On July 7, 2022, the Giants Live Organization introduced that Axle Press and Log Lift World Record holder Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou withdrew from the 2022 Giants Live Strongman Classic. Sanou withdrew after unexpected and undisclosed points with journey to the placement of the competition.
Sanou’s withdrawal has unlucky timing as this 12 months’s Strongman Classic will happen just some days after, on July 9, 2022, on the Royal Albert Hall in London, England. Two-time Australia’s Strongest Man (ASM) Champion (2017-2018) Eddie Williams is Sanou’s official alternative. At the time of this writing, Sanou has not provided extra specifics concerning his journey issues on any of his public platforms.
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Sanou’s withdrawal continues a latest string of exits from this 12 months’s Strongman Classic. In mid-June 2022, Georgia’s Konstantine Janashia left the competition as Canada’s Maxime Boudreault crammed in. Then, in early July 2022, former Britain’s Strongest Man (2020) Adam Bishop needed to pull himself out of the competitors after tearing his triceps. Fellow United Kingdom strongman Gavin Bilton took up that vacant slot.
With the newest shuffle of athletes on the Strongman Classic now official, right here is the place the present roster stands:
2022 Strongman Classic Roster
- Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine) — Defending Champion
- Evan Singleton (United States) — 2021 second place
- Eddie Williams (Australia)
- Paul Smith (United Kingdom)
- Ken McClelland (United States)
- Maxime Boudreault (Canada)
- Rob Kearney (United States)
- Andy Black (United Kingdom)
- Mark Felix (United Kingdom)
- Spenser Remick (United States)
- Gavin Bilton (United Kingdom)
- Mitchell Hooper (Canada)
Here are the occasions for this 12 months’s Strongman Classic:
2022 Strongman Classic Events
- Dumbbell Medley
- The Pillars of Hercules
- Farmer’s Carry for Distance
- Axle Deadlift
- Castle Stones
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Williams’ Return
At 29-years-old, Williams would possibly nonetheless be searching for a significant worldwide breakthrough as a strongman. While he can boast two ASM titles, the athlete would undoubtedly wish to make a much bigger title for himself exterior of his dwelling nation. According to Strongman Archives, Williams hasn’t competed in any contest in over two years. The 2022 Strongman Classic will mark his return.
Notably, Williams has been a part of a Giants Live contest earlier than, ending in seventh place on the 2019 Giants Live North American Open. In addition, on one other worldwide stage, throughout his first and solely look on the 2019 World’s Strongest Man (WSM), Williams was unable to make it previous the Qualifying Round.
To notch an ideal outcome, Williams will face powerful sledding from a area that options names like defending Strongman Classic Champion Oleksii Novikov and rising stars reminiscent of Wild Card Mitchell Hooper. The strongman sphere will finally see how Williams manages his return to competitors on July 9, 2022, in London, England.
Featured picture: @giantslivestrongman on Instagram