Two of the 2024 WSM top contenders are out.
The 2024 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) contest is scheduled for May 1-5, 2024, in Myrtle Beach, SC. On April 8, 2024, the competition saw its first significant shake-up.
2019 WSM champion Martins Licis and two-time WSM runner-up Mateusz Kieliszkowski have officially withdrawn from the 2024 edition of the competition. The news was broken on the Giants Live Instagram page on the evening of April 8, 2024, shortly after the overall eclipse pieced through the United States.
Kieliszkowski’s withdrawal shouldn’t come as a surprise. The “Polish Powerhouse” withdrew from the 2024 Europe’s Strongest Man (ESM) contest on April 1, 2024, as a result of an Achilles tendon injury.
Licis’ withdrawal was the unexpected news from the Giants Live announcement. After a subpar performance on the 2024 Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC), fans expected a rebound from Licis in South Carolina. However, that rebound has been delayed as a result of his withdrawal, a reason for which has not been given on the time of this text’s publication.
2024 World’s Strongest Man Roster
Below is the roster for the 2024 WSM following the withdrawals of Kieliszkowski and Licis. Note that 4 athletes had yet to be revealed on the time of this text’s publication, meaning that there are actually six athletes still to be added to the roster below.
- Austin Andrade
- Gavin Bilton
- Adam Bishop
- Marcus Crowder
- Wes Derwinsky
- Thomas Evans
- Shane Flowers
- Kane Francis
- Nathan Goltry
- Rauno Heinla
- Mitchell Hooper — Reigning Champion
- Christian Jon Haraldsson
- Rob Kearney
- Pavlo Kordiyaka
- Trey Mitchell
- Evans Nana
- Oleksii Novikov
- Mathew Ragg
- Jaco Schoonwinkel
- Evan Singleton
- Aivars Smaukstelis
- Luke Stoltman
- Tom Stoltman
- Bobby Thompson
- Eddie Williams
- Oskar Ziolkowski
will update this text as more information regarding Licis withdrawal becomes available.