Mr. Olympia 2021 Results: Final Info for Mamdouh Elssbiay, Brandon Curry, Top Stars
Oct 10, 2021
Egyptian bodybuilder Mamdouh Elssbiay, aka Big Ramy, poses on stage during a competition at the Arnold Classic Brazil 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 30, 2015. The 3rd annual multi-disciplinary sports competition is named after Austrian-American actor, politician and former bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger. AFP PHOTO / YASUYOSHI CHIBA (Photo credit should read YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images)
Mamdouh Elssbiay retained his title as Mr. Olympia after being crowned the winner of the 2021 event on Saturday night.
Big Ramy took the top prize, followed by Brandon Curry and Hadi Choopan to round out the top three.
BREAKING: BIG RAMY WINS MR OLIMPIA FOR THE SECOND SUCCESSIVE YEAR AFTER A SPECTACULAR SHOW ❤️🇪🇬
The judges seemed to be settled on Elssbiay and Curry right at that moment, but they continued to go through the callout process for the other competitors.
Mohamed Shaaban, Akim Williams, Iain Valliere, Justin Rodriguez, Roelly Winklaar and James Hollingshead were in the second callout. Regan Grimes, Patrick Moore, Hassan Mostafa and Andrea Presti made it into callout number three.
The judges continued to shuffle those groups around before finally landing on Elssbiay and Curry in the final callout of prejudging. Both bodybuilders went through their poses to set up Saturday's showdown.
Elssbiay becomes the 11th bodybuilder in the history of Mr. Olympia to win at least two overall titles. The Egyptian star joins a group that includes Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman, Phil Heath and Jay Cutler.
Heath, the seven-time Mr. Olympia, opted against participating in this year's event after coming in third last year.
Curry, the 2019 champion, has now finished in the top two in three consecutive years at Mr. Olympia.
Hadi Choopan benefited from Heath's absence this year. The Iranian star moved up a spot to No. 3 after coming in fourth in 2020, behind Elissbiay, Curry and Heath. He's finished in the top four in each of the past three years.
Arnold Classic 2021 Results: Winner, Highlights, Prize Money, Twitter Reaction
Sep 26, 2021
COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 25: Steve Kuclo and Nick Walker compete in the Arnold Classic on September 25, 2021, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Arnold Classic returned Saturday night after a six-month delay. The annual bodybuilding competition was postponed from its traditional March date this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2021 event had a different feel for several reasons. The festival, which usually takes place over the course of an entire weekend, was condensed to a single day of competition with a total of $412,000 in prize money up for grabs.
Saturday's bodybuilding competition featured 42 athletes competing in three events, including classic physique, fitness international and bikini international.
2021 Arnold Classic Winners
Overall: Nick Walker
Classic Physique (Men): Logan Franklin
Fitness (Women): Missy Truscott
A new men's overall champion was guaranteed to be crowned even before the event started. William Bonac, who won in 2018 and 2020, announced Friday he was unable to make it to Columbus, Ohio, because of travel issues stemming from the pandemic.
Cedric McMillan, the 2016 champion, and Roelly Winklaar also weren't in attendance because of injuries.
Those absences opened the door for some new blood. Iain Valliere had plenty of momentum coming into the Arnold Classic. The 26-year-old won the Tampa Pro and Texas Pro bodybuilding shows in August.
Even though it seemed like Valliere had the momentum coming into the event, there was an indication during the pre-judging that Nick Walker and Steve Kuclo were favored by the judges.
Walker and Kuclo squared off in the final round of pre-judging, with Valliere on standby.
Per Greg Merritt of Barbell.com, Walker is the youngest winner (27) of this event in 30 years:
Nick Walker wins 2021 Arnold Classic. He's the youngest winner in 30 years. Full story here: https://t.co/8uGzfb5NYy
1. Nick Walker 2. Iain Valliere 3. Steve Kuclo 4. Justin Rodriguez 5. Akim Williams 6. Justin Rodriguez pic.twitter.com/C5WVxmw1H1
Fans who will be curious to know how Walker would have fared against Bonac will likely get their answer very soon. Both men are currently scheduled to take part in the Mr. Olympia competition during the Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend from Oct. 7-10.
The top four in the men's classic physique during the afternoon competition were Alex Cambronero, Logan Franklin, Courage Opera and Terrence Ruffin.
Cambronero, the 2020 winner in this event, was looking to become the first repeat champion in the classic physique since it was added to the rotation in 2018.
Instead, the judges chose Franklin for his first win at this event. He also won $10,000 as part of his prize package.
Franklin is the fourth different winner in the men's classic physique in the past four years. He joins a group that includes Cambronero, George Patterson and Breon Ansley.
The women's fitness competition turned into another triumph for Missy Truscott. The American star beat out runner-up Oksana Grishina and Ariel Khadr to retain her crown.
Truscott's win sets her up to potentially become the fourth woman in history to win Arnold Classic and Fitness Olympia titles in consecutive years. The three women currently in that group include Grishina, Adela Garcia, and Susie Curry.
Ugandan Weightlifter Julius Ssekitoleko Missing in Japan Ahead of Tokyo Olympics
Jul 16, 2021
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 05: Julius Ssekitoleko of Uganda competes during the Weightlifting Men's 56kg Final on day one of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre on April 5, 2018 on the Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Ugandan weightlifter Julius Ssekitoleko is missing in Japan leading up to the Tokyo Olympics.
Per Motoko Rich, Makiko Inoue and Hisako Ueno of the New York Times, Olympic officials said they have been unable to locate Ssekitoleko after he failed to show up for a mandatory COVID-19 test Friday afternoon.
Rob Picheta and Junko Ogura of CNN.com reported officials said Ssekitoleko left a note "saying his life in the African country was too difficult and he wanted to work in Japan."
The Times noted that the 20-year-old is among nine Ugandan athletes who have been staying at Izumisano, a city in Osaka Prefecture, since last month as they continue to prepare for the start of the Games.
Per the New York Times, Salim Musoke, the president of the Uganda Weightlifting Federation, said Ssekitoleko didn't qualify for the Olympics and was scheduled to travel back to Uganda on Tuesday.
According to Mari Yamaguchi of the Associated Press, Hiroyasu Chiyomatsu, mayor of Izumisano, said officials "received reports of possible sightings of Ssekitoleko at a nearby train station."
In April, Olympic organizers and the International Olympic Committee unveiled plans for a bubble that athletes would be required to stay in during the Games.
The plan also includes mandatory daily coronavirus testing for every Olympic and Paralympic athletes. The bubble locations include the Olympic Village as well as venues and training areas.
Yoshihide Suga, Japan's prime minister, announced last week that the Olympics would be held without spectators in the stands because of the recent state-of-emergency declaration in the country.
According to the New York Times, one coach and one athlete from Uganda's athlete delegation tested positive for COVID-19 upon arriving in Japan last month, but it's unknown if Ssekitoleko was one of them.
World’s Strongest Man 2021 Results: Tom Stoltman Earns 1st Career Win at Event
Jun 21, 2021
Weightlifting equipment is seen at the fitness centre during a media tour of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Village in Tokyo on June 20, 2021. (Photo by Behrouz MEHRI / AFP) (Photo by BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP via Getty Images)
There was probably more drama than he hoped for in the final day of competition, but Tom Stoltman is the world's strongest man.
The 27-year-old won the title Sunday in Sacramento, California, by holding off a late charge from second-place finisher Brian Shaw and third-place finisher Maxime Boudreault. Stoltman finished in second place last year, but defending champion Oleksii Novikov did not even advance to the final round out of qualifying this time around.
It didn't look like there would be an exciting finish entering the competition Sunday after Stoltman cruised through the first day of the finals.
— SBD World's Strongest Man (@WorldsStrongest) June 20, 2021
He won the Giant's Medley and Titan's Turntable and then tied for second in the Keg Toss event.
Andrew Gutman of Barbend noted Stoltman's seven-point lead was the largest in World's Strongest Man history after two events. Even after Shaw set the record with a keg toss of 7.75 meters, Stoltman still led by 5.5 points.
That cushion proved critical because Shaw cut the lead to a single point after the Log Lift and KNAACK Deadlift.
— SBD World's Strongest Man (@WorldsStrongest) June 20, 2021
However, the final event of the Atlas Stones just so happened to be Stoltman's speciality. Gutman noted he is nicknamed "The King of Stones" and looked the part by loading all five stones that weighed between 310 and 465 pounds in a mere 20.21 seconds.
Stoltman's brother, Luke, finished in seventh.
"If I didn't have Luke, I wouldn't be sitting here as World's Strongest Man," the victor said, per Emily Adams of USA Today. "He is the one that keeps my head up when I'm performing not the best, and he helps me get through to the finish, which is exactly what he did today."
Adams noted Stoltman also fulfilled a promise to win the event that he made his mother, who died five years ago.
"My mom was the reason," Stoltman said. "When I make I promise, I want to fulfill that promise. I just used the adrenaline, and her and my family back home as well. I just put it all up into one big ball and use that to help me get over the [finish] line."
It was that last push in the final event that gave him the title.
World’s Strongest Man 2021 Results: Latest Point Standings After Finals Day 1
Jun 20, 2021
Brian Shaw, winner of the world's strongest man competition throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Tom Stoltman is in line to win his first World's Strongest Man competition.
The 27-year-old Scottish competitors ended Day 1 of the two-day finals with 28.5 points, five-and-a-half clear of second-place finisher Brian Shaw. Stoltman won the Giant Medley and Titan's Turntable and tied for second in the Reign's King Toss.
OId Sacramento Waterfront in Sacramento, California, is the home of the World's Strongest Man. Ten finalists emerged from a three-day qualifying round that ran from Tuesday through Thursday.
After a one-day break, the finalists were tasked with participating in the aforementioned three events Saturday.
Each competitor was given anywhere from one through 10 points based on his finish. First place merited a 10-point result, second place was worth nine points and so on.
Here's a look at the standings through Saturday. Results are through Andrew Gutman of BarBend. As Gutman noted, all results should be considered unofficial until the conclusion of the World’s Strongest Man Facebook Live show.
Giant Medley involves competitors carrying a 970-pound Super Yoke for 10 meters. The men then had to hoist a 772-pound Frame Carry for 15 meters to the finish line.
Adam Bishop and Shaw can be seen here in the final portion of that event:
— SBD World's Strongest Man (@WorldsStrongest) June 19, 2021
The Titan's Turntable was a particularly grueling endeavor, with competitors taking a 30-ton train and moving it around a wooden turntable. Per Gutman, it was 97 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of this competition. Here's how that one looked:
— SBD World's Strongest Man (@WorldsStrongest) June 20, 2021
Shaw, Tom Stoltman and Maxime Boudreault all managed to complete the toss at 7.5 meters, continuing an epic three-man battle. In the end, Shaw was the only one to launch a successful 7.75-meter toss for the event win.
Stoltman has made four World's Strongest Man appearances. He didn't make the finals in 2017 but took fifth in 2018 and second in 2020.
The 27-year-old looks like he'll take it home, but he's not in the clear just yet. That's because Shaw, a four-time World's Strongest Man winner who hasn't finished worse than sixth since 2009, is still in the mix.
Sunday will mark the final day of the World's Strongest Man competition. The 10 finalists will take part in three events: Log Lift, Knaack Deadlift and Atlas Stones. The action will start at 11 a.m. ET.
World’s Strongest Man 2021 Results: Latest Point Standings After Day 3
Jun 18, 2021
Brian Shaw of the US lifts weights during the Max Overhead competition of the 2018 Worlds Strongest Man in Manila on May 5, 2018. (Photo by NOEL CELIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read NOEL CELIS/AFP via Getty Images)
The third and final day of the World's Strongest Man qualifiers took place on Thursday at Old Sacramento Waterfront in Sacramento, California.
Competitors, who have been split into five groups during qualifiers, took part in three events Thursday: Overhead Medley, Pickaxe Hold and Stone Off.
Following the Pickaxe Hold, the five group leaders with the most points accumulated until that juncture moved onto the finals, with the second- and third-place finishers in each group facing off in individual Stone Off battles to determine the last crew of finalists.
There was more news outside those results, however.
It was also a bittersweet day as WSM legend Terry Hollands, who withdrew from the competition, announced his retirement at 42 years of age:
Hollands registered third-place finishes in the 2007 and 2011 Strongman competitions.
The finals are up next, and they will occur over a two-day period beginning Friday. Until then, however, here's a look at results and highlights from that trio of competitions.
Group 1: Brian Shaw (United States): 4 reps, 34.72 seconds
Group 2: Trey Mitchell (United States): 4 reps, 29.77 seconds
Group 3: JF Caron (Canada): 4 reps, 33.72 seconds
Group 4: Adam Bishop (United Kingdom): 3 reps, 27.74 seconds
Group 5: Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine): 4 reps, 24.83 seconds
Pickaxe Hold (Group Winners)
Group 1: Aivars Smaukstelis (Latvia): 32.51 seconds
Group 2: Trey Mitchell (United States): 29.77 seconds
Group 3: Robert Oberst (United States): 48.03 seconds
Group 4: Jerry Pritchett (United States): 35.39 seconds
Group 5: Bobby Thompson (United States): 41.72 seconds
10 Finalists
Group Winners
Group 1: Brian Shaw (United States): 19.5 points
Group 2: Trey Mitchell (United Stated): 19 points
Group 3: JF Caron (Canada): 20 points
Group 4: Konstantine Janashia (Georgia): 21 points
Group 5: Bobby Thompson (United States): 18 points
Stone-Off Winners
Group 1: Maxime Boudreault (Canada) def. Aivars Smaukstelis (Latvia)
Group 2: Tom Stoltman (United Kingdom) def. Mark Felix (United Kingdom)
Group 3: Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted (Iceland) def. Robert Oberst (United States)
Group 4: Adam Bishop (United Kingdom) def. Jerry Pritchett (United States)
Group 5: Luke Stoltman (United Kingdom) def. Bobby Thompson (United States)
Overhead Medley
Fourteen competitors were able to successfully complete the overhead medley, which consisted of strongmen performing an overhead press on four successive weights of increasing heaviness. There were two heavy dumbbells (210 pounds and 220 pounds), a circus barbell (342 pounds) and an axle barbell (360 pounds).
— SBD World's Strongest Man (@WorldsStrongest) June 17, 2021
However, that was only good enough for third in his group, which Trey Mitchell won thanks to a time of 29.77 seconds.
The star of the show was Ukranian strongman (and 2020 WSM winner) Oleksii Novikov, who dominated with a 24.83-second performance. That mark was the fastest of the day by just eighth-tenths of a second over Luke Stoltman.
— SBD World's Strongest Man (@WorldsStrongest) June 17, 2021
That duo finished two seconds clear of anyone else in this competition.
Pickaxe Hold
This task was quite simple, as competitors needed to hold a pickaxe for as long as possible in front of them. The longest time won.
Robert Oberest's competition-best performance of 48.03 seconds secured a stone-off spot for the American, who was cheered on by adoring fans during his epic performance:
— SBD World's Strongest Man (@WorldsStrongest) June 17, 2021
Group 1 was an incredibly close affair, as Aivars Smaukstelis (32.51 seconds) edged Gavin Bilton (31.02 seconds) and Maxime Boudreault (30.64 seconds). Mitchell was the only other competitor to come close to Oberst's time, as he managed to hold the axe for 46.13 seconds to win Group 2.
Stone-Off
The unique stone-off competition involved two competitors taking turns lifting stones above a wooden bar.
Per Gutman, the duos lifted six stones of ascending weights from 310 to 465 pounds. If the two men were able to get that far, then they took turns lifting the 465-pound stone until a winner was declared.
Here's Luke Stoltman (the eventual winner) and Kevin Faires in action.
— SBD World's Strongest Man (@WorldsStrongest) June 18, 2021
There was one notable absence in this round: Novikov finished fourth in his group, losing out on a spot in the final due to a tiebreaker with Faires. The tough Group 4 saw Bobby Thompson and Luke Stoltman finish with 18 points and Faires and Novikov tying for 17.
In the end, the five Stone-Off winners filled out the 10-finalist group to officially end the qualifying round.
World’s Strongest Man 2021 Results: Tom Stoltman Headlines Leaders After Day 1
Jun 16, 2021
Hafthor Julius Bjornsson of Iceland (C) and Mateusz Kieliszkowski (R) of Poland lift concrete spheres during the Atlas Stones competition of the 2018 World's Strongest Man in Manila on May 6, 2018. (Photo by NOEL CELIS / AFP) (Photo by NOEL CELIS/AFP via Getty Images)
The World's Strongest Man is back, with the event opening on Tuesday and set to run until June 20.
Below we'll preview the day's action, as competitors participated in the loading medley, squat and deadlift during qualifying.
Day 1 Leaders
Group 1: Brian Shaw (8.5 points)
Group 2: Tom Stoltman (9 points)
Group 3: JF Caron (9 points)
Group 4: Konstantine Janashia (9 points)
Group 5: Kevin Faires and Bobby Thompson (tied with 8 points)
The first day had participants competing in two events—the loading medley and either the squat or deadlift.
The loading medley was no joke, requiring the athletes to load a 275-pound anvil and two 225-pound barrels onto a platform before racing to carry the 825 pounds to the finish.
Only seven participants fully completed the event, with Stoltman (0:46.69) easily registering the best time. Faires (0:59.64) had the second best showing.
— SBD World's Strongest Man (@WorldsStrongest) June 15, 2021
The squat lift was a bit more straightforward, with the athletes attempting to squat 700 pounds for as many reps as possible. Only two groups participated in squats.
— SBD World's Strongest Man (@WorldsStrongest) June 16, 2021
Finally, three groups competed in the deadlift, with Thompson and Adam Bishop topping the event at nine reps.
Not everybody made it through the day's competition, with Luke Richardson withdrawing from the event.
The World's Strongest Man continues Wednesday, with the qualifying events of Fingal's Fingers and the train pull.
The Mountain' Hafthor Bjornsson Retires from World's Strongest Man Competition
Aug 11, 2020
Actor Hafthor Bjornsson participates in the launch of Monster Energy's Reign Total Body Fuel at Greeley Square Park on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
One of the most imposing figures both on screen and in sports, Hafthor Bjornsson, is retiring from the World's Strongest Man Competition:
Known best among wider audiences for portraying Ser Gregor Clegane on HBO's Game of Thrones—better known as "The Mountain"—the 6'9", 452-pound athlete earned the title of World's Strongest Man in 2018, earned three consecutive Arnold Strongman Classics (2018, 2019, 2020) and currently holds the record for the heaviest deadlift at 1,104 pounds.
Bjornsson, 31, made his decision following his 10th-straight win at Iceland's Strongest Man competition where he finished first in all six events.
"Great way to finish my strongman career," Bjornsson said. "Now a different journey starts and I'm super excited. Maybe I'll never return but never say never right. I'm still only 31 years old and could come back in a few years if my heart wants it."
The Iceland native says right now his heart tells him to be with his family.
He deserves just as much credit for not ending his career with the Game of Thronescliche that would fit way too perfectly here.
Arnold Sports Festival Won't Allow Spectators, Expo Amid Coronavirus Fears
Mar 3, 2020
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 18: Arnold Schwarzenegger is seen during the Arnold Sports Festival Africa 2019 at Sandton Convention Centre on May 18, 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
The Arnold Sports Festival, an annual multisport event held in Columbus, Ohio that features more than 22,000 athletes competing in 85 competitions, will largely be held without spectators and canceled its trade expo as a result of growing concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Max Filby of the Columbus Dispatch quoted Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who said that having spectators at the events and holding the large trade show "simply was an unacceptable risk."
"Things are rapidly evolving, and given the uniqueness of this particular event we must do anything we can to slow the spread of the disease into Ohio and keep our guests and citizens as safe as we can," DeWine added.
The four-day event is slated to begin Thursday. Fans will be let in the doors Sunday for finals.
Columbus mayor Andrew J. Ginther noted that the plan was a "safer and healthier path forward" and that he "needed to listen to public health officials, experts and the changing advice and guidance given to us by the CDC."
A total of 92,700 coronavirus cases have been confirmed worldwide, with 118 in the United States per the New York Times. At least 3,158 people have died.
No cases have been confirmed in Ohio, but the state's health department director Dr. Amy Action said that "this situation is going to continue to spread" and that "we will see cases in Ohio eventually."
Former actor, bodybuilder and California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is the namesake for the event, and he issued a statement on Twitter following the news:
It’s a sad day for me and everyone at the @ArnoldSports team. But we will always put our fans’ health first. After discussions with @GovMikeDeWine, @MayorGinther, and the CDC, we will be postponing the expo because we can’t risk bringing 250,000 people together with #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/Fuzcmapxiy
Most of the events will take place in the Columbus Convention Center. Weightlifting is the first sport on the schedule.
Britain's Strongest Man 2020 Results: Adam Bishop Wins Title over Tom Stoltman
Jan 18, 2020
GUILDFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Harlequins Strength and Conditioning coach, Adam Bishop looks on during a Forwards weights session at Surrey Sports Park on December 5, 2018 in Guildford, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images for Harlequins)
Adam Bishop was named the 2020 Britain's Strongest Man on Saturday after last year's runner-up clinched his maiden title at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield, England.
Defending champion Graham Hicks was absent from the Giants: Live lineup as Britain crowned a new Strongest Man, while brothers Tom and Luke Stoltman finished in second and third, respectively.
Bishop's victory means an Englishman has won the last 16 editions of this competition. Northern Irishman Glenn Ross was the last non-English competitor to clinch the title in 2001.
Scot Tom Stoltman, 25, improved to take the silver medal this year after finishing third on this podium 12 months ago, while older sibling Luke, 35, finished among the top three for the first time in this contest.
The runner-up registered a new world record of 16.01 seconds in the final event, the Castle Stones, but failed to surpass champion Bishop's mark of 56 points, per charity organiser Peter Cross:
One-time World's Strongest Man Eddie Hall (2017), whose five Britain's Strongest Man titles (2014-18) are more than any other competitor, was also in attendance at the FlyDSA Arena.
The field looked close after the opening event, the Log Ladder, but Bishop opened an advantage in front after the second challenge and never relinquished first place.
Younger Stoltman brother Tom closed the gap to within half a point after Event 3, but he lost pace with the leader when Irishman Pa O'Dwyer won the Conan's Wheel with a triumphant turn of 782 degrees.
Bishop, who has worked as a strength and conditioning coach for Premiership rugby club Harlequins, should be overjoyed with his result after he was only 1.5 points shy of Hicks' winning score in 2019.
The Stoltman siblings can also be proud of their achievement of stepping on the podium together, the first time two Scots have finished among the top three in this competition since 1995.
No strongman has managed to successfully defend the trophy since the event moved to Sheffield in 2018, though Bishop will hope to break that curse should he return in 2021.
