The battle for the title of World’s Strongest Man (WSM) begins Wednesday, April 19 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and culminates on Sunday, April 23 when a champion will be crowned. The competition is free and open to the public, featuring a Fan Festival area with food trucks and giveaways as well as a special sensory room hosted by KultureCity for families and individuals who have sensory needs or non-visible disabilities. Myrtle Beach is recognized as an official autism-friendly vacation destination. A general admission viewing area is also available for fans to catch all the action live.
In partnership with Visit Myrtle Beach, the 46th edition of the World’s Strongest Man competition will take place at the Oceanfront at Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion Place and follow a four-day schedule that includes two days of qualifiers and a two-day final. Thirty of the world’s top strongmen will once again be pushed to their physical and mental limits with an epic series of events, including the return of Fingal’s Fingers, a fan favorite event that revolves around a series of hinged poles – or fingers – being lifted, starting from a horizontal resting position and flipped over to the other side. New this year is the debut of Max Dumbbell, where a new World Record is expected to be set. This event tests each competitor with increasing weight in one hand each round until the last competitor is left standing.
WHO:
Tom Stoltman (GBR): The back-to-back reigning World’s Strongest Man champion (2021, 2022) is returning to defend his title in 2023. Nicknamed “The Albatross” due to his 82-inch wingspan, the 6’8 competitor is the first Scotsman and first strongman with autism to win the World’s Strongest Man title. He is also the two-time Britain’s Strongest Man champion.
Luke Stoltman (GBR): 2021 European World’s Strongest Man and five-time Scotland's Strongest Man. Luke is the older brother of Tom; they are the only brothers in World’s Strongest Man history to reach the finals of the World's Strongest Man.
Bobby Thompson (USA): 2022 America’s Strongest Man and current American log press record holder (217.5), Bobby was a WSM finalist in 2021. He also won the Pro Arnold Classic in Columbus Ohio in 2021 and eats no sweets, taking in about 5,000 calories/day and upwards of 8,000/day during competition season.
Trey Mitchell (USA): Born and raised in Texas, Trey’s nickname is “Big Thicket”. He is the back-to-back Shaw Classic Champion (2021, 2022) and finished 4th overall at the 2021 World’s Strongest Man.
Mark Felix (GBR): Making his 18th World’s Strongest Man appearance, Felix is the current World Record-holder in the Hercules Hold. His nickname is “The Miracle” because of the high level he competes at age 57. He is a three-time WSM Finalist and plans to retire from World’s Strongest Man after this year’s competition.
Evan Singleton (USA): Nicknamed "T-Rex" for his favorite dinosaurs and his extensive Jurassic Park memorabilia collection, this former WWE wrestler has competed in sports his whole life, including football, basketball, bodybuilding, wrestling and everything in between. Winner of the 2021 Giants Live World Open and known for his intense and charismatic personality, Evan is a real threat to finish on the podium this year.
The current list of athletes competing in the 2023 SBD World’s Strongest Man Championship* includes: Tom Stoltman (GBR), Luke Stoltman (GBR), Oleksii Novikov (UKR), Gavin Bilton (GBR), Brian Shaw (Fort Lupton, Colo., USA), Adam Bishop (GBR), Kevin Faires (USA), Mark Felix (GBR), Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted (ISL), Konstantine Janashia (GEO), Pavlo Kordiyaka (UKR), Trey Mitchell (USA), Gabriel Rhéaume (CAN), Evan Singleton (USA), Aivars Smaukstelis (LVA), Bobby Thompson (USA), Mitchell Hooper (CAN), Paul Smith (GBR), Rauno Heinla (EST), Mateusz Kieliszkowski (POL), Eddie Williams (AUS), Graham Hicks (GBR), Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf (FRA), Pa O’Dwyer (IRL) and new to the competition this year, Iron Biby (BFA), Thomas Evans (USA), Spenser Remick (USA), Mathew Ragg (NZ), Fadi El Masri (LEB) and Jaco Schoonwinkel (RSA).
WHEN: April 19-23, 2023
Qualifier: Wednesday & Thursday from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. ET*
Final: Saturday & Sunday from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. ET*
WHERE: Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion Place
812 N Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, S.C. 29577
TUNE IN: Full TV coverage can be seen exclusively on CBS Sports Network and CBS Television Network in the U.S. starting May 28, 2023.
For information and the latest updates on World’s Strongest Man including where to watch, follow @theworldsstrongestman on Instagram, @WorldsStrongest on Twitter and @theworldsstrongestman on Facebook, TikTok @TheWorldsStrongestMan, and YouTube @theworldsstrongestman, or visit www.theworldsstrongestman.com.
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