Pavlo Kordiyaka has been crowned Europe’s strongest man, beating 12 other athletes at the 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man competition held in Leeds, England on April 1st. Kordiyaka demonstrated his strength and prowess by competing in five grueling events that tested every aspect of the participants’ physical abilities.
Novikov Forced to Settle for Silver Medal
The previous champion, Oleksii Novikov, was present at the competition and was considered to be the favorite. However, Kordiyaka, also from Ukraine, outperformed Novikov and took home the gold medal, leaving Novikov with the silver. The two Ukrainians battled throughout the competition, but Kordiyaka proved to be the stronger of the two on the day.
Aivars Šmaukstelis Secures Bronze Medal
Aivars Šmaukstelis and Eythor Melsted were competing for third place, with Aivars ultimately securing the bronze medal. Aivars’ performance on the final event, the Atlas Stones, was the deciding factor that secured him a place on the podium. The competition was intense, with each athlete giving their all to win one of the most prestigious titles in the world.
Results of Europe’s Strongest Man 2023
- Pavlo Kordiyaka (Ukraine) — 57.5 points
- Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine) — 53.5 points
- Aivars Šmaukstelis (Latvia) — 51.5 points
- Eythór Ingólfsson Melsted (Iceland) — 45.5 points
- Adam Bishop (UK) — 41.5 points
- Shane Flowers (UK) — 37 points
- Pa O’Dwyer (Ireland) — 36.5 points
- Konstantine Janashia (Georgia) — 30.5 points
- Dennis Kohlruss (Germany) — 26 points
- Paul Smith (UK) — 25.5 points
- Gavin Bilton (UK) — 17.5 points
- Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf (France) — 16.5 points
- Graham Hicks (UK) — 8 points
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Log Ladder kicks off Europe’s Strongest Man 2023 with Ukrainian Athletes Dominating the Podium
The first event of Europe’s Strongest Man 2023, the Log Ladder, took place without the usual Log Lift World Championships. However, the athletes were still tested with a challenging Log Lift variation that required them to lift five progressively heavier logs ranging from 120 to 180 kilograms in the shortest time possible. In a spectacular display of strength, Ukraine’s representatives claimed the top two positions, setting the tone for the competition.
Pavlo Kordiyaka from Ukraine took the top spot in the Log Ladder event, becoming the only participant to complete all five logs. His fellow countryman, Oleksii Novikov, followed closely in second place after completing four logs in record time. Eythor Melsted from Iceland, who finished two seconds behind Novikov, claimed the third position. The Log Ladder proved to be a riveting start to the competition, with athletes showcasing their strength and determination.
- Pavlo Kordiyaka — 5 in 52.55 s
- Oleksii Novikov — 4 in 38.35 s
- Eythór Ingólfsson Melsted — 4 in 40.98 s
- Aivars Šmaukstelis — 4 in 43.58 s
- Paul Smith — 3 in 27.83 s
- Graham Hicks — 3 in 29.09 s
- Dennis Kohlruss — 3 in 30.66 s
- Gavin Bilton —3 in 33.51 s
- Konstantine Janashia —3 in 33.54 s
- Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf — 3 in 37.27 s
- Shane Flowers — 2 in 12.20 s
- Pa O’Dwyer — 2 in 14.41 s
- Adam Bishop — 2 in 17.01 s
Load & Push Event
The Load & Push event at the 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man competition was a test of concentration and coordination for the athletes. They had to load an anvil, sandbag, and tire into a cart before pushing it for a specific distance in the shortest time possible.
In an impressive display of strength and agility, Pavlo Kordiyaka from Ukraine once again dominated the event, finishing in just 44.14 seconds, marking an excellent start for him at the competition. His compatriot Oleksii Novikov finished in second place, two seconds behind Kordiyaka, while Adam Bishop from the UK crossed the line three seconds after Novikov, securing the third position. Kordiyaka’s continued dominance is setting the stage for an exciting competition ahead.
- Pavlo Kordiyaka — 44.14 s
- Oleksii Novikov — 46.07 s
- Adam Bishop — 49.80 s
- Aivars Šmaukstelis — 50.26 s
- Shane Flowers — 50.94 s
- Gavin Bilton — 51.75 s
- Pa O’Dwyer — 52.19 s
- Paul Smith — 52.69 s
- Konstantine Janashia — 54.36 s
- Eythór Ingólfsson Melsted — 54.89 s
- Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf — 55.39 s
- Dennis Kohlruss — 62.54 s
- Graham Hicks — WITHDREW
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Deadlift Event
The third event of the 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man competition was the deadlift for reps, a common test of strength in Strongman. The athletes were given 60 seconds to complete as many reps as possible with a weight of 350 kilograms.
In a break from Ukraine’s domination, Oleksii Novikov, the 2020 WSM Champion, won the event with an impressive performance. However, it was a closely fought battle, as he and Adam Bishop both managed to lock out nine reps, resulting in a tie for first place. Meanwhile, Pa O’Dwyer and Aivars Šmaukstelis shared third place, completing seven reps each. The deadlift event showcased the immense strength and determination of the athletes, setting the stage for a thrilling competition ahead.
- Oleksii Novikov — 9 reps
- Adam Bishop — 9 reps
- Pa O’Dwyer — 7 reps
- Aivars Šmaukstelis — 7 reps
- Eythór Ingólfsson Melsted — 6 reps
- Shane Flowers — 6 reps
- Pavlo Kordiyaka — 3 reps
- Konstantine Janashia — 3 reps
- Dennis Kohlruss — 2 reps
- Gavin Bilton — 2 reps
- Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf — 1 rep
- Paul Smith — 1 rep
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Conan’s Wheel Event
The penultimate event of the 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man was one of the most challenging tests in the sport – the Conan’s Wheel. This event required immense strength, mental toughness, and endurance from the athletes. Participants were required to lift a giant wooden beam attached to a wheel and carry it for the maximum distance possible, which was measured by the degree at which it moved.
In a display of exceptional strength, Pavlo Kordiyaka and Oleksii Novikov continued their domination of the competition by vying for the first place in this event. However, it was Pavlo who emerged as the victor, turning the wheel for an impressive 1,009° – almost three full spins around the wheel. Oleksii fell short at 897°, but his performance was still remarkable. Meanwhile, Eythor Melsted secured third place with a distance of 760°. The Conan’s Wheel event showcased the incredible strength and determination of the athletes, making for an exciting and unforgettable competition.
- Pavlo Kordiyaka — 1,009 °
- Oleksii Novikov — 897 °
- Eythór Ingólfsson Melsted — 760 °
- Pa O’Dwyer — 733 °
- Adam Bishop — 731 °
- Aivars Šmaukstelis — 710 °
- Dennis Kohlruss — 640 °
- Shane Flowers — 640 °
- Paul Smith — 582 °
- Konstantine Janashia — 363 °
- Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf — 173 °
- Gavin Bilton — WITHDREW
Atlas Stones Event
The final event of the 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man, the Atlas Stones, proved to be a thrilling conclusion to the competition. Athletes were tasked with lifting five progressively heavier stones, with the time limit set at 60 seconds.
Latvian athlete Aivars Šmaukstelis proved to be the fastest and most skilled in this event, completing all five stones in just 20.47 seconds. Ukrainian athlete Pavlo Kordiyaka finished just behind him at 21.76 seconds, securing his overall win in the competition. Icelandic athlete Eythor Melsted placed third with a time of slightly over 22 seconds.
The Atlas Stones event is a staple in Strongman competitions and requires a combination of strength, technique, and speed to complete. Šmaukstelis’ impressive performance in this event solidified his place among the strongest athletes in Europe.
- Aivars Šmaukstelis — 5 in 20.47 s
- Pavlo Kordiyaka — 5 in 21.76 s
- Eythór Ingólfsson Melsted — 5 in ~22.1 s
- Shane Flowers — 5 in 22.73 s
- Konstantine Janashia — 5 in 23.69 s
- Adam Bishop — 5 in 26.32 s
- Pa O’Dwyer — 5 in ~30.6 s
- Dennis Kohlruss — 5 in 22.73 s
- Oleksii Novikov — 4 in ~18.0 s
- Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf — 4 in 31.15 s
- Paul Smith — 2 stones
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Pavlo Kordiyaka clinched his third victory and the biggest title of his career at the 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man competition. This win marks his 12th International Strongman competition and serves as a testament to his unwavering strength, remarkable skill, and unwavering dedication. With the World’s Strongest Man competition just weeks away, Kordiyaka aims to replicate his stellar performance and emerge victorious once again. However, he will face stiff competition from the world’s top strongmen, necessitating rigorous training and preparation for the upcoming event. Kordiyaka’s impressive record thus far is undoubtedly commendable, and his continued dedication and hard work are sure to lead to further success in the future.
Overview:
Pavlo Kordiyaka from Ukraine won the Europe’s Strongest Man competition held in Leeds, England on April 1st, 2023, beating 12 other athletes. Oleksii Novikov from Ukraine, the previous champion, secured the second position, and Aivars Šmaukstelis from Latvia secured the third position. Kordiyaka won the Log Ladder event and the Load & Push event and dominated the competition throughout. The athletes were tested on their physical abilities in various events, including lifting progressively heavier logs, loading an anvil, sandbag, and tire into a cart and pushing it, carrying a weight, pulling a truck, and lifting stones.
Featured Image @giantslivestrongman (Instagram)
