On August 12, 2023, Gera took center stage in the strongman world as it played host to the 2023 Germany’s Strongest Man competition. Touted as the premier national Strongman showdown, the competition beckoned fans from every corner of the globe.
Kohlruss: A Study in Consistency
Amid the grueling challenges, one athlete’s name echoed louder than the rest: Dennis Kohlruss. His performance was a masterclass in consistency, marked by repeated top-three finishes and not one, but two event triumphs.
Undisputed Champion
By the day’s end, the verdict was clear. Dennis Kohlruss had successfully defended his title, once more staking his claim as the undisputed strongest man in Germany.
2023 Germany’s Strongest Man Results
At the 2023 Germany’s Strongest Man competition, a unique scoring system was in play. Rather than accumulating points for superiority, this system rewarded competitors with the fewest points. Event winners were assigned a single point, the second-place finisher was given two, and this trend continued down the rankings. The aim? To finish with the lowest possible score, marking a departure from traditional scoring metrics.
- Dennis Kohlruss — 13 points
- Patrick Eibel — 23 points
- Markus Schätzl — 28 points
- Sebastian Kraus — 32 points
- Albin Hasanović — 37 points
- Matthias Winnerl — 40 points
- Tim Hruby — 41 points
- Michael Reichelt — 41 points
- Martin Mos — 42 points
- Enrico Panfili — 49 points
- Kai Ehrhard — 51 points
- Ayyub Mohammad — 72 points
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Event 1: Wheelbarrow Carry
Inaugural Challenge: The Wheelbarrow Sprint
Kicking off the 2023 Germany’s Strongest Man competition was a test of both speed and might – the Wheelbarrow Carry. While specifics about the weight remained undisclosed, the task was clear: navigate the course with swiftness and precision.
Emerging as the star in this challenge was Tim Hruby. Clocking in at an impressive 18.07 seconds, Hruby’s agility was on full display. Yet, he wasn’t without close competition. Sebastian Kraus was hot on his heels, completing the course merely 0.67 seconds later, clinching a commendable second position.
- Tim Hruby — 18.07 seconds
- Sebastian Kraus — 18.74 seconds
- Martin Mos — 21.29 seconds
- Markus Schätzl — 21.36 seconds
- Dennis Kohlruss — 21.69 seconds
- Enrico Panfili — 22.05 seconds
- Michael Reichelt — 22.18 seconds
- Patrick Eibel — 22.42 seconds
- Matthias Winnerl — 24.93 seconds
- Kai Ehrhard — 29.37 seconds
- Albin Hasanović — 17.9 meters
- Ayyub Mohammad — Withdrew
Event 2: Tractor Pull
Challenge Two: The Herculean Tractor Tug
The day’s momentum continued to escalate with the second event — the Tractor Pull. A colossal tractor awaited the competitors, demanding both raw strength and unwavering tenacity. The objective, though straightforward, was no simple feat: drag the enormous machinery across a set distance.
A striking observation from this challenge was the sheer difficulty, as a majority of the participants could not reach the end line. Their placements, thus, hinged on the distance each could conquer.
Patrick Eibel, however, was an exception. Demonstrating a blend of sheer strength and indomitable spirit, Eibel was among the rare duo who successfully completed the task within the stipulated time. Moreover, his prowess was underscored as he outpaced Dennis Kohlruss, the other successful competitor, by a notable six seconds.
For those who couldn’t pull the tractor through the entire length, it became a game of inches. Here, Sebastian Kraus shone yet again. Managing to drag the mammoth machinery 15.48 meters, he secured a well-earned third place.
- Patrick Eibel — 55.46 seconds
- Dennis Kohlruss — 61.50 seconds
- Sebastian Kraus — 15.48 meters
- Martin Mos — 11.89 meters
- Matthias Winnerl — 11.84 meters
- Michael Reichelt — 9.7 meters
- Markus Schätzl — 9.6 meters
- Tim Hruby — 9.28 meters
- Kai Ehrhard — 7.05 meters
- Albin Hasanović — 6.69 meters
- Enrico Panfili — 6.47 meters
Event 3: Tire Flip
Midway Duel: The Titan Tire Toss
As the competition neared its midway mark, the third event posed an unprecedented challenge: the Tire Flip. The task? Wresting a massive 425-kilogram tire off the ground and flipping it not once, but six times.
The spotlight yet again fell on two dominant figures: Sebastian Kraus and Dennis Kohlruss. In what seemed like a tantalizing replay of their previous duels, Kraus this time clinched the top spot. Not only were these two the only ones to master all six flips, but Kraus also showcased finesse by finishing a mere three seconds ahead of Kohlruss.
Yet, the surprises didn’t end there. Patrick Eibel, not to be overshadowed, secured a commendable third place. Though he flipped the tire only five times, his swiftness—completing his flips in 63.50 seconds—was unparalleled, making him the quickest amongst his peers.
- Sebastian Kraus — 6 in 56.62 s
- Dennis Kohlruss — 6 in 59.86 s
- Patrick Eibel — 5 in 63.50 s
- Matthias Winnerl — 5 in 67.89 s
- Albin Hasanović — 5 in 70.46 s
- Michael Reichelt — 4 in 59.29 s
- Markus Schätzl — 4 in 63.02 s
- Martin Mos — 3 in 44.29 s
- Enrico Panfili — 3 in 47.48 s
- Kai Ehrhard — 1 in 13.47 s
- Tim Hruby — 1 in 14.52 s
Event 4: Weight Throw
Skyward Heave: The Pinnacle Weight Toss
The Weight Throw has always been an integral facet of Strongman showdowns, yet its specifications—particularly the weight of the implement and the bar’s altitude—often differ. In the 2023 Germany’s Strongest Man, athletes confronted a daunting 4.2-meter-high bar, hoisting implements progressively weighing between 20 to 28 kilograms.
Emerging from the shadows of prior events, Dennis Kohlruss seized the moment to mark his inaugural event triumph. Mastery and speed converged, as Kohlruss dispatched all five implements skywards in a mere 18.19 seconds. Not far behind, yet still a significant four seconds adrift, was Patrick Eibel, capturing the second-fastest time.
- Dennis Kohlruss — 5 in 18.19 s
- Patrick Eibel — 5 in 22.30 s
- Markus Schätzl — 5 in 35.27 s
- Kai Ehrhard — 5 in 47.49 s
- Sebastian Kraus — 5 in 70.13 s
- Matthias Winnerl — 4 in 15.00 s
- Albin Hasanović — 4 in 17.82 s
- Michael Reichelt — 4 in 24.88 s
- Enrico Panfili — 4 in 25.70 s
- Martin Mos — 4 in 32.30 s
- Tim Hruby — 4 in 34.16 s
Event 5: Dumbbell Medley
Dumbbell Gauntlet: A Test of Ascending Might
One of the most grueling challenges of the 2023 Germany’s Strongest Man was the Dumbbell Medley. Here, competitors grappled with a daunting escalation in weight, lifting dumbbells that started from a substantial 70 kilograms and culminated at a colossal 124.5 kilograms.
Dennis Kohlruss, emboldened by his recent victory, maintained his dominance by clinching the top spot in the Dumbbell Medley. Though none could conquer all six, Kohlruss stood apart, deftly hoisting five.
Emerging behind him, Tim Hruby showcased formidable strength by successfully managing four dumbbells, while the remaining roster managed to grasp a maximum of three
- Dennis Kohlruss — 5 in 48.69 s
- Tim Hruby — 4 in 50.28 s
- Albin Hasanović — 3 in 19.11 s
- Markus Schätzl — 3 in 21.51 s
- Patrick Eibel — 3 in 32.93 s
- Kai Ehrhard — 3 in 59.23 s
- Enrico Panfili — 2 in 12.16 s
- Matthias Winnerl — 2 in 12.70 s
- Michael Reichelt — 2 in 18.45 s
- Martin Mos — 2in 19.44 s
- Sebastian Kraus — 1 in 11.01 s
Event 6: Atlas Stones
Atlas Stones: The Climax of Power
In the concluding event of the 2023 Germany’s Strongest Man, athletes faced off with the iconic challenge of Atlas Stones. Four gargantuan spheres, their weights ranging from 160 to 200 kilograms, awaited the contenders.
Albin Hasanović emerged as a colossus among titans, effortlessly completing all four stones in just 40.70 seconds, thereby cementing his top spot for the event. Dennis Kohlruss, although exemplary throughout the day, lagged in this challenge, taking almost 19 seconds longer to position his final stone.
However, despite this momentary setback, Dennis Kohlruss prevailed in the larger narrative, triumphantly defending his title with a marked dominance, reminiscent of his past performances.
- Albin Hasanović — 4 in 40.70 s
- Dennis Kohlruss — 4 in 59.17 s
- Markus Schätzl — 3 in 27.12 s
- Patrick Eibel — 3 in 35.73 s
- Michael Reichelt — 2 in 15.18 s
- Martin Mos — 2 in 18.15 s
- Enrico Panfili — 2 in 21.51 s
- Matthias Winnerl — 2 in 21.60 s
- Tim Hruby — 2 in 22.65 s
- Sebastian Kraus — 2 in 38.32 s
- Kai Ehrhard — No lift
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Dennis Kohlruss: Germany’s Three-Time Strongman Champion
Following his recent triumph at the 2023 Germany’s Strongest Man competition, Dennis Kohlruss proudly wears the crown of a three-time consecutive National champion. But national victories are just part of his illustrious journey. With two international titles already under his belt, Kohlruss has his eyes set on expanding his global accolades. This recent national victory only bolsters his resolve, signaling to competitors worldwide that he’s far from done.
Overview
he city of Gera took the spotlight on August 12, 2023, as it hosted the 2023 Germany’s Strongest Man competition. With six challenging events, 12 formidable athletes, and a global fanbase, the competition showcased the power and skill of strongman athletes. Dennis Kohlruss emerged as the star, defending his title with consistent performances and two event victories, solidifying his status as Germany’s strongest man.
Featured Image @doenerteller_versacee (Instagram)