Three full days of Qualifying rounds and a much-needed rest day have led to Day Four of the 2022 WSM contest and Day One of Finals on Saturday, May 28.

The Top 10 competitors are a highly competitive field including 2021 champion Tom Stoltman, three former champions — Oleksii Novikov, Martins Licis, and Brian Shaw — Maxime Boudreault, Luke Stoltman, Trey Mitchell, Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted, with Mitchell Hooper and Gabriel Rheaume both making their WSM debuts.

Here’s where the field stands after three big events.

2022 WSM Finals Leaderboard

Rank
Name
Points

1
Oleksii Novikov — Ukraine
28

2
Tom Stoltman — United Kingdom
26.5

3
Martins Licis — USA
20

4
Mitchell Hooper — Canada
19

5
Trey Mitchell — USA
18

6
Brian Shaw — USA
16.5

7
Luke Stoltman — United Kingdom
15.5

8
Maxime Boudreault — Canada
11.5

9
Gabriel Rheaume — Canada
6

10
Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted — Iceland
4

2022 WSM Day Four Results

Competitors entered the first day of Finals in their chance to secure a grasp on the title. While each Qualifying round tested two events per day, the Finals will push the competitors harder with three events each day, beginning with the KNAACK Giant’s Medley, Deadlift, and Flintstone Barbell.

KNAACK Giant’s Medley Results

The competitors were challenged with carrying two separate KNAACK-sponsored industrial tool storage lockers, each filled with 125 kilograms (276 pounds), on a trip halfway down a 20-meter (66-foot) course and back to the start. Competitors then had to immediately carry a 455kg (1,000-pound) yoke through the full course. As a medley, the entire event was performed to achieve the quickest time.

After the event, Brian Shaw was heard joking that the 1,000-pound yoke was “too light” — something only a four-time WSM champ could say.

Mitchell Hooper — 0:21.96s
Tom Stoltman — 0:24.75s
Oleksii Novikov — 0:24.84s
Luke Stoltman — 0:28.72s
Martins Licis — 0:30.60s
Brian Shaw — 0:30.78s
Trey Mitchell — 0:32.54s
Gabriel Rheaume — 0:33.87s
Maxime Boudreault — 0:34.11s
Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted — 0:37.61s

Deadlift

The finalists performed arguably the most relatable event for spectators — a 360kg (794-pound) deadlift for maximum reps in 75 seconds.

Oleksii Novikov put up a commanding performance, ignoring a simple nosebleed, to win the event with a solid 15 reps.

Oleksii Novikov — 15 reps
Tom Stoltman — 13 reps
Trey Mitchell — 13 reps 
Mitchell Hooper —12 reps
Brian Shaw — 12 reps
Martins Licis — 12 reps
Maxime Boudreault — 10 reps
Luke Stoltman — 9 reps
Gabriel Rheaume — 8 reps
Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted — 8 reps

Flintstone Barbell

For the first time in years, the Flintstone barbell made its return to the WSM contest. Lifters pressed increasingly heavier bars loaded with primitive stones rather than weight plates. The weights progressed 175kg (385 pounds), 190kg (420 pounds), 200kg (440 pounds), 212kg (470 pounds), 221kg (490 pounds), and finally 230kg (510 pounds).

Lifters had the option of pressing behind the neck or from the front rack position. Luke Stoltman set a world record as the first lifter to perform a 212kg (470 pound) Flintstone barbell press, breaking the 210kg (463 pound) record set by Gary Taylor in the 1995 WSM contest. Records continued to fall as the event proceeded.

In an unexpected turn of events, organizers needed to add extra rounds to continue testing competitors. A 240kg (530-pound) bar was added , followed by a 245kg (540 pound) bar to determine the winner. Oleksii Novikov put up another dominant performance for the day, showing his determination to drive towards the title.

Oleksii Novikov — 8 stones
Tom Stoltman — 7 stones
Martins Licis — 6 stones
Luke Stoltman — 4 stones
Brian Shaw — 4 stones
Trey Mitchell — 4 stones
Maxime Boudreault — 4 stones
Mitchell Hooper — 3 stones
Gabriel Rheaume — 2 stones
Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted — 2 stones

The Finals Proceed

With only one day remaining, the competitors’ opportunities to push forward are narrowing. Tomorrow’s events are WSM staples — the Bus Pull, the Reign Total Body Fuel Stairs, and the epic Atlas stones. Once they’re completed, the World’s Strongest Man will take the title.

Featured image: Joe Martinez/World’s Strongest Man