georgia’s Konstantine Janashia, should probably also not be discounted. Two-time Britain’s Strongest Man (2020, 2023) and 2020 ESM runner-up Adam Bishop could be another one to watch.

As for a dark horse, Masters deadlift World Record holder Rauno Heinla could also be in the mix, as the Estonian possesses the requisite power for a shorter contest like the 2023 ESM, compared to multi-day contests like the World’s Strongest Man. Heinla had to withdraw after the third event during the 2022 ESM and may be seeking a degree of redemption.

Here’s an overview of the complete roster for the 2023 ESM:

2023 Europe’s Strongest Man Roster

• Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine) — Reigning Champion
• Pavlo Nakonechnyy (Ukraine)
• Pavlo Kordiyaka (Ukraine)
• Konstantine Janashia (Georgia)
• Rauno Heinla (Estonia)
• Aivars Šmaukstelis (Latvia)
• Eythór Ingólfsson Melsted (Iceland)
• Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf (France)
• Dennis Kohlruss (Germany)
• Pa O’Dwyer (Ireland)
• Adam Bishop (United Kingdom)
• Gavin Bilton (United Kingdom)
• Graham Hicks (United Kingdom)
• Paul Smith (United Kingdom) — Reserve

Notably, some events, like the Log Press Ladder and Castle Stones (an Atlas Stone name variation), could be game-changers for competitors. That’s because two-time reigning World’s Strongest Man (WSM) champion Tom Stoltman and his brother Luke Stoltman (the 2022 runner-up), who are proficient in both, are not participating in this year’s ESM iteration. Such a development potentially leaves a lot of points on the table for the prospective winner.

Only time will tell whether Novikov can build on his ESM title. The Ukrainian athlete will likely enter this ESM as a heavy favorite to win. However, with the precise format unknown and a few new faces on the roster, it would be anyone’s competition to take a stranglehold of.

Featured image: @novikov_strong_wsm on Instagram

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On Jan. 16, 2023, Novikov posted a Q&A video to the English version of his YouTube channel, breaking down his upcoming plans for the 2023 calendar year. Among the more notable revelations is that Novikov will try to build on his Hummer Tire Deadlift World Record by successfully pulling 600 kilograms (1,322.7 pounds) at the next iteration of the Shaw Classic, on August 19-20, 2023. This mark would be an astonishing 51 kilograms (112.3 pounds) over his current record achievement.

In discussing why he wanted to extend his Hummer Tire Deadlift record by such a staggering amount, Novikov noted that he didn’t really prepare much before the pull in 2022. He believes that a greater commitment to the process this time around could only result in a dramatic leap skyward as he tries to separate himself from his peers.

“I would also like to go to the Shaw Classic and pull 600 kilograms (1,322.7 pounds) in this [Hummer] Tire Deadlift,” Novikov said. “Because last year I did 549 kilograms (1,210 pounds), now I want to pull 600 kilograms to close the topic about this deadlift. Last time, I didn’t train it at all.”

Aside from extending record marks, Novikov unsurprisingly plans to defend his ESM and RI titles. The 2023 ESM is scheduled for Apr. 1, 2023, in Leeds, England, and the 2023 RI will likely take place in Fall 2023 on a yet unconfirmed date. Plus, while he was unsure about scheduling, Novikov maintained he will appear at a measure of Giants Live competitions, too.

Last but certainly not least, the strongman will vie for another WSM title on Apr. 18-23, 2023, in Myrtle Beach, SC. If he successfully dethrones the reigning two-time champion, Tom Stoltman, it would be Novikov’s second WSM victory in four years.

“What I am planning at the moment is the Europe’s Strongest Man, the World’s Strongest Man, and the Rogue [Invitational],” Novikov said. “That’s what I want. I also don’t know exactly all the dates and events of Giants Live. So, if it is all OK, I’ll confirm myself competing there.”

Some athletes put their minds to their tasks and achieve nominally great things on occasion. Novikov is, again, not like other athletes. When he has a goal in his crosshairs, chances are he’ll reach it and exceed all expectations.

Featured image: @novikov_strong_wsm / Instagram

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