Are you a fan of strongman competitions? Are you excited to know who will be crowned Europe’s Strongest Man 2023? Well, the wait is finally over! Oleksii Novikov, the current reigning champion, will be defending his title in Leeds. With 13 contenders competing for the crown, the competition is going to be tough. In this post, we will introduce you to all the contenders and provide an overview of their strengths and weaknesses. So, buckle up and get ready to witness some of the most incredible feats of strength!

The First Direct Arena in Leeds, England, will be the battleground for the 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man competition on April 1st. As the date draws near, the organizers have taken to Instagram to reveal the complete list of participants, including two standby athletes. Strongman competitors are leaving no stone unturned in their preparations for the contest, which will include various challenges such as the Log Lift, Deadlift Ladder, Carry & Drag, Atlas Stones, among others. The ultimate goal is to determine the strongest individual in Europe for the current year.

Oleksii Novikov to Defend Title in Leeds

Europe’s Strongest Man competition 2023 is just around the corner and Oleksii Novikov from Ukraine is all set to defend his title in Leeds. Novikov won the top prize last year and is slated to face tough competition from Konstantine Janashia and Adam Bishop from the UK, Pavlo Nakonechnyy from Ukraine, and Graham Hicks from the UK.

With competition at an all-time high, it will be interesting to see which competitor comes out on top in the upcoming event. In case of a withdrawal, reserve competitors Paul Smith and Shane Flowers will be competing for the title. Fans are eagerly waiting for the outcome of the competition and to see who will become Europe’s Strongest Man 2023.

13 Contenders Competing for the Crown of Europe’s Strongest Man 2023

Thirteen elite athletes from around the world will compete for the coveted title of “Europe’s Strongest Man 2023” on April 1st in Leeds, England.

• Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine) — reigning champion
• Gavin Bilton (UK)
• Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf (France)
• Adam Bishop (UK)
• Pavlo Nakonechnyy (Ukraine)
• Konstantine Janashia (Georgia)
• Rauno Heinla (Estonia)
• Pa O’Dwyer (Ireland)
• Aivars Šmaukstelis (Latvia)
• Dennis Kohlruss (Germany)
• Eythór Ingólfsson Melsted (Iceland)
• Graham Hicks (UK)
• Pavlo Kordiyaka (Ukraine)
• Paul Smith (UK) — Reserve
• Shane Flowers (UK) — Reserve

Luke Stoltman, the reigning ESM champion, and his brother Tom, who holds the WSM title for two consecutive years, won’t be gracing the upcoming event with their presence. They are currently gearing up for the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic, which is set to happen next month.

As the defending champion Oleksii Novikov braces himself for the competition, he’ll have to face a formidable opponent in Konstantine Janashia, who is determined to elevate his previous third-place ranking. Adding to the roster of strong contenders is Adam Bishop, the reigning 2023 Britain’s Strongest Man champion, and the remarkable Graham Hicks.

To further intensify the challenge, Pavlo Nakonechnyy enters the fray, showcasing his exceptional talent and promise. He’s been hailed as one of the most exceptional young prospects in the sport’s history, and it’s hard to overlook his potential to land on the podium.

Top-ranked performers vying for a podium spot

Novikov reigned supreme atop the grandstand of the 2022 ESM, flanked by the indomitable Luke Stoltman on his right, and the formidable Konstantine Janashia on his left. Outmuscling his competition in the six trials of strength, which included the Log Lift, Deadlift Ladder, Carry and Drag, Power Stairs, and Atlas Stones, Novikov outscored Stoltman by a significant margin of four points.

Bishop is charging into the upcoming 2023 ESM with great fervor, having recently emerged victorious at the esteemed Britain’s Strongest Man competition held on the 27th of January, 2023. Having previously placed 10th at the ESM in 2021, Bishop is intent on ascending the ranks this April Fool’s Day.

Although beset by injury in recent times, Hicks is no stranger to the grandeur of the ESM podium. In 2021, he demonstrated his mettle by clinching third place, trailing only the formidable duo of Stoltman and Novikov.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the criteria for determining Europe’s strongest man?

The criteria for determining Europe’s strongest man vary depending on the competition, but generally involve a series of challenges that test various aspects of strength, endurance, and skill. These challenges might include events like lifting heavy weights, pulling or pushing objects, carrying heavy loads, or competing in timed events. The winner is typically the competitor who scores highest across all of the challenges and demonstrates the most well-rounded combination of strength and athletic ability.

2. How do athletes train for strongman competitions?

Athletes who participate in strongman competitions typically have a rigorous training regimen that includes a mix of weight training, conditioning, and event-specific practice. They focus on building strength in key muscle groups, including the core, legs, and back, and often incorporate exercises like deadlifts, squats, and overhead presses. Additionally, they may practice specific events in the competition, such as tire flips, log presses, and atlas stones, to perfect their technique and build endurance. A balanced nutrition plan is also important to support their training and overall performance.

3. What events are included in the Europe’s Strongest Man competition?

The events included in Europe’s Strongest Man competition may vary from year to year, but typically they include a combination of strength and endurance challenges that test the athletes’ physical capabilities.

Some examples of events that have been featured in past Europe’s Strongest Man competitions are:

• Deadlift: Athletes lift a maximum weight for a set number of repetitions or for a maximum weight.
• Log press: Athletes lift a log-shaped weight from the ground to overhead for a set number of repetitions or a maximum weight.
• Farmers Walk: Athletes carry two heavy weights, one in each hand, for a set distance or time.
• Truck Pull: Athletes pull a truck weighing several tons over a set distance.
• Atlas Stones: Athletes lift and carry spherical stones of increasing weight onto raised platforms.
• Fingal’s Fingers: Athletes lift and tip over a set of large poles of increasing weight.
• Tyre Flip: Athletes flip over large, heavy tires for a set number of repetitions or a maximum weight.
• Car Deadlift: Athletes lift and hold the weight of a car on a frame for as long as possible.

These events are designed to test the competitors’ strength, endurance, and overall physical fitness.

4. Who are some of the past winners of Europe’s Strongest Man?

Europe’s Strongest Man is an annual strongman competition held in various locations across Europe. Some of the past winners of this competition include:

• 2022: Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine)
• 2021: Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine)
• 2020: The competition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• 2019: Hafthor Bjornsson (Iceland)
• 2018: Hafthor Bjornsson (Iceland)
• 2017: Zydrunas Savickas (Lithuania)
• 2016: Zydrunas Savickas (Lithuania)
• 2015: Zydrunas Savickas (Lithuania)
• 2014: Hafthor Bjornsson (Iceland)
• 2013: Vytautas Lalas (Lithuania)
• 2012: Terry Hollands (UK)
• 2011: Terry Hollands (UK)
• 2010: Mariusz Pudzianowski (Poland)

These are just a few examples of the past winners of Europe’s Strongest Man, and there have been many other impressive athletes who have competed in and won this competition over the years.

Let’s Sum Up

The competition for Europe’s Strongest Man 2023 is heating up, with 13 contenders preparing to face off for the crown. Reigning champion Oleksii Novikov will be defending his title in Leeds, and he’ll have some tough competition to face. It will be exciting to see how each of the contenders performs in the events, including deadlift, log press, and Atlas stones.

If you’re a fan of strongman competitions or just curious to see who takes home the title, be sure to follow the event closely.