Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou, a strongman athlete from Burkina Faso, withdrew from the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition before it even began. The event is considered the biggest competition in the strongman world, and Sanou’s withdrawal was a surprise to fans and competitors alike. As of this writing, there is no official explanation for Sanou’s early departure.
Haraldsson Replaces Sanou at World’s Strongest Man
Kristján Jón Haraldsson, the reigning Iceland’s Strongest Man (ISM) champion, replaced Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou on the roster for the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition. Haraldsson was not previously counted as an official reserve, but he stepped in after Sanou withdrew before the start of the competition.
Sanou’s Strongman Career
Although the 2023 World’s Strongest Man would have been Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou’s first appearance in the flagship competition, he is not new to the strongman scene. Sanou was the third-place finisher at the 2021 Giants Live Strongman Classic, and he has competed in other strongman events as well. However, Sanou has also faced setbacks in his career, including having to withdraw from the 2022 Giants Live Strongman Classic due to travel-related issues.
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As a Strongman Competitor, Sanou Sets Records in Overhead Lifts
Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou, hailing from Burkina Faso, has gained a reputation as a dominant force in overhead lifts. He holds both the current Axle Press World Record, lifting 217 kilograms (477.4 pounds), and the Log Lift World Record, lifting 229 kilograms (504.8 pounds).
WSM 2023 Sees Three Early Withdrawals
Sanou joins the ranks of early withdrawals from the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition, with the distinction of being the first to withdraw before the contest even began. Canada’s Maxime Boudreault withdrew in February due to a shin injury, and Ukraine’s Pavlo Nakonechnyy potentially withdrew due to a deadlift-related ailment suffered during the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic in March. Nakonechnyy did not compete in the 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man event in early April, with hopes of recovering in time for the WSM.
Boudreault’s Withdrawal from ASC Also Affects WSM
Maxime Boudreault’s withdrawal from the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic in February due to a shin injury also ruled him out from the 2023 World’s Strongest Man contest. His early withdrawal was followed by that of Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou and Ukraine’s Pavlo Nakonechnyy, who potentially bowed out due to a deadlift-related injury.
2023 WSM Qualifying Round Groups Updated: Check Out the Latest Changes
2023 World’s Strongest Man Qualifying Round: Group Breakdown
The 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition is divided into five groups, each consisting of six athletes who will compete in the Qualifying Round. From these groups, only 10 competitors will advance to the weekend’s Final.
Group 1
- Konstantine Janashia
- Pavlo Kordiyaka
- Pa O’Dwyer
- Tom Stoltman
- Bobby Thompson
- Eddie Williams
Group 2
- Kristján Jón Haraldsson
- Gavin Bilton
- Fadi El Masri
- Thomas Evans
- Oleksii Novikov
- Luke Stoltman
Group 3
- Graham Hicks
- Mitchell Hooper
- Mateusz Kieliszkowski
- Mathew Ragg
- Spenser Remick
- Aivars Smaukstelis
Group 4
- Adam Bishop
- Kevin Faires
- Rauno Heinla
- Gabriel Rhéaume
- Jaco Schoonwinkel
- Brian Shaw
Group 5
- Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf
- Mark Felix
- Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted
- Trey Mitchell
- Evan Singleton
- Paul Smith
Haraldsson, who replaced Sanou in the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition, will be joining former WSM champion (2020) Oleksii Novikov in Group 2 of the Qualifying Round.
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Kristján Jón Haraldsson: A Young, Yet Ambitious Competitor in the World of Strongman
At only 24 years old, Kristján Jón Haraldsson may not be a well-known name in the international strongman circuit, but he has already made a name for himself in his native Iceland. Haraldsson is the current reigning champion of the Iceland’s Strongest Man competition, and he has been dominating in various domestic contests. However, he has only competed in two other international strongman events. In the 2021 Magnus Magnús Ver Magnússon Classic (MVMC), Haraldsson finished in fourth place, and he followed that up with an 11th-place finish at the 2022 MVMC.
Haraldsson Looks to Make a Name for Himself at the 2023 WSM
Despite his young age and limited international experience, Kristján Jón Haraldsson is determined to make a splash at the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition. Haraldsson will be taking the place of Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou in Group 2 of the Qualifying Round, where he will be competing against former WSM champion Oleksii Novikov. Haraldsson undoubtedly hopes to improve his international ranking with a strong performance in this competition, and establish himself as a potential great Icelandic strongman in the footsteps of Magnús Ver Magnússon and Hafthor Björnsson.
Follow the 2023 WSM Leaderboard and Breaking News on Colosseum Strength
As the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition gets underway in Myrtle Beach, SC, make sure to stay up-to-date with live updates and breaking news on Colosseum Strength. With five groups of six athletes each, the competition will be fierce, with only 10 competitors moving on to the Final. Follow the leaderboard to see who comes out on top in this year’s epic showdown of strength and endurance.
Overview
A strongman athlete from Burkina Faso, Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou, surprised fans and competitors by withdrawing from the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition before it even began. Kristján Jón Haraldsson, the reigning Iceland’s Strongest Man champion, replaced him on the roster. Sanou, who is known for his impressive overhead lifts and holds two world records, has competed in various strongman events but has also faced setbacks in his career, including having to withdraw from the 2022 Giants Live Strongman Classic due to travel-related issues. Sanou’s early withdrawal from the competition puts him in the ranks of Canada’s Maxime Boudreault and Ukraine’s Pavlo Nakonechnyy, who withdrew earlier due to injury. Haraldsson, a young and ambitious competitor from Iceland, will be looking to make a name for himself at the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition.
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