WSM Qualifying Round Previews: Group 4
2022-05-21 by Éloi Fournier
The fourth qualifying group at the 2022 World’s Strongest Man sets the stage for the return of 2019 WSM champion, Martins Licis, who did not take part in the competition in the past two years. After battling through multiple injuries, Licis has proven that he is now back to his best, winning the 2021 Rogue Invitational and the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic. He is certainly one of the main contenders, if not the favourite, for the title this year.
This group is not an easy one: Licis will have to contend with Maxime Boudreault, who stood on the podium last year in Sacramento. Boudreault almost beat Licis in the Arnold USA competition two years ago, and he is always a threat.
Two newcomers who have done extremely well recently on the European strongman scene, Shane Flowers and Pavlo Kordiyaka, will be looking to put pressure on the two favourites. Kordiyaka just finished ahead of Flowers at Europe’s Strongest Man in April, the two men finishing 4th and 5th.
Welshman Gavin Bilton is also in this group after having dealt with some health concerns, and he will try to make the Final for the first time in his 3rd WSM appearance, while Nedžmin Ambešković is going to fly the Bosnian flag for the first time ever at WSM.
The Events
Multiple athletes in this group are fit and fast! Pavlo Kordiyaka and Shane Flowers are both young and should do well in the Loading Race, although nerves could play a role in their first ever WSM event. Maxime Boudreault and Martins Licis, meanwhile, have done very well in loading events in the past. In 2020, Licis won the Arnold USA with a phenomenal performance in the Loading Race to beat Boudreault.
The Deadlift Ladder will probably be difficult for Boudreault and Kordiyaka, for whom the deadlift has always been a weak point. Flowers will be expecting good points and so will Nedžmin Ambešković, who has lifted 440 kg in competition before. Licis could well win this event: he is a solid deadlifter and his great grip will allow him to save time on the first few lifts.
Licis, Kordiyaka and Flowers being fast athletes will again be an advantage for them in the Car Walk, while Boudreault has often struggled on yoke events.
The Canadian should bounce back in the Log Lift for reps, however, while the ever consistent Licis will be looking to put pressure on him.
The Wrecking Ball Hold is another good one for Licis and Boudreault, who have proven their worth many times in grip events.
This group features many very good stone lifters! If Licis has to perform the Stone Off, it should not be a problem for him, while Boudreault cannot afford to make a mistake in front of either Kordiyaka or Flowers. Being in second place going into this event could be a huge advantage in Group 4!
Some Head-to-head Matchups
Martins Licis 3-0 Maxime Boudreault (most recent meeting: 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic - Licis 1st, Boudreault 6th)
Maxime Boudreault 3-0 Gavin Bilton (most recent meeting: 2021 Giants Live World Tour Finals - Boudreault 7th, Bilton 10th)
Pavlo Kordiyaka 1-0 Shane Flowers (most recent meeting: 2022 Europe’s Strongest Man - Kordiyaka 4th, Flowers 5th)
Our picks: Martins Licis & Maxime Boudreault