Pavlo Kordiyaka had a spring to remember all-around as a professional strongman. In early April 2023, the Ukrainian athlete won his first-ever Europe’s Strongest Man (ESM) title. Then, if not for a controversial penalty on Day Three of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) just weeks later, he could’ve potentially earned a WSM title. With the summer in full swing and a new title up for grabs at the 2023 Shaw Classic (SC), Kordiyaka looks primed to continue his recent momentum.
On July 17, 2023, Kordiyaka posted a video to his Instagram page where he locked out a log press of 183 kilograms (403.4 pounds) for three reps and later completed a 130-kilogram (286.6-pound) power snatch. Per the caption of the strongman’s post, the recorded training session is part of his ongoing preparation for the 2023 SC on August 19-20, 2023, in Loveland, CO.
Kordiyaka’s profile may be lesser known than some of his peers, like the reigning WSM champion Mitchell Hooper, but that doesn’t make him any less of a competitor. If anything, after Kordiyaka toppled former 2020 WSM champion Oleksii Novikov at the 2023 ESM and held his own against Hooper, Novikov, and former two-time WSM winner (2021-2022) Tom Stoltman at the 2023 WSM, he’s proven he belongs at the most elite level of the sport.
With that trio of arguably more established peers standing in Kordiyaka’s ambitions toward becoming “The Strongest Man on Earth,” the 2023 SC could be another coming-out party for the competitor. Trey Mitchell is the two-time reigning champion of the contest.
Here’s an overview of the 2023 Shaw Classic gauntlet of a roster Kordiyaka will have to overcome:
2023 Shaw Classic Roster
- Trey Mitchell (United States) — Reigning two-time Champion
- Brian Shaw (United States) — 2022 runner-up
- Mitchell Hooper (Canada) — 2022 third place
- Tom Stoltman (United Kingdom)
- Luke Stoltman (United Kingdom)
- Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine)
- Bobby Thompson (United States)
- Adam Bishop (United Kingdom)
- Graham Hicks (United Kingdom)
- Pavlo Nakonechnyy (Ukraine)
- Thomas Evans (United States)
- Maxime Boudreault (Canada)
- Kevin Faires (United States)
- Aivars Šmaukstelis (Latvia)
- Evan Singleton (United States)
- *Gavin Bilton (United Kingdom) | *Replaces Mateusz Kieliszkowski
Here’s a rundown of the events of the 2023 SC:
2023 Shaw Classic Events
- Log Medley
- Max Hummer Tire Deadlift
- Wheelbarrow and Arm-Over-Arm Medley
- Bag Toss
- Car Leg Press
- Atlas Stones
- Standing Bench Press
- Fingal’s Fingers and Power Stairs Medley
Before winning the 2023 ESM, Kordiyaka’s arguable career highlight was a first-place performance at the 2021 Official Strongman Games (OSG). According to his profile on Strongman Archives, the 28-year-old has appeared in 15 international contests, winning four of them, including the 2023 ESM. His berth in the 2023 WSM Final was the first of his career.
Now he’ll get a chance to build on those performances at the 2023 SC.
Breaking through against a cadre of star competitors is presumably not an easy task. Kordiyaka can rest assured that each of his peers will likely view him in the same intimidating, if also respectful, fashion at the 2023 SC.
Featured image: @pavlo_kordiyaka on Instagram
