The World’s Strongest Man competition is set to take place from April 19-23, 2023 in Myrtle Beach, SC. This year’s competition will feature seven of the strongest men from the United States, all of whom will be vying for the title of World’s Strongest Man. The group will be led by Brian Shaw, a four-time WSM champion and one of the most legendary strongmen in history. This year’s competition will be particularly significant for Shaw, as he has announced that it will be his last WSM. The other six athletes on the American team have yet to be announced, but fans can expect to see some of the strongest and most skilled competitors in the country take on the grueling challenges of the WSM.
- Brian Shaw — Four-time WSM champion (2011, 2013, 2015-2016)
- Bobby Thompson — American log lift record holder (217.5 kilograms/478.5 pounds)
- Trey Mitchell — Reigning two-time Shaw Classic (SC) champion (2021-2022)
- Evan Singleton — First-ever Arnold Strongman Classic UK (ASCUK) champion (2021)
- Kevin Faires — Dinnie Stones Walk World Record holder (31 feet, seven inches)
- Spenser Remick — 2022 Official Strongman Games (OSG) champion
- Tom Evans — Winner of the 2022 Shaw Classic Open and 2022 Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships
American Strongmen Gather for Intense Training Session Ahead of World’s Strongest Man Competition
Six of the American athletes set to compete in the 2023 World’s Strongest Man recently gathered for a rigorous training session, just one week before the start of the competition. Notably absent from the group was Trey Evans, who was a last-minute addition to the WSM roster following an injury to Pavlo Nakonechnyy. Led by Brian Shaw, the group of strongmen came together to fine-tune their skills and prepare for the grueling challenges that await them in Myrtle Beach. On April 11, 2023, Shaw shared a video on his YouTube channel that provided a behind-the-scenes look at the group’s intense training session. The video showcased the incredible strength and dedication of these elite athletes as they pushed themselves to the limit in preparation for the world’s biggest strongman competition.
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American Strongmen Train for World’s Strongest Man with Event-Specific Exercises
In preparation for the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition, the six American athletes who recently trained together focused on event-specific exercises. The group performed five movements that mirrored events expected to take place during the competition. The training session began with loading sandbags and a weighted keg onto a platform, although the weights and distance were not revealed. This exercise was in reference to the Loading Race from the Qualifying Stage of the competition, which the athletes will face during the competition. While it was impossible to recreate the exact format in advance, the exercise allowed the athletes to practice the necessary skills and build the strength required to excel in this event.
“Definitely a good start with these guys. All of us are primed and ready for World’s Strongest Man. But this is the tune-up and, at the end of the day, iron really does sharpen iron,” Shaw said after completing the first training medley. “So it’s why I wanted to have these guys out and in the gym with me heading in. My goal is for them to push me, me to push them, and all of our levels to go up. Collectively, that’s what’s going to happen.”
American Strongmen Fine-Tune Technique with Event-Specific Exercises Ahead of World’s Strongest Man Competition”
The six American athletes who trained together ahead of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition incorporated event-specific exercises to perfect their technique and build strength. The training session included a log ladder with five implements that featured gradually increasing weight. Only two athletes, Singleton and Faires, failed to lift all five logs. This exercise replicated the Log Ladder, which will be the final event of the first day of the 2023 WSM.
The group also performed heavy overhead dumbbell work and a single Fingal’s Finger, although not all of the athletes are guaranteed to perform these events during the competition as they are part of different portions of the two-day final.
To conclude the session, the six athletes took on the Conan’s Wheel, where they carried a heavy implement in a circular, fixed motion for as long as possible. This exercise mimicked the Conan’s Wheel, which is likely to be a climactic moment for some WSM competitors as it marks the start of the second day of Qualifying. By incorporating these event-specific exercises into their training, the American athletes are well-prepared for the unique challenges that await them at the World’s Strongest Man competition.
2023 World’s Strongest Man Event Schedule Released: Here’s What to Expect
2023 WSM Qualifying Stage Day One: Apr. 19 Recap
- Event One — Loading Race
- Event Two — Deadlift Machine
- Event Three — Log Ladder
2023 WSM Qualifying Stage Day Two: Apr. 20 Recap
- Event Four — Conan’s Wheel
- Event Five — Kettlebell Toss
- Event Six — Stone Off
- Final Day One | Saturady, Apr. 22, 2023
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Ten Athletes to Advance from 2023 WSM Qualifying Stage to Final
- Event One — Fingal’s Fingers
- Event Two — KNAACK Deadlift
- Event Three — Reign Shield Carry
- Final Day Two | Sunday, Apr. 23, 2023
- Event Four — Max Dumbbell
- Event Five — Vehicle Pull
- Event Six — Atlas Stones
Brian Shaw and Trey Mitchell: Top Contenders among 7 American Athletes at 2023 WSM, but Dark Horses Could Emerge
Of the seven American athletes, four-time WSM champion Brian Shaw is expected to fare well at the 2023 competition. Having won four times previously and with his impressive championship pedigree, he has a strong chance of doing well again this year. Trey Mitchell, the two-time reigning champion of South Carolina, is also a top contender. Despite finishing in 10th place at the 2021 WSM, Mitchell has proven himself to be a formidable competitor and could surprise his opponents at the upcoming event.
However, it would be unwise to underestimate the other five American athletes. Though they may not have the same level of championship experience as Shaw and Mitchell, they have the potential to thrive in the competition. There have been instances where a dark horse has emerged from the pack to surprise the field, and anything can happen at the World’s Strongest Man.
2023 World’s Strongest Man: American Athletes Hope to End Drought
The last American to win the World’s Strongest Man was Brian Shaw, who clinched his fourth title in 2016. Since then, no American athlete has won the competition, and there is a growing hunger among the American athletes to end this drought. With Shaw making his last appearance at the competition this year, the younger generation of American athletes hopes to carry the torch and make their mark in the competition.
Trey Mitchell, Rob Kearney, JF Caron, and Bobby Thompson are some of the American athletes who will be competing in the 2023 World’s Strongest Man. While they may be considered underdogs against the likes of defending champion Oleksii Novikov and other international athletes, they are determined to give their best effort and represent the United States with pride.
Overview
The World’s Strongest Man competition is scheduled to take place from April 19-23, 2023, in Myrtle Beach, SC, featuring seven of the strongest men from the United States, with Brian Shaw leading the group. Six American athletes recently gathered for a rigorous training session ahead of the competition, focusing on event-specific exercises to fine-tune their skills and prepare for the grueling challenges that await them. The training session included five movements that mirrored events expected to take place during the competition, and by incorporating these event-specific exercises into their training, the American athletes are well-prepared for the unique challenges that await them at the World’s Strongest Man competition. The 2023 World’s Strongest Man event schedule has been released, with the qualifying stage spanning two days, and the final stage spanning two days as well. The ten athletes who advance from the qualifying stage to the final will compete in three events on day one, and three events on day two.
Courtesy Image @shawstrength (Instagram)
