The 2026 Arnold Strongman Classic is set to take place on March 6-7 in Columbus, Ohio. However, with less than two months left until the competition, one of the most exciting athletes in the sport, Tom Stoltman, turned to YouTube and shared some news. Specifically, the three-time World’s Strongest Man has decided to withdraw from the 2026 Arnold Strongman Classic.
Tom Stoltman was considered one of the favorites to take the title at the 2026 Arnold Strongman Classic. However, once he sat down to plan his season, Tom decided what his priorities are. It turned out that competing at the ASC would put him in a very difficult situation for some other competitions that are coming up.
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Tom Stoltman Withdraws From 2026 Arnold Strongman Classic
Luckily, Tom Stoltman’s withdrawal did not come as a result of an injury but was instead a strategic decision that he decided to make. The main reason why he withdrew was his desire to pursue the fourth title at the 2026 World’s Strongest Man. This would make Tom one of just six athletes in history to win the WSM four or more times. Brian Shaw, Zydrunas Savickas, Magnús Ver Magnússon, and Jón Páll Sigmarsson have won four titles, while Mariusz Pudzianowski holds the record with five victories.
“I’ve pulled out of the Arnold Classic in Ohio. I thought, people are watching this and I want to tell you guys I’m not doing the Arnold Classic in Ohio. I decided to pull out of that and really concentrate on a 12- to 14-week prep for World’s (WSM).”
Tom Stoltman is also set to compete at the 2026 Britain’s Strongest Man, which will take place on February 7th in Sheffield. So, he did not feel comfortable competing at the Arnold Strongman Classic just one month later. Moreover, having to travel to Ohio also played a key role in Tom’s decision, as transatlantic travel takes a big toll on him.
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“That means there’s less traveling for me to do. There’s not a competition in the way now. So I don’t have to kind of peak for Britain’s, go back down, quickly peak, go back down, and compete. Then between Britain’s and the World’s, not having that travel, which can really mess you up as well. So I just thought to sacrifice Arnold for a bit, and I really want that fourth (WSM) title. So, I’m going to go really hard into it.”
With the 2026 Arnold Strongman Classic out of Tom’s schedule, he can jump straight into the prep for the World’s Strongest Man after finishing up the 2026 Britain’s Strongest Man. It leaves him with three months to train for the competition, meaning that he doesn’t have to rush anything. Moreover, it will ease the mental pressure on Tom, as he has more time to prepare.
“And the way I’ve been training for Britain’s, if I can keep that for the next 14 weeks, then I’ll be on a good road to it, really. That is the reason why I pulled out of Arnold’s, because I know I am getting back to my best.
If I wasn’t training like I was for Britain’s, I would have done it. And then also, it gets me more time. I think there’s less stress and pressure on me because the Arnold’s this year, I think, would have been stressful and pressured knowing that I’m really wanting the fourth and then I would have been like trying to maybe question things again, trying to go heavier in training because World’s is coming up.
But now after Britain’s, I’ve got 14 weeks to kind of have some chill time. We’ve got a few things that we’re going to be doing…
I’ve had fun from this prep up to Britain as well. I think the reason I’ve had fun is because I’ve stayed in the country. I’ve not had to go to America. I’ve not had to go abroad and switch time differences. I’ve been in Scotland and England and I can say that if I’m in Scotland or if I’m in England or anywhere in the UK, I can eat the same food and it’s the same time difference.”
Watch the video here:
Related: Tom Stoltman Reveals Bicep Injury Following an Eighth-Place Finish at 2025 Strongest Man On Earth
Tom Stoltman made four appearances at the Arnold Strongman Classic in previous years, with his highest finish being third in 2024. He has now decided to skip the competition in order to focus on the World’s Strongest Man, hoping to reclaim his title after losing it to Rayno Nel in one of the most nail-biting finishes ever in 2025. However, Tom will first try to win the 2026 Britain’s Strongest Man.
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