Tag: arm wrestling
2023 Shaw Classic Updates: New Competitor, Arm Wrestling Matches & More Revealed By Brian Shaw
The 2023 Shaw Classic competition is growing in anticipation, as it is set to be a truly historic Strongman show for multiple reasons. For one, this will be the final pro Strongman contest for the 4x WSM Brian Shaw, who is also the host of the eponymous contest. However, in a new update video posted on YouTube, Brian has revealed some new information about the 2023 Shaw Classic. This includes the change of the lineup and the addition of arm wrestling matches to the show.
Firstly, Brian Shaw revealed that the 2023 Shaw Classic will be more than just a Strongman competition, but instead an Expo. This will increase the enjoyment of all visitors, as they will have the chance to meet some celebrity figures.
“The Expo is going to be amazing. There’s been a lot of work that’s been put into this. We are going to have a ton of guest speakers that are going to be presenting for free. So, this Expo is for free on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. A couple of the confirmed guest speakers are Ed Cohen, Joe Kenn, and Jujimufu. The list is going to be long. We’ll have male and female speakers.”
Addition Of Grip Events & Arm Wrestling To 2023 Shaw Classic
The next thing Brian Shaw addressed was the tedious pause between Strongman events and how he plans on utilizing that time. So, he has two ideas, first one being an addition of two grip events, one on Saturday and the other on Sunday. In addition, elite grip athletes will come in specifically to perform these two events and entertain the fans while Strongmen rest.
“Between these strongman events at the Shaw Classic, people are hoping to have a little bit more entertainment. So, we have listened to that. I’ve had these different ideas, and I feel like we’re going to test them out. So, number one, we’re going to have two different grip events. We’re going to have a bunch of ‘grip experts’, guys that are very high level in grip, come in and compete in two different events. So, one on Saturday and one on Sunday.”
However, grip events on their own are not enough to fill out the repertoire for two days of competition. So, Brian is organizing two major arm wrestling matchups with some big names from that scene. The names are not known yet, as they have not officially been paired, but Brian hopes to satisfy both Strongman and Arm Wrestling fans. In addition, he predicts that this will be the biggest arm wrestling event so far in terms of live audience.
“We are going to add arm wrestling this year. So, this is going to be something new. The goal is to have two different matches. One on Saturday as a part of the contest, and one on Sunday as a part of the contest. So, I’m working on everything on the back side of that and then getting the matches actually confirmed because we want to have really competitive matches that are entertaining, exciting, and hopefully appeal to all of the Strongman fans that will be there in attendance, as well as everybody from the arm wrestling world as well. To my knowledge, this will be the biggest live audience that has ever watched an arm wrestling match in person.”
Graham Hicks Replaced by Pavlo Kordiyaka
Going through the actual Strongman portion of the 2023 Shaw Classic, Brian Shaw revealed that Graham Hicks will not appear. He was originally named as a part of the roster, but he has since withdrawn. An incredible replacement has been found for him, as the 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man, Pavlo Kordiyaka, will step in.
“One update to this list is that Graham Hicks has pulled out of the contest. So, he will not be competing, unfortunately. To take Graham’s spot, we have confirmed Pavlo Kordiyaka. Amazing performance from Pavlo this year at the World’s Strongest Man.”
Reveal of The Final Competitor For The 2023 Shaw Classic
In addition, when Brian Shaw originally revealed the lineup, he confirmed fifteen athletes and left one pending. That was because the sixteenth and final competitor was not able to confirm his arrival at that time. However, he has now been given the green light and Brian revealed that the man in question was Mateusz Kieliszkowski. The Polish Strongman has had an incredible start to his career, but has unfortunately encountered a lot of setbacks during the past few years.
“In the sixteenth spot, we have Mateusz Kieliszkowski. So, Mateusz is confirmed now. What I will say is that he is having some treatment done on his knees. That was his biggest concern about confirming for this contest. He ended up kind of tweaking both of his knees with the stone throw event at the Arnold Classic this year. So, that was unfortunate. He is getting treatment on them, he feels like he’s going to be ready to go.”
Finally, just as a precaution, Brian Shaw has revealed who the reserve for the 2023 Shaw Classic will be. He has gone for Gavin Bilton who got his first International victory just a few days ago as well.
Watch the video here:
Related: Brian Shaw Announces Events For 2023 Shaw Classic
2023 Shaw Classic Full Lineup
Brian Shaw is excited and optimistic about the upcoming 2023 Shaw Classic, hoping that it will attract a large and enthusiastic audience, making it a sold-out event. This competition will take place on August 19-20. So, there is still time to prepare. However, although it is just the fourth edition of the show, it seems that it will be one of the biggest contests this year.
Published: 25 May, 2023 | 3:17 PM EDT
Big Ramy Takes On Larry Wheels In Arm Wrestling Match
Two-time Olympia champion Big Ramy recently took down Larry Wheels in an arm wrestling match.
There are few things more entertaining than two behemoths putting on a show to determine who is stronger. That is what happened when Larry Wheels took on Big Ramy in an arm wrestling match recently. In the end, it was the two-time Mr. Olympia who came out on top.
Wheels shared the video to his Instagram page. The powerlifter has gained three million followers on the social media platform and they were recently given a treat with this competition.
Big Ramy and Larry Wheels have built two of the best physiques in the world and have done it in different ways. Big Ramy has spent his career building a massive physique to win titles on the bodybuilding stage. That is exactly what he has done after winning the 2020 and 2021 Olympia titles in Orlando. He will look to make it three in a row in December as the competition moves back to Las Vegas.
Wheels has dabbled in many areas over the course of his career. He has recently returned to powerlifting and setting some new personal records in the gym. His strength is only increasing despite his other paths.
In recent months, Wheels has tried his hand at arm wrestling. He began with two losses to Aleksandr “Schoolboy” Toproll before squaring off with Brandon Allen. Wheels took the early rounds of the match before Allen was able to take over. In this recent video against Big Ramy, it seems as though Wheels was overmatched from the start.
Big Ramy is seen looking comfortable from the early moments of the video and even cracks a smile. It did not look like he was applying full pressure early on. Wheels is struggling to take down Big Ramy and is later defeated when Big Ramy decides to turn it on.
It was interesting to see Big Ramy participate in something like this given the risk of injury. As a bodybuilder, he is on special diets and workout plans all year round in order to be ready for competition. Larry Wheels has been training as a powerlifter and keeps his strength at a high. At the time of the arm wrestling match, Big Ramy was around 340 pounds, which is his offseason weight. Wheels usually weighs around 245-300 pounds given his current goals.
Larry Wheels will continue to put on a show when he hits the gym while focusing on arm wrestling. If he continues to take on or train with athletes like Big Ramy, it will be must-see action.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Larry Wheels Falls To Brandon Allen In Recent Arm Wrestling Match
Larry Wheels recently took on Brandon Allen in an arm wrestling match.
Larry Wheels has been putting up some incredible lifts in the gym. He has been crushing personal records in recent months and sharing his achievements to social media. While Wheels has found success and built a large following as a powerlifter, he has also dabbled in the sport of arm wrestling.
Recently, Wheels took on Brandon Allen in a best-of-six match where one competitor has to win four rounds to take home a victory. This comes after Wheels was defeated twice against Aleksandr Toproll, known as Schoolboy. Wheels got off to a strong start against Allen but in the end, it was a 4-2 victory for Allen.
The powerlifter used brute strength to win the first two rounds. After giving it his all early, Wheels seemed a bit tired and Allen took advantage. He would win rounds three and four with ease before Wheels regained some energy. Round five was a battle but Allen countered an early pull from Wheels before finishing off the match in round six.
There was some drama building up coming into the match. Larry Wheels shared a video to his YouTube channel showing some tall between the athletes leading up. This includes some comments about Allen’s coach and how Wheels believed there is no coach who could help.
Allen also mentioned that he had been training with Mike Ayello. Wheels also has experience training with Ayello and said that this could be his next opponent.
“I would shock him the next time. Matter of face, he might be my next opponent,” Larry Wheels said.
Brandon Allen joked about Wheels’ ability in training and even acknowledged the lack of following that he has compared to Wheels, who currently has 2.7 million followers on Instagram.
“From what he (Ayello) told me, there is no way you improved that much,” Brandon Allen said.
“You’re gonna disappoint your fans. My fans will be stoked, all six of them.”
Larry Wheels has recently posted some incredible lifts, such as a 950-pound squat and 140-pound dumbbell shoulder press for 17 reps. Wheels recently injured his quad in September after making his return to powerlifting. This came after his first venture in arm wrestling.
From what it sounds like, Wheels is not done in the sport. There is a great chance that he returns to arm wrestling for what could be another high-powered matchup. Wheels brings a big name and a big following into matches. Now, Wheels will be focused on fine-tuning his skills and preparing for his next match.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.