World's Ultimate Strongman

Last updated

World's Ultimate Strongman
Tournament information
LocationFlag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates, Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain
Established2018;7 years ago (2018)
Final year2021
Number of
tournaments
4
FormatMulti-event competition
Final champion
Flag of Ukraine.svg Oleksii Novikov

World's Ultimate Strongman was an annual strongman competition which was held from 2018 to 2021 with the participation of top strongmen from all over the world, determining who is the strongest man in the world. The event was noted for its brute-strength-centricity and expanded the sport to a wider audience outside of Europe and USA. It also introduced the 'feats of strength' series in 2020, ensuring the continuous expansion of the sport during the Covid-19 pandemic. The competition has a number of rival and parallel competitions, including the World's Strongest Man, the Arnold Strongman Classic and the Giants Live Tour.

Contents

History

The inaugural edition of the competition was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and out of a very stacked field of 12 athletes, the Icelandic Giant Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson emerged victorious and was crowned the inaugural champion. The 2019 edition was also held in Dubai and was won by Poland's Mateusz Kieliszkowski.

On February 22, 2020, World's Ultimate Strongman announced the competition would be expanding and would hold the championship in Bahrain at the Bahrain International Circuit with a purse of $350,000 which was the largest for any strongman competition. [1] However, on March 13, 2020, they released a statement entailing that it had to be postponed due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, until a new date would be announced when it's logistically feasible. [2] The 2020 competition was finally held in March 2021 in Muharraq under the name '2021 WUS Strength Island' and in September they hosted the 2021 competition back in Dubai. Both competitions were won by Ukraine's Oleksii Novikov.

The first three competitions out of the four are widely regarded as International strongman majors. [3]

Championships

2018 World's Ultimate Strongman

Events: Truck pull, Arm over arm pull, Silver Dollar Deadlift, Overhead Medley, Super Yoke, Atlas stones

RankNameCountryPoints
1. Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson Flag of Iceland.svg Iceland 60.5
2. Brian Shaw Flag of the United States.svg United States 57
3. Mateusz Kieliszkowski Flag of Poland.svg Poland 52.5
4. JF Caron Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada 48
5. Laurence Shahlaei Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 42.5
6. Konstantine Janashia Flag of Georgia.svg Georgia 38
7. Martins Licis Flag of the United States.svg United States 34.5
8. Tom Stoltman Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 31.5
9. Terry Hollands Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 31
10. Žydrūnas Savickas Flag of Lithuania.svg Lithuania 27.5
11. Luke Stoltman Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 25
12. Cheick Sanou Flag of Burkina Faso.svg Burkina Faso 18

[4]

2019 World's Ultimate Strongman

Events: Deadlift, Truck pull, Log lift, Medley, Atlas stones

RankNameCountryPoints
1. Mateusz Kieliszkowski Flag of Poland.svg Poland 55.5
2. Luke Stoltman Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 50.5
3. Tom Stoltman Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 47.5
4. Brian Shaw Flag of the United States.svg United States 44.5
Co 5. Oleksii Novikov Flag of Ukraine.svg Ukraine 42.5
Co 5. Rauno Heinla Flag of Estonia.svg Estonia 42.5
7. JF Caron Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada 39
8. Mikhail Shivlyakov Flag of Russia.svg Russia 36
9. Matjaz Belsak Flag of Slovenia.svg Slovenia 31.5
10.Ramin Farajnejad Flag of Iran.svg Iran 30
11. Cheick Sanou Flag of Burkina Faso.svg Burkina Faso 28
12. Krzysztof Radzikowski Flag of Poland.svg Poland 24
13. Jerry Pritchett Flag of the United States.svg United States 21.5
14. Terry Hollands Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 15

[5]

2020 World's Ultimate Strongman (a.k.a. 2021 WUS Strength Island)

Events: Axel Deadlift, Flag Hoist, Circus Dumbbell press, Loading race, Atlas stones

RankNameCountryPoints
1. Oleksii Novikov Flag of Ukraine.svg Ukraine 70
2. JF Caron Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada 58
3. Aivars Šmaukstelis Flag of Latvia.svg Latvia 55
4. Luke Stoltman Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 47
Co 5. Tom Stoltman Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 43
Co 5.Ramin Farajnejad Flag of Iran.svg Iran 43
Co 5.Mohammed Ezatpour Flag of Iran.svg Iran 43
8.Bobby Thompson Flag of the United States.svg United States 41.5
9. Eyþór Ingólfsson Melsteð Flag of Iceland.svg Iceland 33.5
10. Adam Bishop Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 33
11. Rauno Heinla Flag of Estonia.svg Estonia 32
12.Ervin Toots Flag of Estonia.svg Estonia 30.5
13. Rob Kearney Flag of the United States.svg United States 26.5
14. Konstantine Janashia Flag of Georgia.svg Georgia 24
15. Mikhail Shivlyakov Flag of Russia.svg Russia 17

[6]

2021 World's Ultimate Strongman

Events: Log lift, Super yoke, Farmer's walk, Chain Railway carriage, Atlas stones

RankNameCountryPoints
1. Oleksii Novikov Flag of Ukraine.svg Ukraine 45.5
2. Mateusz Kieliszkowski Flag of Poland.svg Poland 44.5
3. Aivars Šmaukstelis Flag of Latvia.svg Latvia 34.5
4. JF Caron Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada 32
5. Konstantine Janashia Flag of Georgia.svg Georgia 27
6.Bobby Thompson Flag of the United States.svg United States 26.5
7.Mohammed Ezatpour Flag of Iran.svg Iran 18
8.Ervin Toots Flag of Estonia.svg Estonia 17
9. Rauno Heinla Flag of Estonia.svg Estonia 15
10.Ramin Farajnejad Flag of Iran.svg Iran 12

[7]

Championship breakdown

Podiums

YearChampionRunner-Up3rd PlaceLocation
2018 [8] Flag of Iceland.svg Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson Flag of the United States.svg Brian Shaw Flag of Poland.svg Mateusz Kieliszkowski Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Dubai, United Arab Emirates
2019 [9] Flag of Poland.svg Mateusz Kieliszkowski Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Luke Stoltman Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Stoltman Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Dubai, United Arab Emirates
2020 [10] Flag of Ukraine.svg Oleksii Novikov Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg JF Caron Flag of Latvia.svg Aivars Šmaukstelis Flag of Bahrain.svg Muharraq, Bahrain
2021 [11] Flag of Ukraine.svg Oleksii Novikov Flag of Poland.svg Mateusz Kieliszkowski Flag of Latvia.svg Aivars Šmaukstelis Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Multiple time champions

NameCountryTimesYears
Oleksii Novikov Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 22020, 2021

Championships by country

CountryGoldSilverBronzeTotal
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 2002
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 1102
Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland 1001
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0112
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 0101
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 0101
Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia 0022

Feats of Strength series

Due to the postponement of worldwide sporting events and travel restrictions being in place for many countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic, World's Ultimate Strongman announced an at home/private gym Feats of Strength series with differing strongman record attempts to be live streamed for free. Below are the record attempts (Men's World Record unless otherwise stated):

Season 1

DateAttemptAthleteRecord Broken?Existing Record and HolderNew Record if Broken
May 2, 2020 [12] [13] Maximum Deadlift (standard bar) Flag of Iceland.svg Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson Yes500 kg (1,102 lb)
( Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Eddie Hall)
501 kg (1,105 lb)
May 16, 2020 [14] Maximum Log Lift Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Luke Stoltman No228 kg (503 lb)
( Flag of Lithuania.svg Žydrūnas Savickas)
May 23, 2020 [15] Maximum Atlas Stone Lift Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Stoltman Yes273 kg (602 lb)
( Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Stoltman)
286 kg (631 lb)
May 30, 2020 [16] 100 kg (220 lb) Dumbbell Press for Repetitions Flag of Ukraine.svg Oleksii Novikov Yes10 repetitions
( Flag of Iceland.svg Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson)
11 repetitions
June 6, 2020 [17] Maximum Atlas Stone Lift
Women's Under-64kg Record
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rhianon LovelaceYes139 kg (306 lb)
( Flag of Australia (converted).svg Alana Curnow)
141 kg (311 lb)
June 13, 2020 [18] Maximum Log Lift
American Record
Flag of the United States.svg Rob Kearney Yes214 kg (472 lb)
( Flag of the United States.svg Rob Kearney)
216 kg (476 lb)
June 20, 2020 [19] 400 kg (882 lb) Deadlift (standard bar) for Repetitions Flag of the United States.svg Jerry Pritchett No5 repetitions
( Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jean-François Caron)
( Flag of Georgia.svg Konstantine Janashia)
Flag of Estonia.svg Rauno Heinla Equalled
June 20, 2020 [20] Raw Bench Press (power bar) Flag of the United States.svg Julius Maddox 1No349 kg (769 lb)
( Flag of the United States.svg Julius Maddox)
June 27, 2020 Maximum Deadlift (standard bar)
Masters (Over-40s) Record
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Terry Hollands No430 kg (948 lb)
( Flag of Ireland.svg James Hickey)
Flag of Russia.svg Mikhail Shivlyakov No
July 4, 2020 Maximum Log Lift
Women's Record
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andrea ThompsonYes129 kg (284 lb)
( Flag of the United States.svg Danielle Vaji)
135 kg (298 lb)
July 11, 2020 400 kg (882 lb) Deadlift (standard bar) for Repetitions Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Adam Bishop 2No5 repetitions
( Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jean-François Caron)
( Flag of Estonia.svg Rauno Heinla)
( Flag of Georgia.svg Konstantine Janashia)
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jean-François Caron No

1 It was found during the event that Maddox's bar had been misloaded with one side being 25 kg heavier than the other.
2 It was found during the event that Bishop had 402.5 kg on the barbell, rather than 400 kg, causing an unofficial world record of 402.5 kg for 4 repetitions.

Season 2

DateAttemptAthleteRecord Broken?Existing Record and HolderNew Record if Broken
September 13, 2020 400 kg (882 lb) Deadlift (standard bar) for Repetitions Flag of Estonia.svg Rauno Heinla Yes5 repetitions
( Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jean-François Caron)
( Flag of Estonia.svg Rauno Heinla)
( Flag of Georgia.svg Konstantine Janashia)
6 repetitions
Flag of Georgia.svg Konstantine Janashia No
September 20, 2020 Flag of the United States.svg Trey Mitchell No6 repetitions
( Flag of Estonia.svg Rauno Heinla)
September 27, 2020 Maximum Atlas Stone Lift Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Stoltman No286 kg (631 lb)
( Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Stoltman)
Maximum Atlas Stone Lift
Women's Record
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Donna Moore Yes162 kg (357 lb)
( Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Donna Moore)
171 kg (377 lb)
October 4, 2020 Maximum Deadlift (strongwoman) - standard bar
Women's Record
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andrea ThompsonYes275 kg (606 lb)
( Flag of the United States.svg Melissa Edwards)
290 kg (639 lb)
October 11, 2020 Maximum Log Lift Flag of the United States.svg Rob Kearney No228 kg (503 lb)
( Flag of Lithuania.svg Žydrūnas Savickas)
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Luke Stoltman No
October 18, 2020 Maximum Deadlift (standard bar) Flag of Estonia.svg Rauno Heinla No501 kg (1,105 lb)
( Flag of Iceland.svg Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson)
Flag of Russia.svg Ivan MakarovNo
Maximum Deadlift (standard bar)
Masters (Over-40s) Record
Flag of Russia.svg Mikhail Shivlyakov Yes435 kg (959 lb)
Flag of Ireland.svg (James Hickey)
436 kg (961 lb)

Commonly contested events

References

  1. Owen, Dan (February 22, 2020). "WUS Bahrain announced on weekend with biggest prize pool in strongman history". Sport 360. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  2. "2020 World's Ultimate Strongman Bahrain postponed due to Covid-19". Instagram . March 13, 2020. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  3. "Are These REALLY the 10 Greatest Strongmen of all Time? timestamp 3:24". Big Loz Official with Mira Fit. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  4. "2018 WUS Dubai". strongmanarchives.com. October 26, 2018. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  5. "2019 WUS Dubai". strongmanarchives.com. October 25, 2019. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  6. "2021 WUS Strength Island". strongmanarchives.com. March 13, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  7. "2021 WUS Dubai". strongmanarchives.com. September 17, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  8. Sunderland, Tom (October 27, 2018). "Hafthor Bjornsson Wins World's Ultimate Strongman, Beasts in the Middle East". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  9. Balf, Celia (October 25, 2019). "Mateusz Kieliszkowski Wins World's Ultimate Strongman With A Torn Biceps". BarBend. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  10. Lockridge, Roger (March 13, 2021). "Oleksii Novikov Wins World's Ultimate Strongman "Strength Island" Contest". BarBend. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  11. Lockridge, Roger (September 17, 2021). "Novikov, Chapman Victorious — 2021 World's Ultimate Strongman Results". BarBend. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  12. Guinness World Records (May 10, 2020). "Heaviest Deadlift". guinnessworldrecords.com. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  13. "Hafthor Bjornsson breaks world record with 1,104-pound deadlift". ESPN . May 2, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  14. Odrljin, Goran (May 16, 2020). "Luke Stoltman FAILS To Break Log Lift World Record". Fitness Volt. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  15. Tao, David (September 22, 2020). "Strongman Tom Stoltman Lifts World Record 286kg/630lb Atlas Stone Over Bar". BarBend. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  16. Blechman, Phil (June 1, 2020). "Strongman Oleksii Novikov Sets World Record In Giant Dumbbell For Reps". BarBend. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  17. Blechman, Phil (June 8, 2020). "Rhianon Lovelace (-64kg) Hoists a Massive 141kg/311lb Atlas Stone for New World Record". BarBend. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  18. Lockridge, Roger (June 16, 2020). "Rob Kearney Sets 475 Pound American Log Lift Record". BarBend. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  19. Magnante, Matthew (July 11, 2020). "Rauno Heinla Victorious In 400kg/880lb Deadlift For Reps World's Ultimate Strongman Event". Fitness Volt. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  20. Lockridge, Roger (June 22, 2020). "Julius Maddox Misses 800 Pound Raw Bench Press Record". BarBend. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  21. "Deadlift" . Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  22. "Yolk" . Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  23. "Vehicle Pull" . Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  24. "Atlas Stones" . Retrieved February 2, 2020.