On July 17, 2023, Kordiyaka posted a video to his Instagram page where he locked out a log press of 183 kilograms (403.4 pounds) for three reps and later completed a 130-kilogram (286.6-pound) power snatch. Per the caption of the strongman’s post, the recorded training session is part of his ongoing preparation for the 2023 SC on August 19-20, 2023, in Loveland, CO.

Kordiyaka’s profile may be lesser known than some of his peers, like the reigning WSM champion Mitchell Hooper, but that doesn’t make him any less of a competitor. If anything, after Kordiyaka toppled former 2020 WSM champion Oleksii Novikov at the 2023 ESM and held his own against Hooper, Novikov, and former two-time WSM winner (2021-2022) Tom Stoltman at the 2023 WSM, he’s proven he belongs at the most elite level of the sport.

With that trio of arguably more established peers standing in Kordiyaka’s ambitions toward becoming “The Strongest Man on Earth,” the 2023 SC could be another coming-out party for the competitor. Trey Mitchell is the two-time reigning champion of the contest.

Here’s an overview of the 2023 Shaw Classic gauntlet of a roster Kordiyaka will have to overcome:

2023 Shaw Classic Roster

• Trey Mitchell (United States) — Reigning two-time Champion
• Brian Shaw (United States) — 2022 runner-up
• Mitchell Hooper (Canada) — 2022 third place
• Tom Stoltman (United Kingdom)
• Luke Stoltman (United Kingdom)
• Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine)
• Bobby Thompson (United States)
• Adam Bishop (United Kingdom)
• Graham Hicks (United Kingdom)
• Pavlo Nakonechnyy (Ukraine)
• Thomas Evans (United States)
• Maxime Boudreault (Canada)
• Kevin Faires (United States)
• Aivars Šmaukstelis (Latvia)
• Evan Singleton (United States)
• *Gavin Bilton (United Kingdom) | *Replaces Mateusz Kieliszkowski

Here’s a rundown of the events of the 2023 SC:

2023 Shaw Classic Events

• Log Medley
• Max Hummer Tire Deadlift
• Wheelbarrow and Arm-Over-Arm Medley
• Bag Toss
• Car Leg Press
• Atlas Stones
• Standing Bench Press
• Fingal’s Fingers and Power Stairs Medley

Before winning the 2023 ESM, Kordiyaka’s arguable career highlight was a first-place performance at the 2021 Official Strongman Games (OSG). According to his profile on Strongman Archives, the 28-year-old has appeared in 15 international contests, winning four of them, including the 2023 ESM. His berth in the 2023 WSM Final was the first of his career.

Now he’ll get a chance to build on those performances at the 2023 SC.

Breaking through against a cadre of star competitors is presumably not an easy task. Kordiyaka can rest assured that each of his peers will likely view him in the same intimidating, if also respectful, fashion at the 2023 SC.

Featured image: @pavlo_kordiyaka on Instagram

The post Pavlo Kordiyaka Log Presses 183 Kilograms (403.4 Pounds) in Shaw Classic Prep appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

According to the caption of Boudreault’s post, he referred to the massive log press as “final tuning” for the upcoming 2022 Shaw Classic. The Log Press is one of the staple events on the final day of the competition. That contest will occur on August 13-14 at the Budweiser Event Center in Loveland, CO. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Maxime Boudreault (@max.boudreault23)

[Related: The Best Shoulder Workouts For More Muscle, For Strength, For Beginners, And More]

Boudreault pressing heavy logs overhead is nothing new for the Canadian athlete. According to Strongman Archives, his all-time competition best was a 205-kilogram (451.9-pound) press during the 2021 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) Final, which was enough to tie him for second with Trey Mitchell and Bobby Thompson during the event. That log press also made Boudreault the official Canadian World Record holder. He eventually finished third overall in that WSM contest to Brian Shaw and Tom Stoltman, respectively.

The 2021 WSM and that log press weren’t the only noteworthy milestones for Boudreault during that calendar year. Later, in November 2021, Boudreault notched the first victory of his professional career by winning the inaugural Magnús Ver Magnússon Strongman Classic in locations all over Iceland. 

Some of Boudreault’s more recent competitive results include a fifth-place finish in the 2022 WSM and a fourth-place result at the 2022 Giants Live Strongman Classic. 

Now, Boudreault will attempt to improve his Shaw Classic history next month after competing in each of the first two editions (2020-2021). He captured an eighth-place result (of 10 athletes) in 2020 and another eighth-place finish in 2021 (of 16 competitors). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Maxime Boudreault (@max.boudreault23)

[Related: The Best Sled Workouts For Muscle, Strength, Fat Loss, And Recovery]

At the time of this writing, here is the confirmed lineup for the 2022 Shaw Classic:

2022 Shaw Classic Lineup

• Trey Mitchell — Defending Champion
• Brian Shaw — 2021 Runner-up
• Mitchell Hooper
• Žydrūnas Savickas
• Tom Stoltman
• Luke Stoltman
• Oleksii Novikov
• Evan Singleton
• Gabriel Rheaume
• Aivars Smaukstelis
• Bobby Thompson
• Maxime Boudreault
• Konstantine Janashia
• Gabriel Peña
• Kevin Faires
• Jerry Pritchett

Here’s the expected schedule of events for the competition:

2022 Shaw Classic Schedule & Events

Day One — Saturday, August 13, 2022

• Max Hummer Tire Deadlift
• Super Yoke Event
• Circus Dumbbell
• Throwing Event (Bag or Keg)

Day Two — Sunday, August 14, 2022

• Log Press 
• Frame Carry Arm-Over-Arm Medley
• Car Leg Press for Reps
• Atlas Stones

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Maxime Boudreault (@max.boudreault23)

[Related: How To Do The Bent-Over Barbell Row For A Bigger, Stronger Back]

At just 29 years old, Boudreault is still seeking to build an acclaimed strongman career. The Canadian athlete is off to a strong start, but he could turn many heads in the strength sports world with an excellent performance at the 2022 Shaw Classic. 

Featured image: @max.boudreault23 on Instagram

The post Maxime Boudreault Crushes a 430-Pound Log Press as 2022 Shaw Classic Nears appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Mitchell Hooper (@mitchellhooper)

[Related: The Best Shoulder Workouts For More Muscle, For Strength, For Beginners, And More]

Hooper’s log press training is part of his preparation for the 2022 Shaw Classic. The Log Press is one of this year’s staple events and will kick off Day Two of the competition. The contest will take place at the Budweiser Events Center on August 13-14, 2022, in Loveland, CO.

Here’s the confirmed, current roster for the 2022 Shaw Classic:

2022 Shaw Classic Roster

• Trey Mitchell — Defending Champion
• Brian Shaw — 2021 Runner-up
• Mitchell Hooper
• Žydrūnas Savickas
• Tom Stoltman
• Luke Stoltman
• Oleksii Novikov
• Evan Singleton
• Gabriel Rheaume
• Aivars Smaukstelis
• Bobby Thompson
• Maxime Boudreault
• Konstantine Janashia
• Gabriel Peña
• Kevin Faires
• Jerry Pritchett

Here’s the schedule of events for both days of the 2022 Shaw Classic:

Day One — Saturday, August 13, 2022

• Max Hummer Tire Deadlift
• Super Yoke Event
• Circus Dumbbell
• Throwing Event (Bag or Keg)

Day Two — Sunday, August 14, 2022

• Log Press 
• Frame Carry Arm-Over-Arm Medley
• Car Leg Press for Reps
• Atlas Stones

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Shaw Classic (@theshawclassic)

[Related: How To Build Muscle: The Training And Diet Guide For Beginners And Advanced Lifters]

Staying Busy

It’s been quite an eventful past few months for the 26-year-0ld Hooper.

Ever since a promising debut at the 2022 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) — where Hooper blitzed Group 2 of the Qualifying Round  and placed eighth in the Finals — the Canadian become one of the more noteworthy names in strongman. That WSM performance helped earn a Wild Card nod to the 2022 Giants Live Strongman Classic in early July, where he finished in second place. Now, with the 2022 Shaw Classic roughly a month away at the time of this writing, Hooper will have competed in three major strongman contests in just over two and a half months.

Hooper is staying occupied and diligent with his training, too. Before this new log press double PR, the strongman deadlifted a staggering 425 kilograms (937 pounds) for two singles during a late June 2022 training session. (His best-ever deadlift is 475 kilograms.) That lift occured before the Strongman Classic, but it could also help Hooper excel on the Max Hummer Tire Deadlift at the Shaw Classic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by GIANTS LIVE: WSM Arena Tour (@giantslivestrongman)

[Related: The Best Arm Workouts For Beginners, With Dumbbells, And More]

A Tall Hurdle

According to Strongman Archives, Hooper has never won an international contest. If he’s going to change that history at the Shaw Classic, he’ll have to top some of the biggest names in strongman.

The field includes four-time WSM Champion (2009-2010, 2012, 2014) Žydrūnas Savickas, eponymous organizer, and fellow former WSM winner (2011, 2013, 2015, 2016) Brian Shaw, 2020 WSM champion Oleksii Novikov, and two-time reigning WSM champion (2021-2022) Tom Stoltman.

Hooper has arguably already put himself on the strongman map. If he can beat these legends, there will be no denying his arrival as a strongman superstar.

Featured image: @mitchellhooper on Instagram

The post Watch Mitchell Hooper Smash a 406-Pound Log Press for a Double PR appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Check out the lift below, courtesy of Coraboeuf’s Instagram profile:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf (@coco_strongman)

[Related: Mateusz Kieliszkowski Opens Up About 2022 World’s Strongest Man Withdrawal: ‘My Goal Is Only First Place’]

Lifting Australia

Coraboeuf started professional strongman in 2017, acclimating to the sport quickly. The 2019 Australia’s Strongest Man (ASM) Champion, Coraboeuf will now participate in his first-ever World’s Strongest Man (WSM) this coming May. Here’s his complete ledger of strongman work to date:

• 2017 ASM — 3rd overall
• 2018 Arnold Australia (AA) — 10th overall
• 2018 ASM — 2nd overall
• 2019 AA — 11th overall
• 2019 ASM — 1st overall

Peruse Coraboeuf’s general social media presence, and you’ll note one consistent theme — he’s big on representing his native Australia. Not only that, but in achieving his success, the 28-year-old seems to relish a potential opportunity in the limelight. 

The only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them!

Coraboeuf may soon perhaps break the Australian national log press record of 183 kilograms (403.4 pounds) if all goes well. His all-time log press competition PR — set roughly three years ago at the 2019 AA — is only eight kilograms (17.6 pounds) away from the lofty mark. Such a figure would undoubtedly be a stellar path to put himself on the map further. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf (@coco_strongman)

[Related: Strongman Oleksii Novikov Is The 2022 Europe’s Strongest Man]

Lumber Foundations

In some ways, the log press (or log lift) could be one of the genuinely synonymous events of strongman. Whereas many strongman events, like the deadlift, can be trained relatively simply within the gym while relying on high-level conditioning, the log press demands more unconventional attention.

The log has an awkward shape and is cumbersome to handle, regardless of strength. On top of that, pressing the log overhead requires a neutral grip (when an athlete’s palms face one another), which could mean an extra challenge if a person is inexperienced with the position.  

The log press first rose to prominence in competition during the early 1980s, mere years after the World’s Strongest Man’s initial inception in 1977.

According to Strongman.org, the first pioneer to elevate the event’s prominent place in the sport was an all-time strongman great, Bill Kazmaier — a three-time WSM Champion (1980, 1981, 1982). It was during the 1980 WSM that Kazmaier hoisted a 157-kilogram log (346.1 pounds), winning the inaugural event while also setting a then-world record. 

Since then, many of the world’s top strongmen have built upon Kazmaier’s initial benchmark to varying degrees of success. After a few decades, another strongman legend, Žydrūnas “Big Z” Savickas, held what seemed to be an unimpeachable record with a 228-kilogram log press (502 pounds) notched at the 2015 Força Bruta.

That is until Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou eclipsed Savickas by one whole kilogram at the 2021 Giants Live World Tour Finals. In recent years, the Giants Live organization has since been the main organizer of the primary log press event — The World Log Lift Championships — though they alternate with the Strongman Champions League. 

Only time will tell whether another strongman eventually breaks Sanou’s new log lift boundary. If history is any indication, it might seem foolish to doubt that it never happens again — no matter how long it takes. 

On to the WSM

If Coraboeuf wants to continue raising his strongman profile, he could do much worse than finishing some stellar log lifts during the prestigious WSM for the first time. The 2022 WSM will take place on May 24-29, 2022, in Sacramento, CA. 

Featured image: @coco_strongman on Instagram

The post Watch Strongman Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf Log Press 155 Kilograms (341 Pounds) for 3 Reps appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

You can watch the lift below, originally posted to Carrasquillo’s Instagram.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by BarBend Strength Sports News (@barbend)

According to Carrasquillo’s caption, the lift was “300X1 on the worst log ever.” And, apparently, this has been something the strongwoman has been in pursuit of for a little while: “Been chasing a 300lb press off the ground and I needed this win,” she added.

Carrasquillo’s 300-pound press shatters the previous world record by two and a half pounds, set by Andrea Thompson during the World Ultimate Strongman’s “Feats of Strength Series” in July 2020. However, because Carrasquillo did not complete the press in a formal competitive setting, the record is not yet hers. The last time Carrasquillo did officially compete was when she finished fourth during late last year’s World’s Strongest Woman, according to BarBend.

It’s important to distinguish between the log Carrasquillo lifted, how she managed the press, and the one Thompson lifted. Carrasquillo had a more compressed log with bumper plates attached farther out, whereas Thompson used a wider, more extended log. To wit, Carrasquillo began her press from the floor, while log presses usually start from elevated pads.

Carrasquillo, a third-place finisher in the 2021 Official Strongman Games, showed off her immense pressing potential by winning the famed Log Press for Reps segment. There, she pressed a 106.5-kilogram (235-pound) log 12 times. And in a another training session, Carrasquillo hoisted an axle bar loaded with 300 pounds overhead three times. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by BarBend Strength Sports News (@barbend)

But it’s her recent log press feat that drew the attention of the strength world. The “Texas Titan,” Gabriel Pena, had nothing but praise for the bright up and comer.

“Absolutely incredible [Inez]! I very much look forward to watching you write new pages in the books of history over the coming years.”

Elsewhere in the community, Thompson herself had yet to comment about Carrasquillo’s feat publicly. But her trainer, Laurence Shahlaei—an accomplished strongman himself—noted that he thought Carrasquillo’s lift was “Awesome.”

Finally, Canadian World’s Strongest Man lifter and the owner of the Hummer Tire Deadlift World Record, JF Caron, interjected simply by maintaining, “That’s very impressive.”

With an eye-popping moment like this behind her, massive strides are undoubtedly on the horizon for Carrasquillo. For someone who has claimed to want to be the world’s strongest woman in the past, how could they not be?

According to her trainer Alec Pagan, Carrasquillo is competing in the 2022 Arnold Amateur Strongman Championships from Mar. 3-5. If this titanic of a log press foreshadows what the near future holds, we can only expect more fireworks from Carrasquillo in front of the greater strength world at large.

Featured Image: @ines_strongwoman on Instagram

The post Strongwoman Inez Carrasquillo’s Overhead Pressing is On a Different Level appeared first on Breaking Muscle.