On July 22nd, Illinois’ Tinley Park Convention Center buzzed with anticipation as it hosted the 2023 America’s Strongest Man (U105KG) & Woman (U82KG) competition. This showdown of might included five punishing events, as 12 men and six women aimed to outperform their rivals and clinch the title of America’s Strongest in their divisions.
Close Contests and Emerging Champions: Jeffrey Lee and Erin Murray
In a fierce contest teetering between victory and defeat, Jeffrey Lee ultimately triumphed, claiming the title of U105KG American Champion. His win came after a nail-biting duel with Zack McCarley. On the other side of the competition, Erin Murray dominated the women’s division. Although her victory seemed more secure than Lee’s, she still faced the relentless pressure of keeping her competitors at bay until the very end.
A Fresh Roster Marks the Dynamic Nature of the U105KG Class
Further emphasizing the dynamism of the U105KG weight class in American Strongman, this year’s roster bore little resemblance to the previous year’s lineup. Michael Congdon stood as the only return competitor from the 2022 competition. Thus, the stage welcomed 11 fresh faces this year, testament to the constantly shifting and evolving landscape of this demanding sport.
2023 America’s Strongest Man U105KG Leaderboards
- Jeffrey Lee — 57 points
- Zack McCarley — 55 points
- Nick Hein — 43 points
- Brandon Burley — 39 points
- Justin Loy — 39 points
- Alec Soukup — 38 points
- Dan Hughes — 34 points
- Matt Moeller — 32 points
- Kevin Candito — 30 points
- Michael Congdon — 28 points
- Bill Kendall — 26.5 points
- Jon Parker — 26 points
- Johnny Wasiczko — 7.5 points
2023 America’s Strongest Woman U82KG Leaderboards
- Erin Murray — 30 points
- Jessica Mitchell — 26.5 points
- Erin Walklet — 23 points
- Katie Gutwald — 22.5 points
- Cassandra Moore — 18 points
- Rachael Peterson — 13 points
- Jamie Schamma — 5 points
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Event Highlights
Parallel Competitions: Common Events with Differing Weights
For both the U105KG Men’s and the U82KG Women’s divisions, the competitions comprised of the same five events. The sole distinction between the two categories lay in the weight of the implements used, tailored to the respective divisions. This structure highlighted the parallel strength and endurance required from all competitors, regardless of gender.
Event 1: Press Ladder
The Inaugural Challenge: The Press Ladder
The 2023 America’s Strongest Man (U105KG) & Woman (U82KG) competition commenced with an Overhead Press Ladder. A gauntlet of strength, the event challenged athletes to press a sequence of five implements—ranging from Axle Presses to Log Lifts—overhead. With each implement substantially heavier than the last, the contestants strived to press as many as they could, as swiftly as possible. This initial trial tested not just the competitors’ brute strength but also their stamina and speed.
Weights:
- U105KG: 270-lb, 290-lb, 310-lb, 330-lb, 350-lb
- U82KG: 170-lb, 185-lb, 200-lb, 215-lb, 230-lb
Men
- Zack McCarley — 5 in 59.13 seconds
- Nick Hein — 4 in 32.97 seconds
- Jeffrey Lee — 3 in 21.28 seconds
- Justin Loy — 3 in 23.21 seconds
- Brandon Burley — 3 in 25.9 seconds
- Dan Hughes — 3 in 26.28 seconds
- Alec Soukup — 3 in 27.81 seconds
- Matt Moeller — 3 in 30.09 seconds
- Michael Congdon — 3 in 32.01 seconds
- Kevin Candito — 3 in 38.87 seconds
- Jon Parker — 3 in 48.89 seconds
- Bill Kendall — 1 in 6.09 seconds
- Johnny Wasiczko — 1 in 14.02 seconds
Women
- Jessica Mitchell — 5 in 49.87 seconds
- Erin Murray — 4 in 38.35 seconds
- Cassandra Moore — 4 in 42.44 seconds
- Erin Walklet — 3 in 30.09 seconds
- Rachael Peterson — 1 in 7.4 seconds
- Katie Gutwald — 1 in 8.9 seconds
- Jamie Schamma — 1 in 9.31 seconds
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Event 2: Max Farmer’s Carry
The Escalating Challenge of the Max Farmer’s Carry
The second event of the 2023 America’s Strongest Man (U105KG) & Woman (U82KG) retained the progressive format of the first. In the Max Farmer’s Carry, competitors grappled with implements that increased in weight. To progress to the next, heavier implement, they needed to traverse a distance of 30 feet with each one.
The rules were stringent: weight skipping was not permitted. An athlete was required to complete the full distance with the lighter implements before attempting to carry the heavier ones. The ultimate aim? To successfully carry the heaviest possible Farmer’s Carry implement, demonstrating both raw strength and strategic execution.
Weights:
- U105KG: 260-lb, 300-lb, 340-lb, 370-lb, 400-lb, 430-lb, 450-lb
- U82KG: 180-lb, 210-lb, 240-lb, 270-lb, 300-lb, 320-lb, 340-lb
Men
- Jeffrey Lee — 430 lbs – 26ft 5in
- Dan Hughes — 430 lbs – 15ft 8in
- Zack McCarley — 430 lbs – 10ft 0in
- Kevin Candito — 430 lbs – 7ft 11in
- Alec Soukup — 400 lbs – 29ft 4in
- Brandon Burley — 400 lbs – 21ft 10in
- Bill Kendall — 400 lbs – 19ft 8in
- Justin Loy — 400 lbs – 18ft 11in
- Michael Congdon — 400 lbs – 9ft 8in
- Jon Parker — 400 lbs – 6ft 0in
- Matt Moeller — 370 lbs – 30ft 0in
- Nick Hein — 370 lbs – 11ft 8in
- Johnny Wasiczko — 340 lbs – 18ft 6in
Women
- Katie Gutwald — 300 lbs – 30ft 0in
- Erin Murray — 300 lbs – 16ft 8in
- Cassandra Moore — 300 lbs – 7ft 7in
- Erin Walklet — 270 lbs – 30ft 0in
- Rachael Peterson — 270 lbs – 30ft 0in
- Jamie Schamma — 270 lbs – 30ft 0in
- Jessica Mitchell — 270 lbs – 29ft 0in
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Event 3: Conan’s Wheel
The Tumultuous Test of Conan’s Wheel
The competition’s third event marked the introduction of Conan’s Wheel, a notorious trial of strength and stamina within the Strongman and Strongwoman communities. Contestants were tasked with lifting a heavy metal beam using their forearms and covering as much distance as possible without dropping the load. The challenge lies not just in the weight of the beam but also in its structure: it pivots around a central point, causing the athletes to move in a circular trajectory.
Adding to the difficulty, the beam must be held at mid-chest height, disrupting the athletes’ breathing and escalating the discomfort. Thus, the event doesn’t simply test physical strength, but also the competitors’ ability to endure pain and maintain composure under duress.
Weights:
- U105KG: 650-lb
- U82KG: 400-lb
Men
- Justin Loy — 167.89 ft
- Nick Hein — 161.91 ft
- Michael Congdon — 148.27 ft
- Alec Soukup — 148.17 ft
- Zack McCarley — 138.36 ft
- Jeffrey Lee — 136.54 ft
- Bill Kendall — 133.45 ft
- Matt Moeller — 127.56 ft
- Kevin Candito — 107.94 ft
- Brandon Burley — 104.01 ft
- Dan Hughes — 82.43 ft
- Johnny Wasiczko — 68.69 ft
- Jon Parker — 36.31 ft
Women
- Jessica Mitchell — 254.14 ft
- Erin Murray — 200.18 ft
- Erin Walklet — 177.8 ft
- Katie Gutwald — 165.83 ft
- Cassandra Moore — 125.6 ft
- Rachael Peterson — 96.16 ft
- Jamie Schamma — 12.76 ft
Event 4: Ukrainian Deadlift
The Strength Trial of the Ukrainian Deadlift
Making its formidable presence known in recent years, the Ukrainian Deadlift was a central component of the 2023 America’s Strongest Man (U105KG) & Woman (U82KG) competition. This variant of the traditional deadlift involves a short handle and a deficit stance, requiring athletes to adopt more of a sumo stance as opposed to a conventional one.
The Ukrainian Deadlift round began with competitors performing a single rep with each listed weight. Upon reaching the final weight—680 pounds for men and 440 pounds for women—the goal shifted to completing as many repetitions as possible, transforming this segment into a thrilling test of power and endurance.
Weights:
- U105KG: 560-lb, 600-lb, 640-lb, 680-lb for reps
- U82KG: 350-lb, 380-lb, 410-lb, 440-lb for reps
Men
- Jeffrey Lee — 9 reps
- Zack McCarley — 9 reps
- Jon Parker — 9 reps
- Nick Hein — 7 reps
- Dan Hughes — 6 reps
- Alec Soukup — 5 reps
- Brandon Burley — 4 reps
- Matt Moeller — 4 reps
- Kevin Candito — 4 reps
- Michael Congdon — 3 reps
- Bill Kendall — 2 reps
- Johnny Wasiczko — 2 reps
- Justin Loy — 1 rep
Women
- Erin Murray — 6 reps
- Jessica Mitchell — 5 reps
- Katie Gutwald — 5 reps
- Erin Walklet — 4 reps
- Cassandra Moore — 3 reps
- Rachael Peterson — 2 reps
- Jamie Schamma — 0 reps
Event 5: Atlas Stone Series
The Quintessential Atlas Stone Series
Culminating the 2023 America’s Strongest Man (U105KG) & Woman (U82KG) competition was the iconic Atlas Stone Series, a staple event in Strongman and Strongwoman showdowns. Competitors faced the task of lifting five Atlas Stones, each heavier than the last, onto a platform in front of them.
While typically the platform’s height decreases as the weight of the Atlas Stones increase, this competition offered a unique twist. Regardless of the weight of the Atlas Stone, the height of the platform remained constant, adding a layer of difficulty and setting this competition apart from others in its class.
Weights:
- U105KG: 300-lb, 325-lb, 350-lb, 375-lb, 400-lb
- U82KG: 220-lb, 240-lb, 260-lb, 280-lb, 300-lb
Men
- Jeffrey Lee — 5 in 27.27 seconds
- Brandon Burley — 5 in 46.51 seconds
- Matt Moeller — 5 in 50.57 seconds
- Zack McCarley — 4 in 24.02 seconds
- Justin Loy — 4 in 33.59 seconds
- Bill Kendall — 4 in 37.02 seconds
- Nick Hein — 4 in 37.83 seconds
- Jon Parker — 4 in 39.58 seconds
- Kevin Candito — 4 in 44.53 seconds
- Alec Soukup — 3 in 21.1 seconds
- Michael Congdon — 3 in 24.85 seconds
- Dan Hughes — 3 in 43.09 seconds
- Johnny Wasiczko — 3 in 46.89 seconds
Women
- Erin Walklet — 4 in 26.51 seconds
- Jessica Mitchell — 4 in 27.53 seconds
- Erin Murray — 4 in 40.33 seconds
- Katie Gutwald — 3 in 37.7 seconds
- Rachael Peterson — 3 in 46.87 seconds
- Cassandra Moore — 2 in 22.88 seconds
- Jamie Schamma — No lift
Watch A Complete Streaming Of The Event Here:
Prize Allocations: Rewarding Strength and Effort at the 2023 America’s Strongest Man & Woman Competition
Recognizing the immense effort and determination of the competitors, the organizers of the 2023 America’s Strongest Man (U105KG) & Woman (U82KG) ensured that the winners were fittingly rewarded. Champions in both divisions were awarded $5,000, testament to their supreme strength and tenacity.
The generosity didn’t end there. A prize pool was set aside for those who demonstrated outstanding performances, with cash prizes extending to athletes who finished within the top seven. The runners-up were awarded $3,000, third-place finishers received $2,000, and those placing fourth to seventh were given $500 each. This extensive reward system honored the commitment and resilience of all the top competitors in this rigorous competition.
Overview
On July 22nd, the 2023 America’s Strongest Man (U105KG) & Woman (U82KG) competition took place at the Tinley Park Convention Center in Illinois. The event featured five challenging tests of strength, with twelve men and six women contending for the prestigious title. Jeffrey Lee narrowly clinched the men’s U105KG championship, while Erin Murray dominated the women’s division. Notably, the U105KG weight class displayed significant dynamism, with only one return competitor from the previous year’s contest.
Featured Image @americasstrongest (Instagram)
