The forty sixth annual World’s Strongest Man (WSM) is running from Wednesday, April 19 through Sunday, April 23, 2023 with a one-day break on Friday, April 20, to separate the Qualifying Round from the Finals. The most important event in strength sports is being held for the primary time in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on the Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion Place.
Breaking Muscle will likely be consistently updating this results page to maintain you on top of all of the motion throughout this yr’s contest. Contest organizers have stated there will likely be no livestream of the event but, as the competition progresses WSM is offering behind-the-scenes commentary and interviews with athletes, hosted by former WSM competitor Terry Hollands.
Editor’s Note: Results are provided by our official reporter in attendance. These results will not be considered official until after they’re confirmed on the World’s Strongest Man homepage.
2023 WSM Qualifying Round Leaderboard
| Rank | Name | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | ||
| 1 | Pavlo Kordiyaka — Ukraine | 6 |
| 2 | Tom Stoltman — United Kingdom | 5 |
| 3 | Bobby Thompson — USA | 4 |
| 4 | Konstantine Janashia — Georgia | 3 |
| 5 | Pa O’Dwyer — Ireland | 2 |
| 6 | Eddie Williams — Australia | 1 |
| Group 2 | ||
| 1 | Oleksii Novikov — Ukraine | 6 |
| 2 | Kristjan Jon Haraldsson — Iceland | 5 |
| 3 | Thomas Evans — USA | 4 |
| 4 | Luke Stoltman — United Kingdom | 3 |
| 5 | Gavin Bilton — United Kingdom | 2 |
| 6 | Fadi El Masri — Lebanon | 1 |
| Group 3 | ||
| 1 | Mitchell Hooper — Canada | 6 |
| 2 | Aivars Smaukstelis — Latvia | 5 |
| 3 | Mathew Ragg — Latest Zealand | 4 |
| 4 | Spenser Remick — USA | 3 |
| 5 | Mateusz Kielszkowski — Poland | 2 |
| 6 | Graham Hicks — United Kingdom | 1 |
| Group 4 | ||
| 1 | Jaco Schoonwinkel — South Africa | 6 |
| 2 | Rauno Heinla — Estonia | 5 |
| 3 | Brian Shaw — USA | 4 |
| 4 | Adam Bishop — United Kingdom | 3 |
| 5 | Gabriel Rheaume — Canada | 2 |
| 6 | Kevin Faires — USA | 1 |
| Group 5 | ||
| 1 | Evan Singleton — USA | 6 |
| 2 | Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted — Iceland | 5 |
| 3 | Trey Mitchell — USA | 4 |
| 4 | Paul Smith — United Kingdom | 3 |
| 5 | Mark Felix — Canada | 2 |
| 6 | Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf — France | 1 |
2023 WSM Day One
Competitors began this yr’s contest with a full plate of three events — the loading race, the deadlift machine for reps, and the log ladder. Listed below are the outcomes from each competitive Group including each athlete’s results, corresponding performance, and placing throughout the event.
Loading Race
The loading race challenged the athletes’ mix of strength, endurance, and agility. The competitors were tasked with running as quickly as possible across a four- to six-meter (13- to 19.6-foot) field of sand while loading a series of progressively heavier implements onto an elevated platform.
The event was capped with a 90-second deadline. The implements included two stacks of bundled logs (106 kilograms/234 kilos and 114.7 kilogram/253 kilos), a 124.7-kilogram (275-pound) anvil, a 120.2-kilogram (265-pound) sandbag, and a 120.2-kilogram (265-pound) “Husafell” sandbag.
Shortly before the primary event began, Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou withdrew from the competition for reasons undisclosed on the time of this text’s publication. He was replaced by Icelandic athlete Kristjan Jon Haraldsson.
More from Breaking Muscle:
Group 1
- Pavlo Kordiyaka — 5 implements, 41.38 seconds
- Tom Stoltman — 5 implements, 43.84 seconds
- Bobby Thompson — 5 implements, 56.56 seconds
- Konstantine Janashia — 5 implements, 61.1 seconds
- Pa O’Dwyer — 5 implements, 65.89 seconds
- Eddie Williams — 5 implements, 66.44 seconds
Group 2
- Oleksii Novikov — 5 implements, 52.14 seconds
- Kristjan Jon Haraldsson — 5 implements, 54.58 seconds
- Thomas Evans — 5 implements, 57.4 seconds
- Luke Stoltman — 5 implements, 62.78 seconds
- Gavin Bilton — 5 implements, 63.01 seconds
- Fadi El Masri — 4 implements, 49.57 seconds
Group 3
- Mitchell Hooper — 5 implements, 42.05 seconds
- Aivars Šmaukstelis — 5 implements, 52.71 seconds
- Mathew Ragg — 5 implements — 58.72 seconds
- Spenser Remick — 5 implements, 67.15 seconds
- Mateusz Kieliszkowski — 5 implements, 67.53 seconds
- Graham Hicks — 4 implements, 53.4 seconds
Group 4
- Jaco Schoonwinkel — 5 implements, 47.1 seconds
- Rauno Heinla — 5 implements, 51.41 seconds
- Brian Shaw — 5 implements, 53.7 seconds
- Adam Bishop — 4 implements, 43.12 seconds
- Gabriel Rhéaume — 4 implements, 51.03 seconds
- Kevin Faires — 3 implements, 65.3 seconds
Group 5
- Evan Singleton — 5 implements, 46.9 seconds
- Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted — 5 implements, 56.41 seconds
- Trey Mitchell — 5 implements, 66.64 seconds
- Paul Smith — 4 implements, 44.79 seconds
- Mark Felix — 4 implements, 54.32 seconds
- Jean-Stephen Corabeouf — 3 implements, 40.63 seconds
Deadlift Machine
Competitors could have 75 seconds to perform as many repetitions as possible using a specially designed deadlift machine. The load will likely be increased after each successful repetition: 281 kilograms (619.5 kilos), 298 kilograms (657 kilos), 312 kilograms (687 kilos), 329 kilograms (725 kilos), 345 kilograms (760 kilos), 362 kilograms (798 kilos), and 379 kilograms (835.5 kilos). If the athlete is capable, they might proceed performing repetitions with the utmost weight until times runs out.
Group 1
- Bobby Thompson — 7 reps
- Konstantine Janashia — 6 reps
- Pa O’Dwyer — 5 reps
- Eddie Williams — 5 reps
- Pavlo Kordiyaka
- Tom Stoltman
Group 2
- Kristjan Jon 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 Šmaukstelis
Group 4
- Adam Bishop
- Kevin Faires
- Rauno Heinla
- Gabriel Rhéaume
- Jaco Schoonwinkel
- Brian Shaw
Group 5
- Jean-Stephen Corabeouf
- Mark Felix
- Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted
- Trey Mitchell
- Evan Singleton
- Paul Smith
Log Ladder
The event has not yet taken place. Results will likely be updated as they develop into available.
The primary day of competition will conclude with a staple event in lots of strongman contests — the log ladder. Testing their upper body strength, athletes must work their way through five progressively heavier logs (weights not yet disclosed), one repetition at a time, inside a 75-second deadline.
Group 1
- Konstantine Janashia
- Pavlo Kordiyaka
- Pa O’Dwyer
- Tom Stoltman
- Bobby Thompson
- Eddie Williams
Group 2
- Kristjan Jon 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 Šmaukstelis
Group 4
- Adam Bishop
- Kevin Faires
- Rauno Heinla
- Gabriel Rhéaume
- Jaco Schoonwinkel
- Brian Shaw
Group 5
- Jean-Stephen Corabeouf
- Mark Felix
- Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted
- Trey Mitchell
- Evan Singleton
- Paul Smith
2023 WSM Schedule of Events
Here’s the whole schedule for the competition, including the two-day Qualifying Round and the two-day Finals.
Qualifying Stage Day One
- Event One: Loading Race — April 19 | 8 a.m., Sand Stage
- Event Two: Deadlift Machine — April 19 | 11:29 a.m., Land Stage
- Event Three: Log Ladder — April 19 | 4:49 p.m., Sand Stage
Qualifying Stage Day Two
- Event 4: Conan’s Wheel — April 20 | 8 a.m., Land Stage
- Event Five: Kettlebell Toss — April 20 | 1:20 p.m., Sand Stage
- Event Six: Stone Off — April 20 | 6:13 p.m., Land Stage
Rest Day — No Events
Finals Day One
- Event One: Fingal’s Fingers — April 22 | 8 a.m., Street Stage
- Event Two: KNAACK Deadlift — April 22 | 10:41 a.m., Sand Stage
- Event Three: Reign Shield Carry — April 22 | 2:18 p.m., Street Stage
Finals Day Two
- Event 4: Max Dumbbell — April 23 | 8 a.m., Land Stage
- Event Five: Vehicle Pull — April 23 | 10:10 a.m., Street Stage
- Event Six: Atlas Stones — April 23 | 1:54 p.m., Sand Stage
2023 WSM Competitor Withdrawals
While 30 men qualified to enter this yr’s WSM, unexpected scenarios can occur. Any competitor withdrawals through the course of the competition will likely be noted here.
- Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou — Withdrew before the primary event of Qualifying Stage Day One. No reason provided. Replaced by Kristjan Jon Haraldsson.
How Strongman is Scored
Scoring points in competitive strongman events pertains to the general field of competitors. First place can earn as many points as there are competitors, and points descend accordingly.
Within the Qualifying stage, athletes can earn a maximum of six points because there are six athletes in each group. First place earns six points; second places earns five, and so forth. Within the Finals, there will likely be 10 competitors in total, so first place receives 10 points; second receives nine; third eight; and so forth.
Within the event of any tied scores, points are split evenly. If two athletes tie for second, for instance, the second and third place points are added together and divides by two. For instance, within the WSM Finals, if two athletes tie for second place, they’d each earn 8.5 points — nine plus eight divided by two.
Tips on how to Watch the 2023 World’s Strongest Man
Admission is free for fans attending in person at Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion Place in Myrtle Beach, SC, and gates open to the general public at 7 a.m. Eastern time. There will likely be a fan festival area and a general admission viewing area for spectators.
Unfortunately, for individuals who wish to look at the 2023 WSM at home, viewing it live is not possible. Within the U.S., CBS Sports Network will air the 2023 WSM starting on May 28, 2023. Within the UK, the 2023 WSM will air on Channel 5 in December. Within the meantime, the 2023 WSM’s various social media platforms, including YouTube and Instagram, will feature behind-the-scenes coverage while 15-time WSM athlete Terry Hollands conducts interviews with the competitors.
Featured Image: Joe Martinez / World’s Strongest Man