Arnold Strongman Classic 2023 Review
Get ready for a complete breakdown of the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC), one of the biggest strongman competitions of the year. Mitchell Hooper emerged as the champion after a fierce battle with Mateusz Kieliszkowski, who secured the silver medal, while Bobby Thompson landed at third place. Held in Columbus, Ohio on Friday, March 3, and Saturday, March 4, as part of the Arnold Sports Festival, the competition saw 10 outstanding strongmen push their limits to determine the strongest man of 2023 thus far.- Tom Evans (USA)
- Kevin Faires (USA)
- Mitchell Hooper (Canada)
- Rob Kearney (USA)
- Mateusz Kieliszkowski (Poland)
- Trey Mitchell (USA)
- Pavlo Nakonechnyy (Ukraine)
- Luke Stoltman (Scotland)
- Tom Stoltman (Scotland)
- Bobby Thompson (USA)
Event 1: Wheel of Pain
The opening event of the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic was the Wheel of Pain, known for being one of the most grueling events in the sport. Competitors had 60 seconds to lift and carry the wheel’s beam as far as possible, testing their leg and core strength, as well as their endurance. Making a comeback after 17 months, Mateusz Kieliszkowski took home the victory in the Wheel of Pain, pushing the wheel for over 30 meters, the only athlete to do so. The 2-time Shaw Classic champion, Trey Mitchell, put up a strong fight for the title, finishing just behind Mateusz in second place. Mitchell Hooper finished a close third, trailing Trey by only one meter.
Event 2: The Austrian Oak Log Press
The second event of the day was the Austrian Oak, a challenging overhead press event that required athletes to lift a thick wooden log weighing either 195 or 175 kilograms within a 90-second time limit. One rep on the heavier log counted as 100 points, while one rep on the lighter log earned 10 points. Despite expectations that Bobby Thompson or Luke Stoltman would take the win, Trey Mitchell stunned everyone by achieving four reps with the heavier log with seemingly little difficulty. Bobby Thompson and Mitchell Hooper both managed to lift the log for three reps, resulting in a second-place tie. Even though they shared points, both athletes were able to climb up the leaderboard.
Event 3: Elephant Bar Deadlift
The Max Deadlift event, performed using an Elephant bar, is one of the most challenging tests of strength in Strongman competitions. The bar’s length and design make the lift even more complicated, adding to the already immense challenge. On the second day of the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic, the first event was the Max Deadlift, and it proved to be an unpredictable battle. However, Bobby Thompson emerged as the victor with a remarkable lift of 447 kilograms. It was a stunning performance that earned him maximum points. Finishing in second place was Mitchell Hooper, a highly respected and accomplished deadlifter. When it comes to the Max Deadlift event on the Elephant bar, it’s impossible not to mention Pavlo Nakonechnyy from Ukraine. He is widely regarded as one of the best deadlifters in the world and always poses a serious threat to his competitors. However, during this year’s competition, he suffered a minor injury that prevented him from attempting a new record in the lift. We hope that Pavlo has a quick recovery and can continue to achieve great records in the international strongman arena.
Event 4: Unspunnen Stone Throw
The fourth event of the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic was the Unspunnen Stone Throw, a traditional Swiss event that requires athletes to throw an 84-kilogram stone as far as possible. Each participant had three attempts, with only their best one counting. Mateusz Kieliszkowski, the comeback kid, secured his second event win with a throw of 3.47 meters. Tom Evans surprised everyone by finishing in second place despite being the most inexperienced athlete in the roster. Mitchell Hooper’s consistent performance earned him third place and the overall number one spot in the competition.
Event 5: Timber Frame Carry
The final and deciding event of the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic was the Timber Carry. This grueling event required the competitors to carry a massive 400-kilogram wooden frame over a distance of 11 meters within a time limit of 30 seconds. Mateusz Kieliszkowski, with his unparalleled grip strength and agility, was a strong favorite to excel in this event. True to form, he completed the course in an impressive 8.35 seconds, securing his respectable second place finish in the overall competition. Kevin Faires put in a solid effort and finished in second place with a time of 13.35 seconds, while Mitchell Hooper held on to his consistent performance with a time of 14.61 seconds, earning him a victory in the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic. Hooper never finished below third place in any of the five events and maintained a 4.5-point lead over his closest competitor, Trey Mitchell, heading into the final event. Hooper excels in midline events like farmer’s carries and yoke walks, while Mitchell struggled in the Timber Carry event. Despite improving upon his 2022 Timber Carry performance, Mitchell couldn’t overcome the five-rank gap between himself and Hooper in a 10-man contest. Hooper’s success can be attributed to his unwavering commitment to his preparation strategy, which he trusted to be the appropriate approach for the Arnold Strongman Classic. This dedication was exemplified by his use of a shoe as a visual marker for foot placement during the Steintossen Stone Throw event. Even during an interview after the Steintossen Stone Throw, Hooper remained calm and focused on the final test ahead. Here are the final standings for the competitors at the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic, along with their respective total points earned:
- Mitchell Hooper — 5 points
- Mateusz Kieliszkowski — 5 points
- Bobby Thompson — 5 points
- Trey Mitchell — 29 points
- Tom Evans — 5 point
- Pavlo Nakonechnyy — 5 points
- Tom Stoltman — 5 points
- Rob Kearney — 21 points
- Kevin Faires — 20 points
- Luke Stoltman — 20 points