On July 7, 2022, the Giants Stay Group introduced that Axle Press and Log Lift World Document holder Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou withdrew from the 2022 Giants Stay Strongman Traditional. Sanou withdrew after unexpected and undisclosed points with journey to the situation of the competition.
Sanou’s withdrawal has unlucky timing as this 12 months’s Strongman Traditional will happen just some days after, on July 9, 2022, on the Royal Albert Corridor in London, England. Two-time Australia’s Strongest Man (ASM) Champion (2017-2018) Eddie Williams is Sanou’s official substitute. On the time of this writing, Sanou has not provided extra specifics relating to his journey issues on any of his public platforms.
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Sanou’s withdrawal continues a current string of exits from this 12 months’s Strongman Traditional. In mid-June 2022, Georgia’s Konstantine Janashia left the contest as Canada’s Maxime Boudreault stuffed in. Then, in early July 2022, former Britain’s Strongest Man (2020) Adam Bishop had to pull himself out of the competition after tearing his triceps. Fellow United Kingdom strongman Gavin Bilton took up that vacant slot.
With the newest shuffle of athletes on the Strongman Traditional now official, right here is the place the present roster stands:
2022 Strongman Traditional Roster
- Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine) — Defending Champion
- Evan Singleton (United States) — 2021 second place
- Eddie Williams (Australia)
- Paul Smith (United Kingdom)
- Ken McClelland (United States)
- Maxime Boudreault (Canada)
- Rob Kearney (United States)
- Andy Black (United Kingdom)
- Mark Felix (United Kingdom)
- Spenser Remick (United States)
- Gavin Bilton (United Kingdom)
- Mitchell Hooper (Canada)
Listed below are the occasions for this 12 months’s Strongman Traditional:
2022 Strongman Traditional Occasions
- Dumbbell Medley
- The Pillars of Hercules
- Farmer’s Carry for Distance
- Axle Deadlift
- Citadel Stones
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Williams’ Return
At 29-years-old, Williams would possibly nonetheless be in search of a significant worldwide breakthrough as a strongman. Whereas he can boast two ASM titles, the athlete would undoubtedly prefer to make an even bigger identify for himself exterior of his residence nation. In keeping with Strongman Archives, Williams hasn’t competed in any contest in over two years. The 2022 Strongman Traditional will mark his return.
Notably, Williams has been a part of a Giants Stay contest earlier than, ending in seventh place on the 2019 Giants Stay North American Open. As well as, on one other worldwide stage, throughout his first and solely look on the 2019 World’s Strongest Man (WSM), Williams was unable to make it previous the Qualifying Spherical.
To notch a fantastic outcome, Williams will face powerful sledding from a area that options names like defending Strongman Traditional Champion Oleksii Novikov and rising stars akin to Wild Card Mitchell Hooper. The strongman sphere will in the end see how Williams manages his return to competitors on July 9, 2022, in London, England.
Featured picture: @giantslivestrongman on Instagram
