{"id":12022,"date":"2023-04-18T19:13:09","date_gmt":"2023-04-18T19:13:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/?p=12022"},"modified":"2023-04-18T19:29:29","modified_gmt":"2023-04-18T19:29:29","slug":"5-top-contenders-to-watch-at-the-2023-worlds-strongest-man","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/everything-else\/5-top-contenders-to-watch-at-the-2023-worlds-strongest-man\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Top Contenders to Watch at the 2023 World\u2019s Strongest Man"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>This week, the man of the hour at the <a data-lasso-id=\"237513\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/how-to-watch-2023-worlds-strongest-man\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2023 World&#8217;s Strongest Man<\/a> (WSM) in Myrtle Beach, SC, will likely be <a data-lasso-id=\"237514\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/worlds-strongest-man-tom-stoltman-2022-soccer-aid-charity-18-million\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tom Stoltman<\/a>. The two-time reigning champion seeks to become only the third person ever to capture three straight WSM titles. However, with <a data-lasso-id=\"237515\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/pavlo-nakonechnyy-withdraws-2023-worlds-strongest-man-tom-evans-added\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a loaded roster<\/a> and <a data-lasso-id=\"237516\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/2023-worlds-strongest-man-events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">stacked gauntlet of events<\/a> standing in his way, Stoltman must overcome some challenging obstacles to defend his place at the top of strongman and score a legendary WSM victory. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"sbi-embed-wrap\">\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media sbi-embed\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/Cq_W8cJLbvU\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:500px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\">\n<div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/Cq_W8cJLbvU\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <\/p>\n<div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewbox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/Cq_W8cJLbvU\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by SBD World&#39;s Strongest Man (@theworldsstrongestman)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-call-out-bm-icon is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><em><strong>More from Breaking Muscle:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/neutral-grip-pulldown\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237517\">How to Do the Neutral-Grip Lat Pulldown for a Bigger Back<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/partial-reps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237518\">Partial Reps \u2014 Short-Range Movements for Maximum Results<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>From Stoltman&#8217;s hallowed pursuit of all-time strongman history to the last ride for one of the sport&#8217;s all-time legends, <strong>here are five prime 2023 WSM contenders to watch in Myrtle Beach<\/strong> the weekend of April 19-23.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tom Stoltman <\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Most notable accomplishment:<\/strong> Two-time WSM champion (2020-2021)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Stoltman is chasing history few have ever touched. <\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s been almost three decades since the last three-peat in the WSM. Icons like Poland&#8217;s Mariusz Pudzianowski and Lithuania&#8217;s <a data-lasso-id=\"237519\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/zydrunas-savickas-adice-to-strongman-competitors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u017dydr\u016bnas Savickas<\/a>\u00a0came close to the accomplishment in the early parts of the 21st century but ultimately fell short. The United States&#8217; Bill Kazmaier (1980-1982) and Iceland\u2019s Magn\u00fas Ver Magn\u00fasson (1994-1996) remain the only men to score this hallowed strongman feat.<\/p>\n<p>With a win in the 2023 WSM, Stoltman would join them. In this specific respect, he will have surpassed Pudzianowski, Savickas, and another living legend in <a data-lasso-id=\"237520\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/brian-shaw-2000-pound-car-leg-press-2022-shaw-classic\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Brian Shaw<\/a>. He will have eclipsed every strongman to have repeated as WSM champion, but who couldn&#8217;t take it another step further. <\/p>\n<p>A lot is on the line for the Scottish superstar. He might rise up to meet the moment. <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mitchell Hooper<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Most notable accomplishment: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/2023-arnold-strongman-strongwoman-classic-results\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237521\">2023 Arnold Strongman Classic<\/a> (ASC) champion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If there&#8217;s a strongman who seems destined for WSM greatness, the conversation probably starts and ends with <a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/mitchell-hooper-shoulder-health-stability-training\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237522\">Mitchell Hooper<\/a>. The Canadian athlete first burst onto the scene <a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/2022-worlds-strongest-man-recap-day-two\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237523\">when he blitzed the 2022 WSM Qualifying Round<\/a>. While Hooper eventually lost gas in the Final, it was apparent he was part of the future of the sport. Ever since, he&#8217;s lived up to the hype and blazed a trail straight through the heart of strongman. <\/p>\n<p>Per <em><a href=\"https:\/\/strongmanarchives.com\/viewAthlete.php?id=2269\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237524\">Strongman Archives<\/a><\/em>, Hooper has qualified for the podium in each of his last eight strongman appearances since the 2022 WSM. Moreover, he&#8217;s won four of his last five contests, including the <a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/2022-arnold-strongman-classic-uk-results\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237525\">2022 Arnold Strongman Classic UK<\/a> (ASCUK), the <a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/2022-giants-live-world-tour-finals-results\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237526\">2022 Giants Live World Tour Finals<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/mitchell-hooper-shayna-wirihana-win-2023-australia-strongest-international\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237527\">2023 Australia&#8217;s Strongest International<\/a>, and the 2023 ASC. <\/p>\n<p>Should someone like Stoltman drop even a little bit off in performance near the top, it would be fair to assume that someone red-hot like Hooper steps up to fill in the gap. Winning his first career WSM title would be a perfect way to cap Hooper&#8217;s recent run of sheer dominance. <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Brian Shaw <\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Most notable accomplishment:<\/strong> Four-time WSM champion (2011, 2013, 2015-2016)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>All around, 2023 is shaping up to be an emotional and seminal moment in Shaw&#8217;s strongman career. The 2023 WSM will not only be <a data-lasso-id=\"237528\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/brian-shaw-last-appearance-2023-worlds-strongest-man\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">his last appearance in the flagship strongman contest<\/a> \u2014 the ensuing 2023 Shaw Classic will be <a data-lasso-id=\"237529\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/2023-shaw-classic-roster-brian-shaw-retirement\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the legend&#8217;s last-ever professional strongman competition<\/a>. That&#8217;s right: In the next few months, Shaw will lift his last <a data-lasso-id=\"237530\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/rhianon-lovelace-atlas-stone-world-record-323-pounds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Atlas Stone<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In a competitive setting, anyway. <\/p>\n<p>Shaw appears to be reveling in his farewell tour, and justifiably so. He trained with <a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/brian-shaw-american-strongmen-training-2023-worlds-strongest-man\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237531\">the five other American strongmen participating in the 2023 WSM<\/a> and is hoping a recent leg infection is a harbinger of coming good luck <a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/brian-shaw-leg-infection-2023-worlds-strongest-man\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237532\">based on his past competitive precedent<\/a>. If Shaw wins a fifth WSM title, he will match Pudzianowski for the most all-time. <\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;d be one heck of a way to pen a final chapter in his resume. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"sbi-embed-wrap\">\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media sbi-embed\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CnbJfK8suOo\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:500px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\">\n<div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CnbJfK8suOo\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <\/p>\n<div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewbox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CnbJfK8suOo\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by SBD World&#39;s Strongest Man (@theworldsstrongestman)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-call-out-bm-icon is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><em><strong>More from Breaking Muscle:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/deadlift-form\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237533\">7 Tips to Perfect Your Deadlift Form<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<li><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/how-to-build-muscle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237534\">How to Build Muscle: The Training and Diet Guide for Lifters<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mateusz Kieliszkowski<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Most notable accomplishment: <\/strong>WSM runner-up (2018-2019)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The last anyone saw Kieliszkowski in a WSM setting was almost four years ago, during the 2019 edition. The &#8220;Polish Terminator&#8221; had just capped a second-consecutive runner-up finish, making it appear his ascent to strongman&#8217;s tallest summit would be inevitable in the 2020s. However, injuries and their complications would muddle matters for Kieliszkowski. <a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/mateusz-kieliszkowski-withdraws-from-2022-worlds-strongest-man\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237535\">A late withdrawal from the 2022 WSM<\/a> made it unclear when he&#8217;d again thrive amongst some of the globe&#8217;s strongest athletes. <\/p>\n<p>After a recent 32-ton (64,000 pounds) truck pull in training, Kieliszkowski has professed he doesn&#8217;t have high expectations <a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/mateusz-kieliszkowski-truck-pull-32-tons-2023-worlds-strongest-man\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237536\">for his official return to the WSM<\/a>. A sterling runner-up finish in the 2023 ASC \u2014 his first strongman appearance in over two years \u2014 says otherwise. When the dust settles, Kieliszkowski might not win the 2023 WSM. The five-time Poland&#8217;s Strongest Man (PSM) champion&#8217;s (2015-2019) evaluation of his own ability is probably more accurate than any outside perspective. <\/p>\n<p>That said, counting his chances out on paper could be a massive mistake. <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Oleksii Novikov <\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Most notable accomplishment: <\/strong>WSM champion (2020)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If one looked up the definition of consistency in a dictionary, it wouldn&#8217;t be surprising to see a picture of a roaring Novikov. According to <em><a href=\"https:\/\/strongmanarchives.com\/viewAthlete.php?id=190\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237558\">Strongman Archives<\/a><\/em>, the Ukrainian competitor has qualified for the podium in 18 out of 20 strongman competitions dating back to September 2020. He has recorded seven victories in that same time span, including a <a data-lasso-id=\"237538\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/strongman-oleksii-novikov-wins-europes-strongest-man-2022\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2022 Europe&#8217;s Strongest Man (ESM) title<\/a> and a triumph in the <a data-lasso-id=\"237539\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/2022-strongman-rogue-invitational-results-oleksii-novikov-wins\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2022 Rogue Invitational<\/a>. Factor in Novikov&#8217;s WSM title to begin the decade, and it&#8217;s abundantly clear he has the pedigree to add another WSM notch to his already loaded belt of <a data-lasso-id=\"237540\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/how-to-build-strength\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">strength<\/a> accomplishments. <\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, <a data-lasso-id=\"237541\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/oleksii-novikov-lat-injury-2023-europes-strongest-man-worlds-strongest-man\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a lat muscle tear might limit Novikov&#8217;s capacity<\/a> to thrive under strongman&#8217;s brightest &#8220;lights.&#8221; It didn&#8217;t seem to affect Novikov&#8217;s 2023 ESM <a data-lasso-id=\"237542\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/2023-europes-strongest-man-results\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">runner-up performance in early April<\/a>, but the severity of the potentially lingering injury is unconfirmed. While purely speculation, a healthier Novikov might have made it back-to-back ESM victories. <\/p>\n<p>If Novikov is close to 100 percent, he will likely be a significant player working toward the 2023 WSM title until the curtains come up. His overall health status could determine whether Novikov wins outright or &#8220;only&#8221; records another podium finish.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2023-worlds-strongest-man-roster\">2023 World\u2019s Strongest Man Roster<\/h2>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a complete look at the full lineup of competitors in this year&#8217;s contest.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Tom<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Stoltman<\/strong>&nbsp;(United Kingdom) \u2014 <strong>Defending two-time WSM champion<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Mitchell Hooper<\/strong> (Canada)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Brian Shaw<\/strong>\u00a0(United States)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mateusz Kieliszkowski<\/strong>\u00a0(Poland)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Oleksii Novikov<\/strong> (Ukraine)<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/2023-europes-strongest-man-results\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237559\">Pavlo Kordiyaka<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;(Ukraine)<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/strongman-evan-singleton-log-press-407-pounds-biceps-injury\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237560\">Evan Singleton<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;(United States)<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/trey-mitchell-stone-over-bar-record-2023-rogue-record-breakers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237561\">Trey Mitchell<\/a><\/strong> (United States)<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/2023-britains-strongest-man-results-adam-bishop-wins\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237562\">Adam Bishop<\/a> <\/strong>(United Kingdom)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Aivars \u0160maukstelis<\/strong>&nbsp;(Latvia)<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/kevin-faires-dinnie-stones-walk-record-2023-rogue-record-breakers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237563\">Kevin Faires<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;(United States)<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/eythor-ingolfsson-melsted-2022-rogue-invitational-confirmed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237564\">Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted<\/a><\/strong> (Iceland)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Paul Smith<\/strong>&nbsp;(United Kingdom)<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/rauno-heinla-withdraws-2023-europes-strongest-man\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237565\">Rauno Heinla<\/a><\/strong> (Estonia)<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/2022-americas-strongest-man-strongest-woman-results\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237566\">Bobby Thompson<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;(United States)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Gavin Bilton<\/strong>&nbsp;(United Kingdom)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Spenser Remick<\/strong>&nbsp;(United States)<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/cheick-iron-biby-sanou-withdraws-from-2022-strongman-classic\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237567\">Eddie Williams<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;(Australia)<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/konstantine-janashia-strongman-classic-maxime-boudrealt-replacement-2022\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237568\">Konstantine Janashia<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;(Georgia)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Graham Hicks<\/strong>&nbsp;(United Kingdom)<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/tom-stoltman-luke-stoltman-2023-worlds-strongest-man-event-training\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237569\">Luke Stoltman<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;(United Kingdom)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mathew Ragg<\/strong>&nbsp;(New Zealand)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Gabriel Rh\u00e9aume<\/strong>&nbsp;(Canada)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fadi El Masri<\/strong>&nbsp;(Australia)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Jaco Schoonwinkel<\/strong>&nbsp;(South Africa)<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/strongman-jean-stephen-coraboeuf-log-press-341-pounds-3-reps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237570\">Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;(Australia)<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/mark-felix-retires-worlds-strongest-man-2023\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237571\">Mark Felix<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;(United Kingdom)<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/pa-o-dwyer-added-2023-worlds-strongest-man-roster\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237572\">Pa O&#8217;Dwyer<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;(Ireland)<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/strongman-cheick-sanou-253-pound-dumbbell-press\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237573\">Cheick &#8220;Iron Biby&#8221; Sanou<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;(Burkina Faso)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Thomas Evans&nbsp;<\/strong>(United States)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/pavlo-nakonechnyy-withdraws-2023-worlds-strongest-man-tom-evans-added\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"237574\">*<strong>Pavlo Nakonechnyy<\/strong><\/a><strong> <\/strong>(Ukraine)<em> \u2014 <\/em><strong>*Withdrawn<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><a data-lasso-id=\"237575\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/maxime-boudreault-injury-withdraws-2023-arnold-classic-2023-worlds-strongest-man\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">*<strong>Maxime Boudreault<\/strong><\/a> (Canada)<em> \u2014 <\/em><strong>*Withdrawn<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A WSM Battle for the Ages<\/h2>\n<p>None of these predictions and insights are to say that other competitors on the 30-person roster for the 2023 WSM roster don&#8217;t have a chance. It&#8217;s more that the defending champion (Stoltman), the only other previous WSM winners in competition (Shaw, Novikov), a young superstar (Hooper), and an established dark horse in his return (Kieliszkowski) could present the best possible chances for a win. <\/p>\n<p>When the 2023 WSM weekend draws to a close in Myrtle Beach, it wouldn&#8217;t be a far cry to see this group of five men create fireworks. <\/p>\n<p><em>Featured image: @shawstrength on Instagram<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/2023-worlds-strongest-man-contenders-tom-stoltman-mitchell-hooper\/\">5 Top Contenders to Watch at the 2023 World&#8217;s Strongest Man<\/a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\">Breaking Muscle<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This week, the man of the hour at the 2023 World\u2019s Strongest Man (WSM) in Myrtle Beach, SC, will likely be Tom Stoltman. The two-time reigning champion seeks to become only the third person ever to capture three straight WSM titles. However, with a loaded roster and stacked gauntlet of events standing in his way, Stoltman must overcome&#8230;<br \/>\nThe post 5 Top Contenders to Watch at the 2023 World\u2019s Strongest Man appeared first on Breaking Muscle.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10736,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":""},"categories":[20,1,21,22,19],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12022"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12022"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12022\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12023,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12022\/revisions\/12023"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10736"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12022"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12022"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12022"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}