The 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man competition is set to take place on April 1, 2023, at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England. On February 10, 2023, the complete lineup, which features the defending champion and 2020 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) winner, Oleksii Novikov of Ukraine, was revealed.
Events for the 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man Competition
Following the initial announcement, the organizers of the 2023 ESM contest released the five events that would make up the single-day competition. These events are as follows:
- Log Press Ladder
- Load & Push Race
- Deadlift for Reps
- Conan’s Wheel
- Castle Stones
As of the time of writing this article, the specific details of the events, including the weight of the logs, load on the barbell, implements for the load & push, or weight of the stones, have not yet been announced.
Log Press Ladder:
With Tom and Luke Stoltman not participating in the 2023 ESM, the events like log press and castle stones are more uncertain. Luke Stoltman is known for his excellent overhead strength, and without him in Leeds, other elite pressers like Graham Hicks can step up to the challenge.
Pavlo Nakonechnyy is also known for his impressive performances in pressing events, but it’s unclear if he will be fully recovered from the knee injury he sustained during the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic by the time of the 2023 ESM.
During the Arnold Strongman Classic, Nakonechnyy injured his knee while competing in the Elephant Bar Deadlift event. Although he continued competing, he suffered further injury during the final carry event when he stumbled out of the Timber Frame.
Deadlift for Reps Event:
The Deadlift for Reps event is expected to be fiercely contested. The lineup boasts several strongmen who are formidable in this event, such as Novikov, who currently holds the tire deadlift world record. Rauno Heinla, who holds the silver dollar deadlift world record, Konstantine Janashia, Adam Bishop, and others will also be competing.
Europe’s Strongest Man 2023 Contestants
- Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine) — Defending ESM Champion
- Gavin Bilton (UK)
- Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf (France)
- Adam Bishop (UK)
- Pavlo Nakonechnyy (Ukraine)
- Konstantine Janashia (Georgia)
- Rauno Heinla (Estonia)
- Pa O’Dwyer (Ireland)
- Aivars Šmaukstelis (Latvia)
- Dennis Kohlruss (Germany)
- Eythór Ingólfsson Melsted (Iceland)
- Graham Hicks (UK)
- Pavlo Kordiyaka (Ukraine)
- Paul Smith (UK) — Reserve
Courtesy image @giantslivestrongman (Instagram)
Courtesy image @gavin_the_bull_bilton (Instagram)