The 2019 World’s Strongest Man could also be preparing to return to competition.
2019 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) and 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC) champion Martins Licis had taken time away from competing to concentrate on business and private ventures in addition to filming his “Strength Unknown” YouTube series.
Nevertheless, it appears he hasn’t let those priorities affect his training and the previous champion could also be poised to return to strength sports within the near future. Licis posted an Instagram reel of himself deadlifting 365 kilograms (804 kilos) for 3 reps while training in Wreck It Gym in El Segundo, CA.
More from Breaking Muscle:
Licis was wearing knee sleeves and using lifting straps, but he didn’t have on a deadlift suit or perhaps a weightlifting belt for added support. Using a “rolling start,” Licis dipped his hips low and rolled the bar away from his feet before pulling the bar in toward his legs and locking out the primary rep with no trouble. After he returned the load to the ground, he rolled it out and back in again for rep number two. He repeated that motion another time for his final rep. The champion strongman made the third rep looked really easy, he possibly could’ve done one other rep (or more) if he desired to.
In keeping with the caption of the post, this set meant more to Licis than a regular work set. It served as notice to a fellow WSM and ASC champion, Mitchell Hooper, that he could also be on his way back to competing next 12 months.
“I promised [2023 World’s Strongest Man Mitchell Hooper] that if I could start repping this weight, it will be a great sign for me competing again next 12 months,” he wrote, adding a biceps and fist bump emoji. “So alright buddy, it looks like I’ll be back. Just gotta keep it slowly creepin’ up for the [Arnold] strongman classic and beyond. I’m excited!”
More from Breaking Muscle:
The 2024 Arnold Strongman Classic is ready to happen on Mar. 1-2, 2024 in Columbus, OH. If Licis makes it to that contest, and if Hooper chooses to defend his title, then the 2 most up-to-date ASC champions could be trading lifts in Columbus to potentially determine the 2024 champion.
There was already buzz for that contest because three-time ASC winner and 2018 WSM Hafthor Bjornsson had announced he would come back from a short-term retirement to try winning a fourth title in 2024. His first three titles got here in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Nevertheless, Bjornsson suffered a pec tear during a powerlifting meet in April 2023. His recovery and preparation status for the 2024 ASC is currently unknown. If Bjornsson was to compete alongside Licis and Hooper, then every champion from 2018 to 2023 could be on the roster for the competition. There was no ASC held in 2021.
As for Licis, he’s already slated to return because the captain for Team USA within the 2023 World’s Strongest Nation (WSN) contest on Nov. 18, 2023. The UK team captain will once more be 2017 WSM Eddie Hall, whose team won the 2022 WSN. Licis has not competed in a strongman contest because the loss.
Featured Image: @martinslicis on Instagram