LONDON — Nestled in the heart of England’s capital from August 11-13, the 2023 OSG European Championships unfurled, drawing the crème de la crème of Europe’s Strongmen and Strongwomen. As spectators converged, eyes were invariably drawn to the open divisions — a tour de force with the continent’s most towering athletes and the most grueling events. Emerging from this cauldron of strength and tenacity, Oskar Ziółkowski and Lucy Underdown demonstrated unparalleled prowess, capturing their crowning titles.
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2023 OSG European Championships
Men’s Results
Oskar Ziółkowski began the championship on a steady note, not clinching the lead until the competition’s second day where he dominated, winning back-to-back events. While his fiercest competitors faltered, Ziółkowski showcased unwavering consistency, solidifying his position and granting himself a comfortable lead.
- Oskar Ziółkowski — 43.5 points
- Adam Roszkowski — 39.5 points
- Ondřej Fojtů — 38 points
- Patrick Haynes — 36 points
- Andrew Flynn — 34.5 points
- Ryan Bennett — 32.5 points
- Tom Place — 19 points
- Kevin Hazeleger — 15.5 points
- Jonathan Wulfert — 10.5 points
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Women’s Results
From the outset, Lucy Underdown and Rebecca Roberts were locked in a titanic struggle that captivated audiences. Both athletes showcased exceptional skill and determination, with neither placing below second in any event. As the only two athletes in serious contention for the championship, the stakes were sky-high. Yet, Lucy managed to edge out Rebecca, securing her victory with a narrow lead of just two points.
- Lucy Underdown — 58 points
- Rebecca Roberts — 56 points
- Katie Smith — 38 points
- Femke Huisman — 29 points
- Gemma Moore — 28 points
- Sabrina Retzer — 26 points
- Andrea Seed — 18 points
- Rosslyn Cole — 18 points
- Izzy Tait — 12 points
- Jonna Pohjola — 9 points
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Event 1 Recap: The Mighty Log Lift – Day 1 (August 9th)
The curtain-raiser of the 2023 OSG European Championships was the intense Log Lift, where athletes had a challenging 60-second window to show their mettle. The men’s log weighed in at a whopping 150 kilograms (330.5 pounds), while the women grappled with a 100-kilogram (220.5 pounds) log.
In the men’s division, while many showcased remarkable strength, it was Ondřej Fojtů who truly stood out. Executing two reps more than his nearest contenders, he secured maximum points, setting a powerful tone for the championships.
The women’s category painted a different story. Only Rebecca Roberts and Lucy Underdown managed to hoist the log. While Roberts achieved a single rep, Underdown asserted her dominance by completing four, earning her an early lead in the competition.
Men’s Results
- Ondřej Fojtů — 8 reps
- Oskar Ziółkowski — 6 reps
- Adam Roszkowski — 6 reps
- Andrew Flynn — 5 reps
- Ryan Bennett — 5 reps
- Tom Place — 4 reps
- Kevin Hazeleger — 3 reps
- Jonathan Wulfert — 3 reps
- Patrick Haynes — 0 reps
Women’s Results
- Lucy Underdown — 4 reps
- Rebecca Roberts — 1 rep
- Katie Smith — 0 reps
- Femke Huisman — 0 reps
- Gemma Moore — 0 reps
- Sabrina Retzer — 0 reps
- Andrea Seed — 0 reps
- Rosslyn Cole — 0 reps
- Izzy Tait — 0 reps
- Jonna Pohjola — 0 reps
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Event 2 Spotlight: The Grueling Super Yoke – Day 1 (August 9th)
Following the adrenaline-packed log lift, the second event for the day saw athletes pushing their limits with the Super Yoke. With a tight 60-second time cap, athletes had to shoulder a Super Yoke down a challenging 20-meter course. Men faced a staggering 420-kilogram (926 pounds) load, while women took on a 280-kilogram (617.5 pounds) challenge.
Adam Roszkowski emerged as the man of the hour in this event. Clocking an astounding 9.90 seconds, he outpaced his nearest competitor, Ondřej Fojtů, by over 2 seconds – a significant gap in such a high-intensity race.
The women’s segment saw Rebecca Roberts further cementing her legacy as a formidable Strongwoman, especially in “moving” events. Demonstrating power and poise, she blazed across the 20 meters in just 10.54 seconds. This was a clear testament to her prowess, as she finished more than five seconds ahead of Lucy Underdown.
Men’s Results
- Adam Roszkowski — 9.90 s
- Ondřej Fojtů — 12.27 s
- Ryan Bennett — 14.03 s
- Oskar Ziółkowski — 17.43 s
- Kevin Hazeleger — 18.04 s
- Patrick Haynes — 20.87 s
- Andrew Flynn — 25.43 s
- Tom Place — 25.71 s
- Jonathan Wulfert — 1.55 m
Women’s Results
- Rebecca Roberts — 10.54 s
- Lucy Underdown — 15.69 s
- Femke Huisman — 18.89 s
- Katie Smith — 26.39 s
- Gemma Moore — 26.50 s
- Rosslyn Cole — 53.88 s
- Andrea Seed — 55.72 s
- Izzy Tait — 11.86 m
- Jonna Pohjola — 6.84 m
- Sabrina Retzer — 6.48 m
Event 3 Update: Sandbag Steeplechase Showdown – Day 2 (August 10th)
The third event of the 2023 OSG European Championships presented yet another test of both strength and agility. In the Sandbag Steeplechase, competitors had to demonstrate their prowess by picking up two weighty sandbags, covering a 10-meter distance, and hurling them over a bar. But the challenge didn’t end there. Athletes then dashed to the other side, retrieved their sandbags, and raced another 10 meters to load them onto a platform. The men grappled with 140-kilogram (309 pounds) sandbags, while the women faced the challenge with 100-kilogram (220.5 pounds) counterparts.
In the men’s division, it was a nail-biter of a finish. Oskar Ziółkowski clinched the top spot, but only just, edging out Patrick Haynes by a mere 0.02 seconds.
On the women’s side, Lucy Underdown demonstrated her class yet again, securing her second event win for the day. Handling the sandbags with ease and executing flawless transitions, she managed to outpace Rebecca Roberts, creating a sizeable gap of almost 3 seconds.
Men’s Results
- Oskar Ziółkowski — 4 in 35.44 s
- Patrick Haynes — 4 in 35.46 s
- Adam Roszkowski — 4 in 38.16 s
- Ondřej Fojtů — 4 in 38.72 s
- Andrew Flynn — 4 in 39.57 s
- Ryan Bennett — 4 in 40.54 s
- Tom Place — 4 in 45.37 s
- Kevin Hazeleger — 4 in 51.96 s
- Jonathan Wulfert — 4 in 72.76 s
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Women’s Results
- Lucy Underdown — 4 in 41.98 s
- Rebecca Roberts — 4 in 44.70 s
- Sabrina Retzer — 4 in 74.28 s
- Femke Huisman — 3 in 46.21 s
- Gemma Moore — 3 in 51.24 s
- Rosslyn Cole — 3 in 52.63 s
- Andrea Seed — 3 in 74.49 s
- Izzy Tait — 2 in 31.44 s
- Jonna Pohjola — 2 in 44.43 s
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Event 4 Recap: The Test of Ultimate Strength – Deadlift Ladder – Day 2 (August 10th)
The fourth event at the 2023 OSG European Championships, the Deadlift Ladder, served as a raw benchmark of power and determination in the Strongman universe. Athletes faced the challenge of executing four deadlifts, each weightier than the last, in the race against time.
Men confronted a daunting sequence: from a starting lift of 300-kg (661.5-lb) to the peak lift of 360-kg (793.5-lb). The competition was neck and neck, with the top three finishers separated by mere moments. Oskar Ziółkowski, in an awe-inspiring display of strength, emerged victorious for the second straight event, eking out a win in the fiercest of battles.
In the women’s division, Lucy Underdown’s prowess in the deadlift was legendary even before the whistle blew, being the reigning World Record holder. It was almost taken for granted she would excel, and excel she did. Each of her four lifts, culminating in the 250-kg (551-lb), seemed effortless. Lucy finished a whopping ten seconds faster than her closest competitor, Rebecca Roberts, further solidifying her standing as a force to be reckoned with.
Men’s Results
- Oskar Ziółkowski — 4 in 29.10 s
- Ryan Bennett — 4 in 30.15 s
- Ondřej Fojtů — 4 in 30.32 s
- Patrick Haynes — 4 in 31.86 s
- Andrew Flynn — 4 in 36.38 s
- Adam Roszkowski — 3 in 22.35 s
- Jonathan Wulfert — 3 in 37.49 s
- Tom Place — 2 in 19.52 s
- Kevin Hazeleger — 2 in 29.16 s
Women’s Results
- Lucy Underdown — 4 in 18.20 s
- Rebecca Roberts — 4 in 27.14 s
- Katie Smith — 4 in 44.21 s
- Izzy Tait — 4 in 53.59 s
- Sabrina Retzer — 3 in 26.52 s
- Gemma Moore — 3 in 30.40 s
- Andrea Seed — 3 in 32.68 s
- Femke Huisman — 3 in 41.63 s
- Rosslyn Cole — 1 in 7.60 s
- Jonna Pohjola — 1 in 21.80 s
Event 5 Unveiled: The Grit-Filled Shield Carry – Day 3 (August 11th)
The inaugural challenge on the climactic day of the 2023 OSG European Championships took shape in the form of the Shield Carry. This brutal test demanded athletes to summon their innermost resolve, battling through excruciating discomfort to conquer as much distance as possible. In this grueling trial, determination and pain endurance proved paramount.
For the women, a 130-kilogram (286.5-pound) shield weighed heavily on their shoulders, while the men bore the brunt of a 190-kilogram (419-pound) shield.
In an awe-inspiring showcase of resilience and sheer mental fortitude, Patrick Haynes emerged as the standard-bearer. Carving his path, he covered a formidable 56.1 meters. His lone competitor, Andrew Flynn, faltered by dropping the shield five meters prior, leaving the rest trailing in his wake.
On the women’s front, Rebecca Roberts continued to etch her dominance in moving events, triumphantly capturing maximum points once again. This feat propelled her closer to Lucy Underdown in the overall standings, setting the stage for a riveting showdown in the final event.
Men’s Results
- Patrick Haynes — 56.1 m
- Andrew Flynn — 51.77 m
- Tom Place — 43.69 m
- Oskar Ziółkowski — 41.07 m
- Adam Roszkowski — 40.78 m
- Ondřej Fojtů — 36.32 m
- Ryan Bennett — 30.76 m
- Kevin Hazeleger — 22.37 m
- Jonathan Wulfert — 1.31 m
Women’s Results
- Rebecca Roberts — 68.89 m
- Lucy Underdown — 46.79 m
- Gemma Moore — 41.25 m
- Katie Smith — 28.88 m
- Sabrina Retzer — 26.74 m
- Femke Huisman — 26.39 m
- Rosslyn Cole — 21.98 m
- Jonna Pohjola — 20 m
- Andrea Seed — 7.97 m
- Izzy Tait — (Withdrew)
Event 6 Finale: The Strenuous Power Stairs – Day 3 (August 11th)
The culmination of the 2023 OSG European Championships arrived in the formidable form of the Power Stairs. In this taxing final challenge, athletes were tasked with hoisting four incrementally heavier objects, one by one, up a trio of stairs.
In the men’s division, Patrick Haynes concluded the championships on a triumphant note, seamlessly clearing all four implements in a swift 33.25 seconds. Yet, despite this stellar performance, the ultimate glory of overall champion was bestowed upon Oskar Ziółkowski, who concluded this event in fourth place.
The women’s segment brimmed with suspense as the competition reached a fever pitch between Lucy Underdown and Rebecca Roberts. The stakes were set: whoever emerged victorious in the Power Stairs would clinch the overall title. Fueled by determination and the allure of victory, Lucy channeled her remaining reserves of strength. She stormed through the event, posting a remarkable time of 34.08 seconds, not only securing first place in the event but also etching her name as the overall champion of the championship.
Men’s Results
- Patrick Haynes — 12 in 31.16 s
- Andrew Flynn — 12 in 33.25 s
- Adam Roszkowski — 12 in 33.49 s
- Oskar Ziółkowski — 12 in 34.94 s
- Ryan Bennett — 12 in 36.87 s
- Ondřej Fojtů — 12 in 38.58 s
- Kevin Hazeleger — 11 in 56.94 s
- Jonathan Wulfert — 7 in 56.54 s
- Tom Place — 6 in 21.83 s
Women’s Results
- Lucy Underdown — 12 in 34.08 s
- Rebecca Roberts — 12 in 37.65 s
- Katie Smith — 12 in 51.50 s
- Femke Huisman — 12 in 55.50 s
- Sabrina Retzer — 11 in 50.54 s
- Andrea Seed — 9 in 37.29 s
- Gemma Moore — 9 in 43.38 s
- Rosslyn Cole — 9 in 43.85 s
- Jonna Pohjola — 3 in 17.40 s
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2023 OSG European Championships: Beyond the Open Weight Spotlight
Amid the fanfare surrounding the men’s and women’s open weight contenders, the 2023 OSG European Championships was also a stage for a myriad of exceptional strength athletes spanning various weight and age divisions. Here’s a rundown of the luminaries who clinched the title in their respective divisions.
Men
- u105KG: Emanuel Pescari
- u90KG: Dan Benson
- u80KG: Dean Mcvie
- Masters 40+: Johan Espen Krona
- Masters 50+: Mark Felix
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Women
- u82KG: Sandra Bradley
- u73KG: Chloe Brennan
- u64KG: Rhianon Lovelace
- Masters 40+: Naomi Hadley
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Overview
From August 11-13, London witnessed the 2023 OSG European Championships, featuring Europe’s top Strongmen and Strongwomen. Oskar Ziółkowski and Lucy Underdown emerged as the open division champions. Intense events across three days highlighted their strength and resilience. Noteworthy champions in other divisions included Emanuel Pescari, Dan Benson, Dean Mcvie, Johan Espen Krona, Mark Felix, Sandra Bradley, Chloe Brennan, Rhianon Lovelace, and Naomi Hadley.
Featured Image @cerberus_strength, @Ziolek_strength (Instagram)
