On June 19, 2023, the organizers of the 2023 SC used an Instagram post to reveal that Polish strongman Mateusz Kieliszkowski had withdrawn from the latest edition of the contest, schedules for August 19-20 in Loveland, CO. Citing that Kieliszkowski wanted to take the time to get back into “fighting shape,” Welsh strongman Gavin Bilton was announced to take Kieliszkowski’s roster spot. The 2023 SC will mark Bilton’s debut in the contest’s fourth iteration later this summer.

After suffering a leg injury in the spring of 2022, Kieliszkowski returned to the strongman fray during the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC). The competition, where the Polish athlete finished as the runner-up to eventual WSM champion Mitchell Hooper, marked Kieliszkowski’s first competitive appearance in roughly a year and a half since his injury.

However, even with a strong second-place result at the early March contest, Kieliszkowski seemed to understand he likely wouldn’t be at his best possible physical condition before a 2023 WSM return, just over six weeks later. Such a prediction would come to fruition when the athlete didn’t make it out of Group 3 in the Qualifying Round.

At the time of this writing, with no specific details on the extent of Kieliszkowski’s capabilities or limitations, it appears the strongman is taking a step back to further emphasize recovery before pushing full throttle again sometime in the future. That could be a wise decision, considering a full-strength Kieliszkowski was a back-to-back runner-up at the 2018-2019 editions of the WSM.

Kieliszkowski’s absence will allow Bilton, a frequent fixture at strongman contests throughout any given competition year, to try and make his mark at the 2023 SC for the first time. Bilton recently won the 2023 Strongman Champions League (SCL) Serbia and could be riding a wave of momentum into another stellar performance. Notably, Bilton was also the runner-up at the 2023 Britain’s Strongest Man (BSM), falling just short of the victor Adam Bishop.

Bilton and the rest of the roster in Colorado will be chasing Trey Mitchell, who is the two-time defending champion of the SC (2021-2022). Mitchell defeated the eponymous Shaw on both occasions for the two consecutive titles.

Whatever happens at the 2023 SC, it figures to be quite the dynamic show of strength. With a roster featuring Mitchell, Shaw, Hooper, and now Bilton, this Colorado battle is shaping up to provide an excellent test for everyone involved.

Featured image: @theshawclassic on Instagram

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Joining Bilton on the 2023 SCL Serbia podium was Turkey’s Fatih Karaca (second place) and the Netherlands’ Kelvin de Ruiter (third place). Per his Strongman Archives page, this SCL Serbia runner-up result is by far the best of Karaca’s young career at the age of 28. Meanwhile, de Ruiter is a bit more seasoned, having participated in 33 international competitions throughout his professional strongman ventures. This contest was de Ruiter’s first podium result since a victory in the 2022 SCL Romania.

Here are the final standings from the 2023 SCL Serbia:

2023 Strongman Champions League Serbia | Final Standings

1. Gavin Bilton — 56 points | 2023 SCL Serbia Champion
2. Fatih Karaca — 52.5 points
3. Kelvin de Ruiter — 49 points
4. Andrea Invernizzi — 46 points
5. Peter Juhasz — 44.5 points
6. Evans Aryee — 37 points
7. Nemanja Tasic — 36 points
8. Damir Stroil — 35.5 points
9. Jarkko Mehtälä  — 34.5 points
10. Jonathan Cotton — 23 points
11. Hristo Muskov — 20 points
12. Andy Black — Five points
13. Ervin Toots — One point

In a post on his Instagram, Bilton was appreciative of the spirit of competition and what he was ultimately able to achieve at the 2023 SCL Serbia.

“Had a great weekend competing out in Serbia against an awesome group of athletes,” Bilton wrote. “Very happy with the win, and what better way to finish a tough show by carrying four people on a Yoke. A first time for everything. Belief conquers all.”

To date, the most noteworthy accomplishments of Bilton’s strongman career might be his two back-to-back UKSM titles (2020-2021). Bilton is also a four-time competitor (2020-2023) at the annual World’s Strongest Man (WSM) but has never advanced to the Finals.

Bilton’s win in the 2023 SCL Serbia could be considered a worthy breakthrough moment for a prolific strongman competitor. His streak of near-victories and berths culminates with this triumph, and it almost certainly won’t be the last for the Welshman.

Featured image: @gavin_the_bull_bilton on Instagram

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The news comes less than a week before the contest kicks off on July 9, 2022, at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England. Gavin Bilton, the 2021 UK’s Strongest Man, was revealed to be Bishop’s replacement, rounding out the 12-person roster.

 

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Bishop’s withdrawal from the Strongman Classic follows Konstantine Janashia’s mid-June 2022 departure from the competition. Canada’s Maxime Boudreault took his place. Rising strongman star Mitchell Hooper was named the final Wild Card addition to the contest early last month.

Bishop’s Injury

In a later post on his Instagram, Bishop revealed that he was withdrawing from the Strongman Classic because of a recent, unfortunate tear of the medial third of his left triceps tendon during training. The strongman broke down some of the details in the post’s caption.

Bilton’s New Shot

As a seasoned veteran with a few years of experience, another shot at the Strongman Classic could prove fruitful for Bilton. In his first appearance at the contest in 2021, the strongman finished in eighth place. That experience might equip him for a better result this year. Some of Bilton’s recent exploits include a third-place result at the 2022 Strongman Champions League Holland and a fourth-place finish in Group 4 of the Qualifying Round at the 2022 World’s Strongest Man (WSM).

Among some of the more noteworthy names on this year’s roster, Bilton will have to beat Oleksii Novikov — the defending Strongman Classic Champion.

Here is where the current 2022 Giants Live Strongman Classic roster stands:

2022 Strongman Classic Roster

• Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine) — Defending Champion
• Evan Singleton (United States) — 2021 second place
• Chieck “Iron Biby” Sanou* (Burkina Faso) — 2021 third place
• Paul Smith (United Kingdom)
• Ken McClelland (United States)
• Maxime Boudreault (Canada)
• Rob Kearney (United States)
• Andy Black (United Kingdom)
• Mark Felix (United Kingdom)
• Spenser Remick (United States)
• Gavin Bilton (United Kingdom)
• Mitchell Hooper (Canada)

*Recent reports show that Sanou has withdrawn from the competition.

Here are the events for this year’s Strongman Classic:

2022 Strongman Classic Events

• Dumbbell Medley
• The Pillars of Hercules
• Farmer’s Carry for Distance
• Axle Deadlift
• Castle Stones

 

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With the Strongman Classic just around the corner on July 9, 2022, a victory could be possible for anyone in a competitive field. Novikov will assuredly put his best foot forward for a repeat title, but late additions like Bilton could make that mission difficult.

Featured image: @giantslivestrongman on Instagram

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