It looks like Cordiaca is ready to add another trophy to his hall.
Pavlo Kordiaca had a spring to remember all as a professional strongman. At the beginning of April 2023, the Ukrainian athlete won his first European Strongest Man (ESM) title. Then, just weeks later on the third day of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM), he could have potentially earned the WSM title, had it not been for a controversial penalty. With the summer in full swing and a new title at the 2023 Shaw Classic (SC), Cordiaca looks primed to continue its recent momentum.
On July 17, 2023, Kordiaka posted a video to his Instagram page Locked out a 183-kilogram (403.4-pound) log press for three reps followed by a 130-kilogram (286.6-pound) power snatch.. According to the title of Strongman’s post, the recorded training session is part of ongoing preparation for the 2023 SC on August 19-20, 2023 in Loveland, CO.
Kordiaca’s profile may be less known than some of his peers, like defending WSM champion Michelle Hooper, but that doesn’t make him any less of a competitor. After Kordiaka toppled former 2020 WSM champion Oleksiy Novikov at the 2023 ESM and proved he could hold his own against Hooper, Novikov and former two-time WSM winner (2021-2022) Tom Stoltman at the 2023 WSM. The most elite level of sports.
While the trio of arguably more established peers stand by Cordiaca’s ambitions towards becoming the “strongest man on earth”, 2023 could be another coming-out party for the SC rival. Trey Mitchell is the two-time defending champion of the event.
Here’s an overview of the 2023 Shaw Classic roster that Cordiaca will have to conquer:
Here is a summary of SC’s events for 2023:
2023 Shaw Classic Events
Before winning the 2023 ESM, Kordiaca’s arguably career highlight was a first-place performance at the 2021 Official Strongman Games (OSG). According to their profile Strongman Archives, the 28-year-old has featured in 15 international competitions, winning four including the 2023 ESM. His place in the 2023 WSM finals is the first of his career.
Now they get a chance to build on those performances at the 2023 SC.
Breaking through against a cadre of star competitors may not be an easy task. Kordiaka can be sure that every one of his peers in the SC of 2023 will see him in the same intimidating, respectful fashion.
Featured Image: @pavlo_kordiyaka on Instagram
