Giants Live just released the lineup for 2022 Europe’s Strongest Man as the competition is coming back on April 2nd, 2022, in Leeds, UK. So buckle up as 11 strongmen from around Europe will go head-to-head in a chance to win the title of 2022 Europe’s Strongest Man.
Apart from the main competition, the World Log Press challenge will also take place for competitors trying to win the World Log Lift Challenge trophy.
WHEN & WHERE IS 2022 EUROPE’S STRONGEST MAN?
2022 Europe’s Strongest Man (ESM) takes place on April 2nd at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, UK. This is the same venue where Eddie “The Beast” Hall deadlifted 500 kgs. ESM is hosted by Giants Live, the only official World’s Strongest Man arena tour. If you don’t have a chance to attend the event, you can catch the action online, where it will be live-streamed via Facebook pay-per-view.
2022 Europe’s Strongest Man Lineup
LUKE STOLTMAN - Scotland
Luke AKA, The Highland Oak”, is the reigning Europe’s Strongest Man and is a favorite to win the competition again, but he’ll be up against some serious talent. Luke had a great 2021 in the sport. Without his younger brother Tom competing, it will be interesting to see who will push Luke to perform at the top of his game.
MATEUSZ KIELISZKOWSKI - Poland
Kieliszkowski is coming back from injury, but he’s still a front runner coming into this event. He’s come very close in the past with finishes in the top three at the 2018 and 2019 ESM competitions, at 3rd and 2nd, respectively. Kieliszkowski is due for a big win.
KONSTANTINE JANASHIA - Georgia
Janashia, like Kieliszkowski, has stood on the ESM podium two times in the past, with a 2nd place finish in 2018 then 3rd place in 2019. Last year “The Georgian Bull” placed 6th at WSM, and at 6’’5’ 370 lbs, this big man can put up some serious weight in the log lift; we’re excited to see if he can finally achieve the ESM title this year.
KELVIN DE RUITER - Holland
Last year was a good one for Ruiter as he secured the title of world champion in the Strongman Champions League at the end of a season that consisted of 16 competitions around the world. Let’s see if Ruiter can continue to carry his momentum into this year.
AIVARS SMAUKSTELIS - Latvia
Smaukstelis placed just behind Ruiter in the Strongman Champions League and came in 3rd place at the 2021 World’s Ultimate Strongman competition. Perhaps a dark horse in this year’s ESM event.
LUKE RICHARDSON - England
The 2020 ESM winner is returning from a biceps injury that he suffered at the 2021 WSM event. Richardson, AKA “The Future,” will surely put up a good fight in this competition as he’s one of the younger guys in the sport at 24 years old and has an impressive history in powerlifting.
OLEKSII NOVIKOV - Ukraine
Novikov was the 2020 WSM winner and placed 2nd in last year’s ESM competition. He’s definitely one of the favorites to walk away with the title this year. We can expect that he desires to become the first Ukrainian to win the ESM title.
GRAHAM HICKS - England
Hicks won Britain’s Strongest Man competition in 2019 and came in 3rd place at last year’s ESM event. However, he recently bowed out of BSM 2022 due to a groin injury, so hopefully, he can heal up before April.
PAVLO KORDIYAKA - Ukraine
Kordiyaka won Ukraine’s Strongest Man in 2020 and qualified for the Giant’s Live 2022 season by winning the Men’s Open division at the 2021 Official Strongman Games competition held in Daytona Beach. So we expect to see this man’s name popping up more often this year in strongman.
EYTHOR MELSTED - Iceland
Melsted had a busy 2021 after competing in 4 events last year. His best finishes came at the 2021 Iceland’s Strongest man and Magnus Ver Magnusson Strongman Classic, where he placed 2nd.
EVGENY MARKOV - Russia
Markov is a newer name on the circuit; he won Russia’s Strongest Man in 2021 and 2019. In 2020 he took 1st at the Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships. Markov seems like he has a bright future ahead; let’s see if he can make some noise at the 2022 ESM event.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
The strongman season is starting soon with the 2022 Britain’s Strongest Man competition at the end of the month on February 26th, 2022, in Utilita Arena in Sheffield, UK. Then, April will be here before you know it; we will keep you posted if any changes are made to the 2022 Europe’s Strongest Man roster.
Andrew Lenau
Author