Only a few days before the 2021 Europe’s Strongest Man competition, world champion Tom Stoltman had to pull out, having tested positive for COVID-19...
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Only a few days before the 2021 Europe’s Strongest Man competition, world champion Tom Stoltman had to pull out, having tested positive for COVID-19. Fortunately for the Stoltman family and for Scottish pride, his older brother Luke Stoltman was there to carry the flag.
Luke showed that he was in strong form by tying for the win in the opening event, the Max Log Lift, with Graham Hicks on 195 kg. He was then able to maintain the lead for the rest of the contest with a consistent performance: Stoltman took 2nd place in three of the four remaining events.
"I’ve been doing this for almost 10 years, and I feel the most privileged… the happiest I’ve ever felt, right now", Stoltman said before laughing in delight after the Atlas Stones.
Unbelievably, this was Luke Stoltman’s first international title! The Highland Oak used to spend long periods of time working offshore on oil rigs before quitting his job in 2020, which has greatly helped his performances in strongman.
Stoltman edged out the 2020 World’s Strongest Man, Oleksii Novikov, by only 1.5 points when all was said and done. Novikov lost multiple points in the 200 kg Shield Carry for distance and, despite winning the Car Walk and the Atlas Stones, the Ukrainian was unable to catch up. He was still enjoying himself a lot, and it was clear to see when he congratulated Luke Stoltman after the Atlas Stones.
Graham Hicks was able to take his second career Europe’s Strongest Man podium, and his first since 2014, by holding off Rauno Heinla. The Estonian was not disappointed as he got some good news after the competition.
"This time I got an answer, they will invite me to the 2022 WSM. We will see!" Heinla wrote on Instagram.
The two residents of Ireland, Marius Lalas and Pa O’Dwyer, tied for 5th place overall, only 2.5 points off the podium.
A Difficult Log Lift
The World Log Lift Championships, featuring Cheick Sanou, were highly anticipated… But sadly, it wasn’t to be. Sanou missed his connecting flight in Paris and was in a taxi during the Max Log Lift.
Meanwhile, the opening weight of 180 kg was a massive struggle for the athletes. The first 7 competitors to try the log all failed! Rauno Heinla and Adam Bishop came very close to locking it out, but could not quite control it - Bishop was even thrown backwards when he dropped the log.
On-site commentator Bill Kazmaier speculated that these misses may have been caused by the bright arena lights shining in the athletes’ faces. Multiple athletes who failed the opening weight had managed 180 kg in the past. This was notably the case for Rauno Heinla, Adam Bishop, Johnny Hansson and Pa O’Dwyer.
Therefore, only 3 men registered a lift! Luke Stoltman and Graham Hicks both completed 195 kg, while Oleksii Novikov successfully locked out 180 kg and wisely stopped there. Hicks opted not to attempt 207.5 kg while Stoltman did so twice, but it just wasn’t in the cards on Saturday.
What’s Next?
The athletes will be able to rest up this week, but they will be back on the grind very soon. On Friday, September 17, at the WUS Dubai show, Mateusz Kieliszkowski will be making his return to competition after an 18-month absence. He will face elite athletes such as Oleksii Novikov, Jean-François Caron and Rauno Heinla, among others. The strongest women in the world will also be taking part in the inaugural World’s Ultimate Strongwoman competition. Strongman Archives will be following both contests!
Just a day later, on September 18, Giants Live will head to Glasgow, Scotland for the World Tour Finals. Tom and Luke Stoltman will both be there, squaring off against international challengers including Maxime Boudreault, Trey Mitchell, Evan Singleton and Kevin Faires.