Showcasing his range of skills across five grueling events, the two-time World’s Strongest Man captured the coveted title on Oct. 21, 2023, in front of a gregarious Glasgow crowd that proudly cheered on both Tom and his older brother, Luke Stoltman, who were born and raised roughly 200 miles north in Invergordon, Scotland. Although New Zealand’s Mathew Ragg came agonizingly close to besting the younger Stoltman brother, Ragg ultimately finished three points behind the champion for a hard-fought second-place finish.

Here are the final standings from the 2023 Giants Live World Tour Finals:

2023 Giants Live World Tour Finals Standings

1. Tom Stoltman (UK) — 54.5 points
2. Mathew Ragg (New Zealand) — 51.5 points
3. Mitchell Hooper (Canada) — 46 points
4. Pavlo Kordiyaka (Ukraine) — 42.5 points
5. Luke Stoltman (UK) — 40.5 points
6. Gavin Bilton (UK) — 34 points
7. Ondřej Fojtů (Czech Republic) — 27.5 points
8. Tyler Cotton (USA) — 22 points
9. Pa O’Dwyer (Ireland) — 22 points
10. Eddie Williams (Australia) — 21 points
11. Conor Curran (UK) — 16.5 points
12. Evans Aryee (Ghana) — 6 points (Withdrew after second event)

Event Breakdown

Tom Stoltman undoubtedly stole the show with a dominant all-around outing that saw him secure victories in three of the five events. However, he certainly wasn’t the only strongman who shined.

Here’s a detailed event-by-event breakdown of the 2023 Giants Live World Tour Finals.

Event One: Max Log Lift

The competition kicked off with a classic strongman event that tested the athletes’ upper-body strength and power. To little surprise, Tom Stoltman took home top honors in the Max Log Lift, becoming the only man to successfully overhead press a 463-pound (210-kilogram) log. Meanwhile, Mitchell Hooper, Pavlo Kordiyaka, Luke Stoltman, and Tyler Cotton each earned 9.5 points by locking out 440.9 pounds (200 kilograms).

Although he did not participate in the overall competition, Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou delivered the most impressive rep of them all by pressing 507.1 pounds (230 kilograms) to set the Log Lift World Record. Sanou also held the previous record, 504.8 pounds (229 kilograms), which he set at the 2021 edition of the contest.

1. Tom Stoltman — 463 pounds (210 kilograms)
2. Mitchell Hooper — 440.9 pounds (200 kilograms)
3. Pavlo Kordiyaka — 440.9 pounds (200 kilograms)
4. Luke Stoltman — 440.9 pounds (200 kilograms)
5. Tyler Cotton — 440.9 pounds (200 kilograms)
6. Mathew Ragg — 410.1 pounds (186 kilograms)
7. Ondřej Fojtů — 410.1 pounds (186 kilograms)
8. Gavin Bilton — 374.8 pounds (170 kilograms)
9. Eddie Williams — 374.8 pounds (170 kilograms)
10. Evans Aryee — 374.8 pounds (170 kilograms)
11. Pa O’Dwyer — No Lift
12. Conor Curran — No Lift

Event Two: Sandbag Steeplechase

A staple in Giants Live competitions, the second event required the athletes to pick up, carry, and throw two 330.7-pound (150-kilogram) sandbags over a waist-high pole. As if that wasn’t challenging enough, they then had to go around to the other side of the pole, lift the sandbags again, and load them onto a platform.

Proving he had the right combination of brute strength and fleet feet, Tom Stoltman took home his second straight victory by completing the course in just under 30 seconds. He narrowly edged out 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man Pavlo Kordiyaka, who finished in second place by just over half a second.

1. Tom Stoltman — 29.92 seconds
2. Pavlo Kordiyaka — 30.48 seconds
3. Mathew Ragg — 31.41 seconds
4. Luke Stoltman — 33.62 seconds
5. Ondřej Fojtů — 34.44 seconds
6. Mitchell Hooper — 34.63 seconds
7. Conor Curran — 35.30 seconds
8. Gavin Bilton — 36.81 seconds
9. Pa O’Dwyer — 36.84 seconds
10. Tyler Cotton — 37.76 seconds
11. Evans Aryee — 38.22 seconds
12. Eddie Williams — 42.16 seconds

Event Three: Axle Deadlift

The third event revolved around the good ol’ deadlift. Only in this case, the weight was loaded onto an axle — a thicker, stiffer, and more difficult implement to utilize compared to a standard barbell. Competitors had to perform as many repetitions as possible with 771.6 pounds (350 kilograms), and for the first time on the day, Tom Stoltman didn’t finish ahead of the pack.

Six-time New Zealand’s Strongest Man Mathew Ragg starred in this deadlift challenge, pulling off eight reps and securing the maximum amount of points. Overall, only four of the 12 competitors completed at least five reps.

1. Mathew Ragg — Eight reps
2. Tom Stoltman — Seven reps
3. Mitchell Hooper — Seven reps
4. Gavin Bilton — Five reps
5. Pavlo Kordiyaka — Four reps
6. Luke Stoltman — Four reps
7. Ondřej Fojtů — Four reps
8. Pa O’Dwyer — Four reps
9. Eddie Williams — Four reps
10. Tyler Cotton — Three reps
11. Conor Curran — Three reps
12. Evans Aryee — Withdrew

Event Four: Conan’s Wheel

The penultimate event proved to be the most challenging for the eventual champion. Conan’s Wheel required the strongmen to pick up a metal beam fixed to a center point and spin it around as far as possible without letting it hit the floor. After finishing in first in two of the first three events, Tom Stoltman slipped to fifth.

On the other hand, Mathew Ragg continued to build momentum from the Axle Deadlift, completing almost two and a half revolutions (845 degrees) before bowing out. The New Zealand native needed every step to secure a narrow victory, as Mitchell Hooper came within four degrees of a first-place tie, settling for second with 841 degrees. Pavlo Kordiyaka (820 degrees) and Ireland’s Pa O’Dwyer (756 degrees) were the only other competitors who surpassed two full revolutions.

1. Mathew Ragg — 845 degrees
2. Mitchell Hooper — 841 degrees
3. Pavlo Kordiyaka — 820 degrees
4. Pa O’Dwyer — 756 degrees
5. Tom Stoltman — 618 degrees
6. Gavin Bilton — 608 degrees
7. Luke Stoltman — 562 degrees
8. Ondřej Fojtů — 553 degrees
9. Conor Curran — 506 degrees
10. Eddie Williams — 471 degrees
11. Tyler Cotton — 425 degrees

Event Five: Castle Stones

The final event featured five gargantuan stones ranging from 264.6 pounds (120 kilograms) to 440.9 pounds (200 kilograms). In a test of both strength and coordination, the athletes had to pick each one up and load it onto a platform in the fastest time possible. Four of the five strongmen completed the circuit, but Tom Stoltman shockingly needed less than 20 seconds to secure his spot atop the podium.

While Mathew Ragg did well to load all five Atlas stones in 28.81 seconds, he finished nearly 10 seconds behind. Luke Stoltman and Gavin Bilton also succeeded in getting that 440.9-pound stone onto the platform. However, the former took nearly double the time as his brother to accomplish that feat.

1. Tom Stoltman — Five in 19.23 seconds
2. Mathew Ragg — Five in 28.81 seconds
3. Luke Stoltman — Five in 37.56 seconds
4. Gavin Bilton — Five in 41.64 seconds
5. Mitchell Hooper — Four in 19.32 seconds
6. Eddie Williams — Four in 23.71 seconds
7. Pavlo Kordiyaka — Four in 25.94 seconds
8. Tyler Cotton — Four in 29.13 seconds
9. Pa O’Dwyer — Four in 50.11 seconds
10. Ondřej Fojtů — Three in 42.16 seconds

By winning three of the five events — including one in exceedingly dominant fashion — Tom Stoltman left no doubt about who deserved to stand atop the podium at the 2023 Giants Live World Tour Finals. Still, it’s safe to say that Mathew Ragg raised some eyebrows by pushing the champion to the brink in what essentially amounted to a two-man race for the title. With the 2023 Rogue Strongman Invitational right around the corner on Oct. 27-28, let’s see if Stoltman keeps the train rolling.

Featured Image: @giantslivestrongman / Instagram

The post Scotland’s Own Tom Stoltman Takes Home Title at 2023 Giants Live World Tour Finals With Dominant Performance  appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Athletes are usually able to lift more from a higher position because it eliminates the original launch point from the floor. Other variations include the Silver Dollar deadlift, which mostly only differs in presentation. Estonian competitor Rauno Heinla broke the 18-inch deadlift World Record with a pull of 540 kilograms (1,190.5 pounds) at the 2023 Tartu Rammumees ja Rammunaine (TRJR). Stoltman, a former two-time World’s Strongest Man (WSM) champion (2021-2022), is in the final stages of his ongoing preparation for the 2023 Shaw Classic (SC). That contest is set to take place on August 19-20, 2023, in Loveland, CO.

This is not the first instance Stoltman has seemingly been more active with training updates in 2023. That’s especially as it pertains to the 2023 SC, which will now award the title of “The Strongest Man On Earth” to the prospective winner.

In late July 2023, Stoltman shared a clip of himself capturing an 800-kilogram (1,763.7-pound) leg press during another workout. A variation of the leg press featuring a vehicle affixed to a machine is one of the main events at the 2023 SC. (Note: The 2023 Giants Live Strongman Classic (GLSC) champion Evan Singleton also polished up his leg press strength around the same time.)

Moments like this come after Stoltman’s disappointing runner-up result to Mitchell Hooper at the 2023 WSM. Stoltman was in line for a legendary “three-peat” as a dynastic strongman. He would’ve been only the third strongman to ever notch that achievement but instead fell just short. When coupled with a sixth-place result at the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC), it seems Stoltman is on a mission for redemption and plans to use his tremendous leg power to dig himself out of an early hole from the competitive season.

Even with some of his recent competitive shortcomings, Stoltman remains one of the biggest superstars in strongman, and he still hasn’t reached 30 years old. The athlete seems to understand he has plenty of time to rebound. He might put himself back on an elite map with a tentpole victory at the 2023 SC.

Featured image: @tomstoltmanofficial on Instagram

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On July 20, 2023, Stoltman shared a glimpse at how he’s preparing to climb out of his recent competitive rut. The athlete posted an Instagram clip where he completed an 800-kilogram (1,763.7-pound) leg press. The eye-opening strength feat was all the more impressive, considering Stoltman affixed resistance bands to his machine and implemented pauses between reps for additional challenges. The lower body training session is part of Stoltman’s wholesale preparation for the 2023 Shaw Classic (SC), taking place on August 19-20, 2023, in Loveland, CO.

A Car Leg Press is one of the 2023 SC’s most eye-catching events, which is presumably what Stoltman’s preparation in the clip is connected to. In the 2022 edition, competitors were tasked with performing maximum reps with a 907-kilogram (2,000-pound) car loaded upon a custom-built leg press and the winning performance was 8 repetitions.

Based on his Instagram profile, Stoltman does not usually make it a regular habit of showing glimpses of his preparation in advance of contests. In fact, most of Stoltman’s posts feature competition highlights, photos, and collaborations with his older brother, Luke, a fellow professional strongman. With Stoltman is elaborating on what’s happening behind the scenes, the athlete is seemingly veering off script and showing he might mean business at the 2023 SC.

This would align with Stoltman’s reflective stance after the conclusion of the 2023 WSM, where he came up 4.5 points short of another historic title. In the aftermath, the strongman explained he “gave everything he had” and was “proud” of his performance, but it ultimately wasn’t enough for a win.

The 2023 SC will be Stoltman’s debut at the growing contest organized by four-time WSM champion (2011, 2013, 2015-2016) Brian Shaw. Should Stoltman win in his debut, he will not only have toppled other noteworthy competitors like Hooper, 2020 WSM winner Oleksii Novikov, and two-time reigning SC champion Trey Mitchell, but he will also have earned the title of “The Strongest Man on Earth.”

That would be quite the way for Stoltman to rebound after a “slow” first half of 2023.

Here’s an overview of the full roster for the 2023 SC:

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

Including Shaw, Hooper, and Novikov, Stoltman is notably one of four current or former WSM champions vying for the 2023 SC title.

The year 2023 hasn’t gone how Stoltman originally envisioned, but it’s not too late to salvage and make it memorable. This strongman superstar isn’t going anywhere any time soon, and this leg press could be evidence of the tremendous power he’ll showcase at the 2023 SC.

Featured image: @tomstoltmanofficial on Instagram

The post Tom Stoltman Leg Presses a Monstrous 800 Kilograms (1,763.7 Pounds) for Reps in Shaw Classic Training appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Apr. 24, 2023, a day after the conclusion of the latest climactic WSM, Stoltman posted a reflection on his performance to his Instagram. While he didn’t make history, Stoltman already appears to be looking ahead to another title shot and more coming strongman greatness.

To date, only the United States’ Bill Kazmaier (1980-1982) and Iceland’s Magnús Ver Magnússon (1994-1996) have ever won three straight WSM titles. With a victory, Stoltman would’ve been the third and joined their very exclusive company in the contest’s illustrious 46-year history.

Alas, such an achievement wasn’t meant to be for one of modern’s strongman’s biggest names. It would’ve been understandable if Stoltman wanted to lament his misfortunes and missed opportunities. An athlete of his prowess, standing on the precipice of almost unprecedented greatness, taking the time to highlight what went wrong likely wouldn’t have been stunning.

However, like a great competitor with a championship mentality, Stoltman instead showed graciousness in what he left in his latest WSM appearance. A British Record Max Dumbbell Press of 132.5 kilograms (292 pounds) likely helps his standing.

That’s regardless of past performances, like a sixth-place result at the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC).

“I gave everything I had this year!” Stoltman wrote. “Hitting the big dumbbell was a personal goal for myself and I was consistent throughout. I’m very proud … I got told I wouldn’t be getting near the podium at [the 2023 WSM] due to my Arnold [Strongman Classic] performance. I worked hard and gave my all!”

Stoltman’s WSM title run officially ended with four podium appearances in the last four years. In both instances where Stoltman didn’t win, he was the runner-up to the champion — Hooper in 2023 and Oleksii Novikov in 2020. Stoltman finished ahead of the third-place Novikov at the 2023 WSM.

As for paying tribute to those who paved the way, Stoltman seemed remiss if he didn’t mention a more established strongman legend. After qualifying for his 15th WSM Finals, Brian Shaw will no longer be a fixture at the flagship strongman competition as he nears his retirement.

Stoltman made sure to pay his appropriate respects to the strength icon.

“Thank you to Brian Shaw for everything you have done for this sport and for myself.”

Stoltman’s excellent past precedent suggests that his 2023 WSM runner-up placing won’t be the last anyone sees of this superstar strongman. If anything, moving forward, he’ll likely channel it as motivation to complete a successful climb to the top again.

Featured image: @tomstoltmanofficial on Instagram

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After the wild gauntlet that was the 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM), Mitchell Hooper used the final day of the contest to capture his first WSM title. Former two-time reigning champion Tom Stoltman (2021-2022) and 2020 victor Oleksii Novikov rounded out the podium. Here’s an overview of the event-by-event results from Day 4 of the 2023 WSM and the official standings leaderboard from the 2023 WSM Finals.

Editor’s Note: Results were provided by our official reporter in attendance. These results were not considered official until after they were confirmed on the World’s Strongest Man homepage.

2023 WSM Finals Leaderboard

Here’s a recap of the results from the fourth and final day of the 2023 WSM, including how each of the top 10 competitors fared on the Max Dumbbell, Bus Pull, and Atlas Stones.

Max Dumbbell Recap

The Max Dumbbell tasked the respective athletes with a single-arm, overhead press of an oversized, thick-handled dumbbell. The athletes lifted in rounds of gradually increasing weight until they couldn’t lift the next sequential dumbbell.

The weights of the dumbbells featured were as follows: 115 kilograms (254 pounds), 125 kilograms (275 pounds), 132.5 kilograms (291 pounds), 140 kilograms (309 pounds), 145 kilograms (319 pounds), 151 kilograms (333 pounds — a World Record weight), and 155 kilograms (342 pounds).

The event started with an unfortunate shake-up for South Africa’s Jaco Schoonwinkel. In his first-ever WSM Finals, Schoonwinkel appeared to suffer an injury during his first lift of the event. The athlete would be forced to withdraw in a result that led to his eventual 10th-place finish.

Mitchell Hooper and Evan Singleton would tie for first place in the Max Dumbbell as the only competitors to lift the 140-kilogram (309-pound) dumbbell.

1. Mitchell Hooper — Four lifts
2. Evan Singleton — Four lifts
3. Oleksii Novikov — Three lifts
4. Tom Stoltman — Three lifts
5. Pavlo Kordiyaka — Three lifts
6. Luke Stoltman — Three lifts
7. Trey Mitchell — Two lifts
8. Brian Shaw — Two lifts
9. Mathew Ragg — Two lifts
10. Jaco Schoonwinkel — Withdrawn

Bus Pull Recap

Next on the docket for the 2023 WSM elite was the Bus Pull. This event gave the respective competitors the objective of pulling a staggering 23,133-kilogram (51,000-pound) bus as far as possible down a 25-meter (82-foot) path with a time limit of one minute.

Hooper once again won the event, finishing the Bus Pull in 30.24 seconds. This event marked Hooper’s eighth event victory throughout the contest.

1. Mitchell Hooper — 30.24 seconds
2. Tom Stoltman — 32.27 seconds
3. Evan Singleton — 32.27 seconds
4. Pavlo Kordiyaka — 32.46 seconds
5. Trey Mitchell — 32.49 seconds
6. Brian Shaw — 32.65 seconds
7. Luke Stoltman — 32.83 seconds
8. Mathew Ragg — 36.29 seconds
9. Oleksii Novikov — 33.35 seconds
10. Jaco Schoonwinkel — Withdrawn

Atlas Stones Recap

As is WSM tradition, the Atlas Stones put a cherry on top of the 2023 WSM. The athletes had to lift five progressively heavier stones onto their respective platforms within a one-minute time limit. The five stones had weights of 150 kilograms (330 pounds), 160 kilograms (350 pounds), 180 kilograms (395 pounds), 200 kilograms (440 pounds), and 210 kilograms (460 pounds).

Entering this final event, all Hooper needed to secure his first WSM title was a minimum sixth-place result. After a few competitors faltered on the fifth Atlas Stone, Hooper’s second-place finish was more than enough to pen him down in strongman history. Though, runner-up Tom Stoltman would win the Atlas Stones event by lifting all five Stones in 33.26 seconds to entrench himself on the 2023 WSM podium.

1. Tom Stoltman — 5 stones, 33.26 seconds
2. Mitchell Hooper — 5 stones, 36.96 seconds
3. Trey Mitchell — 5 reps, 45.72 seconds
4. Oleksii Novikov — 4 reps, 27.43 seconds
5. Evan Singleton — 4 reps, 28.16 seconds
6. Brian Shaw — 4 stones, 35.88 seconds
7. Pavlo Kordiyaka — 4 stones, 45.86 seconds
8. Luke Stoltman — 4 stones, 48.49 seconds
9. Mathew Ragg — 4 stones, 49.5 seconds
10. Jaco Schoonwinkel — Withdrawn

A Historic World’s Strongest Man

There was no shortage of worthy storylines at the 2023 WSM.

With his title, Hooper capped one of the more remarkable approximate one-year runs in strongman history. Now, while sitting at the top, he may well be beginning an extended reign of dominance as the sport’s preeminent royalty.

On a bittersweet but likely still happy note, four-time WSM champion (2011, 2013, 2015-2016) Brian Shaw finished in seventh place in his last WSM Finals. The strongman legend walks off into the sunset having qualified for the WSM Finals on 15 of 16 occasions in his career.

Meanwhile, the former two-time defending champion in Tom Stoltman fell short of a historic three-peat, but that doesn’t mean he’s lost his place as an elite competitor. In the weeks and months ahead, and in any ensuing WSM, it wouldn’t be a far cry to see Stoltman contend for many strongman titles.

As far as debuts go, Mathew Ragg’s WSM debut was the first time in 40 years that a New Zealand competitor reached the WSM Finals, with Allan Hallberg being the last representative in the 1983 WSM. South Africa’s Jaco Schoonwinkel also had an extremely solid showing, dominating his Qualifying Group before falling to injury in the Finals.

Indeed, the 2023 WSM was a cornucopia of incredible strength and athletic resolve. In the end, Hooper stood tall above the rest of his talented peers.

Featured image: Todd Burandt / Courtesy of World’s Strongest Man

The post 2023 World’s Strongest Man Day 4 Results — Mitchell Hooper Gets His Crown appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Here’s where the leaderboard stands at the end of Day Two, along with a short recap of how each athlete fared at the end of the Qualifying Round.

2023 WSM Qualifying Round Leaderboard

2022 World’s Strongest Man Day 3 Results

Here are the Day Two results from each Qualifying Round Group, including each athlete’s individual finishes, any relevant corresponding time, and placing within the Conan’s Wheel and Kettlebell Toss. Plus, there’s an overall recap of the Stone-Off event featuring just the second and third-place finishers in each group.

Conan’s Wheel Recap

As one of the last events of the 2023 WSM Qualifying Round, the Conan’s Wheel tested the athletes’ core strength and endurance. They had the objective of holding up a 199.5-kilogram (440-pound) bar in the Zercher position while walking around in a fixed circle as far as possible.

The event’s winners would score the most “degrees” or loops around the circle. A full loop the length of the circle would be considered 360 degrees.

Former 2020 WSM champion Oleksii Novikov recorded the maximum distance with 847 degrees to become the winner in Group 2. Pavlo Kordiyaka, reigning Europe’s Strongest Man (ESM) champion, notched the second-most with 749 degrees as Group 1’s winner. Kordiyaka possesses the Conan’s Wheel World Record with a rotation length of 1,009 degrees from his 2023 ESM victory.

Group 1

1. Pavlo Kordiyaka — 749 degrees
2. Pa O’Dwyer — 722 degrees
3. Bobby Thompson — 649 degrees
4. Konstantine Janashia — 633 degrees
5. Eddie Williams — 614 degrees
6. Tom Stoltman — 598 degrees

Group 2

1. Oleksii Novikov — 897 degrees
2. Gavin Bilton — 557 degrees
3. Luke Stoltman — 545 degrees
4. Kristjan Jon Haraldsson — 524 degrees
5. Fadi El Masri — 70 degrees
6. Thomas Evans — 69 degrees

Group 3

1. Mitchell Hooper — 636 degrees
2. Mathew Ragg — 628 degrees
3. Aivars Šmaukstelis —575 degrees
4. Mateusz Kieliszkowski — 538 degrees
5. Spenser Remick — 470 degrees
6. Graham Hicks — 425 degrees

Group 4

1. Jaco Schoonwinkel — 713 degrees
2. Kevin Faires — 636 degrees
3. Gabriel Rhéaume — 476 degrees
4. Rauno Heinla — 572 degrees
5. Brian Shaw — 411 degrees
6. Adam Bishop — 292 degrees

Group 5

1. Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted — 629 degrees
2. Evan Singleton — 589 degrees
3. Trey Mitchell — 523 degrees
4. Paul Smith — 518 degrees
5. Mark Felix — 470 degrees
6. Jean-Stephen Corabeouf — 143 degrees

Kettlebell Toss Recap

Some athletes needed a better performance in the vital Kettlebell Toss than others. After all, it would partly determine who qualified for their Group’s Stone Off.

This event pushed the competitors’ explosive power, presenting them with seven kettlebells that gradually increased in weight. They had one minute to launch as many weights as they could over a 4.5-meter (15-foot) overhead bar.

Here was how the weights progressed in size: 20.5 kilograms (45 pounds), 21.8 kilograms (48 pounds), 22.7 kilograms (50 pounds), 22.7 kilograms (50 pounds), 24 kilograms (53 pounds), 26.3 kilograms (58 pounds), and finally 30.8 kilograms (68 pounds).

Even while mathematically eliminated from the Finals by the time he stepped up to compete, Mateusz Kieliszkowski fared the best in the Kettlebell Toss. The Polish athlete finished all seven throws in a blazing 32.44 seconds in Group 3. In the process, he snapped groupmate Mitchell Hooper’s dominant four-event winning streak.

Group 1

1. Pavlo Kordiyaka — Six reps, 18.09 seconds
2. Konstantine Janashia — Six reps, 19.93 seconds
3. Tom Stoltman — Six reps, 21.99 seconds
4. Pa O’Dwyer — Six reps, 31.71 seconds
5. Bobby Thompson — Six reps, 35.67 seconds
6. Eddie Williams — Six reps, 36.4 seconds

Group 2

1. Gavin Bilton — Six reps, 19.9 seconds
2. Luke Stoltman — Six reps, 49.35 seconds
3. Kristjan Jon Haraldsson — Five reps, 15.57 seconds
4. Thomas Evans — Five reps, 28.68 seconds
5. Fadi El Masri — Four reps, 20.61 seconds
6. Oleksii Novikov — One rep, 9.56 seconds

Group 3

1. Mateusz Kieliszkowski — Seven reps, 32.44 seconds
2. Mitchell Hooper — Six reps, 17.18 seconds
3. Mathew Ragg — Six reps, 21.96 seconds
4. Aivars Šmaukstelis — Six reps, 25.41 seconds
5. Spenser Remick — Five reps, 24.31 seconds
6. Graham Hicks — Four reps, 20.51 seconds

Group 4

1. Brian Shaw — Seven reps, 48.45 seconds
2. Adam Bishop — Six reps, 32.29 seconds
3. Kevin Faires — Five reps, 34.09 seconds
4. Jaco Schoonwinkel — Six reps, 47.32 seconds
5. Rauno Heinla — Five reps, 44.31 seconds
6. Gabriel Rhéaume — Three reps, 14 seconds

Group 5

1. Trey Mitchell — Seven reps, 34.42 seconds
2. Evan Singleton — Six reps, 28.81 seconds
3. Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted — Six reps, 27.66 seconds
4. Mark Felix — Four reps, 42.66 seconds
5. Jean-Stephen Corabeouf — Two reps, 23.65 seconds
6. Paul Smith — One rep, 28.62 seconds

Stone Off Recap

Finally, it was time to determine the other half of the 2023 WSM Finals field. With Novikov, Hooper, Trey Mitchell, first-time WSM Finalist Kordiyaka, and first-time WSM competitor Jaco Schoonwinkel winning their respective groups, the second and third-place finishes squared off head-to-head in an Atlas Stone battle to earn berths for the weekend’s Finals.

The participating athletes had to lift gradually heavier Atlas Stones over a bar separating them from their opponents. The weights ranged from 140 kilograms (308 pounds) to 200 kilograms (440 pounds). The last Stone’s weight would be lifted for reps until one of the strongmen could not continue.

Tom Stoltman, Luke Stoltman, Brian Shaw, Mathew Ragg, and Evan Singleton all earned places in the 2023 WSM Finals by winning their Stone Off. The 2023 WSM is Ragg’s first appearance in the contest. 2023 marks Singleton’s first time reaching the Finals in four consecutive WSM appearances — his 2020 and 2021 showings were interrupted by withdrawals due to injury, while he failed to pass the Qualifying Stage in 2022.

Group 1

1. Tom Stoltman  — 3 stones — Winner
2. Bobby Thompson — 3 stones

Group 2

1. Luke Stoltman — 7 stones — Winner
2. Gavin Bilton — 7 stones

Group 3

1. Mathew Ragg — 8 stones — Winner
2. Aivars Smaukstelis — 8 stones

Group 4

1. Brian Shaw — 11 stones — Winner
2. Rauno Heinla — 11 stones

Group 5

1. Evan Singleton — 8 stones — Winner
2. Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted — 8 stones

2023 World’s Strongest Man Final Athletes

Here are the 10 confirmed athletes in the 2023 WSM Finals:

1. Pavlo Kordiyaka (Ukraine)
2. Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine)
3. Mitchell Hooper (Canada)
4. Jaco Schoonwinkel (South Africa)
5. Trey Mitchell (United States)
6. Tom Stoltman (United Kingdom)
7. Luke Stoltman (United Kingdom)
8. Mathew Ragg (New Zealand)
9. Brian Shaw (United States)
10. Evan Singleton (United States)

Some of the more notable achievements in qualifying for the 2023 WSM Final include two-time defending champion Tom Stoltman surviving his Stone Off. The Scottish athlete will officially have the opportunity for a three-peat victory over the weekend. Meanwhile, after blitzing the 2022 WSM for a surprise Finals berth, Mitchell Hooper may seem like a bona fide favorite heading into the weekend and the person that might unseat Stoltman from his throne.

From a longer-term perspective, the legendary Brian Shaw extended his streak of WSM Final appearances to 15. In his last WSM before a strongman retirement later this summer, the four-time champion (2011, 2013, 2015-2016) will have officially made it 15 of 16 appearances in the Finals over his illustrious career. The only instance of Shaw ever missing the Finals was his WSM debut in 2008.

A Final Showdown

The 10 finalists in the 2023 WSM now get to enjoy a rest day on Friday before returning to compete in the Finals on Saturday, Apr. 22, and Sunday, Apr. 23, 2023. While many eyes might be on Stoltman in his repeat quest, on Hooper in trying to finish his meteoric climb up strongman’s summit, and on Shaw in his last WSM, it could be anyone’s contest to win.

Truly, until that last Atlas Stone is lifted onto its platform on Sunday, all bets are off for the 2023 WSM.

Featured image: Todd Burandt / Courtesy of World’s Strongest Man

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On Apr. 17, 2023, Eddie Hall, the 2017 WSM champion, discussed the prospects for the 2023 iteration of the contest on his YouTube channel. In the process, he outlined his top three contenders for the title, including Stoltman, four-time winner Brian Shaw (2011, 2013, 2015-2016) in his final WSM appearance, and two-time defending Shaw Classic (SC) champion (2021-2022) Trey Mitchell.

Before he broke down his personal perspective on the 2023 WSM, Hall made one thing clear: there is nothing more monumental for a strongman than winning the prestigious contest. Full stop. It is a genuine dream fulfilled to be officially named the most physically powerful person on the planet.

“To be the World’s Strongest Man is probably one of the most childhood dream titles that people dream of,” Hall explained. “If you ask a man if they want to be the World’s Strongest Man and they say no, they are lying.”

As is the usual precedent, the 2023 WSM will start with 30 competitors before cutting down to 10 athletes for the weekend’s Final on Apr. 22-23, 2023. Hall expressed who he wants to see duke it out for the WSM title when all is said and done.

Hall seemed to like so many of the competitors’ chances that he even threw in an extra name for the heck of it.

“This is my dream Final going in, my top ten,” Hall started. “Tom Stoltman, Luke Stoltman, Pavlo Kordiyaka, Oleksii Novikov, Mitchell Hooper, Trey Mitchell, Aivars Šmaukstelis, Kevin Faires, Adam Bishop, Evan Singleton, Brian Shaw. That is eleven, but whatever.”

As for the format and event schedule for the 2023 WSM, Hall believes this year’s competition favors strongmen who lean on size more than agility and athleticism. Even though he wouldn’t make a concrete final prediction, Hall thinks strongmen of that mold — like Tom Stoltman, Shaw, and Mitchell — are strongly positioned (no pun intended) to win it all.

“I think it is really leaning towards the heavier men this year,” Hall said. “I think it is going to be a heavy, heavy Final. I think that is going to suit the bigger, taller, heavier guys … I’m not going to say who is going to win, because I am friends with all these people. I don’t want to put anyone down. My top three are definitely Brian Shaw, Tom Stoltman, and Trey Mitchell. Just because of the sheer size and body weight of these guys.”

In a strongman field that features just three current or previous champions (Stoltman, Shaw, and Oleksii Novikov), anyone seems capable of winning the 2023 WSM. However, Hall’s thoughts about size and mass being the deciding factors might hold true by the end of the weekend. Fans of the strength sport will find out as results come in until a new (or reigning) victor is crowned.

Featured image: @theworldsstrongestman on Instagram

The post Eddie Hall Names His Top 3 Contenders for the 2023 World’s Strongest Man appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

From Stoltman’s hallowed pursuit of all-time strongman history to the last ride for one of the sport’s all-time legends, here are five prime 2023 WSM contenders to watch in Myrtle Beach the weekend of April 19-23.

Tom Stoltman

• Most notable accomplishment: Two-time WSM champion (2020-2021)

Stoltman is chasing history few have ever touched.

It’s been almost three decades since the last three-peat in the WSM. Icons like Poland’s Mariusz Pudzianowski and Lithuania’s Žydrūnas Savickas came close to the accomplishment in the early parts of the 21st century but ultimately fell short. The United States’ Bill Kazmaier (1980-1982) and Iceland’s Magnús Ver Magnússon (1994-1996) remain the only men to score this hallowed strongman feat.

With a win in the 2023 WSM, Stoltman would join them. In this specific respect, he will have surpassed Pudzianowski, Savickas, and another living legend in Brian Shaw. He will have eclipsed every strongman to have repeated as WSM champion, but who couldn’t take it another step further.

A lot is on the line for the Scottish superstar. He might rise up to meet the moment.

Mitchell Hooper

• Most notable accomplishment: 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC) champion

If there’s a strongman who seems destined for WSM greatness, the conversation probably starts and ends with Mitchell Hooper. The Canadian athlete first burst onto the scene when he blitzed the 2022 WSM Qualifying Round. While Hooper eventually lost gas in the Final, it was apparent he was part of the future of the sport. Ever since, he’s lived up to the hype and blazed a trail straight through the heart of strongman.

Per Strongman Archives, Hooper has qualified for the podium in each of his last eight strongman appearances since the 2022 WSM. Moreover, he’s won four of his last five contests, including the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic UK (ASCUK), the 2022 Giants Live World Tour Finals, the 2023 Australia’s Strongest International, and the 2023 ASC.

Should someone like Stoltman drop even a little bit off in performance near the top, it would be fair to assume that someone red-hot like Hooper steps up to fill in the gap. Winning his first career WSM title would be a perfect way to cap Hooper’s recent run of sheer dominance.

Brian Shaw

• Most notable accomplishment: Four-time WSM champion (2011, 2013, 2015-2016)

All around, 2023 is shaping up to be an emotional and seminal moment in Shaw’s strongman career. The 2023 WSM will not only be his last appearance in the flagship strongman contest — the ensuing 2023 Shaw Classic will be the legend’s last-ever professional strongman competition. That’s right: In the next few months, Shaw will lift his last Atlas Stone.

In a competitive setting, anyway.

Shaw appears to be reveling in his farewell tour, and justifiably so. He trained with the five other American strongmen participating in the 2023 WSM and is hoping a recent leg infection is a harbinger of coming good luck based on his past competitive precedent. If Shaw wins a fifth WSM title, he will match Pudzianowski for the most all-time.

That’d be one heck of a way to pen a final chapter in his resume.

Mateusz Kieliszkowski

• Most notable accomplishment: WSM runner-up (2018-2019)

The last anyone saw Kieliszkowski in a WSM setting was almost four years ago, during the 2019 edition. The “Polish Terminator” had just capped a second-consecutive runner-up finish, making it appear his ascent to strongman’s tallest summit would be inevitable in the 2020s. However, injuries and their complications would muddle matters for Kieliszkowski. A late withdrawal from the 2022 WSM made it unclear when he’d again thrive amongst some of the globe’s strongest athletes.

After a recent 32-ton (64,000 pounds) truck pull in training, Kieliszkowski has professed he doesn’t have high expectations for his official return to the WSM. A sterling runner-up finish in the 2023 ASC — his first strongman appearance in over two years — says otherwise. When the dust settles, Kieliszkowski might not win the 2023 WSM. The five-time Poland’s Strongest Man (PSM) champion’s (2015-2019) evaluation of his own ability is probably more accurate than any outside perspective.

That said, counting his chances out on paper could be a massive mistake.

Oleksii Novikov

• Most notable accomplishment: WSM champion (2020)

If one looked up the definition of consistency in a dictionary, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a picture of a roaring Novikov. According to Strongman Archives, the Ukrainian competitor has qualified for the podium in 18 out of 20 strongman competitions dating back to September 2020. He has recorded seven victories in that same time span, including a 2022 Europe’s Strongest Man (ESM) title and a triumph in the 2022 Rogue Invitational. Factor in Novikov’s WSM title to begin the decade, and it’s abundantly clear he has the pedigree to add another WSM notch to his already loaded belt of strength accomplishments.

Unfortunately, a lat muscle tear might limit Novikov’s capacity to thrive under strongman’s brightest “lights.” It didn’t seem to affect Novikov’s 2023 ESM runner-up performance in early April, but the severity of the potentially lingering injury is unconfirmed. While purely speculation, a healthier Novikov might have made it back-to-back ESM victories.

If Novikov is close to 100 percent, he will likely be a significant player working toward the 2023 WSM title until the curtains come up. His overall health status could determine whether Novikov wins outright or “only” records another podium finish.

2023 World’s Strongest Man Roster

Here’s a complete look at the full lineup of competitors in this year’s contest.

• Tom Stoltman (United Kingdom) — Defending two-time WSM champion
• Mitchell Hooper (Canada)
• Brian Shaw (United States)
• Mateusz Kieliszkowski (Poland)
• Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine)
• Pavlo Kordiyaka (Ukraine)
• Evan Singleton (United States)
• 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)
• Gavin Bilton (United Kingdom)
• Spenser Remick (United States)
• Eddie Williams (Australia)
• Konstantine Janashia (Georgia)
• Graham Hicks (United Kingdom)
• Luke Stoltman (United Kingdom)
• Mathew Ragg (New Zealand)
• Gabriel Rhéaume (Canada)
• Fadi El Masri (Lebanon)
• Jaco Schoonwinkel (South Africa)
• Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf (France)
• Mark Felix (United Kingdom)
• Pa O’Dwyer (Ireland)
• Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou (Burkina Faso)
• Thomas Evans (United States)
• *Pavlo Nakonechnyy (Ukraine) — *Withdrawn
• *Maxime Boudreault (Canada) — *Withdrawn

A WSM Battle for the Ages

None of these predictions and insights are to say that other competitors on the 30-person roster for the 2023 WSM roster don’t have a chance. It’s more that the defending champion (Stoltman), the only other previous WSM winners in the competition (Shaw, Novikov), a young superstar (Hooper), and an established dark horse in his return (Kieliszkowski) could present the best possible chances for a win.

When the 2023 WSM weekend draws to a close in Myrtle Beach, it wouldn’t be a far cry to see this group of five men create fireworks.

Featured image: @shawstrength on Instagram

The post 5 Top Contenders to Watch at the 2023 World’s Strongest Man appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

The Stoltman brothers have been sharing portions of their contest prep with their followers, including a recent event-focused training session that was published their YouTube channel on Apr. 3, 2023.

The title of the video is “Our Best Session Yet,” indicating that they deemed the training to be productive. The massive training included the log press, circus dumbbell press, Fingal’s Fingers, a pulling phase designed to simulate the Truck Pull, and Atlas stones. All of these lifts are events that will be a part of the prestigious strongman contest in South Carolina.

Log Press

The strongmen started by replicating a Log Press ladder, adding weight with each successful rep. Luke Stoltman lifted first and performed five individual reps with weights ranging from 140 to 180 kilograms (310 to 397 pounds) in 10-kilogram jumps performed with nearly no rest between each repetition.

Tom followed after, but he didn’t lock out the 180-kilogram lift. Their younger brother, Harry, also trained with them using lighter weights. Both Stoltmans completed a second set with the same weights, where Tom was able to successfully complete the heaviest lift.

After the set, Tom reflected on his performance while breathing heavily, “I knew the first one was there, I just didn’t put enough chalk on it. So, you can see the power’s there and that’s nice. It’s good to do it on the second round, as well. That’s how fatigue will be at World’s [Strongest Man].

Circus Dumbbell Press

They moved on to Circus dumbbell press next. Weights weren’t revealed on the screen, but Tom Stoltman told the camera that he performed two presses with 120 kilograms (242 pounds) for two, which he was proud of considering he did the log work before.

“My shoulder power’s feeling very good right now, so, I just need to keep it up.” Tom said, referring to his PR on the dumbbell press.

Fingal’s Finger

The third event of the day was with their custom Fingal’s Finger apparatus, which Luke said they did “nice and comfortable for a couple of sets.” Each athlete donned gripper gloves, not unlike what an American football wide receiver might wear, to assist their performance in the unconventional overhead movement.

Simulated Truck Pull

The fourth event was scheduled to be a Truck Pull, but it was raining in their area. So, they loaded up a sled with a combination of a 125-kilogram (275-pound) keg, 180-kilogram (397-pound) sandbag, one of the brothers weighing “almost 200-kilos” (440-pound), plus additional undisclosed weights would sit on top while the other pulled. Each Stoltman pulled twice across their building for an undetermined total distance.

Atlas Stones

The final training event was the Atlas stones. Both men lifted a 160-kilogram (352-pound) stone up and over a wooden bar setup for reps, simulating a Stone Off event. Tom can be seen doing nine, while Luke is shown on camera doing six reps.

Tom Stoltman is looking to add a third WSM trophy to his mantle while Luke will be competing for his first title. If Luke were to win the contest, he and Tom would be the first brothers to have both been the World’s Strongest Man. If Tom does “three-peat,” he would be the seventh champion to attain the title at least three time in the contest’s 46-year history.

Featured Image: Stoltman Brothers / YouTube

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As the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC) nears in Columbus, OH, in early March, the Stoltman Bros. — Tom and Luke — showcased a sample of their daily diet less than two weeks before the upcoming contest. They ate 10,000 calories combined as they tried to feed their massive builds. For the reigning two-time World’s Strongest Man (WSM) in Tom and the 2021 Europe’s Strongest Man (ESM) in Luke, it’s probably a diet befitting of two trying to lift Atlas Stones at their peak.

Here’s an overview of the Stoltman Bros.’ joint 10,000-calorie diet as they enter the final stages of their 2023 ASC training. Note: Select portions of the meals are segmented by what each brother ate specifically. The exact portions were not disclosed for every food item. Calories estimates are taken from the video notes.

Meal 1 — Breakfast

For their first meal of the day, breakfast, Luke disclosed that what the brothers eat won’t be precise between the pair. That fact doesn’t appear to have phased either athlete from necessary calorie-packing.

• Mushrooms (exact portion unclear)
• Eggs — Six for Luke, eight for Tom
• Toast — Four pieces each
• Bacon — Two pieces each

Calorie intake: Tom Stoltman, 1,300 calories; Luke Stoltman, 1,150 calories

Meal 2 — Mid-Morning Snack

The brothers continued infusing more protein into the second meal of their day. Aside from generous helpings of whey protein, they also had individual mixes of fruit for snacks. Luke consumed an unspecified amount of melon, pineapple, and mango, while Tom had strawberries.

• Whey protein — Three scoops each
• Individual fruit mixes

Calorie intake: Tom Stoltman, 358 calories; Luke Stoltman, 358 calories

Meal 3 — Preworkout Lunch

The brothers’ third meal of the day acted as pre-workout nutrition. With both strongmen having slightly different needs, their caloric layout was a bit different.

• Ground beef (Luke)
• Vegetables (Luke)
• Boiled potatoes (Luke)
• Burger with ground pork (Tom)
• Apple salad (Tom)
• Potato wedges (Tom)

Calorie intake: Tom Stoltman, 1,565 calories; Luke Stoltman, 1,274 calories

Meal 4 — Postworkout Snack

For their fourth meal, the brothers leaned on more protein infusion, this time opting to have an oat-based granola bar instead of fruit.

• Whey protein — Three scoops each
• Granola bar — One each

Calorie intake: Tom Stoltman, 596 calories; Luke Stoltman, 596 calories

Meal 5 — Dinner

To cap their full day of eating, the brothers went all-in on dinner. Fittingly, they once again had a variety of choices within their meals. The athletes explained that, in this case, dinner was their largest meal of the day in preparation for an events-based workout session the following day, which is their most intense training day of the week.

• Whey protein — Three scoops each
• Cheeseburger (Tom)
• French fries (Tom)
• Chicken (Luke)
• Boiled potatoes (Luke)

Calorie intake: Tom Stoltman, 1,630 calories; Luke Stoltman, 1,867 calories

Beyond the 2023 ASC, the Stoltman brothers have big ambitions during this competitive year. Tom will look to make it three straight WSM titles during the latest iteration of the contest in April. Meanwhile, Luke will similarly compete in the said competition as he seeks his first strongman victory since September 2021.

Featured image: @tomstoltmanofficial on Instagram

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On Feb. 9, 2023, the WSM organization revealed the official list of competitors set to participate in the latest iteration of the contest. Two-time reigning champion Tom Stoltman will be seeking to continue his reign. However, with an all-around stacked field featuring experienced titans as well as rising stars, from a glance, it’ll undoubtedly be a tall task to achieve a “three-peat.”

Here’s an overview of the 2023 WSM roster in the order in which they were publicly announced:

2023 World’s Strongest Man Roster

• Tom Stoltman (United Kingdom) — Defending 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)
• Konstantine Janashia (Georgia)
• Graham Hicks (United Kingdom)
• Luke Stoltman (United Kingdom)
• Mathew Ragg (New Zealand)
• Gabriel Rhéaume (Canada)
• Brian Shaw (United States)
• Fadi El Masri (Lebanon)
• Jaco Schoonwinkel (South Africa)
• Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine)
• Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf (France)
• Mark Felix (United Kingdom)
• Pa O’Dwyer (Ireland)
• Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou (Burkina Faso)
• Thomas Evans (United States)
• *Pavlo Nakonechnyy (Ukraine) — *Withdrawn
• *Maxime Boudreault (Canada) — *Withdrawn

The 2023 roster features 25 athletes for now, and three more will be revealed at the upcoming Europe’s Strongest Man (ESM) competition on Apr. 1, 2023. Notable strongmen not yet mentioned include 2020 WSM champion Oleksii Novikov and 2019 winner Martins Licis. Novikov has previously stated he was planning to train for the competition, and may presumably be announced as a later addition. Licis, on the other hand, will be taking a year off from competing and hasn’t disclosed when he plans to return.

Here’s an overview of the expected events at the 2023 WSM:

2023 World’s Strongest Man Events

The contest will take place across four days, with competitors challenged by multiple events each day, including two days of qualifying events and two days of Finals.

Qualifying Round

• Event One: Loading Race — Day One
• Event Two: Deadlift Machine — Day One
• Event Three: Log Ladder — Day One
• Event Four: Conan’s Wheel — Day Two
• Event Five: Kettlebell Toss — Day Two
• Event Six: Stone Off — Day Two

Final

• Event One | Fingal’s Fingers — Day Three
• Event Two | Deadlift —  Day Three
• Event Three | Shield Carry — Day Three
• Event Four | Max Dumbbell — Day Four
• Event Five | Vehicle Pull — Day Four
• Event Six | Atlas Stones — Day Four

Mitchell Hooper, who placed 8th at his WSM debut in 2022, was one of the first athletes to post a video with his reaction and initial thoughts on the lineup. Hooper took to his YouTube channel to discuss his fellow competitors, revealing that the contest is expected to eventually have 30 competitors rostered, and speculating about who could fill the remaining spots.

The 2023 WSM is still months away and there’s a lot to sort through before then, especially with regard to any remaining competitors. At the very least, the final puzzle is starting to come together on the biggest event in strongman.

Featured image: @theworldsstrongestman on Instagram

The post 2023 World’s Strongest Man Roster Revealed appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Here are the events scheduled for the 2023 WSM in mid-April. Notably, even with a change to a tightened schedule, there will potentially be a built-in rest day between the Qualifying Stages and the Final, as has been the norm in recent editions of the WSM. That said, with a relatively shortened schedule, fatigue could play a role in the latter stages of the competition, potentially even deciding the champion.

2023 World’s Strongest Man Event Schedule

Qualifying Round

• Event One: Loading Race — Day One
• Event Two: Deadlift Machine — Day One
• Event Three: Log Ladder — Day One
• Event Four: Conan’s Wheel — Day Two
• Event Five: Kettlebell Toss — Day Two
• Event Six: Stone Off — Day Two

Final

• Event One | Fingal’s Fingers — Day Three
• Event Two | Deadlift —  Day Three
• Event Three | Shield Carry — Day Three
• Event Four | Max Dumbbell — Day Four
• Event Five | Vehicle Pull — Day Four
• Event Six | Atlas Stones — Day Four

At the time of this writing, the precise structure of each of the 2023 WSM’s events is unclear.

A safe assumption would be to expect the Stone Off, the concluding event of the Qualifying Round, to be head-to-head. In the past, each group’s second and third-place finishers would square off to determine who would move on to the Final. Such a consistent setup would once again favor the respective group winners.

At the time of this article’s publication, the complete final roster for the 2023 WSM has not been revealed, nor has the makeup of each respective group. Presumably, reigning two-time WSM champion Tom Stoltman will return to defend his title. In January 2023, former WSM champ (2020) Oleksii Novikov revealed he would again be vying for the biggest prize in strongman. Four-time WSM champion (2011, 2013, 2015-2016) Brian Shaw previously announced the 2023 WSM would be his final appearance at the contest.

By the time the 2023 WSM is underway in Myrtle Beach, some of the strongest people in the world will have already been well-prepared for the gauntlet ahead. Regardless of who is on the roster and how the events are precisely structured, a fascinating battle likely lies ahead in the spring.

Featured image: @theworldsstrongestman on Instagram

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