Neither Tom nor Luke Stoltman will compete at the 2022 Rogue Invitational. On Aug. 23, 2022, the Stoltman brothers took to their YouTube channel to publish a video wherein they discussed their competition plans for the rest of 2022.
Despite the Rogue Invitational offering the largest prize purse of any elite strongman contest, the Stoltmans are opting out of the competition as they do not feel they would be at their best after a demanding competition schedule thus far through 2022. Check it out below:
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Luke Stoltman taking additional time off following the 2022 Shaw Classic should not come as a surprise. He tweaked his shoulder during the Bag Over Bar event and had to withdraw from the contest. It appeared to be an injury in the region of the medial delt, and he does not feel he will be fully healed in time to be at his best for the 2022 Rogue Invitational.
After the 2021 Rogue Invitational offered the largest single-contest prize purse in strongman history, the event shot right up alongside the World’s Strongest Man (WSM) and Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC) as one of the most significant competitions of the year. Martins Licis — the 2019 WSM — won the 2021 Rogue Invitational, securing a $130,000 check in the process.
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The Stoltmans suggested that the 2022 Rogue Invitational roster will consist of 10 athletes, and the prize purse will be closer to $200,000. Despite Tom Stoltman’s runner-up finish to Licis in 2021, neither Stoltman will challenge Licis for the crown in 2022.
On the other hand, Licis has already begun training to defend his 2022 Rogue Invitational title from whoever else receives an invite. Those who intend to see the 2022 Rogue Invitational in person might still have a chance to see the Stoltman brothers, as the possibility that they travel for meet-and-greet purposes at the event is still on the table. They just won’t be lifting logs or loading Atlas Stones.
The 2022 Rogue Invitational will be held in Austin, TX, from Oct. 28-30, 2022.
Featured image: @stoltmanbrothers on Instagram
