The 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man (ESM) contest is scheduled for April 1, 2023, in Leeds, England, at the First Direct Arena. The full roster was released on Feb. 10, 2023, which includes the defending champion, 2020 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) Oleksii Novikov of Ukraine.
2023 Europe’s Strongest Man Events
Two weeks later, the five events that comprise the single-day 2023 ESM contest were released. They are as follows:
- Log Press Ladder
- Load & Push Race
- Deadlift for Reps
- Conan’s Wheel
- Castle Stones
The details of the above events, such as the weight of the logs, load on the barbell, implements for the load & push, or weight of the stones, have not been released at the time of this article’s publication.
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Log Press Ladder
With the Stoltman brothers (Tom and Luke) noticeably absent from the 2023 ESM roster, several of the events, such as the log press and castle stones, are more in flux. Luke Stoltman is known for his overhead strength, but without him in Leeds, other elite pressers, like Graham Hicks, can step into the spotlight.
Pavlo Nakonechnyy is another standout in pressing events. However, it is unclear at the time of this article’s publication if Nakonechnyy will be 100 percent physically healed from the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic by the time the 2023 ESM rolls in.
Nakonechnyy injured his knee in Columbus, OH, during the Elephant Bar Deadlift event but continued in the competition. He stumbled out of the Timber Frame during the final carry event due to further tweaking of said injury.
Deadlift for Reps
The Deadlift for Reps event will likely be the most competitive of the five events. The roster is stacked with powerhouse monsters in the event, including Novikov, who holds the tire deadlift world record; Rauno Heinla, who holds the silver dollar deadlift world record; Konstantine Janashia, Adam Bishop, and more.
2023 Europe’s Strongest Man Roster
- Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine) — Defending ESM 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
Featured image: @giantslivestrongman on Instagram
