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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
• The best curated keto content and research
• Appetizing, nourishing keto recipes
• 20% off any keto products in the Primal Kitchen® Keto Collection

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.

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Research of the Week

Breaking up evening sitting with resistance training lowers blood sugar and insulin levels.

Driving after bad sleep is like driving after a few drinks.

Quercetin may prevent frailty.

Methane isn’t as warming as we thought.

New onset diabetes may signal the malignant transformation of pancreatic cysts.

New Primal Kitchen Podcasts

Primal Health Coach Radio: Kasey Goins

Primal Kitchen Podcast: Katy Whalen on the Pitfalls of Perimenopause and Female Aging

Media, Schmedia

Monkeys like booze.

Strange example of make-work.

Interesting Blog Posts

How pressure cookers work.

More on fructose.

Social Notes

Genes do not doom us.

Everything Else

Chicken farming in Japan at least as early as 400 BC.

The Norse sagas were right about Greenland Vikings importing timber from North America. What else were they right about?

Not surprised to hear the Turks reject lab meat. Great country with great people.

Things I’m Up to and Interested In

Acute vs chronic: While acute weight lifting raises blood pressure, chronic weight lifting lowers it.

Synergy: Caffeine and rhodiola rosea together are more powerful than either alone.

Good development: Doctors writing “nature prescriptions.”

Interesting: An analysis of continuous glucose monitor users without diabetes.

Question I’m Asking

Do you think lab meat will take off?

Recipe Corner

• Teriyaki pineapple meatballs.
• Cabbage fritters.

Time Capsule

One year ago (Apr 15 – Apr 21)

• Dear Mark: Creatine for Women—Is it good for women?
• Benefits of Cycling for Health and Fitness—Why to bike.

Comment of the Week

“In response to taking a break from all the luxuries is one of my favorite luxuries and.

Getting outdoors, no cell service….who cares. The comfort of my hammock and cozy sleeping bag, a warm bonfire, book, and hot pour over coffee as the sun rises wherever I happen to be. Hear the coyotes, an owl or crickets, and the wind in the trees.
Luxury comes in many forms.

I truly enjoy a hot shower on my return and my big bed.

It is all how you frame it.“

-Amen.

The post New and Noteworthy: What I Read This Week—Edition 218 appeared first on Mark’s Daily Apple.

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The saying “kill two birds with one stone” usually applies to a person successfully accomplishing two routine tasks in one fell swoop. Weightlifter Karlos Nasar might want to consider adopting that phrase to “break four World Records with one lift” after his performance at the 2023 European Weightlifting Championships (EWC) in Yerevan, Armenia.

To close his output in the 89-kilogram weight class, Nasar successfully clean & jerked 221 kilograms (487.2 pounds) for a World Record. The record feat of strength not only earned Nasar the 89-kilogram gold medal, it helped him break four Junior and Senior World Records in his division with a single lift. Perhaps more importantly, it may have officially painted the Bulgarian athlete as one of the premier young faces of weightlifting.

Here are the four World Records that Nasar’s staggering 221-kilogram (487.2-pound) clean & jerk record lift allowed him to break in the 89-kilogram weight class:

• Junior World Record Clean & Jerk
• Junior World Record Total
• Senior World Record Clean & Jerk
• Senior World Record Total

Nasar was already in possession of three of these four World Records and merely extended his dominance of the division. With an all-time competition best snatch of 174 kilograms (383.6 pounds) in the account, Nasar’s total of 395 kilograms (870.8 pounds) officially eclipsed competitive rival Antonino Pizzolato’s past Senior World record 89-kilogram total. Pizzolato withdrew from competing in the 2023 EWC at the last minute. Nasar’s snatch was also a Junior World Record in the 89-kilogram division, marking his fifth record of the contest.

Here’s an overview of the 89-kilogram podium at the 2023 EWC and the athletes’ respective top totals:

2023 European Weightlifting Championships | 89KG Podium

1. Karlos Nasar (Bulgaria) — 395–kilogram (870.8-pound) total | (174-kilogram/383.6-pound snatch and 221-kilogram/487.2-pound clean & jerk)
2. Andranik Karapetyan (Armenia) — 374-kilogram (824.5-pound) total | (178-kilogram/392.4-pound snatch and 196-kilogram/432.1-pound clean & jerk)
3. Marin Robu (Moldova) — 364–kilogram (802.4-pound) total (166-kilogram/365.9-pound snatch and 198-kilogram/436.5-pound clean & jerk)

On an official basis, his multiple World Records aside, Nasar outperformed his peers by a dominant 21-kilogram (46.2-pound) margin to win the 89-kilogram gold medal at the 2023 EWC.

It’s potentially mind-blowing to consider, but Nasar is still just 18 years old. Despite his youth, he’s already a clear weightlifting powerhouse. He seems to be making an early case as one of the greatest weightlifters of all time. With what feels like a prolific career ahead of him, this 2023 EWC performance might end up only being a footnote in Nasar’s resume.

Featured image: @weightlifting_house on Instagram

The post Weightlifter Karlos Nasar (89KG) Breaks 5 World Records at 2023 European Championships appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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Day Two of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) promised fireworks, and it did not disappoint in its delivery. The second day saw the athletes work through the Conan’s Wheel, Kettlebell Toss, and climactic Stone-Off to determine the 10 places in the 2023 WSM Final.

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 Two 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 Shaw of 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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Jamal Browner became a household name in powerlifting because of the staggering amount of weight he could deadlift. Full stop. However, the athlete is mainly known for the bar-bending weight he can pull off the ground from a sumo stance. It’s his conventional, traditional progress that’s entering the limelight lately.

On Apr. 18, 2023, Browner shared an Instagram video of himself capturing a raw 435-kilogram (959-pound) deadlift from a conventional stance. According to the caption of the athlete’s post, the lift is a personal record (PR) for this deadlift variation. It improves upon a raw conventional deadlift PR from late March 2022 by 2.4 kilograms (5.5 pounds) in just about a month’s time of apparent diligent training. Browner wore lifting straps, donned a lifting belt, and also utilized a traditional grip for the pull.

Browner getting his conventional deadlift to catch up to his sumo deadlift probably shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who’s paid attention to his training exploits. Though, it might still take some time and consistency before the athlete’s conventional pulling matches his sumo pulling. After all, some might consider deadlifting from a sumo stance “easier” for athletes, considering the wider stance lowers the range of motion that a person needs to pull their stacked barbell off the ground.

If anyone can make rapid progress and transcend past such potential deadlift disclaimers, it’s probably Browner. The powerlifter has been steadily sharing clips of different examples of his raw conventional deadlift preparation. In mid-April 2023, Browner posted a video of himself completing a 365-kilogram (804-pound) raw conventional pulling session for five reps. Shortly before that, Browner disclosed a clip where he deadlifted 422.5 kilograms (931.4 pounds) with stunning ease.

Browner has not clarified what his precise goals are from a conventional deadlift pulling stance. Presumably, at the very least, the athlete wants to break the raw 1,000-pound barrier in a sanctioned competition. Browner already achieved this officially from a sumo stance when he scored the raw all-time deadlift World Record of 455 kilograms (1,003 pounds) in the 110-kilogram division at the 2022 United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) Raw Pro.

From a macro scale, Browner has nothing to prove as a deadlifter. For many, he has probably cemented himself as one of the greatest pullers of all time. That said, if he can make deadlifting at least 1,000 pounds from the sumo and conventional stance, his already sizable legacy may only grow in scope.

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The 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) contest kicked off with a bang on Apr. 19, 2023, in sunny Myrtle Beach, SC. The participating athletes were fortunate to work through the first Qualifying Round events on a day that never veered far past the high 70s in temperature.

The first leg of the competition saw the competitors work through the early-morning Loading Race, the early-afternoon Deadlift Machine, and closed with the near-evening Log Ladder. Here’s where the leaderboard stands after Day 1, along with a short recap of how each athlete fared in the competition’s kickoff events.

2022 World’s Strongest Man Leaderboard — Day 1

2022 World’s Strongest Man Day 1 Results

Here are the results from each Qualifying Round Group, including each athlete’s individual finishes, corresponding time, and placing within the Loading Race, Deadlift Machine, and Log Ladder events. 

Loading Race Recap

The contest’s first event tested the competitors’ strength and athleticism. Shortly before the Loading Race began, Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou withdrew from the competition.

They had an objective of running through a four-to-six-meter (13-to-19.6-foot) field of sand as fast as they could while loading gradually heavier implements onto an elevated platform. The time limit for the Loading Race’s completion was 90 seconds. The implements featured two stacks of bundled logs (106 kilograms/234 pounds and 114.7 kilogram/253 pounds), a 124.7-kilogram (275-pound) anvil, a 120.2-kilogram (265-pound) sandbag, and a 120.2-kilogram (265-pound) “Husafell” sandbag.

Reigning Europe’s Strongest Man (ESM) champion and Group 1 competitor, Pavlo Kordiyaka, had the best time (41.38 seconds) while successfully loading all five implements. Meanwhile, presumed top WSM contenders Oleksii Novikov (51.14 seconds) and Mitchell Hooper (42.05 seconds) both breezed through the race to lead Group 2 and Group 3, respectively.

Group 1

1. Pavlo Kordiyaka — Five implements, 41.38 seconds
2. Tom Stoltman — Five implements, 43.84 seconds
3. Bobby Thompson — Five implements, 56.56 seconds
4. Konstantine Janashia — Five implements, 61.1 seconds
5. Pa O’Dwyer — Five implements, 65.89 seconds
6. Eddie Williams — Five implements, 66.44 seconds

Group 2

1. Oleksii Novikov — Five implements, 52.14 seconds
2. Kristjan Jon Haraldsson — Five implements, 54.58 seconds
3. Thomas Evans — Five implements, 57.4 seconds
4. Luke Stoltman — Five implements, 62.78 seconds
5. Gavin Bilton — Five implements, 63.01 seconds
6. Fadi El Masri — Four implements, 49.57 seconds

Group 3

1. Mitchell Hooper — Five implements, 42.05 seconds
2. Aivars Šmaukstelis — Five implements, 52.71 seconds
3. Mathew Ragg — Five implements — 58.72 seconds
4. Spenser Remick — Five implements, 67.15 seconds
5. Mateusz Kieliszkowski — Five implements, 67.53 seconds
6. Graham Hicks — Four implements, 53.4 seconds

Group 4

1. Jaco Schoonwinkel — Five implements, 47.1 seconds
2. Rauno Heinla — Five implements, 51.41 seconds
3. Brian Shaw — Five implements, 53.7 seconds
4. Adam Bishop — Four implements, 43.12 seconds
5. Gabriel Rhéaume — Four implements, 51.03 seconds
6. Kevin Faires — Three implements, 65.3 seconds

Group 5

1. Evan Singleton — Five implements, 46.9 seconds
2. Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted — Five implements, 56.41 seconds
3. Trey Mitchell — Five implements, 66.64 seconds
4. Paul Smith — Four implements, 44.79 seconds
5. Mark Felix — Four implements, 54.32 seconds
6. Jean-Stephen Corabeouf — Three implements, 40.63 seconds

Deadlift Machine Recap

The second event of the 2023 WSM, the Deadlift Machine, was a requisite showcase of power and endurance. The athletes had a 75-second time limit to perform as many repetitions as possible on a specially designed deadlift machine.

The weight for the Deadlift Machine was increased after each rep, in the following order: 281 kilograms (619.5 pounds), 298 kilograms (657 pounds), 312 kilograms (687 pounds), 329 kilograms (725 pounds), 345 kilograms (760 pounds), 362 kilograms (798 pounds), and 379 kilograms (835.5 pounds). Any athletes who had the capacity to perform the seventh and final weight could do so as many as they pleased within the allotted time frame.

Hooper (Group 3), Brian Shaw (Group 4), and Trey Mitchell (Group 5) all tied for the most number of repetitions performed with eight. Hooper and Novikov (six reps in Group 2) were the only athletes to score a second consecutive event victory for their Qualifying Round Group.

Group 1

1. Bobby Thompson — Seven reps
2. Tom Stoltman — Six reps
3. Konstantine Janashia — Six reps
4. Pavlo Kordiyaka — Five reps
5. Pa O’Dwyer — Five reps
6. Eddie Williams — Five reps

Group 2

1. Oleksii Novikov — Six reps
2. Thomas Evans — Five reps
3. Luke Stoltman — Five reps
4. Gavin Bilton — Five reps
5. Kristjan Jon Haraldsson — Four reps
6. Fadi El Masri — Four reps

Group 3

1. Mitchell Hooper — Eight reps
2. Mathew Ragg — Seven reps
3. Graham Hicks — Seven reps
4. Aivars Šmaukstelis — Five reps
5. Spenser Remick — Five reps
6. Mateusz Kieliszkowski — Four reps

Group 4

1. Brian Shaw — Eight reps
2. Rauno Heinla — Eight reps
3. Adam Bishop — Seven reps
4. Jaco Schoonwinkel — Six reps
5. Kevin Faires — Five reps
6. Gabriel Rhéaume — Five reps

Group 5

1. Trey Mitchell — Eight reps
2. Mark Felix — Six reps
3. Evan Singleton — Six reps
4. Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted — Six reps
5. Jean-Stephen Corabeouf — Five reps
6. Paul Smith — Four reps

Log Ladder

As has been the past precedent for WSM contests, the first day of the 2023 WSM concluded with the Log Ladder. The competitors had to power through a challenging ladder of logs, which gradually increased in weight. Once again, they had a 75-second time limit.

Competitors were presented with a series of five fixed-weight logs. They were allowed as many attempts as needed to successfully put the log overhead. After one complete repetition, they progressed to the next weight: 124 kilograms (275 pounds), 140 kilograms (310 pounds), 158 kilograms (350 pounds), 170 kilograms (375 pounds), and 181 kilograms (400 pounds).

Seven of the 30 competitors were able to complete the entire series of five lifts, including reigning WSM champion Tom Stoltman (Group 1), two-time Shaw Classic winner Trey Mitchell (Group 5), and WSM debut athletes Thomas Evans and Mathew Ragg (Group 2 and Group 3, respectively), with Evans completing the lifts in the fastest time of the entire field.

Group 1

1. Tom Stoltman — Five reps, 42.5 seconds
2. Pavlo Kordiyaka — Five reps, 46 seconds
3. Bobby Thompson — Four reps, 25.83 seconds
4. Konstantine Janashia — Four reps, 68.35 seconds
5. Eddie Williams — Four reps, 55.89 seconds
6. Pa O’Dwyer — Three reps, 25.8 seconds

Group 2

1. Thomas Evans — Five reps, 38.96 seconds
2. Luke Stoltman — Five reps, 52.76 seconds
3. Oleksii Novikov — Four reps, 32.5 seconds
4. Gavin Bilton — Four reps, 56.84 seconds
5. Fadi El Masri — Two reps, 17.43 seconds
6. Kristjan Jon Haraldsson — Two reps, 16.28 seconds

Group 3

1. Mitchell Hooper — Five reps, 39.51 seconds
2. Mathew Ragg — Five reps, 56.84 seconds
3. Graham Hicks — Four reps, 28.31 seconds
4. Aivars Šmaukstelis — Four reps, 30.44 seconds
5. Mateusz Kieliszkowski — Four reps, 33.24 seconds
6. Spenser Remick — Four reps, 38.79 seconds

Group 4

1. Brian Shaw — Four reps, 33.99 seconds
2. Jaco Schoonwinkel — Four reps, 34.77 seconds
3. Rauno Heinla — Three reps, 21.6 seconds
4. Kevin Faires — Three reps, 28.93 seconds
5. Gabriel Rhéaume — Three reps, 32.96 seconds
6. Adam Bishop — Three reps, 33.25 seconds

Group 5

1. Trey Mitchell — Five reps, 39.44 seconds
2. Evan Singleton — Four reps, 35.48 seconds
3. Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted — Four reps, 39.93 seconds
4. Paul Smith — Four reps, 45.84 seconds
5. Jean-Stephen Corabeouf — Three reps, 22.34 seconds
6. Mark Felix — One rep, 7.58 seconds

An Epic WSM Day Looms

While Hooper and Novikov may have separated themselves from the pack, a host of 2023 WSM competitors still need to make their mark at the contest. Not everyone can dominate in the early goings and earn themselves plenty of breathing room in the process. Thursday’s Qualifying Round events, which feature the Conan’s Wheel, Kettlebell Toss, and customary Stone Off to decide five of the 10 berths in the Final, should present a tense show for the athletes and spectators on hand.

With the next legendary WSM Final on the horizon, Thursday will likely go down as a seminal moment in the 46th edition of strongman’s definitive competition.

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

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Before the 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) even began, Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou withdrew the first morning of strongman’s biggest competition. At the time of this writing, there is no official explanation for the athlete’s early withdrawal. Iceland’s Kristján Jón Haraldsson replaced Sanou on the 2023 WSM roster, even though he was not previously counted as an official reserve in case of a competitor’s withdrawal or injury. It is the reigning Iceland’s Strongest Man (ISM) champion’s debut in the WSM.

Though the 2023 WSM would’ve been his first appearance in the flagship strongman competition, Sanou is not new to the strongman scene. Sanou was the third-place finisher at the 2021 Giants Live Strongman Classic. Sanou has previously had to withdraw from the 2022 Giants Live Strongman Classic (due to travel-related issues).

The athlete from Burkina Faso has a well-established reputation for being proficient in overhead lifts. Sanou possesses both the current Axle Press World Record of 217 kilograms (477.4 pounds) and the Log Lift World Record of 229 kilograms (504.8 pounds).

Sanou officially joins Ukraine’s Pavlo Nakonechnyy and Canada’s Maxime Boudreault on the list of 2023 WSM withdrawals in the early goings, with Sanou being the first withdrawal as of the contest’s start time. Boudreault withdrew due to a shin injury in February, which also knocked him out of the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC). Meanwhile, Nakonechnyy potentially bowed out because of complications from a deadlift-related ailment suffered during the 2023 (ASC) in March. The Ukrainian competitor did not participate in the early-April 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man (ESM) because of said injury, hoping to recover in time to compete at the WSM.

Here are the updated Qualifying Round groups for the 2023 WSM:

2023 World’s Strongest Man Qualifying Round Groups

There are five groups of six athletes in the 2023 WSM, which will be parsed down to 10 competitors for the weekend’s Final.

Group 1

• Konstantine Janashia
• Pavlo Kordiyaka
• Pa O’Dwyer
• Tom Stoltman
• Bobby Thompson
• Eddie Williams

Group 2

• Kristján Jón Haraldsson
• Gavin Bilton
• Fadi El Masri
• Thomas Evans
• Oleksii Novikov
• Luke Stoltman

Group 3

• Graham Hicks
• Mitchell Hooper
• Mateusz Kieliszkowski
• Mathew Ragg
• Spenser Remick
• Aivars Smaukstelis

Group 4

• Adam Bishop
• Kevin Faires
• Rauno Heinla
• Gabriel Rhéaume
• Jaco Schoonwinkel
• Brian Shaw

Group 5

• Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf
• Mark Felix
• Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted
• Trey Mitchell
• Evan Singleton
• Paul Smith

Haraldsson will take Sanou’s place in Group 2 of the Qualifying Round, joining former WSM champion (2020) Oleksii Novikov — the likely headliner of that mix.

At only 24 years old, Haraldsson might still be a relative unknown in the international strongman scene. That is not the case for the defending ISM champion in his native Iceland, who has started to dominate in various domestic contests. In Haraldsson’s only other international strongman competitive appearances, he finished in fourth place during the 2021 Magnus Magnús Ver Magnússon Classic (MVMC). He followed that performance with an 11th-place result at the 2022 MVMC.

The relatively young Icelandic athlete will undoubtedly look to improve that rap sheet at the 2023 WSM. Putting himself on the map now could portend Haraldsson becoming the next potential great Icelandic strongman, following in the footsteps of the legendary Magnús Ver Magnússon and Hafthor Björnsson.

Stay tuned to Breaking Muscle for live updates of the 2023 WSM leaderboard and any other breaking news that files in during the massive contest in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Featured image: @theworldsstrongestman on Instagram

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One elite strongman will stand tall above his peers by the time the dust settles on the 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) in Myrtle Beach, SC. It might be two-time reigning WSM champion, Tom Stoltman. Or it could be another high-level contender looking to unseat the Scottish superstar before he makes vaunted WSM history. One strongman icon has an idea of what he sees unfolding in South Carolina.

On Apr. 17, 2023, Eddie Hall, the 2017 WSM champion, discussed the prospects for the 2023 iteration of the contest. 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

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