Brian Shaw, arguably the greatest Strongman athlete of all time, recently shared a new video to his YouTube channel, sharing some exciting and surprising news. To begin with, Brian announced the athletes who will be participating in the 2023 Shaw Classic, which is set to take place on August 19-20. However, straight after, Shaw revealed that this will also be the final professional Strongman competition of his career.
Brian Shaw is widely regarded as one of the greatest strongmen of all time. He has won the World’s Strongest Man competition four times, which is an impressive feat. His career as a strongman has also seen him win the Arnold Strongman Classic three times, making him one of the most dominant forces in the sport of Strongman for over a decade.
Shaw made his own elite strongman competition, the Shaw Classic, a few years back, having held the inaugural edition in 2020. The event has grown to be one of the most prestigious and well-respected strongman competitions in the world. Now as the fourth edition is coming up, Brian revealed the 15-man lineup. In addition, one more athlete has been invited, but Shaw is still waiting on confirmation from him.
2023 Shaw Classic Roster
- Trey Mitchell
- Mitchell Hooper
- Oleksii Novikov
- Maxime Boudreault
- Kevin Faires
- Aivars Šmaukstelis
- Evan Singleton
- Bobby Thompson
- Luke Stoltman
- Tom Stoltman
- Adam Bishop
- Graham Hicks
- Pavlo Nakonechnyy
- Thomas Evans
- Brian Shaw
Related: Strongmen Brian Shaw and Eddie Hall Crash Planet Fitness for Hilarious Leg Workout
Brian Shaw’s Final Professional Strongman Appearance
Just a few months ago, Brian Shaw revealed that this year will be his last appearance at the World’s Strongest Man competition. However, he has now also revealed that the 2023 Shaw Classic will be his final Strongman competition in his professional career.
“It is incredibly difficult for me to organize, deal with everything behind the scenes, and also train for the competition… and I only feel like it is fitting for me to do my final Strongman competition at the Shaw Classic. At the event that I have created to give back to the sport that I love.
It is clear that Brian has dedicated a significant amount of time creating and refining the Shaw Classic, so it would be fitting for him to conclude his career with this event. He also finds that it will be a very special moment to retire at his own competition.
“It is tough for me to say those words, that this is going to be my final time stepping on that competition floor, but it is going to be. It is time to close this chapter of my career.”
In addition to discussing his retirement plans, Brian Shaw also addressed other aspects of the 2023 Shaw Classic, including the 2023 Shaw Classic Open. This division of the competition provides an opportunity for anyone to participate. In order to qualify for the Open division, the athletes must submit a video of them performing a Max Circus Dumbbell, Three-Rep Max Deadlift, and a Max Farmer’s Carry for 25 feet. The winner of the Open division will directly qualify to compete in the professional division next year. With his victory in the 2022 Shaw Classic Open, Thomas Evans is now among 15 world-class athletes who will compete in the professional division of the 2023 Shaw Classic.
“The Open is coming back… We are excited about the opportunity for all of these Open competitors… Thomas Evans earned his right to compete in 2023 by winning the (2022) Open.”
Another exciting news is that the 2023 Shaw Classic will be similar to an Expo, as numerous vendors, athletes, sponsors, and more, will have their booths in which they will interact with the visitors.
“We are actually doing an Expo. So, this year we will have vendors come in, we’ve got food trucks, we’ll have speakers… We really feel that it is going to add a lot to the overall event.”
Watch the video here:
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Brian Shaw is definitely one of the greatest Strongmen of all time, and his retirement will mark the end of an era in the sport. He has also inspired countless athletes to take up the sport of strongman, and his legacy will live on for years to come. However, Brian still hopes to claim another World’s Strongest Man title and rise out on top in the 2023 Shaw Classic before he wraps his career up.
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