In the scenic city of Limassol, Cyprus, the 2023 Strongman Champions League (SCL) unveiled its latest chapter on October 7th. SCL, renowned for its global series of events, draws the crème de la crème of the Strongman community to battle for supremacy throughout the year.
While many eyes were initially set on Kane Francis, who kicked off the competition with an impressive lead, the trajectory of the contest took an unexpected turn. As the day unfolded, Francis’s early momentum began to wane, leaving room for another to claim the spotlight.
Enter Pavlo Kordiyaka. Leveraging his vast experience and consistent performance, Kordiyaka turned the tables. Navigating through the challenges with finesse and capitalizing on the missteps of his competitors, he emerged as the day’s ultimate victor, adding another feather to his already impressive cap.
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2023 Strongman Champions League Cyprus Official Results
- Pavlo Kordiyaka — 48 points
- Kane Francis — 45 points
- Evans Aryee — 41 points
- Ervin Toots — 34 points
- Kevin Hazeleger — 31 points
- Andrea Invernizzi — 30 points
- Peter Juhasz — 29 points
- Sebastian Kurek — 25 points
- Alex Cristolovean — 17 points
- Dan Harrison — 16 points
- Hristo Muskov — 10 points
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Event 1: Bus Pull
In a thrilling commencement to the 2023 Strongman Champions League Cyprus, competitors faced the Herculean task of pulling a massive 15,000-kilogram bus across a 20-meter stretch, all within a nail-biting 60-second window.
The results showcased the narrowest of margins. A mere 2 seconds separated the performances of the top seven competitors. Yet, it was Kane Francis who clinched the top spot, completing the pull in an astounding 32.09 seconds.
Not far behind was Kevin Hazeleger, who showcased immense strength, making the bus seem far lighter than its 15-ton weight. Though he finished at a commendable 32.66 seconds, it was just shy of Kane’s mark, landing Kevin in the second spot.
- Kane Francis — 32.09 s
- Kevin Hazeleger — 32.66 s
- Andrea Invernizzi — 33.47 s
- Pavlo Kordiyaka — 33.87 s
- Dan Harrison — 33.94 s
- Evans Aryee — 34.12 s
- Ervin Toots — 34.15 s
- Peter Juhasz — 34.81 s
- Alex Cristolovean — 35.47 s
- Sebastian Kurek — 36.66 s
- Hristo Muskov — 39.52 s
Event 2: Deadlift
The second event in the 2023 Strongman Champions League Cyprus presented a unique challenge: the Car Deadlift. The exact weight of the lift remained shrouded in mystery, perhaps due to its complex computation. But the spectacle of athletes lifting a pick-up truck for maximum repetitions was undeniably riveting.
Evans Aryee, one of the early performers in this event, set a staggering benchmark with 20 repetitions. As the competition unfolded, it became increasingly evident that Aryee’s feat would remain unmatched.
Though unable to surpass Aryee, Kane Francis put forth a commendable effort, locking out 18 repetitions. This secured him second place, fortifying his early lead in the overall competition.
Hot on Francis’s heels was Pavlo Kordiyaka, who finished just one rep shy of Kane, placing him in third for the event. Consequently, he trailed Kane by four points in the overall standings after the first two events.
- Evans Aryee — 20 reps
- Kane Francis — 18 reps
- Pavlo Kordiyaka — 17 reps
- Sebastian Kurek — 16 reps
- Ervin Toots — 15 reps
- Dan Harrison — 14 reps
- Kevin Hazeleger — 12 reps
- Andrea Invernizzi — 11 reps
- Hristo Muskov — 10 reps
- Alex Cristolovean — 6 reps
- Peter Juhasz — 0 reps
Event 3: Loading Race
In the ongoing 2023 Strongman Champions League Cyprus, the third event introduced a Loading Race, testing the athletes’ stamina and speed. The challenge involved transporting four implements, with the first two weighing 110 kilograms (242.5 pounds) and the latter two coming in at 120 kilograms (264.6 pounds). The competitors had to cover a 10-meter distance for each implement.
A Neck-and-Neck Finish The event was especially notable for the fierce competition between Pavlo Kordiyaka and Kane Francis. Both strongmen showcased extraordinary prowess, but it was Kordiyaka who narrowly edged out his rival. Completing the race in a brisk 21.63 seconds, he marginally outperformed Francis, who finished in 21.68 seconds.
Battle for the Bronze Further intensifying the competition was the close face-off for the third spot between Peter Juhasz and Ervin Toots. Juhasz managed to claim the bronze, besting Toots by a mere 0.80 seconds.
- Pavlo Kordiyaka — 4 in 21.63 s
- Kane Francis — 4 in 21.68 s
- Peter Juhasz — 4 in 26.00 s
- Ervin Toots — 4 in 26.81 s
- Sebastian Kurek — 4 in 27.44 s
- Evans Aryee — 4 in 28.35 s
- Hristo Muskov — 4 in 29.50 s
- Kevin Hazeleger — 4 in 31.53 s
- Alex Cristolovean — 4 in 33.66 s
- Andrea Invernizzi — 4 in 39.62 s
- Dan Harrison — 4 in 49.78 s
Event 4: Log Lift
In the pantheon of Strongman events, the Log Lift stands as a true testament to an athlete’s raw power. The 2023 Strongman Champions League Cyprus did not disappoint in this regard, featuring a staggering 150-kilogram Log Lift, challenging the competitors to see who could complete the most reps.
The event spotlighted Antonia Invernizzi, an Italian powerhouse, who surged ahead of his rivals by managing five remarkable reps with the enormous log. This feat solidified his dominance in the event, ensuring he pocketed maximum points.
The race for the runner-up spot was anything but straightforward. It culminated in a three-way tie among Kordiyaka, Juhasz, and Aryee, with each strongman completing four reps. With no discernible difference in their performances, the trio evenly split the points on offer.
- Andrea Invernizzi — 5 reps
- Pavlo Kordiyaka — 4 reps
- Peter Juhasz — 4 reps
- Evans Aryee — 4 reps
- Kevin Francis — 3 reps
- Kevin Hazeleger — 3 reps
- Alex Cristolovean — 3 reps
- Ervin Toots — 2 reps
- Sebastian Kurek — 1 reps
- Hristo Muskov — 0 reps
- Dan Harrison — 0 reps
Event 5: Atlas Stones
Concluding the 2023 Strongman Champions League Cyprus, competitors took on the quintessential Strongman event – the Atlas Stones. However, this wasn’t any ordinary set. A compacted set of four stones awaited the strongmen, weighing between a hefty 130 kilograms and an imposing 200 kilograms.
All eyes were on Pavlo Kordiyaka, who needed to outperform Kane Francis to secure victory. Delivering a masterful performance, Kordiyaka’s agility and strength saw him lift all four stones in record time, crowning him the winner of both the event and the overall competition.
Estonian powerhouse Ervin Toots showcased his prowess with a commendable second-place finish, loading the stones in a swift 26.10 seconds. Following him, but significantly behind, was Evans Aryee, who managed to secure his spot in third place, finishing a full 25 seconds after Toots.
- Pavlo Kordiyaka — 4 in 22.12 s
- Ervin Toots — 4 in 26.10 s
- Evans Aryee — 4 in 51.90 s
- Kane Francis — 4 in 58.38 s
- Peter Juhasz — 3 in 15.71 s
- Kevin Hazeleger — 3 in 18.92 s
- Sebastian Kurek — 3 in 21.45 s
- Andrea Invernizzi — 3 in 26.25 s
- Alex Cristolovean — 3 in 66.05 s
- Dan Harrison — 2 in 11.20 s
- Hristo Muskov — 1 in 24.54 s
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Kordiyaka’s Meteoric Rise in Strongman World
In recent years, the Strongman scene has been electrified by the dominant performances of Pavlo Kordiyaka. With 21 international and national competitions under his belt, he has emerged victorious six times. His crowning glory? Securing the title of the 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man.
For enthusiasts wanting a closer look at Kane Francis’s techniques and prowess, he has graciously shared video clips of his performances across all five events. [Explore the videos here.]
Kordiyaka’s journey is particularly impressive given his age. At just 28, he has achieved milestones that many only dream of in their careers. With many years ahead in the sport, the strongman community eagerly watches as he continues to redefine limits and build upon an already impressive resume.
Overview
On October 7th, Limassol, Cyprus, played host to the latest Strongman Champions League (SCL) contest. Initially, Kane Francis took an early lead, but as events progressed, Pavlo Kordiyaka showcased consistent prowess, eventually emerging as the overall victor in a thrilling competition.
Featured Image – 2023 Strongman Champions League Cyprus Results : Pavlo Kordiyaka Clinches Victory – Credit: @pavlo_kordiyaka (Instagram)
