The Strongman Champions League, in its 2023 iteration, traverses the globe with stops in 16 distinct locations. Its most recent sojourn was to Hämeenlinna, Finland, where the World’s Strongest Viking competition unfolded. Staged on August 18th, 2023, this event was structured around five rigorous challenges. The elite 12-man roster hinted at a relentless and captivating contest from the outset to the final whistle.
Kane Francis: A Masterclass in Consistency
Amid the cacophony of grunts, clinks, and roars, one name resounded with a unique clarity: Kane Francis. He rendered an exemplary performance that many are calling his most formidable to date, making the claim to the esteemed title of the World’s Strongest Viking.
Strategic Dominance Ensures Victory
Francis’s triumph wasn’t just about raw strength but also his astute strategic approach. He clinched top honors in two of the events and remarkably, never dropped below a fourth-place finish in the remaining challenges. While his peers navigated the highs and lows typical of such a taxing competition, Kane’s unwavering consistency provided him an edge, steadily building his lead and solidifying his victory.
2023 World’s Strongest Viking Results
- Kane Francis — 53.5 points
- Ervin Toots — 46 points
- Sigfus Fossdal — 44.5 points
- Andrea Invernizzi — 43.5 points
- Dennis Kohlruss — 40.5 points
- Gianluca Ardenghi — 31 points
- Alex Lungu — 27 points
- Kalle Ahola — 22.5 points
- Valtter Kortelainen — 20 points
- Jesper Hansson — 16 points
- Jarkko Malinen — 12.5 points
- Sean O’Hagan — 6 points
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Hammer Deadlift for Reps
A Dramatic Beginning to the 2023 SCL World’s Strongest Viking
In the curtain-raiser for the 2023 SCL World’s Strongest Viking competition, athletes were pitted against the clock and a unique apparatus in the Hammer Deadlift event. Given a tight window of 60 seconds, competitors had to perform as many deadlift repetitions as they could. But this wasn’t your everyday gym challenge: instead of the conventional barbell, contestants had to lift a massive hammer placed on the back of the platform. The visual might have been perplexing to some, but the bottom line was clear – the total weight being lifted amounted to a staggering 350 kilograms (approximately 771 pounds).
Invernizzi Towers Above the Rest
Amid this colossal challenge, Andrea Invernizzi distinguished himself as a deadlift virtuoso. With an awe-inspiring count of eight reps, he set a benchmark that remained untouched throughout the event, ensuring he commenced the competition with a perfect score of 12 points.
Francis Clinches a Close Second
Kane Francis, while not able to surpass Invernizzi, still delivered a commendable performance. He managed to lock out five reps, a feat that proved insurmountable for many of his peers, earning him a well-deserved second place.
Toots Secures the Third Spot
The battle for third was intense, with Ervin Toots finally emerging victorious. By managing just one repetition more than a trio of other athletes, Toots cemented his position in the top three for the event.
- Andrea Invernizzi — 8 reps
- Kane Francis — 5 reps
- Ervin Toots — 4 reps
- Sigfus Fossdal — 3 reps (Tied-Fourth)
- Gianluca Ardenghi — 3 reps (Tied-Fourth)
- Jesper Hansson — 3 reps (Tied-Fourth)
- Dennis Kohlruss — No lift
- Alex Lungu — No lift
- Kalle Ahola — No lift
- Valtter Kortelainen — No lift
- Jarkko Malinen — No lift
- Sean O’Hagan — No lift
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Super Yoke
The 400-Kilogram Gauntlet
As the competition progressed to its second event, athletes were greeted with the formidable challenge of the Super Yoke. Weighing in at an astonishing 400 kilograms (or 882 pounds), the competitors were tasked with lifting and carrying this behemoth across a 30-meter stretch, all within a restrictive time frame of 75 seconds.
Francis Shines Brighter
Kane Francis, fresh off his commendable performance in the opening event, escalated his game to clinch the top spot in this challenge. Displaying an enviable combination of speed and strength, he managed to traverse the course in a swift 21.91 seconds, firmly planting his flag as the event’s undisputed champion.
Fossdal and Toots in a Tight Finish
The race for second was a nail-biter, with Sigfus Fossdal narrowly outpacing the Estonian, Ervin Toots. The slight margin of just over a second separated their finishes, adding further drama to an already intense competition.
- Kane Francis — 21.91 seconds
- Sigfus Fossdal — 27.25 seconds
- Ervin Toots — 28.44 seconds
- Gianluca Ardenghi — 29.63 seconds
- Andrea Invernizzi — 46.12 seconds
- Dennis Kohlruss — 43.38 seconds
- Alex Lungu — 60.38 seconds
- Kalle Ahola — 27.7 meters
- Jarkko Malinen — 21.8 meters
- Valtter Kortelainen — 21.5 meters
- Jesper Hansson — No lift
- Sean O’Hagan — No lift
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Viking Press for Reps
Mid-Competition Test of Strength
The halfway mark of the competition introduced athletes to the Viking Press event, an overhead pressing challenge demanding both stamina and sheer strength. Competitors were faced with the task of hoisting a 160-kilogram (352-pound) weight skyward as many times as possible within the confines of a 60-second window.
Kohlruss and Fossdal: A Battle of Titans
Coming into the event, all eyes were on Dennis Kohlruss. His recent demonstration of exceptional shoulder power at the 2023 Germany’s Strongest Man competition had earmarked him as the one to watch. Living up to the expectations, Kohlruss set a formidable benchmark of 16 reps. However, in an unexpected twist, Sigfus Fossdal rose to the occasion, matching Kohlruss rep for rep. This resulted in a shared victory, with both strongmen tying for the top spot and splitting the points.
Lungu’s Noteworthy Performance
Alex Lungu, not far behind the leaders, churned out an impressive 15 reps. His commendable effort earned him a third-place finish, along with the 10 points that accompanied the position.
- Dennis Kohlruss — 16 reps (Tied-First)
- Sigfus Fossdal — 16 reps (Tied-First)
- Alex Lungu — 15 reps
- Kane Francis — 13 reps (Tied-Fourth)
- Andrea Invernizzi — 13 reps (Tied-Fourth)
- Ervin Toots — 12 reps
- Kalle Ahola — 9 reps (Tied-Seventh)
- Jarkko Malinen — 9 reps (Tied-Seventh)
- Valtter Kortelainen — 8 reps
- Gianluca Ardenghi — 6 reps
- Jesper Hansson — No lift
- Sean O’Hagan — No lift
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Forward Hold
Endurance on Display
As the competition inched towards its conclusion, athletes faced an endurance-centric event — the Forward Hold. In this grueling challenge, competitors were tasked with sustaining a 25-kilogram (55-pound) implement, holding it outstretched in front of them for as long as humanly possible.
Invernizzi Edges Out the Competition
In a test of sheer willpower and endurance, Andrea Invernizzi of Italy emerged victorious. But it was no easy win. In an intense tussle for supremacy, Andrea managed to keep the implement aloft just a second longer than his closest competitor, securing his top spot.
Kohlruss and Francis in Close Pursuit
Dennis Kohlruss, showcasing an enviable blend of stamina and determination, clocked in at 35.72 seconds, securing a respectable second place. Not too far behind, Kane Francis made his presence felt with a commendable effort, holding onto the weight until the 33.56-second mark, thus rounding out the top three finishers.
- Andrea Invernizzi — 36.72 seconds
- Dennis Kohlruss — 35.72 seconds
- Kane Francis — 33.57 seconds
- Gianluca Ardenghi — 32.5 seconds
- Ervin Toots — 31.1 seconds
- Valtter Kortelainen — 30.6 seconds
- Alex Lungu — 28.44 seconds
- Sigfus Fossdal — 25.15 seconds
- Kalle Ahola — 22 seconds
- Sean O’Hagan — 21.97 seconds
- Jarkko Malinen — 21.63 seconds
- Jesper Hansson — 15.19 seconds
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Natural Stones
The Grand Finale
As the 2023 SCL World’s Strongest Viking competition culminated, the athletes braced themselves for a herculean task – the Natural Stones event. The challenge demanded participants to pick up and load five distinct Natural Stones, ranging in weight from a hefty 100 kilograms (220.5 pounds) to an even more daunting 140 kilograms (308.6 pounds).
Francis Seals His Supremacy
Despite comfortably leading in the overall standings, Kane Francis exhibited no complacency. He underscored his title-winning journey by reigning supreme in this final event as well. Demonstrating both technique and strength, Francis successfully loaded all five stones in a commendably swift 50.62 seconds.
Toots and Fossdal Battle for Silver
In what can be described as an inspiring display of grit, Ervin Toots managed to load all the stones, effectively pushing his overall standings. This effort clinched him the silver medal, nudging him ahead of Sigfus Fossdal.
Kohlruss Continues to Impress
Rounding out the top performances was Dennis Kohlruss. Taking 62.75 seconds to navigate through the five stones, he reiterated his prowess and firmly established that he undoubtedly belongs among the global strongman elite.
- Kane Francis — 5 in 50.62 s
- Ervin Toots — 5 in 53.59 s
- Dennis Kohlruss — 5 in 62.75 s
- Sigfus Fossdal — 5 in 71.37 s
- Kalle Ahola — 5 in 73 s
- Jesper Hansson — 5 in 75 s
- Valtter Kortelainen — 4 in 75 s
- Alex Lungu — 3 in 35.76 s
- Andrea Invernizzi — 3 in 47.29 s
- Sean O’Hagan — 3 in 49.11 s
- Gianluca Ardenghi — 2 in 28.83 s
- Jarkko Malinen — 1 in 12.32 s
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Kane Francis: A Rising Star in Strongman Arena
At the age of 31, Kane Francis finds himself not only in the physical prime of his life but also, intriguingly, at the nascent stages of his elite strongman journey. While many athletes might have several years of high-level competition under their belts by this age, Francis has been gracing the international stage for a mere year.
But what he might lack in years of experience, he more than compensates with talent and tenacity. Out of his 11 appearances on the international circuit, Francis recently clinched his first victory. This win wasn’t an outlier, however. It was the culmination of a pattern of elite performances, underscored by his top-three finishes in the three preceding competitions.
As Kane Francis continues to gain experience, the strongman community watches with bated breath, anticipating the heights this emerging powerhouse might achieve in the years to come.
Overview
The 2023 Strongman Champions League recently concluded its “World’s Strongest Viking” competition in Hämeenlinna, Finland. Among the twelve participants, Kane Francis distinguished himself with a stellar performance, securing the title. Across a series of physically demanding challenges, Francis showcased remarkable consistency, clinching top spots in two events and never finishing below fourth in any. While the competition featured unique challenges like the Hammer Deadlift and the Super Yoke, it was Francis’s victory in the concluding Natural Stones event that solidified his championship. At 31, Francis, a relatively fresh face in international strongman events, is rapidly emerging as a force to reckon with in the sport.
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