Brian Shaw, a legendary Strongman athlete, has decided to conclude his lengthy career by participating in his own competition. The 2023 Shaw Classic, which will take place on August 19-20, will be the venue for Shaw’s final professional Strongman performance. In anticipation of this event, Shaw revealed the competition’s events on his YouTube channel with a few months to go.
By revealing the competition’s events early, Shaw aims to provide participating athletes with more time to prepare. This strategic move has the potential to result in a more competitive lineup. In addition, Shaw’s ultimate goal for the competition is to determine “the strongest man on earth.” To this end, he and his team engaged in lengthy discussions, testing, and deliberation to select the following eight events.
2023 Shaw Classic: A Preview of the Challenging and Unforgettable EventsLog Medley
- Max Hummer Tire Deadlift
- Wheelbarrow & Arm Over Arm Medley
- Bag Toss
- Car Leg Press
- Atlas Stones
- Bench Press
- Fingal Fingers & Power Stairs Medley
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Log Lift Medley
The inaugural event of the 2023 Shaw Classic, a prestigious strongman competition, will be the Log Medley. The event will offer participants the option of three progressively heavier logs, with the goal of completing as many repetitions as possible. However, if a contestant manages to perform even one repetition with a heavier log, they will secure a higher ranking than those who completed any number of reps with the lighter log.
According to Brian Shaw, the four-time World’s Strongest Man winner and the event’s founder, the Log Medley is designed to reward maximum strength, ensuring that the most physically capable athletes rise to the top. This announcement, made on Shaw’s YouTube channel, has created a buzz among the strongman community, as contestants now have ample time to prepare for this demanding event.
Max Hummer Axle Tire Deadlift
The Max Hummer Tire Deadlift, which has become an iconic event of the Shaw Classic, will make an appearance in this year’s competition. At the inaugural edition of the Shaw Classic, JF Caron set a new world record in this event. However, Oleksii Novikov broke it at the 2022 Shaw Classic with a lift of 1,210 pounds. Novikov has already announced another world record attempt this year, adding even more excitement to the already highly anticipated event.
Wheelbarrow & Arm Over Arm Medley
The Log Medley will kick off the 2023 Shaw Classic, featuring three progressively heavier logs. The objective is to perform as many repetitions as possible, with competitors who complete even one repetition with a heavier log placing ahead of those who completed any number of reps with a lighter log. “With this, we are rewarding maximum strength,” said Brian Shaw, the four-time World’s Strongest Man winner and creator of the Shaw Classic.
The Max Hummer Tire Deadlift has become an iconic event at the Shaw Classic, and Brian Shaw has included it once again this year. In the inaugural edition of the Shaw Classic, JF Caron set a new world record in this event. However, Oleksii Novikov broke it at the 2022 edition with a lift of 1,210 pounds. This year, Oleksii has already announced another world record attempt.
The third event of the 2023 Shaw Classic will test the limits of the participants, requiring both strength and endurance for a solid placement. Contestants must first load implements into a wheelbarrow and move it for a set distance before transitioning into an arm-over-arm pull, attempting to complete the event in the shortest time possible. “You are going to have to move quickly. You are going to have big grip strength for this event,” Shaw said.
Bag Toss
The fourth event in the lineup for the 2023 Shaw Classic is the Bag Toss, which promises to be a challenge for the participating athletes. This event is a true test of explosiveness and coordination, requiring a combination of strength and precision to successfully complete. The athletes will have to face a series of progressively heavier bags, culminating with the final one weighing a whopping 65 pounds.
The Bag Toss is a timed event, making it all the more demanding for the athletes. The goal is to complete the event as quickly as possible, requiring them to move with both speed and efficiency. This event is sure to be a highlight of the 2023 Shaw Classic, showcasing the remarkable athleticism of the participants as they push themselves to their limits.
Car Leg Press
The Car Leg Press is set to make a comeback at the 2023 Shaw Classic, after its debut at the previous edition of the competition. This event is one of a kind and was specifically created for the Shaw Classic, offering a unique challenge that cannot be found in any other Strongman competition.
Brian Shaw and his team have taken the feedback from last year’s event and have made improvements to make it even more challenging for the athletes. The Car Leg Press was a spectacle to watch last year, and it is expected to draw a significant amount of attention once again.
Atlas Stones
In a break from tradition, the Atlas Stones will not be the finale of the 2023 Shaw Classic. Brian Shaw has decided to place the iconic Strongman event as the sixth in the lineup, leaving room for two more competitions. The Atlas Stones challenge will consist of a five-stone series, with weights progressively increasing from start to finish.
Bench Press
In a surprising turn of events, the penultimate competition in the 2023 Shaw Classic is the Bench Press, an exercise not commonly featured in the Strongman circuit. While it is widely considered one of the best tests of strength in the fitness world, it is unusual to see it incorporated in this way. Nonetheless, Brian Shaw has added a unique twist by ordering a custom piece of equipment that will allow the athletes to perform the bench press while standing upright. This modification will enable spectators to witness the full range of motion and observe the athletes’ form throughout the exercise.
Fingal Fingers & Power Stairs Medley
The grand finale of the 2023 Shaw Classic will present yet another unparalleled test for the competitors. The medley will showcase a blend of Fingal Fingers and Power Stairs, two events that have never been combined before. The specific weights and number of implements for the event are yet to be finalized, as Brian Shaw and his team are still conducting thorough testing to ensure the optimal blend for the ultimate test of strength and endurance.
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Brian Shaw Unveils 2023 Shaw Classic Competitor Roster
- Trey Mitchell
- Mitchell Hooper
- Oleksii Novikov
- Maxime Boudreault
- Kevin Faires
- Aivars Šmaukstelis
- Evan Singleton
- Bobby Thompson
- Luke Stoltman
- Tom Stoltman
- Adam Bishop
- Graham Hicks
- Pavlo Nakonechnyy
- Thomas Evans
- Brian Shaw
Brian Shaw’s upcoming departure from Strongman competition is a bittersweet moment for fans around the world. However, the 2023 Shaw Classic promises to be a memorable event for both athletes and spectators alike. Shaw, who is determined to go out with a bang, has added somse new events to the competition to make it even more exciting.
With his years of experience in the sport, Shaw understands the importance of innovation and fresh challenges to keep the audience engaged. As a result, the 2023 Shaw Classic will feature some unique events that will push the limits of the athletes and entertain the viewers. From the car leg press to the standing bench press, Shaw has made sure that each event will be distinctive and exciting.
As the date of the competition approaches, the anticipation is palpable among the Strongman community. With Shaw’s commitment to making the event unforgettable, it is expected to be one of the best Strongman competitions in the world. Fans around the world will be eager to witness the incredible feats of strength and endurance that the athletes will display on the grand stage.
Courtesy Image @ theworldsstrongestman (Instagram)
Courtesy Streaming @ShawStrength (Youtube)
