Ex-Strongman champ Laurence Shahlaei predicts ‘stacked’ World’s Strongest Man with ‘Polish Terminator’ set to return

LAURENCE Shahlaei believes 2023 “could be one of the best battles we’ve seen in a long time” at World’s Strongest Man.

The 2023 pool of athletes heading into this year’s competition in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is exceptionally deep.

Instagram / Laurence ShahlaeiLaurence is a former Britains (twice) and Europe’s Strongest Man[/caption]

Channel 5He also competed eleven times at WSM[/caption]

Eleven-time WSM competitor Laurence and his wife Liz, with whom he hosts the Big Loz podcast, recently explained to The U.S. Sun how he believes “could be potentially a lot more shocks” this year.

THE GRIP KING

For seventeen-time competition Mark Felix, 2023 will mark his final appearance at WSM.

Described by Laurence as “genuinely such a lovely person,” he was full of admiration for his “good friend.”

He said: “The guy’s gonna be 57 competing at the World’s Strongest Man. It’s pretty crazy, to be able to do that.

“And even though he’s not maybe won of the most titles, he’s inspired so many people to get off the sofa and go to the gym and, and train and, you know, he’s held a job the whole time as well.

“He’s worked the whole time. Inspired a lot of people that anything’s possible.”

Hector Vivas / World’s Strongest ManFelix is known for his incredible grip strength[/caption]

‘THE ONE GUY YOU NEVER BEAT’

Then there’s Brian Shaw.

The 41-year-old American heads to Myrtle Beach looking to close out his WSM career with a record-tying fifth title.

Liz noted that Shaw was “the one guy you never beat,” to which Laurence responded, “Yeah, thanks for that.”

On a more serious note, he complimented Shaw for his “longevity and consistency at the top,” noting: “To not get a bad injury at that level and pull out is quite incredible when you think of how demanding this sport is.”

Liz also added how “he’s always been an advocate for the athletes as well.”

She explained: “Brian, he’s always pushed to make the sport better, make promoters work harder – Probably been a bit of a pain for them in some respects, but he’s been a driving force.”

AFPShaw has reached the podium at WSM ten times[/caption]

POTENTIAL SHOCKERS

But while Felix and Shaw will be looking to go out on top, there are plenty of youngsters hoping to spoil the party.

For example, look no further than the likes of Ukraine’s Pavlo Kordiyaka, 27, who Laurence described as “an exceptionally good athlete.”

Then there’s “Evan Singleton who has all the potential to be a contender.”

There’s also Singleton’s fellow Americans Trey Mitchell, 29, and Bobby Thompson, 30, the latter of whom Laurence coaches.

He said Thompson was “looking really good right now and he’s one of those athletes with the right events can be very, very dangerous.”

Laurence also said: “I think the biggest shock will be before we go, people will be saying some of their favorite names for the overall win.

“Some of those names will not make the final this year, and that’s gonna be the biggest shock I think.”

Not that such shocks would be new.

Look no further than last year when Shaw scraped through to the final via the stone-off after finishing behind rookie Mitchell Hooper, 27, in the groups.

Joe Martinez/World’s Strongest ManKordiyaka (R) was knocked out in the group stages last year by Canada’s Maxime Boudreault (L)[/caption]

‘TITLE CONTENDERS’

And after a remarkable first year in the sport, Laurence is confident that Hooper, who he also coaches, is among this year’s title contenders.

He said: “I think really when you’re looking at title contenders, you’re looking at like Tom Stolman, (Oleksii) Novikov, Mitch Hooper.

But there is another outsider who could provide a shock result – Poland’s Mateusz Kieliszkowski.

Referred to by Liz as “the Polish Terminator,” Kieliszkowski’s career has been hampered by injuries.

However, in his last two finals appearances, in 2018 and 2019, he finished as runner-up in both.

At his first appearance this year at the Arnold Strongman Classic, he finished second despite not having competed since October 2021.

But the winner of that contest was none other than Hooper, on what was his first attempt.

And then there’s the ever-present Shaw, who Laurence said is “always still dangerous.

“I wouldn’t have him as like top three, but I wouldn’t bet against him being top three as well.”

World’s Strongest Man/Joe MartinezHooper rose to prominence at last year’s competition[/caption]

THE TOP THREE

While the ten finalists are anybody’s guess at this point, with Liz predicting that “the groups are gonna be stacked,” she and Laurence agreed on their favorites to make the podium.

He explained: “I think the top three will be in no particular order – I think Mitch Hooper, Tom Stoltman, and Novikov.

“That would be my top three if I was gonna put money on it.”

Joe Martinez / World’s Strongest ManStoltman, 28, is the reigning back-to-back WSM champion[/caption]

Joe Martinez / World’s Strongest ManNovikov, 27, is a former WSM champion[/caption]