Strongman World Champion Novikov Withdraws from 2024 WSM Competition
In a surprising turn of events, the reigning 2020 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) champion, Oleksii Novikov, has officially pulled out of the 2024 edition of the prestigious competition. The announcement was made by WSM promoters on April 17, 2024, through a post on their official Instagram account.
The Ukrainian strongman’s withdrawal comes as a result of a biceps injury he sustained during his bronze-medal performance at the 2024 Europe’s Strongest Man (ESM) competition in Leeds, England, on April 13, 2024. Details surrounding the severity and specifics of Novikov’s injury were not provided at the time of reporting.
Novikov’s absence from the 2024 WSM contest joins the previously announced withdrawals of 2019 WSM champion Martins Licis and two-time WSM runner-up Mateusz Kieliszkowski. Licis’ decision came after an eighth-place finish at the 2024 Arnold Strongman Classic in Columbus, Ohio, while Kieliszkowski is still recovering from an Achilles tendon injury sustained during his training for the 2024 ESM.
“With these high-profile withdrawals, the 2024 WSM roster has three vacant spots, which are expected to be filled in the coming weeks, allowing the new competitors sufficient time to prepare and travel to the event.”
The competition is scheduled to take place from May 1-5, 2024, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Amidst the changes, the 2024 WSM roster still boasts two past champions: defending titleholder Mitchell Hooper and two-time winner Tom Stoltman (2021-22). The remaining athletes set to compete are:
- Austin Andrade
- Gavin Bilton
- Adam Bishop
- Marcus Crowder
- Wes Derwinsky
- Thomas Evans
- Shane Flowers
- Kane Francis
- Nathan Goltry
- Rauno Heinla
- Kristjan Jon Haraldsson
- Rob Kearney
- Pavlo Kordiyaka
- Trey Mitchell Evans
- Nana Mathew Ragg
- Jaco Schoonwinkel
- Evan Singleton
- Aivars Smaukstelis
- Luke Stoltman
- Bobby Thompson
- Eddie Williams
- Oskar Ziolkowski
Fans of the sport can stay tuned to BarBend for continued updates and coverage of the 2024 World’s Strongest Man competition as it unfolds in Myrtle Beach.
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