The 2016 Commerce World’s Strongest Man competition kicked off in Botswana a week ago, and after Day one, the field of finalists has begun to separate. The 10 athletes* to make it through the qualifying rounds face six total events to crown this year’s World’s Strongest Man. Here are the standings after the frame carry, circus barbell, and deadlift max on Day One.
- Brian Shaw, United States, 25pts
- Konstantine Janashia, Republic of Georgia, 23pts
- Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, Iceland, 22pts
- Eddie Hall, England, 20pts
- Martins Licis, United States, 17.5pts
- Mateusz Kieliszkowski, Poland, 17.5pts
- Jean-François Caron, Canada, 4.5pts
- Matjaž Belšak, Slovenia, 10pts
- Gregorz Szymanski, Poland, 9pts
*Laurence Shahlaei (England) withdrew during the finals due to injury.
There’s no surprise for the man sitting in first place, three-time World’s Strongest Man Brian Shaw. Shaw welcomed his first child earlier this summer — a baby boy — and decided to forego July’s World Deadlift Championships to focus on WSM.
If you recall, that’s the event where Eddie Hall pulled his historic 500-kilogram deadlift. Hall currently sits in fourth.
WSM rookie Konstantine Janashia of Georgia has surprised fans so far as he worked his way to second place, one point ahead of Iceland’s Hafthor Björnsson; Björnsson is looking for his first World’s Strongest Man title after sitting on the podium the last four years straight.
Events left for the final day of the competition (Saturday, Aug. 20) are below, and at first glance, they seem to favor taller athletes like Björnsson. Can he or Janashia claim their first title, or will Shaw repeat and move to four career victories?
Plane Pull
Kettlebell Throw
Atlas Stones
Tomorrow also marks the beginning of the Arnold Strongman Asia competition, which has attracted talent like four-time World’s Strongest Man Žydrūnas Savickas of Lithuania. If you’re a fan of strongman or strength sport in general, August 20th will certainly be a day to remember.
Featured image: Thor Björnsson on Instagram
