Athletes from around the world are converging on Myrtle Beach, South Carolina this week for the 46th annual World’s Strongest Man competition. The event, which will run from April 19 to April 23, features grueling challenges designed to test the limits of human strength, including deadlifts, overhead presses, and truck pulls.
While there won’t be a livestream of the competition, fans can follow along with Colosseum Strength’s live updates and exclusive behind-the-scenes content hosted by former competitor Terry Hollands. The Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion Place, a state-of-the-art venue on the city’s famous boardwalk, will provide a stunning backdrop for the contest. Keep an eye on the World’s Strongest Man homepage for official results as they become available.
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2023 WSM Qualifying Round Leaderboard
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Group 5
The 2023 World’s Strongest Man
- Day One — Loading Race
- Day One — Deadlift Machine
- Day One — Log Ladder
2023 WSM Day One
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina played host to the start of the 46th annual World’s Strongest Man competition on Wednesday, with competitors facing off in a trio of physically demanding events. The opening day’s events consisted of the loading race, the deadlift machine for reps, and the log ladder, all designed to test the athletes’ strength and endurance.
As the competition got underway, fans eagerly awaited to see which athletes would rise to the top. The results from each competitive group have been tallied, revealing the corresponding performance and placing within each event for each athlete.
Loading Race
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World’s Strongest Men Start With Loading Race Event
The World’s Strongest Man competition began with a formidable challenge that put the athletes’ strength, endurance, and agility to the test. The loading race event required competitors to run as quickly as possible across a four- to six-meter (13- to 19.6-foot) field of sand while loading progressively heavier implements onto an elevated platform.
Each athlete had 90 seconds to complete the course, and the objects included two stacks of bundled logs weighing 106 kilograms/234 pounds and 114.7 kilograms/253 pounds, a 124.7-kilogram (275-pound) anvil, a 120.2-kilogram (265-pound) sandbag, and a 120.2-kilogram (265-pound) “Husafell” sandbag.
The event was a grueling test of the athletes’ physical ability and determination, challenging them to push themselves to the limit.
Iron Biby” Withdraws, Haraldsson Steps In for Loading Race Event
Shortly before the start of the first event, Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou withdrew from the competition for reasons yet to be disclosed. The Burkinabe athlete’s absence was felt, as he was one of the favorites to win the competition.
However, the organizers quickly found a replacement in Iceland’s Kristjan Jon Haraldsson. Stepping up to the challenge, Haraldsson competed alongside the other strongmen in the loading race event, loading the same progressively heavier objects onto an elevated platform as the other athletes.
While the absence of “Iron Biby” was disappointing, the competitors all gave it their all in the grueling loading race event, setting the tone for the rest of the competition.
Group 1
- Pavlo Kordiyaka — 5 implements, 41.38 seconds
- Tom Stoltman — 5 implements, 43.84 seconds
- Bobby Thompson — 5 implements, 56.56 seconds
- Konstantine Janashia — 5 implements, 61.1 seconds
- Pa O’Dwyer — 5 implements, 65.89 seconds
- Eddie Williams — 5 implements, 66.44 seconds
Group 2
- Oleksii Novikov — 5 implements, 52.14 seconds
- Kristjan Jon Haraldsson — 5 implements, 54.58 seconds
- Thomas Evans — 5 implements, 57.4 seconds
- Luke Stoltman — 5 implements, 62.78 seconds
- Gavin Bilton — 5 implements, 63.01 seconds
- Fadi El Masri — 4 implements, 49.57 seconds
Group 3
- Mitchell Hooper — 5 implements, 42.05 seconds
- Aivars Šmaukstelis — 5 implements, 52.71 seconds
- Mathew Ragg — 5 implements — 58.72 seconds
- Spenser Remick — 5 implements, 67.15 seconds
- Mateusz Kieliszkowski — 5 implements, 67.53 seconds
- Graham Hicks — 4 implements, 53.4 seconds
Group 4
- Jaco Schoonwinkel — 5 implements, 47.1 seconds
- Rauno Heinla — 5 implements, 51.41 seconds
- Brian Shaw — 5 implements, 53.7 seconds
- Adam Bishop — 4 implements, 43.12 seconds
- Gabriel Rhéaume — 4 implements, 51.03 seconds
- Kevin Faires — 3 implements, 65.3 seconds
Group 5
- Evan Singleton — 5 implements, 46.9 seconds
- Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted — 5 implements, 56.41 seconds
- Trey Mitchell — 5 implements, 66.64 seconds
- Paul Smith — 4 implements, 44.79 seconds
- Mark Felix — 4 implements, 54.32 seconds
- Jean-Stephen Corabeouf — 3 implements, 40.63 seconds
Deadlift Machine
“Deadlift Machine” Event: Athletes push their limits in a test of strength
The deadlift machine event tested the athletes’ pure strength and endurance, as they attempted to perform as many repetitions as possible within 75 seconds. The machine was specifically designed for the competition and the weight increased with each successful repetition. The starting weight was 281 kilograms (619.5 pounds), and the weight progressively increased up to a maximum of 379 kilograms (835.5 pounds). The athletes were allowed to continue lifting the maximum weight until the time limit of 75 seconds was reached.
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Group 1
- Bobby Thompson — 7 reps
- Tom Stoltman — 6 reps
- Konstantine Janashia — 6 reps
- Pavlo Kordiyaka — 5 reps
- Pa O’Dwyer — 5 reps
- Eddie Williams — 5 reps
Group 2
- Oleksii Novikov — 6 reps
- Thomas Evans — 5 reps
- Luke Stoltman — 5 reps
- Gavin Bilton — 5 reps
- Kristjan Jon Haraldsson — 4 reps
- Fadi El Masri — 4 reps
Group 3
- Mitchell Hooper — 8 reps
- Mathew Ragg — 7 reps
- Graham Hicks — 7 reps
- Aivars Šmaukstelis — 5 reps
- Spenser Remick — 5 reps
- Mateusz Kieliszkowski — 4 reps
Group 4
- Brian Shaw — 8 reps
- Rauno Heinla — 8 reps
- Adam Bishop — 7 reps
- Jaco Schoonwinkel —6 reps
- Kevin Faires — 5 reps
- Gabriel Rhéaume — 5 reps
Group 5
- Trey Mitchell — 8 reps
- Mark Felix — 6 reps
- Evan Singleton — 6 reps
- Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted — 5 reps
- Jean-Stephen Corabeouf — 5 reps
- Paul Smith — 4 reps
“Log Ladder” Event: Athletes push their upper body strength to the limit
The first day of the competition concluded with the log ladder event, a staple in many strongman contests. This event tested the athletes’ upper body strength, as they attempted to lift five progressively heavier logs, one repetition at a time, within a 75-second time limit.
The competitors were presented with five fixed-weight logs and were allowed as many attempts as needed to successfully lift the log overhead. The weight of the logs increased with each repetition, starting from 124 kilograms (275 pounds) and progressing to 181 kilograms (400 pounds).
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Group 1
- Tom Stoltman — 5 reps, 42.5 seconds
- Pavlo Kordiyaka — 5 reps, 46 seconds
- Bobby Thompson — 4 reps, 25.83 seconds
- Konstantine Janashia — 4 reps, 68.35 seconds
- Eddie Williams — 4 reps, 55.89 seconds
- Pa O’Dwyer — 3 reps, 25.8 seconds
Group 2
- Thomas Evans — 5 reps, 38.96 seconds
- Luke Stoltman — 5 reps, 52.76 seconds
- Oleksii Novikov — 4 reps, 32.5 seconds
- Gavin Bilton — 4 reps, 56.84 seconds
- Fadi El Masri — 2 reps, 17.43 seconds
- Kristjan Jon Haraldsson — 2 reps, 16.28 secondsGroup 3
- Mitchell Hooper — 5 reps, 39.51 seconds
- Mathew Ragg — 5 reps, 56.84 seconds
- Graham Hicks — 4 reps, 28.31 seconds
- Aivars Šmaukstelis — 4 reps, 30.44 seconds
- Mateusz Kieliszkowski — 4 reps, 33.24 seconds
- Spenser Remick — 4 reps, 38.79 seconds
Group 4
- Brian Shaw — 4 reps, 33.99 seconds
- Jaco Schoonwinkel — 4 reps, 34.77 seconds
- Rauno Heinla — 3 reps, 21.6 seconds
- Kevin Faires — 3 reps, 28.93 seconds
- Gabriel Rhéaume — 3 reps, 32.96 seconds
- Adam Bishop — 3 reps, 33.25 seconds
Group 5
- Trey Mitchell — 5 reps, 39.44 seconds
- Evan Singleton — 4 reps, 35.48 seconds
- Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted — 4 reps, 39.93 seconds
- Paul Smith — 4 reps, 45.84 seconds
- Jean-Stephen Corabeouf — 3 reps, 22.34 seconds
- Mark Felix — 1 rep, 7.58 seconds
2023 WSM Schedule of Events
Complete Schedule of the World’s Strongest Man Competition
Here’s a complete schedule for the World’s Strongest Man competition, including the two-day Qualifying Round and the two-day Finals. All times listed are in Eastern Standard Time.
Qualifying Stage Day One
- Event One: Loading Race — April 19 | 8 a.m., Sand Stage
- Event Two: Deadlift Machine — April 19 | 12:19 (initially set for 11:29 a.m.), Land Stage
- Event Three: Log Ladder — April 19 | 6:03 (initially set for 4:49 p.m.), Sand Stage
Qualifying Stage Day Two
- Event Four: Conan’s Wheel — April 20 | 8 a.m., Land Stage
- Event Five: Kettlebell Toss — April 20 | 1:20 p.m., Sand Stage
- Event Six: Stone Off — April 20 | 6:13 p.m., Land StageRest Day
No Events — April 21
Finals Day One
- Event One: Fingal’s Fingers — April 22 | 8 a.m., Street Stage
- Event Two: KNAACK Deadlift — April 22 | 10:41 a.m., Sand Stage
- Event Three: Reign Shield Carry — April 22 | 2:18 p.m., Street Stage
Finals Day Two
- Event Four: Max Dumbbell — April 23 | 8 a.m., Land Stage
- Event Five: Vehicle Pull — April 23 | 10:10 a.m., Street Stage
- Event Six: Atlas Stones — April 23 | 1:54 p.m., Sand Stage
2023 WSM Competitor Withdrawals
The 2023 World’s Strongest Man has 30 qualified competitors. However, unexpected situations can occur during the competition that may lead to withdrawals. The withdrawals of competitors during the course of the competition will be noted on this platform. One such case is that of Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou who withdrew before the first event of the Qualifying Stage Day One for undisclosed reasons. He was replaced by Kristjan Jon Haraldsson.
How Strongman is Scored
The points in competitive strongman events are scored based on the overall field of competitors. In the Qualifying Stage, athletes can earn a maximum of six points since there are six athletes in each group. First place earns six points, second place earns five, and so on. In the Finals, where there are ten competitors in total, first place receives ten points, second receives nine, third eight, and so on. If there are any tied scores, points are split evenly. For example, in the WSM Finals, if two athletes tie for second place, they would each earn 8.5 points.
How to Watch the 2023 World’s Strongest Man
Admission is free for fans attending the 2023 World’s Strongest Man in person at Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion Place in Myrtle Beach, SC. Gates open to the public at 7 a.m. Eastern time. There will be a fan festival area and a general admission viewing area for spectators. However, for those who wish to watch the event at home, it is impossible to view it live. CBS Sports Network will air the 2023 WSM in the U.S. beginning on May 28, 2023. In the UK, the 2023 WSM will air on Channel 5 in December. Meanwhile, the 2023 WSM’s various social media platforms, including YouTube and Instagram, will feature behind-the-scenes coverage while Terry Hollands, a 15-time WSM athlete, conducts interviews with the competitors.
Overview
This week, athletes from all over the world are gathering in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for the 46th annual World’s Strongest Man competition. The competition includes challenging events like deadlifts, overhead presses, and truck pulls designed to test human strength. Although the event won’t be live-streamed, fans can follow the competition’s live updates and behind-the-scenes content provided by Colosseum Strength and former competitor Terry Hollands. The event is being held at the Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion Place, a state-of-the-art venue on the city’s boardwalk, and the official results will be available on the World’s Strongest Man homepage.
Featured Image @ Todd Burandt & World’s Strongest Man (Instagram)
