Amidst ongoing triple-digit temperatures in Sacramento, CA, the competitive heat of the 2022 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) continues to charge along.
On Day Onethe 30-person roster of elite strongmen attempted the Loading Race and Deadlift Ladder during the Qualifying Round. On Wednesday, May 25, 2022 – during the second day of the Qualifying Round – the remaining competitors had the task of pulling a Volkswagen Bug in the Car Walk and using their overhead strength to try and thrive in the Log Lift.
The ensuing results were terrific to watch as the competition builds towards the weekend’s Finals. Here’s where the overall leaderboard stands after Day Two of the 2022 WSMalong with a short recap of the athletes’ performances in both events.
2022 WSM Leaderboard – Day Two
| Rank | Name | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | ||
| 1 | Tom Stoltman – United Kingdom | 24 |
| 2 | Kevin Faires – USA | 18 |
| 3 | Gabriel Rheaume – Canada | 16 |
| 4 | Aivars Smaukstelis – Latvia | 13 |
| 5 | Andy Black – United Kingdom | 7 |
| 6 | Manuel Angulo – Chile | 3 |
| Group 2 | ||
| 1 | Mitchell Hooper – Canada | 22.5 |
| 2 | Bobby Thompson – USA | 17 |
| 3 | Brian Shaw – USA | 13.5 |
| 4 | Gabriel Pena – Mexico | 11 |
| 5 | Constantine Janashia – Georgia | 10 |
| 6 | Mark Felix – Canada | 9 |
| Group 3 | ||
| 1 | Oleksii Novikov – Ukraine | 21.5 |
| 2 | Adam Bishop – United Kingdom | 16 |
| 3 | Trey Mitchell – USA | 15.5 |
| 4 | Rob Kearney – USA | 14 |
| 5 | Grzegorz Szymanski – Poland | 9 |
| 6 | Mika Törrö – Finland | 8 |
| Group 4 | ||
| 1 | Martins Licis – USA | 21.5 |
| 2 | Maxime Boudreault – Canada | 17 |
| 3 | Pavlo Kordiyaka – Ukraine | 16.5 |
| 4 | Gavin Bilton – United Kingdom | 15 |
| 5 | Nedžmin Ambeškovic – Bosnia and Herzegovina | 6 |
| 6 | Shane Flowers – United Kingdom (withdrawn) | 6 |
| Group 5 | ||
| 1 | Luke Stoltman – United Kingdom | 23 |
| 2 | Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted – Iceland | 16 |
| 3 | Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf – France | 15 |
| 4 | Kelvin De Ruiter – Netherlands | 11 |
| 5 | Evan Singleton – USA | 9.5 |
| 6 | Kim Ujarak Lorentzen – Greenland | 9 |
2022 WSM Day Two
Wednesday was the perfect time to unveil the Car Walk and Log Lift – two classic WSM events. Here’s how the competitors fared, and what it might mean for some of them moving forward.
Car Walk Results
The athletes stepped inside a roofless, hollowed-out car constructed around a Yoke bar. For this event, they had to carry the 430-kilogram (950-pound) vehicle 20 meters (66 feet) as fast as they could.
With a 9.86-second run, Evan Singleton had the fastest time of all competitors on the Car Walk. Meanwhile, Rob Kearney turned in a blazing 11.63-second finish, and newcomer Mitchell Hooper blitzed the event in 11.64 seconds to continue his fantastic WSM debut.
Note: Unfortunately, Shane Flowers withdrew due to an apparent foot or ankle injury sustained during the Loading Race on Day One. While he showed the grit of a champion in completing yesterday’s Deadlift Ladder as well, he was unable to continue competing on Day Two and has withdrawn from his first appearance at the WSM.
Group 1
- Tom Stoltman – 0: 14.65s
- Gabriel Rhéaume – 0: 16.44s
- Kevin Faires – 0: 19.32s
- Aivars Šmaukstelis – 0: 19.91s
- Andy Black – 0: 32.71s
- Manuel Angulo – 1: 00.00s
Group 2
- Mitchell Hooper – 0: 11.64s
- Mark Felix – 0: 13.96s
- Bobby Thompson – 0: 16.05s
- Constantine Janashia – 0: 18.16s
- Brian Shaw – 0: 19.97s
- Gabriel Peña – 18.90m (Did not finish course)
Group 3
- Rob Kearney – 0: 11.63s
- Grzegorz Szymanski – 0: 14.26s
- Oleksii Novikov – 0: 15.23s
- Trey Mitchell – 0: 19.24s
- Adam Bishop – 0: 23.38s
- Mika Törrö – 9.50m (Did not finish course)
Group 4
- Pavlo Kordiyaka – 0: 12.92s
- Martins Licis – 0: 18.93s
- Gavin Bilton – 0: 23.67s
- Maxime Boudreault – 0: 49.28s
- Nedžmin Ambešković – 13.60m (Did not finish course)
- Shane Flowers – Withdrawn
Group 5
- Evan Singleton – 0: 09.86s
- Luke Stoltman – 0: 16.65s
- Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted – 0: 29.07s
- Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf – 0: 41.34s
- Kelvin De Ruiter – 1: 00.00s
- Kim Ujarak – 11.40m (Did not finish course)
Log Lift Results
The Log Lift made its first appearance during the 1980 WSM contest. In this year’s event, competitors had to lift the 145-kilogram (320-pound) log from the ground to an overhead position for as many reps as possible within a 75-second time limit.
As the temperature got to 100-plus degrees, the log itself took on heat. It is here where holding the weight for the duration was a challenge for many of the competitors. Event organizers had been keeping the log covered in an attempt to provide shade and make the event the usual test of strength rather than pain tolerance.
Maxime Boudreault and Luke Stoltman tied for the best finish on the Log Lift by pressing 10 reps. Oleksii Novikov, Trey Mitchell, Martin Licis, and Pavlo Kordiyaka weren’t far behind with nine reps each.
Group 1
- Tom Stoltman – 8 reps
- Kevin Faires – 7 reps
- Gabriel Rhéaume – 6 rep
- Aivars Šmaukstelis – 4 reps
- Andy Black – No reps
- Manuel Angulo – No reps
Group 2
- Bobby Thompson – 8 reps
- Mitchell Hooper – 7 reps
- Brian Shaw – 7 reps
- Constantine Janashia – 5 reps
- Gabriel Peña – 1 rep
- Mark Felix – No reps
Group 3
- Oleksii Novikov – 9 reps
- Trey Mitchell – 9 reps
- Adam Bishop – 7 reps
- Rob Kearney – 6 reps
- Grzegorz Szymanski – 3 reps
- Mika Törrö – 2 reps
Group 4
- Maxime Boudreault – 10 reps
- Martins Licis – 9 reps
- Pavlo Kordiyaka – 9 reps
- Gavin Bilton – 7 reps
- Nedžmin Ambešković – 2 reps
- Shane Flowers – Withdrawn
Group 5
- Luke Stoltman – 10 reps
- Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted – 8 reps
- Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf – 7 reps
- Kim Ujarak – 6 reps
- Kelvin De Ruiter – 1 rep
- Evan Singleton – 1 rep
Day Three Is Next
As the competition inches closer to the weekend’s Finals, the intensity will likely only increase. With clarity in some groups already carved out, the final day of qualifying on Thursday should make for a tight finish. Those on the borderline still trying to qualify will need every point they can get.
On Day Three, all of the athletes will have to hold a wrecking ball as long as possible in the Wrecking Ball Hold. Then, this year’s WSM will see the first appearance of the Atlas Stones in the Stone-Off as the athletes battle for the last spots in the Finals.
A clutch performance or two from some of the sport’s top contenders potentially awaits.
Featured image: Joe Martinez / World’s Strongest Man