There are certain strongmen, competing at the highest level of the sport, who are known for prowess in specific events. 2021 World Strongest Man (WSM) champion Tom Stoltman has two nicknames — “The Albatross” and “The King of the Stones” — the latter for his mastery in the Atlas Stones, which includes the current world record. 2021 Europe’s Strongest Man (ESM) Luke Stoltman and Chieck “Iron Biby” Sanou are recognized as two of the greatest overhead pressers currently walking the earth — they hold the British log lift record and log lift world records, respectively.
When it comes to the heavy dumbbell, there are two men in the conversation for greatest ever — 2020 WSM champion Oleksii Novikov and two-time WSM runner-up Mateusz Kieliszkowski. Novikov holds the heavy dumbbell for reps world record — 11 reps of 100 kilograms (220.5 pounds) in 75 seconds. Kieliszkowski has the world record in the Cyr Dumbbell for his 145.2-kilogram (320-pound) lift at the 2020 Arnold Strongman Classic. In a training video posted on Oct. 13, 2021, to Novikov’s Instagram page, the Ukrainian hoisted a heavy dumbbell just 5.2 kilograms (11.5 pounds) shy of the “Polish Titan’s” world record. Check out Novikov’s 140-kilogram (308.6-pound) heavy dumbbell lift below:
View this post on Instagram
[Related: Strongman Rob Kearney’s Children’s Book “Strong” to Release in May 2022]
Despite coming within striking distance of Kieliszkowski’s heavy dumbbell world record, Novikov’s focus appears to be less about rewriting history and more so about preparing for the future. On Oct. 29-31, 2021, both Novikov and Kieliszkowski will compete in the inaugural strongman contest at the 2021 Rogue Invitational in Austin, TX. It will be the second time they battle in competition since Kieliszkowski’s return from his triceps injury nearly two years ago.
Good training for Rogue Invitational.
Novikov recently got the upper hand over Kieliszkowski with his win at the 2021 World’s Ultimate Strongman (WUS) contest — one rank above the Polish Titan in second place. The format for the 2021 Rogue Invitational will be similar to the 2021 WUS contest — a one-day contest that features five events.
2021 Rogue Invitational — Strongman Contest Events
- Rogue Elephant Bar Max Deadlift
- Cyr Dumbbell Ladder
- The Wheel of Pain
- Yoke Carry & Overhead Log Lift Medley
- Stone Over Hitching Post
There will not be a new world record set in the Cyr Dumbbell event at the 2021 Rogue Invitational, as the event format is a speed ladder instead of a maximal lift. Despite that, Novikov and Kieliszkowski are arguably the two best heavy dumbbell pressers on the planet and will be vying against each other for first-place points in that event. With only five events, there is little room for error. We’ll see if Novikov can continue his streak of wins from the 2021 Strongman Classic and 2021 WUS Strength Island contest or if Kieliszkowski will finally lift gold overhead.
Featured image: @novikov_strong_wsm on Instagram
