Tom Stoltman Wins 2021 World's Strongest Man in Sacramento
2021-06-21 by Éloi Fournier
The 2021 World's Strongest Man (WSM) competition is now over. After a
week of fantastic performances by 25 elite strength athletes, Tom
Stoltman is leaving Sacramento as the World's Strongest Man.
Stoltman knew it, too. As he left his native Scotland, he posted to
social media that he would be "coming home as the World's Strongest
Man."
Road to the Title
Tom Stoltman started his 2021 WSM campaign the right way on June 15,
setting the best time out of all groups in the Loading Medley. "The
Albatross" had struggled with his grip in the past, but he made the
frame carry portion of the Loading Medley look easy. Stoltman then tied
for the win in the Deadlift with Mark Felix and Trey Mitchell, putting
him in the driver's seat in group 2.
But then, a series of 3rd place finishes in the Train Push, Overhead
Medley and Pickaxe Hold meant that Mitchell won the group by a single
point. This forced Stoltman, the "King of Stones" to take on Mark Felix
in the Stone Off.
It was a mere formality for the eventual WSM Champion. Stoltman easily
matched Felix's 5 lifts, finishing on a 200 kg stone, qualifying him
for his 3rd consecutive WSM Final.
"The Albatross" went off to a blistering start in the Giant's Medley.
Despite almost being beaten by his older brother, Luke Stoltman, Tom
proceeded to win the event. He then dominated the Titan's Turntable,
giving him a 7-point lead - the largest lead after two events in the
history of WSM. A tie for 2nd place in the Reign Keg Toss put Stoltman
in a great position after 3 of 6 events.
In the Max Log Lift, however, Stoltman lost his balance while
attempting to press 195 kg, meaning that he would tie for 8th place in the event.
Still, the damage was limited by his closest rival, 4-time Champion
Brian Shaw, failing to lift 205 kg.
In the KNAACK Deadlift, Shaw again edged out Stoltman, 9 reps to 8,
closing the gap down to a single point. It would all come down to the
Atlas Stones, which were once Shaw's event.
But now, it's Tom Stoltman's event. And in a must-win situation, the 6-
foot-8 Scotsman delivered, completing the set in 20.21 seconds, more
than 8 seconds ahead of his closest rival, Canada's Maxime Boudreault.
Rare Occurrences
By winning his 1st WSM title, Tom Stoltman has become the 5th
first-time winner of the competition in the last 5 years. It is the
first time in WSM history that new champions have been crowned for 5 years in a row.
Stoltman is also the first WSM Champion to win the first two events in
the WSM Final since Vasyl Virastyuk did so, back in 2004.