Stoltman appears like a champion on a mission.
The 2023 strongman season hasn’t precisely gone based on plan for Tom Stoltman. Not solely did the previous two-time World’s Strongest Man (WSM) champion (2021-2022) lose out on a legendary “three-peat” to Mitchell Hooper, he got here in sixth place through the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC) and was the runner-up on the 2023 Giants Live Strongman Classic (GLSC) by a razor-thin half-point margin. Now formally with out a skilled strongman win in over a 12 months, Stoltman’s victory drought is the longest of his profession since he initially broke by with the 2021 WSM title, per Strongman Archives.
On July 20, 2023, Stoltman shared a glimpse at how he’s making ready to climb out of his latest aggressive rut. The athlete posted an Instagram clip the place he accomplished an 800-kilogram (1,763.7-pound) leg press. The attention-opening energy feat was all of the extra spectacular, contemplating Stoltman affixed resistance bands to his machine and applied pauses between reps for added challenges. The lower body training session is a part of Stoltman’s wholesale preparation for the 2023 Shaw Classic (SC), going down on August 19-20, 2023, in Loveland, CO.
A Automotive Leg Press is among the 2023 SC’s most eye-catching occasions, which is presumably what Stoltman’s preparation within the clip is linked to. Within the 2022 version, opponents had been tasked with performing most reps with a 907-kilogram (2,000-pound) automotive loaded upon a custom-built leg press and the profitable efficiency was 8 repetitions.
Based mostly on his Instagram profile, Stoltman doesn’t normally make it an everyday behavior of exhibiting glimpses of his preparation upfront of contests. The truth is, most of Stoltman’s posts function competitors highlights, pictures, and collaborations together with his older brother, Luke, a fellow skilled strongman. With Stoltman is elaborating on what’s occurring behind the scenes, the athlete is seemingly veering off script and exhibiting he may imply enterprise on the 2023 SC.
This might align with Stoltman’s reflective stance after the conclusion of the 2023 WSM, the place he got here up 4.5 factors in need of one other historic title. Within the aftermath, the strongman defined he “gave everything he had” and was “proud” of his efficiency, nevertheless it in the end wasn’t sufficient for a win.
The 2023 SC will likely be Stoltman’s debut on the rising contest organized by four-time WSM champion (2011, 2013, 2015-2016) Brian Shaw. Ought to Stoltman win in his debut, he won’t solely have toppled different noteworthy opponents like Hooper, 2020 WSM winner Oleksii Novikov, and two-time reigning SC champion Trey Mitchell, however he can even have earned the title of “The Strongest Man on Earth.”
That may be fairly the best way for Stoltman to rebound after a “sluggish” first half of 2023.
Right here’s an summary of the complete roster for the 2023 SC:
2023 Shaw Traditional Roster
- Trey Mitchell (United States) — Reigning two-time Champion
- Brian Shaw (United States) — 2022 runner-up
- Mitchell Hooper (Canada) — 2022 third place
- Tom Stoltman (United Kingdom)
- Luke Stoltman (United Kingdom)
- Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine)
- Bobby Thompson (United States)
- Adam Bishop (United Kingdom)
- Graham Hicks (United Kingdom)
- Pavlo Nakonechnyy (Ukraine)
- Thomas Evans (United States)
- Maxime Boudreault (Canada)
- Kevin Faires (United States)
- Aivars Šmaukstelis (Latvia)
- Evan Singleton (United States)
- *Gavin Bilton (United Kingdom) | *Replaces Mateusz Kieliszkowski
Right here’s a rundown of the occasions of the 2023 SC:
2023 Shaw Traditional Occasions
- Log Medley
- Max Hummer Tire Deadlift
- Wheelbarrow and Arm-Over-Arm Medley
- Bag Toss
- Automotive Leg Press
- Atlas Stones
- Standing Bench Press
- Fingal’s Fingers and Energy Stairs Medley
Together with Shaw, Hooper, and Novikov, Stoltman is notably one in all 4 present or former WSM champions vying for the 2023 SC title.
The 12 months 2023 hasn’t gone how Stoltman initially envisioned, nevertheless it’s not too late to salvage and make it memorable. This strongman famous person isn’t going anyplace any time quickly, and this leg press may very well be proof of the large energy he’ll showcase on the 2023 SC.
Featured picture: @tomstoltmanofficial on Instagram
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