The 2024 World’s Strongest Man is set to take place on May 1-5 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and unfortunate news once again strikes the competition. Being eager to compete at the most prestigious show of the season, many athletes push themselves to their limits in training. Well, recently, both Shane Flowers and Kristjan Jon Haraldsson got injured while working out. So they have now officially confirmed their withdrawal from the competition.
Shane Flowers
Shane Flowers has a history of bad luck regarding the World’s Strongest Man competitions, as this is his second time withdrawing due to injury. The first time happened back in 2022, when he withdrew during the group stages.
However, Shane Flowers has now been forced to make that decision even prior to the start of the competition. Unfortunately, while performing one of his final heavy workouts, Shane attempted to perform a standard Axle Press. However, just when he tried to lift the Axle bar up from the floor, he tore his right distal bicep tendon.
Shane Flowers happened to be filming the Axle Press attempt, which shows the exact moment that his injury occurred. He was also immediately aware of what happened and let out a few soul-crushing screams.
Shane Flowers has already undergone surgery to reattach his bicep, and will now take care of his recovery.
Watch the video here:
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Related: Oleksii Novikov Withdraws From The 2024 World’s Strongest Man
Kristjan Jon Haraldsson
Similar to Shane Flowers, Kristjan Jon Haraldsson got injured while performing the Axle Press. However, his injury is completely different, as the Icelandic Strongman injured his knee, as opposed to Shane’s bicep.
Kristjan Jon Haraldsson managed to get the Axle Bar up to his shoulders and all that was left to do was perform the press. However, when he tried to do so, Kristjan’s knee gave out and he quickly fell to the ground. Luckily, Kristjan managed to push the bar away from him, as it would have been even worse if it fell on him.
Kristjan Jon Haraldsson has done some tests on his knee and has not yet received an official diagnosis. However, he respects the integrity of the 2024 World’s Strongest Man and acknowledges that it would be better for some other fully fit athletes to get their chance to compete.
Haralsson believes that his injury was in fact a knee subluxation. In simple terms, that would mean that his knee cap slid out of its normal position.
Related: Martins Licis Withdraws From 2024 World’s Strongest Man Due to Sciatica Issues
Apart from Shane Flowers and Kristjan Jon Haraldsson, three other athletes withdrew from the competition. On the other hand, that means that five other Strongmen will get their chance to prove themselves. Keep in mind that Mitchell Hooper was initially a reserve for the 2022 World’s Strongest Man, but got his chance to compete after the withdrawal of Rauno Heinla.
Hooper used that chance, performed well, and received invites for other elite competitions. Just one year later, he was crowned the World’s Strongest Man and is now considered the greatest prodigy that the sport has seen. So, hopefully something similar happens with those who replace the athletes that withdrew from the 2024 WSM.
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