The 2023 Strongman Open contest is scheduled for Sept. 2, 2023, at the Cardiff International Arena in Cardiff, Wales. The single-day competition features the 2023 World Deadlift Championships — a max-deadlift event — as one of the five scheduled events.
Among the 15 competitors comprising the roster is powerlifting’s all-time raw deadlift world record holder in the 110-kilogram class, Jamal Browner. Check out the full roster below:
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2023 Strongman World Open Roster
- Pavlo Nakonechnyy
- Gavin Bilton
- Luke Stoltman
- Graham Hicks
- Rauno Heinla
- Adam Bishop
- Jerry Pritchett
- Konstantine Janashia
- Oleksii Novikov
- Evan Singleton
- Ivan Makarov
- Jamal Browner
- Maxime Boudreault
- Rob Kearney
- Trey Mitchell
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2023 Strongman World Open Events
- Event One — Max Deadlift
- Event Two — Dumbbell Ladder
- Event Three — Wrecking Ball Hold
- Event Four — Load & Push Medley
- Event Five — Castle Stones
According to Open Powerlifting, Browner’s best competition deadlift is his raw world record of 455 kilograms (1,003.1 pounds). At the 2022 Strongman World Open, won by Ukraine’s Pavlo Nakonechnyy, only a single athlete lifted heavier than Browner’s world record — Rauno Heinla pulled 476 kilograms (1,049.4 pounds).
Four strongmen deadlifted just shy of Browners world record. Graham Hicks, Mitchell Hooper, Ivan Makarov, and Nakonechnyy each pulled 453.5 kilograms (999.8 pounds). However, all the above strongmen deadlifted in a suit, whereas Browner has proven in training that he can lift 453.5 kilograms (999.8 pounds) in a conventional stance raw.
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While Browner will have to contend with inexperience on the competitive strongman stage, as this contest marks his international strongman contest debut, on paper, he is arguably the favorite to win the 2023 World Deadlift Championships. Browner may be new to strongman, but he is certainly accustomed to deadlifting heavy. We’ll see if he can overcome the nerves a claim gold against some of the strongest on the planet.
Featured image: @giantslivestrongman on Instagram
