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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.

Featured image: @jamal_b15 on Instagram

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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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Training outdoors is one of the classic human traditions. Almost every workout I do is outside, whether it’s weights at the outdoor gym, sprints on the beach, hikes, fat tire cycling on the beach, paddling in the ocean, pickle ball on the court or Ultimate on the grass. Being outside in the sun while you train and play means better results, more vitamin D, a bigger pump (from nitric oxide production from said sunlight), a stronger connection to the earth through barefooted grounding, exposure to all the benefits of nature, and it’s just more enjoyable. However, you can’t always train outside. Sometimes you need to bring the outside indoors. Sometimes you need indoor exercises.

What are some of the best indoor exercises?

Treadmill Uphill Ruck

One of the best overall exercises for building strength, endurance, and “grit” is the uphill ruck. You strap on a heavy pack (or weight vest) and go walking through hills. It’s easy on the joints, hard on the muscles, and is incredibly demanding of your cardiovascular system without forcing you to go fast. Uphill rucking is a great way for anyone whose joints won’t allow them to run or who simply doesn’t like running to still get great aerobic work in. But there aren’t any hills indoors.

A good indoor replacement is to use the treadmill on max incline. You pump the incline up to 15, strap on your pack, and go. Pick a speed that’s manageable but challenging. It’s arguably better in some ways than the real hills because you’re able to constantly climb and eliminate the flat portions. I’m not a huge fan of rucking on flat ground—it doesn’t feel terribly helpful.

The one thing it can’t replicate is the downhill portion, a vital part of the ruck session because the eccentric loading of the knee helps strengthen connective tissue and trains the muscle to “lower” the weight. Following up the treadmill ruck with some high rep VMO squats while wearing the pack or carrying weights is a decent approximation.

Treadmill Hill Sprints

You know the drill. Hill sprints are bar none the best sprints around. They’re harder, because you’re fighting even more gravity. They’re easier on the joints, because your feet aren’t “falling” as far. They’re more efficient than flat sprints, so you don’t need to spend as much time doing them.

Flat sprints on a treadmill have always felt off to me. For one thing, flat treadmill ambulation isn’t the same as flat ground ambulation. A 2013 study found major differences between accelerating on the treadmill and accelerating on the ground.¹ Runners on the ground accelerate and modify their biomechanics to accommodate the acceleration, increasing hip joint power and reducing knee joint power. On the treadmill, the ground accelerates instead and the runner maintains the same “kinesiological mechanics.”

By increasing the incline, you can almost recreate the effect of running on real ground. According to one study, a 1% incline is enough to make running on a treadmill very similar to running on the ground.²

Bear Crawl

Most bear crawling happens on the grass or in the sand.

You can just as easily bear crawl around the house or the gym. In fact, whenever I remember to do it, I’ll spend 5-10 minutes crawling around my house. Upstairs, downstairs, into the kitchen, the bathroom. It’s a fun way to get around, it’s very good for shoulder mobility, and it’s actually a nice way to warm up before an upper body day. Try to keep your torso relatively level—parallel with the floor—and get most of your movement through the shoulder girdle.

To make this a real workout, you can crawl 10 paces, do 10 pushups, crawl 10 paces, do 10 close-grip pushups, and repeat indefinitely. Easy way to blast the upper body.

Balance Beams

Balancing as you walk along narrow surfaces is a fun way to train and challenge your balance and vestibular systems, and it usually happens outdoors in nature. Logs across streams, fallen trees jutting out over a ravine with a 50 foot drop below, slippery backs of park benches, tree root systems with enough exposure you can traverse them,

While they aren’t as exciting as balancing on real surfaces outside, long pieces of lumber are relatively inexpensive balance beams that work great indoors. Just lay the pieces directly on the ground in whatever configurations you want. It’s also safer, since you’re not falling more than an inch or two if you mess up.

• 2×4 if you’re not very comfortable on a balance beam
• 2×3 if you are
• 1×2 if you really want to learn to balance

You can also use them for crawling—bear crawls along a 2×4 is a great exercise and surprisingly difficult.

Jumping “Rocks”

Although I don’t do it so much anymore—the risk to reward ratio is too high for me and a fall would be dangerous—I used to love bounding from rock to rock down at the many creeks and rivers during my childhood in Maine. It’s a mix of explosive strength (you have to jump far and high), balance (you’re landing on and taking off from often unstable or narrow rocks), accuracy (you have to aim for a specific spot in the world and land there), and textural navigation (it could be slippery or wobbly or rough or slick or mossy). It also takes a bit of daring. And it’s fun.

To do these indoors, you can place weights, benches, boxes, and Bosu balls all over the floor and jump from spot to spot. Using a mix is best, as this provides different heights and stabilities. If you’re using weights, the Olympic weights work best. In a pinch, furniture can work too. Even a throw blanket or pillow on the floor can be a “jumping rock” (just be careful if it’s on hardwood). The important thing is having a target to aim for.

Kettlebell Complex

Once again, kettlebell workouts are best outside, but they also work well indoors. Why?

Kettlebells are compact. They take up almost no space, and the actual movement pattern of a kettlebell workout is also quite constrained. If you really wanted to, you could get a good KB workout in a large closet. Kettlebells are versatile. With just a single kettlebell, you can work every major muscle group. You can get a total body workout in about ten minutes.

Here’s a sample kettlebell complex:

• 10 goblet squats (legs, glutes, torso)
• 10 bent over rows, each arm (biceps, back)
• 10 swings (hamstrings, glutes, lower back)
• 10 overhead presses, each arm (shoulders, triceps)
• Repeat 5 times.

You’ll be done in 10-15 minutes. You’ll be breathing hard. You’ll feel like you got a good workout, and you will have gotten a good workout.

It’s ideal to train outside, but we can’t always make it work. These indoor exercises are the next best thing to being outside in the sun.

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The 46th annual World’s Strongest Man (WSM) is running from Wednesday, April 19 through Sunday, April 23, 2023 with a one-day break on Friday, April 20, to separate the Qualifying Round from the Finals. The biggest event in strength sports is being held for the first time in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, at the Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion Place.

Breaking Muscle will be consistently updating this results page to keep you on top of all the action throughout this year’s contest. Contest organizers have stated there will be no livestream of the event but, as the contest progresses WSM is offering behind-the-scenes commentary and interviews with athletes, hosted by former WSM competitor Terry Hollands.

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 Qualifying Round Leaderboard

2023 WSM Day One

Competitors began this year’s contest with a full plate of three events — the loading race, the deadlift machine for reps, and the log ladder. Here are the results from each competitive Group including each athlete’s results, corresponding performance, and placing within the event.

Loading Race

The loading race challenged the athletes’ blend of strength, endurance, and agility. The competitors were tasked with running as quickly as possible on a field of sand while loading a series of progressively heavier implements — including stacks of bundled logs, a 124.7-kilogram (275-pound) anvil, and weighted sandbags (weight undisclosed) — onto a platform.

Group 1

1. Pavlo Kordiyaka — 5 implements, 41.38 seconds
2. Tom Stoltman — 5 implements, 43.84 seconds
3. Bobby Thompson — 5 implements, 56.56 seconds
4. Konstantine Janashia — 5 implements, 1 minute 1.1 seconds
5. Pa O’Dwyer — 5 implements, 1 minute 5.89 seconds
6. Eddie Williams — 5 implements, 1 minute 6.44 seconds

Group 2

1. Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou
2. Gavin Bilton
3. Fadi El Masri
4. Thomas Evans
5. Oleksii Novikov
6. Luke Stoltman

Group 3

1. Graham Hicks
2. Mitchell Hooper
3. Mateusz Kieliszkowski
4. Mathew Ragg
5. Spenser Remick
6. Aivars Šmaukstelis

Group 4

1. Adam Bishop
2. Kevin Faires
3. Rauno Heinla
4. Gabriel Rhéaume
5. Jaco Schoonwinkel
6. Brian Shaw

Group 5

1. Jean-Stephen Corabeouf
2. Mark Felix
3. Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted
4. Trey Mitchell
5. Evan Singleton
6. Paul Smith

Deadlift Machine

The event has not yet taken place. Results will be updated as they become available.

Group 1

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

Group 2

1. Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou
2. Gavin Bilton
3. Fadi El Masri
4. Thomas Evans
5. Oleksii Novikov
6. Luke Stoltman

Group 3

1. Graham Hicks
2. Mitchell Hooper (Canada)
3. Mateusz Kieliszkowski
4. Mathew Ragg
5. Spenser Remick
6. Aivars Šmaukstelis

Group 4

1. Adam Bishop
2. Kevin Faires
3. Rauno Heinla
4. Gabriel Rhéaume
5. Jaco Schoonwinkel
6. Brian Shaw

Group 5

1. Jean-Stephen Corabeouf
2. Mark Felix
3. Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted 
4. Trey Mitchell
5. Evan Singleton
6. Paul Smith

Log Ladder

The event has not yet taken place. Results will be updated as they become available.

Group 1

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

Group 2

1. Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou
2. Gavin Bilton
3. Fadi El Masri
4. Thomas Evans
5. Oleksii Novikov
6. Luke Stoltman

Group 3

1. Graham Hicks
2. Mitchell Hooper
3. Mateusz Kieliszkowski
4. Mathew Ragg
5. Spenser Remick
6. Aivars Šmaukstelis

Group 4

1. Adam Bishop
2. Kevin Faires
3. Rauno Heinla
4. Gabriel Rhéaume
5. Jaco Schoonwinkel
6. Brian Shaw

Group 5

1. Jean-Stephen Corabeouf
2. Mark Felix
3. Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted 
4. Trey Mitchell
5. Evan Singleton
6. Paul Smith

2023 WSM Schedule of Events

Here’s the complete schedule for the competition, including the two-day Qualifying Round and the two-day Finals.

Qualifying Stage Day One

• Event One: Loading Race — April 19 | 8 a.m., Sand Stage
• Event Two: Deadlift Machine — April 19 | 11:29 a.m., Land Stage
• Event Three: Log Ladder — April 19 | 4:49 p.m., Sand Stage

Qualifying Stage Day Two

• Event Four: Conan’s Wheel — April 20 | 8 a.m., Land Stage
• Event Five: Kettlebell Toss — April 20 | 1:20 p.m., Sand Stage
• Event Six: Stone Off — April 20 | 6:13 p.m., Land Stage

Rest Day — No Events

Finals Day One

• Event One: Fingal’s Fingers — April 22 | 8 a.m., Street Stage
• Event Two: KNAACK Deadlift — April 22 | 10:41 a.m., Sand Stage
• Event Three: Reign Shield Carry — April 22 | 2:18 p.m., Street Stage

Finals Day Two

• Event Four: Max Dumbbell — April 23 | 8 a.m., Land Stage
• Event Five: Vehicle Pull — April 23 | 10:10 a.m., Street Stage
• Event Six: Atlas Stones — April 23 | 1:54 p.m., Sand Stage

2023 WSM Competitor Withdrawals

While 30 men qualified to enter this year’s WSM, unexpected scenarios can occur. Any competitor withdrawals during the course of the competition will be noted here.

How Strongman is Scored

Scoring points in competitive strongman events relates to the overall field of competitors. First place can earn as many points as there are competitors, and points descend accordingly.

In the Qualifying stage, athletes can earn a maximum of six points because there are six athletes in each group. First place earns six points; second places earns five, and so on. In the Finals, there will be 10 competitors in total, so first place receives 10 points; second receives nine; third eight; and so on.

In the event of any tied scores, points are split evenly. If two athletes tie for second, for example, the second and third place points are added together and divides by two. For example, in the WSM Finals, if two athletes tie for second place, they would each earn 8.5 points — nine plus eight divided by two.

How to Watch the 2023 World’s Strongest Man

Admission is free for fans attending in person at Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion Place in Myrtle Beach, SC, and gates open to the public at 7 a.m. Eastern time. There will be a fan festival area and a general admission viewing area for spectators.

Unfortunately, for those who wish to watch the 2023 WSM at home, viewing it live is impossible. In the U.S., CBS Sports Network will air the 2023 WSM beginning on May 28, 2023. In the UK, the 2023 WSM will air on Channel 5 in December. In the meantime, the 2023 WSM’s various social media platforms, including YouTube and Instagram, will feature behind-the-scenes coverage while 15-time WSM athlete Terry Hollands conducts interviews with the competitors.

Featured Image: Joe Martinez / World’s Strongest Man

The post 2023 World’s Strongest Man Results and Leaderboard appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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There are still months to go before the 2023 Mr. Olympia in Orlando, FL, but some of the top contenders for the Sandow Trophy are already posturing for their title chances. The 2022 Mr. Olympia third-place finisher Nick Walker recently shared an interesting outlook on the next edition of bodybuilding’s headline contest.

During the Apr. 17, 2023, YouTube episode of The Mutant And The Mouth, Walker discussed the 2023 Mr. Olympia outlook with his co-host Guy Cisternino. Not only did the superstar Walker express doubt in defending champion Hadi Choopan’s chances at a repeat, he painted Derek Lunsford as the athlete to beat in the Men’s Open division.

To explain his rationale and confidence in his chances for the 2023 Olympia, Walker broke down part of the aftermath of the 2022 iteration. Even though he had shortcomings, Walker expressed he believes that Choopan and Lunsford finished at the top because they were ultimately comparable in their respective body compositions.

“I think I have a shot of winning any show that I do,” Walker said. “For the [2022] Olympia, I mean, the two people that were in front of me were Hadi [Choopan] and Derek [Lunsford], and I think they are very comparable. I think that’s why they were one and two.”

For Choopan, at least, this was where the endorsements from Walker ended.

While he respects his peer’s accomplishments, experience, and pedigree, Walker shared a rather frank assessment of Choopan adding another Olympia trophy to his mantel. Even though Choopan finished ahead of Walker and the entire field of competitors at the 2022 Olympia, he doesn’t believe he’ll be a repeat factor in November. That’s because Walker noted that he and Lunsford could be headed for a great battle.

It could be the start of a competitive, back-and-forth rivalry in the modern Men’s Open division.

“Listen, I love Hadi [Choopan] but I don’t see him repeating in my opinion,” Walker said. “And Derek … he could continue to beat me now that he has a full off-season actually to put the work in and put size on now, so we’ll see … People don’t understand, Derek [Lunsford] is not small by any means. Like, he’s a big guy and he’s got great shape.”

Walker might profess that the 2023 Olympia will come down to him and Lunsford, an opinion seven-time Mr. Olympia champion (2011-2017) Phil Heath mostly shares. However, other bodybuilding icons like Jay Cutler and Miloš Šarčev disagree. While they don’t doubt Walker or Lunsford’s individual merits, the pair have talked up Samson Dauda — the 2023 Arnold Classic (AC) winner — and his shot at a first Mr. Olympia victory. Dauda himself has similarly bought into his rising hype.

At this point in the competitive calendar, the only assertion that seems clear is that the 2023 Mr. Olympia could shape up to be an all-out battle royale on stage.

Featured image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram

The post Nick Walker Believes Derek Lunsford is His Main Obstacle to a 2023 Mr. Olympia Victory appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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On Apr. 18, 2023, Terry Hollands revealed the five Qualifying Round groups for the 2023 WSM in Myrtle Beach, SC. The 15-time WSM competitor confirmed that there would be six athletes in each Qualifying Round group who will then duke it out for a total of 10 berths (two from each group). This will determine the Finals that will occur on Apr. 22-23, 2023. The Qualifying Round will span from Apr. 19-20 before the 30-person roster is cut down to 10 finalists for the weekend.

Overall, the 2023 WSM will occur from Apr. 19-23, 2023. In the coming days, there will be a lot to parse through for the 30-man roster and schedule of events. Even while there will be no way to watch the flagship strongman contest live, it should still be a barnburner of strength. The exact organization of the Qualifying Round groups could determine much for the eventual victor.

2023 World’s Strongest Man Qualifying Round Groups

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

Group 1

• Konstantine Janashia (Georgia)
• Pavlo Kordiyaka (Ukraine)
• Pa O’Dwyer (Ireland)
• Tom Stoltman (United Kingdom) | Reigning two-time champion (2021-2022)
• Bobby Thompson (United States)
• Eddie Williams (Australia)

Group 2

• Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou (Burkina Faso)
• Gavin Bilton (United Kingdom)
• Fadi El Masri (Lebanon)
• Thomas Evans (United States)
• Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine)
• Luke Stoltman (United Kingdom)

Group 3

• Graham Hicks (United Kingdom)
• Mitchell Hooper (Canada)
• Mateusz Kieliszkowski (Poland)
• Mathew Ragg (New Zealand)
• Spenser Remick (United States)
• Aivars Šmaukstelis (Latvia)

Group 4

• Adam Bishop (United Kingdom)
• Kevin Faires (United States)
• Rauno Heinla (Estonia)
• Gabriel Rhéaume (Canada)
• Jaco Schoonwinkel (South Africa)
• Brian Shaw (United States)

Group 5

• Jean-Stephen Corabeouf (France)
• Mark Felix (United Kingdom)
• Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted (Iceland)
• Trey Mitchell (United States)
• Evan Singleton (United States)
• Paul Smith (United Kingdom)

As is usual with WSM precedent, the first-place finisher in each Qualifying Ground group on a points basis will earn an automatic berth in the WSM Finals. To close the Qualifying Round, each group’s second and third-place finishers will battle head-to-head for the second Finals spot in a Stone-Off featuring the trademark Atlas Stones.

2023 World’s Strongest Man Event Schedule

Here are the events and their scheduling for the 2023 WSM:

Qualifying Stage Day One

• Event One: Loading Race — April 19 | 8 a.m., Sand Stage
• Event Two: Deadlift Machine — April 19 | 11:29 a.m., Land Stage
• Event Three: Log Ladder — April 19 | 4:49 p.m., Sand Stage

Qualifying Stage Day Two

• Event Four: Conan’s Wheel — April 20 | 8 a.m., Land Stage
• Event Five: Kettlebell Toss — April 20 | 1:20 p.m., Sand Stage
• Event Six: Stone Off — April 20 | 6:13 p.m., Land Stage

Rest Day — April 21, 2023

Finals Day One

Only 10 competitors will advance to the Finals after the Qualifying Round.

• Event One: Fingal’s Fingers — April 22 | 8 a.m., Street Stage
• Event Two: KNAACK Deadlift — April 22 | 10:41 a.m., Sand Stage
• Event Three: Reign Shield Carry — April 22 | 2:18 p.m., Street Stage

Finals Day Two

• Event Four: Max Dumbbell — April 23 | 8 a.m., Land Stage
• Event Five: Vehicle Pull — April 23 | 10:10 a.m., Street Stage
• Event Six: Atlas Stones — April 23 | 1:54 p.m., Sand Stage

Here is an overview of the 2023 WSM roster:

2023 World’s Strongest Man Roster

• 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

Three current and former WSM champions are present on the 2023 roster. They are the reigning two-time champion in Scotland’s Tom Stoltman, the legendary four-time WSM winner (2011, 2013, 2015-2016) in the American Brian Shaw, as well as the 2020 victor in Ukraine’s OIeksii Novikov. Other potential contenders could also include Canada’s Mitchell Hooper and Poland’s Mateusz Kieliszkowski.

Now that almost every critical bit of pre-competition information is in the books, the 2023 WSM is set to launch into the stratosphere. Something says the latest edition of the contest will again have the entire strongman world on the edge of its seat.

Featured image: Joe Martinez / World’s Strongest Man

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This week, the man of the hour at the 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) in Myrtle Beach, SC, will likely be Tom Stoltman. The two-time reigning champion seeks to become only the third person ever to capture three straight WSM titles. However, with a loaded roster and stacked gauntlet of events standing in his way, Stoltman must overcome some challenging obstacles to defend his place at the top of strongman and score a legendary WSM victory.

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 (Australia)
• Jaco Schoonwinkel (South Africa)
• Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf (Australia)
• 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.