2023 Arnold Strongman Classic Champion Crowned: Mitchell Hooper Takes the Title
The 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC) held on March 3-4, 2023, in Columbus, OH, showcased the impressive talents of Canada’s Mitchell Hooper. With the 2022 ASC champion, Martins Licis, opting out of the competition, a new champion was guaranteed to take the crown.
In the days leading up to the event, Hooper expressed his belief in winning the 2023 ASC, stating that he would emerge victorious in 40 out of 100 attempts. As fate would have it, he proved his confidence well-founded, delivering a thoroughly consistent performance across both days of competition.
Hooper’s impressive display of tactical prowess resulted in an overall victory, with him never finishing below third place in any of the five events throughout the competition. It was a remarkable achievement, ultimately securing him the championship title.
The five events in Columbus, OH, culminated in the following overall standings:
- Mitchell Hooper — 41.5 points
- Mateusz Kieliszkowski — 37.5 points
- Bobby Thompson — 29.5 points
- Trey Mitchell — 29 points
- Thomas Evans — 25.5 points
- Pavlo Nakonechnyy — 24.5 points
- Tom Stoltman — 24.5 points
- Rob Kearney — 21 points
- Luke Stoltman — 20 points
Kevin Faires — 20 points
2023 Arnold Strongman Classic Winners in Columbus, OH
Mitchell Hooper emerged victorious at the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic in Columbus, OH.
Here are his results and rankings for each of the five events that led to his overall win:
Event One — Wheel of Pain: Third Place, 28.65 meters
Event Two — The Austrian Oak: Second Place (tied w/Bobby Thompson), Three Reps at 195 kilograms
Event Three — Elephant Bar Deadlift: Second Place, 445 kilograms (981 pounds)
Event Four — Steintossen Stone Throw: Third Place, 3.19 meters (10.47 feet)
Event Five — Timber Carry: Third Place, 14.61 seconds
Mitchell Hooper’s consistent performance across all five events secured his victory at the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic. He placed no lower than third in any event and emerged as the clear winner with a total of 41.5 points. Hooper had expressed confidence in his abilities prior to the competition, stating that he believed he could win the ASC 40 times out of 100, and this time, he delivered on that belief. The competition was fierce, but Hooper’s strength and skill shone through as he claimed the coveted title.
The Arnold Strongman Classic is a grueling test of strength and endurance, and the 2023 competition did not disappoint. Mitchell Hooper’s victory was well-deserved, as he demonstrated remarkable consistency and determination throughout the five events. With his impressive performance, Hooper proved that he is a force to be reckoned with in the world of strongman competitions. The ASC is a highly anticipated event each year, and the 2023 edition was no exception, drawing some of the world’s strongest men to compete in Columbus, OH.
With a 4.5-point lead over his closest rival, Trey Mitchell, heading into the last event on Day Two, Hooper’s strength in midline events like farmer’s carries and yoke walks proved to be a significant advantage.
Despite improving his performance in the Timber Carry event from 2022, Mitchell’s weakness in this area was too much to overcome, requiring him to beat Hooper by five ranks in a 10-man contest.
Hooper’s consistent performance remained unwavering throughout the competition, with his calm and focused demeanor evident even after the Steintossen Stone Throw event.
