The incentive to win the Shaw Classic just got a lot spicier.
The winner of the 2023 Shaw Classic (SC) will now officially earn the title of “Strongest Man on Earth”.
In an interview video posted to YouTube on July 17, 2023, Brian Shaw, four-time World’s Strongest Man (WSM) champion (2011, 2013, 2015-2016) and organizer of the annual SC, trademarked “”Earth’s Strongest Man” by Paul Ohl.” The award was previously given to the winner of Fortissimus, a strongman competition organized by Ohl from 2008-2009.Shaw and Ohl discussed what the title transfer means for SC’s future in their conversation.
After trying to gain traction in 2008, a lack of sponsorships led Fortissimus to shut down the competition indefinitely in 2009. The competition never returned, but Ohl and organizers still trademarked “The Strongest Man on Earth.” As the winner of the 2009 edition, four-time WSM champion (2009-2010, 2012, 2014) Zydrunas Savikas is technically the defending and eventual champion of the competition.
Shaw maintains that he approached Ohl for the name change because he believes it will add legitimacy to SC’s growth as a tentpole strongman competition, which at the time of this writing has only had three iterations (2020-2022).
It’s certainly another part of their potential prize with a current roster of elite contenders. Here is an overview of the field in 2023 SC:
2023 Shaw Classic Roster
Here is a summary of expected events at the 2023 SC:
2023 Shaw Classic Events
Note: Atlas Stones 2023 does not appear to be SC’s closing event, as it is among other powerful competitions.
Trey Mitchell is the two-time defending SC champion but faces a handful of peers waiting to take his throne. The most notable contenders, aside from Shaw, are a trio of modern WSM champions – Mitchell Hooper (2023, reigning), Tom Stoltman (2021–2022), and Oleksiy Novikov (2020). The title of “The Strongest Man on Earth” now awaits the latest winner, which should add more incentive to the exciting battle of the mighty on August 19-20, 2023 in Loveland, CO.
Featured Image: @shawstrength on Instagram
