Arnold Strongman Classic 2023 Predictions

 

20 years ago the Arnold strongman classic, its namesake being the former bodybuilder and action movie superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger, took place for the first time in Columbus Ohio. Now, from March 3rd to the 4th, 2023, 10 of the strongest men on earth will face five brutal events.

The athletes are as follows: Tom Stoltman (2021 and 2022 Worlds Strongest Man), Trey Mitchell, Mitchell Hooper (Arnold Strongman Classic UK winner), Luke Stoltman (UK log lift record holder), Mateusz Kieliszkowski, Bobby Thompson (American log lift record holder), Rob Kearney, Maxime Boudreault, Pavlo Nakonechnyy, and Thomas Evans (Amateur Arnold’s Champion).

Edit: Maxime Boudreault has suffered a lower leg injury and has withdrawn from the competition. He has been replaced by Kevin Faires.

 

The events are: 

 

Wheel Of Pain: this event is inspired by an apparatus featured in the movie “Conan the Barbarian”, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The apparatus is made of wood and metal and revolves on heavy, wheel-shaped weights. Several long arms stick out on all sides, and the athlete pushes on one of these arms, causing the apparatus to revolve until his strength runs out. The farthest distance wins.

 

Austrian Oak: The Austrian Oak is actually two lifting logs, 175 kg and 195 kg. The athlete can choose one or the other and try for repetitions. One repetition on the 195 kg log beats any amount of repetitions on the 175 kg log.

 

Elephant Bar Deadlift For Maximum Weight: the elephant bar is thicker and stiffer than a regular deadlift bar. Is taken from the ground to the waist. Heaviest weight lifted wins.

 

Unspunnen Stone Throw for Distance: this event is very simple. A 85 kg stone is lifted over the head and thrown as far as possible. Each athlete gets three attempts. Farthest distance wins.

 

Timber Carry: a heavy frame (400kg) made of thick wood is carried up a ramp (11 meters). Fastest time wins.

 

These are my predictions for the overall scoring:

 1^st Pl. Tom Stoltman

2^nd Pl. Mateusz Kieliszkowski

3^rd Pl. Mitchell Hooper

4^th Pl. Pavlo Nakonechnyy

5^th Pl. Trey Mitchell

6^th Pl. Luke Stoltman

7th Pl. Bobby Thompson

8th Pl. Rob Kearney

9th Pl. Thomas Evans

10th Pl. Kevin Faires

 

Here are my predictions for each event:

Wheel of Pain: Tom Stoltman

Austrian Oak: Luke Stoltman or Bobby Thompson

Max Elephant Bar Deadlift: Pavlo Nakonechnyy

 Unspunnen Stone Throw for Distance: Mateusz Kieliszkowski

Timber Carry: Mateusz Kieliszkowski, Mitchell Hooper, or Maxime Boudreault