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Daniel Bell was off to a raucous start in 2023. He had matched Hafthor Björnsson‘s deadlift of 395 kilograms (870.8 pounds) at the 2023 Arnold Sports Festival (ASF). Eventually, he had planned to extend his all-time raw with wraps World Record total of 1,182 kilograms (2,606.9 pounds) in the +140-kilogram weight class. For the time being, the athlete will seemingly have to put these plans on hold.

On Apr. 20, 2023, Bell revealed that he recently suffered a left leg injury while finishing a 425-kilogram (937-pound) back squat raw with wraps during the 2023 USA-UA Pioneer on the Beach. The powerlifter did not disclose the nature or severity of his ailment from the early April competition and mainly noted it felt like his “left glute was getting torn in half.” While the athlete persevered through his squat to a first-place performance in the +140-kilogram weight class, it seems likely that this injury will need some measure of attention.

In Bell’s Instagram post discussing his injury, he didn’t mince words. While he hasn’t (at the time of this article’s publication) provided more precise clarification on what exactly happened, Bell’s description makes this situation appear severe for one of the globe’s strongest powerlifters. The athlete has not posted an update to his social media platforms since revealing his health status.

Parts of the immediate aftermath didn’t sound pleasant, which revealed other underlying issues.

“Ten years in it’s bound to happen,” Bell wrote of his injury. “Woke up on Monday [April 17] unable to feel or move my toes. [It was] absolutely wild a week after. Moved forward with morphine and two different hospitals finding one of the largest MRI machines in Florida to find out my spine and six bulging discs have seen better days.”

According to Bell, his main goal is to avoid surgery. At the time of this writing, it is unclear what kind of surgery he would need or how long it would keep him out of training and sanctioned powerlifting competitions.

Nonetheless, it’s undoubtedly a setback for an athlete of his mold, and something he and his performance trainer Jacob Ross would prefer to steer clear of.

“Already in the process of working things out with [Jacob Ross] and avoiding surgery at all costs.”

Bell hasn’t lost in a powerlifting competition since 2019, according to Open Powerlifting.

To maintain his exemplary resume of late, and eventually break his own total World Record, Bell will likely need to take his time to fully recover from his injuries. It might be a while before anyone hears from the athlete again in an official capacity. Such a wait could be worth it for this strength star.

Featured image: @dbell_74 on Instagram

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Tom Stoltman entered the 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) with historic aspirations. Should the former two-time reigning champion (2021-2022) have beaten his elite strongman peers in Myrtle Beach, SC, he would have become only the third competitor to win three consecutive WSM titles. Instead, he fell short with a runner-up finish to eventual victor Mitchell Hooper. At the very least, the Scottish athlete seems to accept his shortcoming.

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 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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Renowned strongman commentator and 2016 Europe’s Strongest Man, Laurence “Big Loz” Shahlaei has worked as a coach for many high-level strength athletes, including the 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM), Mitchell Hooper. Following Hooper’s 2023 WSM victory, Shahlaei and wife Liz Shahlaei shared their thoughts and opinions about the news his YouTube channel.

The Shahlaei’s started the video with a recap of the last day of competition, beginning with the Circus Dumbbell. They noted that 2020 WSM winner Oleksii Novikov was expected to do well based his long string of dominating the event in past competitions, while Hooper and defending champion Tom Stoltman may likely lose points on the leaderboard.

Liz Shahlaei expressed her thoughts about the refereeing during this event, highlighting some potentially questionable lockout calls, while Big Loz noted that the calls were at least consistent with all the athletes.

He was most shocked that 2020 World’s Strongest Man Oleksii Novikov didn’t win the event — Novikov would tie for second place, along with Tom and Luke Stoltman, and Pavlo Kordiyaka. All four competitors completed a lift with the 132.5-kilogram (291-pound) dumbbell. Hooper and Evan Singleton tied for the win in that event, successfully lifting the 140.4-kilogram (309-pound) dumbbell.

Next up was the Truck Pull, and every man that was still in the competition finished in less than 40 seconds, which surprised Loz. Hooper won that event with a time of 30.24 seconds, which padded his overall lead over Stoltman going into the final event.

“I have to say, I’ve never seen the Truck Pull done so quickly at World’s Strongest Man.”

Indeed, the last time a vehicle pull was performed faster in a WSM Finals event was Manfred Hoberl’s blazing 29.64-second truck pull in the 1994 WSM contest.

Shahlaei also noted that he was glad there appeared to be no controversy over who won the event, as Hooper’s time exceeded the runner-up by more than two full seconds.

“The winner was a clear winner,” Big Loz said, while pointing out that Hooper’s previous performance in the event — 49.24 seconds in the 2022 WSM — wasn’t as competitive as his recent performance. 

“He’s worked extremely hard at this. This whole competition has just been phenomenal. I’ve been blown away.”

The couple then covered the Atlas Stones, in which Hooper placed second behind Stoltman. However, Hooper’s collection of points on the leaderboard was still good enough to clinch the title. Loz and Liz even showed Loz’s live reaction as the results were shared online. The coach summed up his client’s performance as a dominant one. 

“It’s been an emotional week. We’re so proud of Mitch Hooper. We’re proud of all the athletes. Obviously I’m coaching Mitch, and I’m invested in him.”

They concluded the video by recapping the top ten as a collective, and he saluted four-time World’s Strongest Man (2011, 2013, 2015-2016) Brian Shaw, who made his last appearance at the contest.

“It’s been a pleasure and a nightmare at times to compete against him in my career, but it’s been an honor, and I hope he goes on and does great things.”

Featured Image: @biglozwsm on Instagram

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57-year old strongman legend Mark Felix has competed in his final World’s Strongest Man contest. The Grenadian-born, British competitor announced in February 2023 that the most recent edition of the contest would be his last. He made his 18th and final appearance in the competition at the 2023 edition in Myrtle Beach, SC on the week of Apr. 19-23. 

Felix failed to make the finals, and the competition was won by 27-year-old Mitchell Hooper. In a strange twist of coincidence, Hooper had his ninth birthday during the 2004 WSM where Felix made his debut in the competition, while Felix had his 57th birthday just two days before his final WSM appearance. On Apr. 22, 2023, Felix shared his thoughts about his expansive WSM career in an Instagram post.

“So many things I could say about my 18th and final WSM show, the opportunities Strongman and [The World’s Strongest Man] has given me over the last 18 years. I have traveled the world. I have competed with the best of the best … from athletes, organizers, crew, sponsors, coach and trainers, friends, family, and supporters, I want to thank you all. It’s been awesome.”

Even though Felix will no longer participate in the World’s Strongest Man contest, he made it clear that he is far from done in the sport itself.

“Strongman Sport is in my blood, it’s a family like no other, and I am looking forward to continuing competing in the [Giants Live] and [Official Strongman Games] shows … To everyone who supports me, thank you for the messages I read them all it means a lot … see you all soon at a show”

Felix has competed in every WSM contest from 2004 to 2023 with the exceptions of the 2005 and 2012 contests. He has reached the Finals on three occasions, with a highest-ever finish in fourth place at the 2006 WSM, followed in 2007 with a sixth-place finish.

In 2015, Felix achieved what would be his last Top 10 finish, reaching eighth place. That same year, Brian Shaw captured his third WSM title. In another coincidence, Shaw has also announced that the 2023 WSM would be his final appearance in the contest.

Felix has competed shoulder-to-shoulder with every WSM champion during that time, from Vasyl Virastyuk (2004) to Hooper (2023).

Outside of the WSM competition, Felix won titles including the 2016 World Strongman Federation’s (WSF) World Cup and the 2015 Ultimate Strongman Masters World Championships.

He may be best known for his incredible grip strength, which propelled him to a World Record in the Hercules Hold, where Felix held the 160-kilogram (352-pound) pillars for 92.37 seconds at the 2020 Europe’s Strongest Man contest. He also won the Vice Grip Viking Challenge in 2011 and 2012, as well as the Rolling Thunder competition in 2008 and 2009.

Even though Felix made it clear he will compete in other shows, as of this writing, there is no word on exactly what Felix’s next contest will be.

Featured Post: @markfelixwsm on Instagram

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Less than 24 hours after winning the 2023 World’s Strongest Man title in Myrtle Beach, SC, Mitchell Hooper gave his fans insight on what Sunday, Apr. 23, 2023 looked like from his perspective. The new champion posted a YouTube video that documented the final day of the contest.

The video was succinctly titled “I WON: World’s Strongest Man 2023,” and it was published on his channel the morning of Apr. 24, 2023. The video opens with Hooper walking to the contest area, apparently excited about the upcoming day. Despite winning six of the eight previous contest events, he also acknowledged that there was no guarantee of victory against his elite peers.

“It’s going to be a battle between the four of us today … We’ll see how my dumbbell [event] goes. We’ll see how Tom [Stoltman’s] dumbbell [event] goes. We’ll see how Oleksii [Novikov’s] [Atlas] stone goes. Trey [Mitchell], in the mix with them all. We’ll see how it all shakes out. 25% chance for us all, maybe. Wish me luck.”

Hooper can then be seen warming up on the Circus dumbbells before the first event of the contest’s final day. He was greeted by 2019 World’s Strongest Man Martins Licis, as well.

Due to the copyrights of the video footage, Hooper is only seen briefly performing in the event before it cuts to him talking to his family afterward. He tied for first place with Evan Singleton as the only competitors to lift the 140.4-kilogram (309-pound) dumbbell.

The video then cuts to Hooper resting and talking to the camera after the Truck Pull, where he placed first by beating his nearest competitors by more than two seconds. Even though the title was now clearly in Hooper’s sights at this point in the competition due to his points on the leaderboard, he said that he was assuming nothing until the last event was over.

Trying to coax a reply from Hooper, the cameraperson asked, “If you were to predict how you’re going to do on the stones, where do you think you’re going to fare?” Hooper’s reply was a humble dismissal of the fact that, to that point, he had placed first in eight of the 10 previous events.

“Not going to do that. Not worried about it. Just gotta go have a clean, smooth run. Get through them. There’s a lot of really good stone lifters here so, anything could happen … We’ll see how it goes.”

The video then shows Hooper and previous champion Tom Stoltman making their entrances to the Atlas Stones area, where Hooper would clinch the title by finishing in second place in the event. The camera then shows his family reacting to the moment he won the title followed by his wife hugging him in celebration while Hooper held the trophy.

He is also shown taking photos, doing interviews, speaking with 2017 World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall, and signing autographs. He signed off the video giving thanks to everyone who followed the action throughout the week.

“It’s crazy. It’s going to take a long time for this to sink in … Thank you so much to everyone who showed their support,” he said. “Thank you so much to everyone who supports the sport and to everyone who came before me. Really, really cool and incredibly humbling experience that I’ll have trouble putting into words for awhile.”

Hooper is the first athlete from Canada to win the World’s Strongest Man title. He is also the first man to have won both the Arnold Strongman Classic and the World’s Strongest Man in the same year since Hafthor Björnsson pulled off the feat in 2018. 

Featured Image: Mitchell Hooper / YouTube 

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The sport of strongman has a new king, and now he gets to sit on his throne in Myrtle Beach, SC.

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 (308 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 with four successful lifts.

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 goes, Mathew Ragg’s WSM debut was the first New Zealand competitor’s appearance in the WSM final in 40 years, with Allan Hallberg in the 1983 WSM being the last representative. South Africa’s Jaco Schoonwinkel also had an extremely solid showing, dominating his Qualifying Group before falling to injury.

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

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Mitchell Hooper is the champion of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM). The athlete is the first Canadian victor in the contest’s illustrious 46-year history. After an all-around dominant performance from start to finish, it’s abundantly clear that Hooper came, saw, and conquered over the rest of strongman’s elite performers in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Rounding out the 2023 WSM podium were Tom Stoltman (second place) and Oleksii Novikov (third place). A runner-up finish is admirable and a quality result for Stoltman, but it was also assuredly not what the former two-time champion (2021-2022) hoped for. Meanwhile, Novikov takes home his second consecutive podium finish after capturing the 2020 WSM title.

Here are the standings from the Finals of the 2023 WSM:

2023 World’s Strongest Man Finals Standings

1. Mitchell Hooper (Canada) | 2023 WSM champion
2. Tom Stoltman (United Kingdom)
3. Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine)
4. Trey Mitchell (United States)
5. Evan Singleton (United States)
6. Pavlo Kordiyaka (Ukraine)
7. Brian Shaw (United States)
8. Luke Stoltman (United Kingdom)
9. Matthew Ragg (New Zealand)
10. *Jaco Schoonwinkel (South Africa) | *Withdrew on contest’s last day

To notch his first career WSM title, Hooper mostly cleared through the competition’s events schedule.

In the Qualifying Round, Hooper won four of the five events where he participated in Group 3, ensuring he would not have to compete in the climactic Stone Off for a berth in the Finals. Once the weekend’s Finals came around, Hooper won four of five events before the famous Atlas Stones even occurred, virtually guaranteeing himself the title on a mathematical basis barring outright disaster. He would then come in second to cement the victory. Hooper finished his 2023 WSM championship performance with a resounding 53.5 points, lapping the rest of his powerful peers by 4.5 points.

Mitchell Hooper 2023 World’s Strongest Man Event Results

Here’s an overview of how Hooper fared event by event during the 2023 WSM:

Qualifying Round (Group 3)

• Loading Race — First place | Five implements, 52.14 seconds
• Deadlift Machine — First place | Eight reps
• Log Ladder — First place | Five reps, 39.51 seconds
• Conan’s Wheel — First place | 636 degrees
• Kettlebell Toss — Second place | Six reps, 17.18 seconds

Finals

• Reign Total Body Fuel Shield (Heat 3) — First place | 64.8 meters
• KNAACK Deadlift — First place | Eight reps
• Fingal’s Fingers — Sixth place | Five reps, 49.89 seconds
• Max Dumbbell — First place | Four lifts
• Bus Pull — First place | 30.24 seconds
• Atlas Stones — Second place | Five stones, 36.96 seconds

Hooper’s first WSM title caps what might be one of the more jarring rises that strongman has ever seen. The athlete’s first-ever professional show was as a rookie in the 2022 WSM, where he initially entered as a reserve before qualifying for the Finals. He eventually scored an eighth-place result in what now seems like a harbinger of the dominance to come.

That’s because it’s been full steam ahead for the Canadian athlete ever since.

After his 2022 WSM blitz, Hooper qualified for the podium in nine of nine contests, including the 2023 WSM. With his WSM victory in the account, Hooper has now won five of his last six competitions. His WSM triumph aside, the other four contest wins are the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic UK (ASCUK), the 2022 Giants Live World Tour Finals (GLWTF), the 2023 Australia’s Strongest International (ASI), and the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC).

It’s impossible to precisely predict what lies in store for Hooper’s competitive future. However, he just completed one of the more remarkable one-year runs ever in strongman with a WSM championship and is still just 27 years old.

It’s not hard to envision the new king of the sport holding onto his throne for a long time.

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

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Just one day remains in the 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM). One day to determine who has the privilege to become ultimate strongman royalty. One day to find out who gets to sit on top of what might be strength sports’ most prestigious throne in Myrtle Beach, SC.

As the second climactic half of the Finals looms on Sunday, here’s where the 2023 WSM Finals leaderboard stands at the end of Day Three, along with a recap of how each athlete fared in the first half of the Finals.

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

2023 WSM Finals Leaderboard

2023 World’s Strongest Man Day 3 Results

Here are the Day 3 results from the first part of the 2023 WSM Finals, including each athlete’s individual finishes, any relevant corresponding times and distances, and tasked weights on the Reign Total Body Fuel Shield Carry, the KNAACK Deadlift, and the Fingal’s Fingers. Due to a two-hour inclement weather delay, all the event start times were pushed back accordingly. In a scheduling shift, the Fingal’s Fingers became the last event of the day, while the Reign Total Body Fuel Shield Carry began the Finals.

Reign Total Body Fuel Shield Carry Recap

The Reign Total Body Fuel Shield Carry tasked the competitors with carrying a 196-kilogram (432-pound) shield for maximum distance. Competitors moved back and forth along a 20-meter (65.6-foot) course for as much as they could.

In unfortunate circumstances, controversy may have defined the Reign Total Body Fuel Shield Carry. Ukraine’s Pavlo Kordiyaka, who had a legitimate shot at the 2023 WSM podium (and perhaps even more) entering the first day of the Finals, may have lost his opportunity on a debatable penalty for failing to fully cross a boundary line before continuing one lap of his carry. Kordiyaka would lose a whopping five points and be penalized 19.8 meters of distance from his carry, resulting in a score of 46.59 meters. If not for the penalty, Kordiyaka would’ve had the overwhelming best distance of all participating finalists. The competitor would leave the stage in apparent disgust after the penalty ruling.

Instead, the likely growing WSM favorite, Mitchell Hooper, finished with the best carry of 64.8 meters in Heat 3.

Heat 1

1. Brian Shaw — 39.1 meters
2. Mathew Ragg — 37.65 meters

Heat 2

1. Evan Singleton — 48.3 meters
2. Luke Stoltman — 44.62 meters

Heat 3

1. Mitchell Hooper — 64.8 meters
2. Tom Stoltman — 63.15 meters

Heat 4

1. Trey Mitchell — 50.83 meters
2. Pavlo Kordiyaka — 46.59 meters (includes 19.8-meter penalty)

Heat 5

1. Oleksii Novikov — 55.87 meters
2. Jaco Schoonwinkel — 15.92 meters

KNAACK Deadlift Recap

The KNAACK Deadlift did not reinvent the wheel for the athletes. It was a traditional deadlift for maximum repetitions with 355 kilograms (782.6 pounds) as rain fell on Myrtle Beach. Hooper claimed another event victory by being the only strongman to finish eight repetitions. Four athletes tied for second on the KNAACK deadlift with seven successful repetitions, including Oleksii Novikov, Trey Mitchell, Brian Shaw, and Mathew Ragg.

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

Fingal’s Fingers Recap

The end of the first half of the 2023 WSM Finals was a fitting spectacle, as it featured the Fingal’s Fingers. The event had not been a part of a WSM Finals round since 2009, marking a decade-plus absence as a decision-making race. The strongmen had the objective of flipping five successive “fingers” in one minute. The beams had the approximate size of telephone poles and ranged in these weights as they progressed through the course: 145 kilograms (320 pounds), 154 kilograms (340 pounds), 159 kilograms (350 pounds), 163 kilograms (360 pounds), and 172 kilograms (380 pounds).

Two-time defending WSM champion Tom Stoltman paced ahead of the rest of the competitors — completing all five fingers nearly three full seconds before his closest competitor — putting himself in great position for the second half of the Finals on Sunday afternoon.

1. Tom Stoltman — 5 reps, 39.36 seconds
2. Oleksii Novikov — 5 reps, 42.26 seconds
3. Trey Mitchell — 5 reps, 48.46 seconds
4. Pavlo Kordiyaka — 5 reps, 48.69 seconds
5. Evan Singleton — 5 reps, 49.85 seconds
6. Mitchell Hooper — 5 reps, 49.89 seconds
7. Brian Shaw — 4 reps, 26.61 seconds
8. Luke Stoltman — 4 reps, 32.54 seconds
9. Mathew Ragg — 4 reps, 35.03 seconds
10. Jaco Schoonwinkel — 1 rep, 40.76 seconds

A Sunday of Strength

Any number of storylines and questions could define the final day of the 2023 WSM.

Just one year after surprising the elite strongman field in his WSM debut, Mitchell Hooper might lead the fray. The Canadian strongman is arguably in the strongest position to win the title and could culminate one of the more meteoric rises over an approximate year that the sport has ever seen.

Then there’s Brian Shaw. On the last day of his WSM career, Shaw could, theoretically, win all three of the last events to capture a legendary fifth title and cap one of the greatest ever runs in strongman. Technically, two-time defending champion Tom Stoltman is still in a position to finish a rare and legendary “three-peat,” too.

Finally, as the dust settles, it remains to be seen how Kordiyaka’s controversial penalty will define the rest of the contest. It might take a Herculean effort to overshadow a ruling that may have cost an athlete a legitimate opportunity at strongman’s greatest title.

To some, the suspense might be terrible on the last day of the 2023 WSM. To these elite strongmen, they likely hope it lasts.

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

The post 2023 World’s Strongest Man Day 3 Results — As a Legend’s Run Ends, Another Might Be Starting appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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Now and then I’ll read comments on keto discussion forums that gloat about being able to eat anything if they’re just sure to stay below 50 grams of carbs a day. I’ll be direct here and say this is the wrong way to do keto. Unfortunately, many people get overzealous about macro counts and lose sight of the bigger picture. Reaching ketosis is never the end goal. You want health, energy, vitality. How you get there matters.

It’s true that the ketogenic diet uses a macronutrient framework that looks roughly like this:

• Carbohydrates below 50 grams per day (around 5-10% of total caloric intake)
• Protein sufficient to meet physiological needs and goals (generally 15-25% caloric intake)
• The rest from healthy fats

Within that framework, there is generous room to fulfill your body’s nutrient requirements and include ample vegetable—and even some fruit—intake.

My hope is that this guide will leave you feeling you have an incredibly vast array of appetizing, nutritious options. The truth is you CAN create an effective keto diet from an expansive range of whole, nutrient-dense foods.

Healthy Fats

Because we want to increase our healthy fat intake on a ketogenic plan, I’m starting with fats.

First and foremost, avoid industrial seed oils. Steer clear of anything hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated. Choosing the right fats to keep your fatty acids in balance is important, but it’s not something to get overly stressed about.

Use fats appropriately at temperatures and in storage conditions that maintain their stability and nutrient value.

Here are some healthy fat options:

Saturated and monounsaturated fats: Great for higher temp cooking and for making fat bombs.

• Cheese (see dairy)
• Butter
• Ghee
• Coconut Oil
• Lard
• Tallow
• Sustainably Sourced Red Palm Oil
• Avocado oil

Monounsaturated fats (MUFAs): Best for low temp sauteeing and cold use.

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Extra virgin avocado oil
• Bacon fat—actually a mix of saturated and monounsaturated, but surprisingly high in monounsaturated fat; great for sautéed vegetables
• Duck fat—also a mix of saturated and monounsaturated, but surprisingly high in monounsaturated fat)
• Macadamia nut oil—very low in PUFAs

Polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs): Know the difference. Some should be completely off the menu, like over-processed vegetable oils (corn and canola), but others can have a regular place at the ketogenic table.

Most seed-based oils are high in polyunsaturated fats. Unfortunately, seed oils are typically extracted in ways that can destroy the nutrients. Be sure to look for cold-pressed versions, and don’t heat these oils.

• Hemp oil
• Flax oil
• Chia oil

Vegetables and Fruits

Many people falsely assume they have to forgo the benefits of vegetables and especially fruit with a keto diet. The best source of vegetables are above-ground varieties, which are nutrient-dense yet low in carbohydrates. Dark leafy greens and cruciferous veggies are excellent options.

Take time to learn how many carbs are in each kind of produce. I recommend carefully limiting root vegetables and tubers, as well as most fruits, during keto phases. These don’t deliver the best bang for your buck in terms of getting the most nutrient-dense food for the fewest carbs. If you’re an endurance athlete or you participate in a physically demanding sport or other activity, you can incorporate more starchy vegetables around the window of your workout to refuel as truly needed.

Here are some lower carb vegetable and fruit options:

• Leafy greens: spinach, arugula, Swiss chard, various lettuces like romaine and iceberg, purslane, dandelion greens, watercress, mustard plant, beet greens, and endive
• Cruciferous veggies: broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, collard greens
• Green beans
• Avocados
• Bok choy
• Mushrooms (all varieties)
• Zucchini
• Summer squash
• Asparagus
• Fiddlehead ferns
• Broccolini
• Cucumbers
• Berries (in moderation)

Proteins

Protein offers a high satiety factor and is needed to build and maintain lean mass. Enjoy a variety of meat, fowl, seafood, and eggs. Organs are some of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet, so be sure to include them in your diet! Limit cured meats to those that don’t contain sugar or nitrates.

Here are some great meat/protein options:

• Small, oily fish (salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, herring)
• Other wild-caught fish and other seafood (some farmed are okay, too)
• Bivalves (oysters, mussels, clams, scallops)
• Fowl: chicken, turkey, duck, goose, Cornish hen
• Lamb
• Grass-fed beef
• Pasture-raised eggs (chicken and duck)
• Organ meats: liver, heart, kidney, sweetbreads
• Bacon (look for brands without sugar added)
• Pasture-raised pork

Dairy

For the best nutrition, look for full-fat, pastured dairy. (I don’t eat low-fat or fat-free dairy whether or not I’m doing keto.) Dairy has natural sugars, even if there are no added sweeteners, so be mindful about your intake. Here are some of the best options for those who choose to include dairy within a ketogenic eating plan.

• Raw hard cheeses (best bet: rich in K2, low in carbs, high in nutrients)
• Raw soft cheeses
• Full-fat plain Greek yogurt
• Full-fat milk and cream
• Fermented drinks like kefir (plain and full fat, but still watch carb content on these!)

Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices can add new levels of flavor to vegetables, meats, and sauces. Use them generously. Here are some of my staples, but any herbs and spices are on the menu.

• Sea salt or Himalayan pink salt
• Black pepper
• Cinnamon
• Turmeric
• Cayenne
• Cumin
• Cilantro
• Basil
• Oregano
• Dill
• Rosemary
• Parsley
• Chili powder
• Saffron
• Cardamon

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds make for great snacking options in moderation. They offer healthy fats and essential minerals, but they also contain varying amounts of carbohydrates.

The best low-carb/high-fat nut options are:

• Macadamia nuts
• Brazil nuts
• Pecans
• Hazelnuts

Some of the higher-carb nut options (to be more mindful of consuming) are:

• Pistachios
• Cashews
• Almonds
• Walnuts

Sauces and Condiments

Your best bet is to make your own sauces and condiments, or purchase them from a Primal source that does not use sugar in the ingredients. (PRIMAL KITCHEN® mayos, dressings and oils fit the bill perfectly.) This is the best way to avoid hidden sugars and sweeteners, yet still get the creaminess you crave! Here are some sauces and condiments that can complement a ketogenic plan (again, keep in mind the carb content of each):

• Homemade ketchup or Primal Kitchen Organic Unsweetened Ketchup
• Mayo (made with avocado oil)
• Sriracha
• Mustard
• Salad dressings (made with yogurt or avocado oil and without sugar or sweeteners)

Sweeteners

Sometimes we want a little added sweetness. When choosing a sweetener, avoid anything that will spike insulin or knock you out of ketosis. Some artificial sweeteners may not affect insulin but can compromise gut biome health. Stevia and monk fruit are two natural sweeteners that have no or low glycemic impact.

Of course, there is no need for sweeteners on keto, so if you feel like you can do without them, by all means!

Don’t forget to sign up for the Keto Reset Digest, our keto-themed newsletter. You’ll get:

• Exclusive unpublished commentary about new research, trends, discussions and observations about the ketogenic diet
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The post What to Eat When Going Keto appeared first on Mark’s Daily Apple.

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On Apr. 20, 2023, powerlifter Hunter Henderson shared an Instagram clip of herself capturing a 227.2-kilogram (501-pound) raw deadlift from a conventional stance. According to the caption of the athlete’s post, it’s the first time Henderson has ever deadlifted at least 500 pounds raw from a conventional setup. Henderson wore just a lifting belt to help her with the strength feat.

According to Open Powerlifting, Henderson possesses the third-heaviest all-time raw deadlift of 252.4 kilograms (556.6 pounds) in the 75-kilogram (165-pound) weight class. However, that lift occurred from a sumo pulling stance. While this most recent training pull is unofficial and outside of the context of a sanctioned lifting competition, it remains the first time Henderson has deadlifted at least 500 pounds from a conventional stance.

Outside of her growing pulling prowess in the traditional sense, Henderson already has a reputation as one of the strongest powerlifters in various weight classes. Even more accurately, she is probably one of the strongest powerlifters on the planet, period.

For example, in the 75-kilogram (165-pound) division, Henderson is the current all-time raw with wraps squat World Record holder with a lift of 294.9 kilograms (650.3 pounds) at the 2021 World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) Kern US Open. In the 82.5-kilogram (181-pound) class, Henderson owns the all-time raw with wraps squat World Record of 305 kilograms (672.4 pounds) during the 2022 WRPF FQ Classic 2.

On an overall level, per her competitive resume featured on Open Powerlifting, Henderson has an undefeated 9-0 record in her powerlifting career. The athlete usually competes raw but has shown off successful instances of running through contests raw with wraps, as exemplified by her World Records.

It’s no wonder the athlete is seemingly breaking new ground with her deadlift strength training and progress. She’s established that kind of exemplary precedent and doesn’t seem to be slowing the train down.

At the time of this article’s publication, Henderson does not appear to have announced any upcoming competitive plans. The powerlifter last appeared on a sanctioned lifting platform during a record-breaking performance at the 2023 WRPF Ghost Clash 2 in late February 2023. For the time being, Henderson seems centered on improving her conventional deadlift.

That kind of focus might very well come in handy whenever the competitor again features in an official capacity.

Featured image: @huntermhenderson on Instagram

The post Hunter Henderson Records Her First Raw Conventional Deadlift Past the 226.8-Kilogram (500-Pound) Barrier appeared first on Breaking Muscle.