What Is 2013 World's Strongest Man

Overview

The 2013 World's Strongest Man (WSM) competition was the 36th edition of the annual strongman championship, widely regarded as the most prestigious event in strength athletics. Held in Sanya, a tropical city on China's Hainan Island, the 2013 event featured a grueling lineup of physical challenges designed to test raw power, endurance, and mental toughness.

Twenty-five of the world’s strongest athletes from over 20 countries competed for the title, with the final event crowning Brian Shaw of the United States as champion. This victory marked Shaw’s second WSM title, following his first win in 2011, solidifying his status among the sport’s elite.

• Brian Shaw claimed victory with a total of 26 points across the final events, narrowly edging out rivals through consistency and peak performance under pressure.
• The competition spanned 10 days, beginning with qualifying heats from May 2 and culminating in the final on May 12, 2013.
• Žydrūnas Savickas of Lithuania finished in second place with 25 points, continuing his streak of podium finishes in WSM history.
• Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson from Iceland placed fourth in 2013, a breakout performance preceding his later fame in entertainment and strongman dominance.
• Events included the Atlas Stones, Truck Pull, Fingal’s Fingers, Deadlift, and Overhead Medley, each testing different aspects of functional strength.

How It Works

The World's Strongest Man competition evaluates athletes across a series of predetermined strength events, with points awarded based on performance. The athlete with the lowest cumulative score at the end of the final wins the title, combining consistency, power, and event-specific strategy.

• Qualifying Heats: The initial stage divides competitors into groups; only the top finishers advance to the final. In 2013, five qualifying groups sent the top five athletes to the final round.
• Scoring System: A reverse point system is used—1 point for first place, 2 points for second, and so on—so the lowest total score wins.
• Atlas Stones: Athletes lift 5 unevenly weighted stones (ranging from 100 to 160 kg) onto platforms, testing explosive power and technique.
• Truck Pull: Competitors pull a 24-ton truck over a 25-meter course; Shaw won this event in 2013 with a time of 47.98 seconds.
• Deadlift for Reps: In 60 seconds, athletes perform as many repetitions as possible; the 2013 bar weighed 370 kg (815 lbs).
• Overhead Medley: This event combines log lift, keg toss, and Viking press, with athletes moving between implements in a timed circuit.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the top finishers in the 2013 World's Strongest Man highlights the narrow margins between elite competitors.

The table shows how tightly contested the 2013 final was, with just 7 points separating first and fifth place. Shaw’s consistency across events, particularly his win in the Truck Pull and strong showing in the Deadlift, proved decisive. Savickas, despite winning the Deadlift, fell short due to a weaker performance in the Atlas Stones. The competition underscored the importance of versatility, as no single event dominates the scoring.

Why It Matters

The 2013 World's Strongest Man event was pivotal in shaping the modern era of strength sports, influencing athlete training, public interest, and media coverage. Its global broadcast brought strongman into mainstream fitness culture and highlighted the athleticism behind extreme strength.

• Brian Shaw’s victory reinforced American dominance in WSM, with U.S. athletes winning 4 of 5 titles from 2009 to 2013.
• The inclusion of Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson signaled a shift toward athletes with cross-industry appeal, blending sports and entertainment.
• Events like the Atlas Stones became iconic, frequently featured in fitness challenges and viral videos.
• The competition in Sanya, China expanded WSM’s global footprint, drawing record viewership in Asia.
• Strongman training methods gained credibility, influencing powerlifting, CrossFit, and general strength conditioning programs.
• The 2013 contest set performance benchmarks; Savickas’ 370 kg Deadlift became a standard for future competitors.

Ultimately, the 2013 World's Strongest Man was more than a contest—it was a cultural milestone that elevated strongman athletics to new levels of recognition and respect worldwide.