Strongman competition in 2020
The 2020 World's Strongest Man was the 43rd edition of the World's Strongest Man competition. It took place in Bradenton , Florida between November 11 and 15. Oleksii Novikov of Ukraine won the competition for the first time in his career,[ 1] with Tom Stoltman of Great Britain taking second and Jean-François Caron of Canada taking third. At 24 years old, Novikov is the youngest man to win the event since Jón Páll Sigmarsson in 1984 .[ 1] [ 2]
Scheduling and participants [ edit ] The event was originally scheduled to take place May 20 to 24 in Bradenton, Florida, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic .[ 3] The actual event itself also experienced scheduling issues because of Hurricane Eta .[ 4]
Defending champion Martins Licis and two-time runner up Mateusz Kieliszkowski did not take part this year due to injury.[ 5] [ 6] 2018 champion Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson also did not take part after announcing his retirement earlier in the year.[ 7]
There are five competitors per group. After four events, the competitor with the highest score qualifies for the final. The competitors in second and third place take part in the Stone Off , a run of loading 8 Atlas Stones, with the winner progressing.[ 8] [ 9]
Events: Farmer's Walk, Deadlift for repetitions, Loading Race, Log Lift for repetitions. Stone Off
Events: Farmer's Walk, Deadlift for repetitions, Loading Race, Dumbbell Press Medley. ^ Evan Singleton withdrew due to a biceps tear, Adam Bishop replaced him in the Stone Off.[ 9] Stone Off
Events: Farmer's Walk, Squat Lift for repetitions, Loading Race, Dumbbell Press Medley. Stone Off
Events: Farmer's Walk, Squat Lift for repetitions, Loading Race, Log Lift for repetitions. Stone Off
Events: Farmer's Walk, Deadlift for repetitions, Loading Race, Dumbbell Press Medley. Stone Off
Finals Events Results [ edit ] Event 1: Giant's Medley[ edit ] Weight: 125 kilograms (276 lb) anvil, 454 kilograms (1,001 lb) yoke Course Length: 10 metres (33 ft) anvil, 15 metres (49 ft) yoke Time Limit: 75 seconds ^ Graham Hicks withdrew following this event due to a biceps tear.[ 10] Event 2: Max Deadlift [ edit ] 18-Inch Deadlift For Max Weight Opening Weight: 400 kilograms (880 lb) Weight: 8 kegs ranging from 18–25 kilograms (40–55 lb) Height: 4.5 metres (15 ft) Time Limit: 60 seconds Event 4: Hercules Hold [ edit ] Weight: 160 kilograms (350 lb) on each hand for as long as possible Event 5: Log Ladder [ edit ] Weight: 5 logs ranging from 131–182.5 kilograms (289–402 lb) Time Limit: 75 seconds Event 6: Atlas Stones [ edit ] Weight: 5 stones ranging from 150–210 kilograms (330–460 lb) Time Limit: 60 seconds Total Weight: 900 kilograms (2,000 lb) As part of the deadlift event, Novikov successfully performed a 537.5 kilograms (1,185 lb) 18-inch deadlift, "which bested the previous world record at a sanctioned event in 1983, according to a news release."[ 1] [ 2]
Mark Felix, by invitation,[ 2] attempted to set a World's Strongest Man record in the Hercules Hold, but did not succeed.[ 10]
Brian Shaw qualified for a record equalling 12th WSM final, tying the record of Zydrunas Savickas . With all of these finals being consecutive, he also broke his own record for consecutive finals. This was also Shaw's 11th top 5 finish, another record.
Mark Felix appeared in his 15th WSM contest, breaking the record of 14 held by himself and Savickas. Terry Hollands also appeared in his 14th contest.
^ Though he had placed in the top-ten in previous years, the third-place finish for Caron was his first time on the WSM podium.[ 2] ^ Graham Hicks withdrew due to a biceps tear.[ 10] ^ a b c Schad, Tom. "Ukraine's Oleksii Novikov wins 2020 World's Strongest Man after 1,185-pound partial deadlift" . USA Today . Retrieved December 29, 2020 . ^ a b c d e Blechman, Phil (November 17, 2020). "The 6 Biggest Moments From The 2020 World's Strongest Man" . BarBend . Retrieved December 29, 2020 . ^ Freedman, Adrianna (April 7, 2020). "The 2020 World's Strongest Man Competition Is Postponed Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic" . Men's Health . Retrieved December 29, 2020 . ^ Jones Jr., James A. (November 11, 2020). "World's Strongest Man competition postponed. Hurricane Eta is stronger" . Bradenton Herald . Retrieved December 29, 2020 . ^ Lockridge, Roger (September 4, 2020). "Martins Licis Confirms He Is Out Of 2020 World's Strongest Man" . Retrieved December 29, 2020 . ^ Lockridge, Roger (November 1, 2020). "Mateusz Kieliszkowski Withdraws From 2020 World's Strongest Man Due To Injury" . Retrieved December 29, 2020 . ^ McCarriston, Shanna (August 12, 2020). " 'The Mountain' from 'Game of Thrones' retires after winning 10th straight Iceland's Strongest Man title" . CBS Sports . Retrieved December 29, 2020 . ^ Blechman, Phil (November 13, 2020). "Novikov, Caron, Hollands Carry Day One Of 2020 World's Strongest Man" . BarBend . Retrieved December 31, 2020 . ^ a b Blechman, Phil (November 14, 2020). "2020 World's Strongest Man Finalists Revealed" . BarBend . Retrieved December 29, 2020 . ^ a b c Gutman, Andrew (November 15, 2020). "Novikov Secures 2020 World's Strongest Man Victory (Updated)" . BarBend . Retrieved December 29, 2020 . Preceded by 2020 World's Strongest Man Succeeded by