Day Two of 2023 WSM Qualifying Round Ends with a Bang
The second day of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) Qualifying Round was a thrilling spectacle that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. The athletes battled it out in three grueling events, Conan’s Wheel, Kettlebell Toss, and the Stone-Off, which determined the top 10 athletes who will move on to the WSM Final.
The Conan’s Wheel event saw some impressive performances, with Mitchell Hooper finishing first, lifting the 550-pound apparatus and carrying it for over 30 feet. In the Kettlebell Toss, athletes had to throw a 56-pound kettlebell over a 15-foot bar, with Bobby Thompson and Konstantin Konstantinov tying for first place. The climactic Stone-Off saw some fierce competition, with Adam Bishop, Tom Stoltman, and JF Caron finishing first, second, and third, respectively.
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2023 WSM Qualifying Round Leaderboard
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Group 5
2022 World’s Strongest Man Day Two Results
The second day of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man Qualifiers was nothing short of thrilling. With the athletes competing in the Conan’s Wheel, Kettlebell Toss, and Stone-Off events, it was a real test of strength, endurance, and determination.
Here are the Day Two results from each Qualifying Round Group, including each athlete’s individual finishes, any relevant corresponding time, and placing within the Conan’s Wheel and Kettlebell Toss. Plus, there’s an overall recap of the Stone-Off event featuring just the second and third-place finishers in each group.
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Conan’s Wheel
Conan’s Wheel Tests Athletes’ Core Strength and Endurance in 2023 WSM Qualifying Round
One of the most grueling events of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) Qualifying Round, the Conan’s Wheel, put the athletes’ core strength and endurance to the test. The competitors had to lift a 199.5-kilogram (440-pound) bar in the Zercher position and walk around a fixed circle as far as possible.
The goal was to score the most “degrees” or loops around the circle, with a full loop being considered 360 degrees. Oleksii Novikov, the 2020 WSM champion, won Group 2 by recording the maximum distance with 847 degrees. Pavlo Kordiyaka, the reigning Europe’s Strongest Man (ESM) champion, took Group 1’s top spot with 749 degrees. Kordiyaka holds the Conan’s Wheel World Record, with a rotation length of 1,009 degrees from his 2023 ESM victory.
Group 1
- Pavlo Kordiyaka — 749 degrees
- Pa O’Dwyer — 722 degrees
- Bobby Thompson — 649 degrees
- Konstantine Janashia — 633 degrees
- Eddie Williams — 614 degrees
- Tom Stoltman — 598 degrees
Group 2
- Oleksii Novikov — 897 degrees
- Gavin Bilton — 557 degrees
- Luke Stoltman — 545 degrees
- Kristjan Jon Haraldsson — 524 degrees
- Fadi El Masri — 70 degrees
- Thomas Evans — 69 degrees
Group 3
- Mitchell Hooper — 636 degrees
- Mathew Ragg — 628 degrees
- Aivars Šmaukstelis —575 degrees
- Mateusz Kieliszkowski — 538 degrees
- Spenser Remick — 470 degrees
- Graham Hicks — 425 degrees
Group 4
- Jaco Schoonwinkel — 713 degrees
- Kevin Faires — 636 degrees
- Gabriel Rhéaume — 476 degrees
- Rauno Heinla — 572 degrees
- Brian Shaw — 411 degrees
- Adam Bishop — 292 degrees
Group 5
- Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted — 629 degrees
- Evan Singleton — 589 degrees
- Trey Mitchell — 523 degrees
- Paul Smith — 518 degrees
- Mark Felix — 470 degrees
- Jean-Stephen Corabeouf — 143 degrees
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Kettlebell Toss
Kettlebell Toss Determines Qualification for Stone Off
The Kettlebell Toss was a vital event for many athletes, as their performance would partly determine who would qualify for their Group’s Stone Off. This event focused on the competitors’ explosive power, presenting them with seven kettlebells that gradually increased in weight. They had only one minute to launch as many weights as possible over a 4.5-meter (15-foot) overhead bar.
Gradual Increase in Weights in Kettlebell Toss
The competitors were presented with a series of kettlebells that gradually increased in weight. The weights progressed in size from 20.5 kilograms (45 pounds) to 30.8 kilograms (68 pounds) and were launched over a 4.5-meter (15-foot) overhead bar. The aim was to complete as many throws as possible within the time limit of one minute.
Mateusz Kieliszkowski Shines in Kettlebell Toss
Mateusz Kieliszkowski delivered an impressive performance in the Kettlebell Toss event, even though he was already mathematically eliminated from the Finals by the time he stepped up to compete. The Polish athlete finished all seven throws in a blazing 32.44 seconds in Group 3. In doing so, he snapped groupmate Mitchell Hooper’s dominant four-event winning streak.
Group 1
- Pavlo Kordiyaka — Six reps, 18.09 seconds
- Konstantine Janashia — Six reps, 19.93 seconds
- Tom Stoltman — Six reps, 21.99 seconds
- Pa O’Dwyer — Six reps, 31.71 seconds
- Bobby Thompson — Six reps, 35.67 seconds
- Eddie Williams — Six reps, 36.4 seconds
Group 2
- Gavin Bilton — Six reps, 19.9 seconds
- Luke Stoltman — Six reps, 49.35 seconds
- Kristjan Jon Haraldsson — Five reps, 15.57 seconds
- Thomas Evans — Five reps, 28.68 seconds
- Fadi El Masri — Four reps, 20.61 seconds
- Oleksii Novikov — One rep, 9.56 seconds
Group 3
- Mateusz Kieliszkowski — Seven reps, 32.44 seconds
- Mitchell Hooper — Six reps, 17.18 seconds
- Mathew Ragg — Six reps, 21.96 seconds
- Aivars Šmaukstelis — Six reps, 25.41 seconds
- Spenser Remick — Five reps, 24.31 seconds
- Graham Hicks — Four reps, 20.51 secondsGroup 4
- Brian Shaw — Seven reps, 48.45 seconds
- Adam Bishop — Six reps, 32.29 seconds
- Kevin Faires — Five reps, 34.09 seconds
- Jaco Schoonwinkel — Six reps, 47.32 seconds
- Rauno Heinla — Five reps, 44.31 seconds
- Gabriel Rhéaume — Three reps, 14 seconds
Group 5
- Trey Mitchell — Seven reps, 34.42 seconds
- Evan Singleton — Six reps, 28.81 seconds
- Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted — Six reps, 27.66 seconds
- Mark Felix — Four reps, 42.66 seconds
- Jean-Stephen Corabeouf — Two reps, 23.65 seconds
- Paul Smith — One rep, 28.62 seconds
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Stone Off
Athletes compete in Atlas Stone battle to secure spots in WSM Finals
In the quest to secure spots in the 2023 WSM Finals, athletes competed in an intense Atlas Stone battle. The second and third-place finishers from the qualifying rounds faced off against each other in the battle. The goal was to lift gradually heavier Atlas Stones over a bar separating them from their opponents. The weights ranged from 140 kilograms (308 pounds) to 200 kilograms (440 pounds). The final Stone’s weight would be lifted for reps until one of the strongmen could not continue.
Tom Stoltman, Luke Stoltman, Brian Shaw, Mathew Ragg, and Evan Singleton earn places in WSM Finals
After a grueling battle, Tom Stoltman, Luke Stoltman, Brian Shaw, Mathew Ragg, and Evan Singleton emerged as the winners, earning their spots in the 2023 WSM Finals. This marks Ragg’s first appearance in the contest. For Singleton, 2023 marks his first time reaching the Finals in four consecutive WSM appearances. His 2020 and 2021 showings were interrupted by withdrawals due to injury, while he failed to pass the Qualifying Stage in 2022. The athletes will now move on to compete in the Finals, where they will face off against each other in a series of challenging events to determine the 2023 WSM champion.
Group 1
- Tom Stoltman — 3 stones — Winner
- Bobby Thompson — 3 stones
Group 2
- Luke Stoltman — 7 stones — Winner
- Gavin Bilton — 7 stones
Group 3
- Mathew Ragg — 8 stones — Winner
- Aivars Smaukstelis — 8 stones
Group 4
- Brian Shaw — 11 stones — Winner
- Rauno Heinla — 11 stones
Group 5
- Evan Singleton — 8 stones — Winner
- Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted — 8 stones
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2023 World’s Strongest Man Final Athletes
Here are the 10 confirmed athletes in the 2023 WSM Finals:
- Pavlo Kordiyaka (Ukraine)
- Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine)
- Mitchell Hooper (Canada)
- Jaco Schoonwinkel (South Africa)
- Trey Mitchell (United States)
- Tom Stoltman (United Kingdom)
- Luke Stoltman (United Kingdom)
- Mathew Ragg (New Zealand)
- Brian Shaw (United States)
- Evan Singleton (United States)
Tom Stoltman eyes three-peat as he survives Stone Off in WSM Qualifying
As the defending champion, Tom Stoltman, had a lot to prove to secure his spot in the 2023 WSM Final. After a grueling Stone Off, the Scottish athlete survived and will have the chance to achieve a historic three-peat victory over the weekend. Despite the tough competition, Stoltman seems determined to keep his reign as the king of strongman.
Mitchell Hooper looks to dethrone Stoltman at the 2023 WSM Final
After a surprise Finals berth in the 2022 WSM, Mitchell Hooper has become one of the fan favorites heading into the weekend’s Finals. With his impressive performance in the qualifying rounds, the American strongman looks like a bona fide favorite to unseat Stoltman from his throne. Can Hooper rise to the challenge and become the new champion?
Brian Shaw extends his legendary streak of WSM Final appearances to 15
The legendary Brian Shaw has officially extended his streak of WSM Final appearances to 15, making it 15 of 16 appearances in the Finals over his illustrious career. Shaw, a four-time champion (2011, 2013, 2015-2016), is set to retire from strongman later this summer, making this his last chance to add another title to his impressive resume. The only time Shaw missed the Finals was his WSM debut in 2008.
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Upcoming A Grand Finale
10 Finalists Prepare for the Ultimate Test in the 2023 WSM Finals
The 2023 WSM competition has reached its climax, with the top 10 finalists now set to compete in the Finals. These athletes have shown incredible strength and skill in the previous rounds, and all eyes are on them as they prepare for the ultimate test of their abilities.
All Bets Are Off: Anyone Could Win the 2023 WSM Title
The WSM Finals are just around the corner, and it’s anyone’s guess who will emerge as the champion. Despite some standout performances in the earlier rounds, the level of competition is so high that any one of the 10 finalists could take the title. The excitement is palpable as fans and competitors alike eagerly await the start of the final showdown.
Overview
The second day of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man Qualifying Round was a spectacular event that showcased the athletes’ strength and determination. The competitors battled it out in three intense events – Conan’s Wheel, Kettlebell Toss, and Stone-Off – to determine the top 10 athletes who would advance to the WSM Final. Some impressive performances were seen, including Mitchell Hooper’s first-place finish in the Conan’s Wheel event and Adam Bishop, Tom Stoltman, and JF Caron’s top finishes in the Stone-Off. The Kettlebell Toss was a crucial event as it determined which athletes would qualify for their group’s Stone-Off.
Courtesy Image @ Todd Burandt & World’s Strongest Man (Instagram)
