What Is 2021 Giants Live Strongman Classic

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2021 Giants Live Strongman Classic was held on July 17, 2021, in Leeds, England, featuring 10 elite strongmen competing in five grueling events. Tom Stoltman won the event, defeating his brother Luke and other top athletes like Oleksii Novikov.

Key Facts

The 2021 Giants Live Strongman Classic took place on July 17, 2021, in Leeds, England.
Tom Stoltman claimed victory, marking a breakthrough win before his 2021 World's Strongest Man title.
Ten strongmen competed, including reigning World's Strongest Man Oleksii Novikov.
Events included the Atlas Stones, Viking Press, and Fingal's Fingers, each testing raw strength and endurance.
Luke Stoltman finished second, making it a historic brother vs. brother podium finish.

Overview

The 2021 Giants Live Strongman Classic was a premier strength athletics competition held on July 17, 2021, at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England. It served as a major qualifier for the World's Strongest Man finals and featured a stacked lineup of international strongmen.

Organized by Giants Live, the event showcased the world's strongest athletes in a series of physically demanding challenges designed to test maximum strength, speed, and stamina. The competition drew significant attention due to the Stoltman brothers' dominant performances and the high stakes for global rankings.

Event Date: The competition took place on July 17, 2021, a key date in the 2021 strongman calendar leading up to World's Strongest Man.
Location: Held at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England, a frequent host of major Giants Live events due to its central UK location and large seating capacity.
Winner:Tom Stoltman won the event, defeating his brother Luke and defending champion Oleksii Novikov, marking his rise as a top-tier strongman.
Competitors: Ten elite athletes participated, including Oleksii Novikov, Gregor Edmunds, and Krzysztof Radzikowski, representing 8 different countries.
Significance: This event was a World's Strongest Man qualifying round, granting top finishers automatic entry into the 2021 WSM finals in Sacramento, California.

How It Works

The Giants Live Strongman Classic follows a multi-event format where athletes accumulate points based on their performance in each challenge. The athlete with the highest total points at the end wins the title.

Atlas Stones: Competitors lifted 5 uneven stones weighing between 100–160 kg onto platforms; Tom Stoltman completed them in 21.72 seconds, the fastest of the night.
Viking Press: A timed overhead press event using a 150 kg log barbell; Tom Stoltman completed 6 reps, edging out his closest rivals.
Fingal's Fingers: Five swinging arms had to be cleared in order; Oleksii Novikov led this event with all 5 arms down in 38 seconds.
Farmer's Walk: A 40-meter course was completed with 120 kg in each hand; Gregor Edmunds posted the fastest time at 17.3 seconds.
Dead Lift Hold: Athletes deadlifted 360 kg and held it as long as possible; Tom Stoltman lasted 52 seconds, securing crucial points.
Medley Event: A combination of tire flip, yoke carry, and keg load; Mark Felix impressed despite his age, finishing in 1 minute 48 seconds.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top five finishers at the 2021 Giants Live Strongman Classic based on final standings and event wins.

Athlete	Nationality	Final Rank	Events Won	Notable Achievement
Tom Stoltman	Scotland	1st	3	First major win en route to 2021 WSM title
Luke Stoltman	Scotland	2nd	1	Strongest Man on Earth nickname solidified
Oleksii Novikov	Ukraine	3rd	1	Defending WSM champ, won Fingal's Fingers
Gregor Edmunds	Scotland	4th	0	Top British finisher outside podium
Krzysztof Radzikowski	Poland	5th	0	Consistent across all events, no wins

The table highlights how dominance in multiple events, especially the Atlas Stones and Viking Press, contributed to Tom Stoltman’s victory. While Novikov won Fingal’s Fingers, his lower finishes in other events cost him the overall title. The competition emphasized well-rounded strength, with no single event deciding the outcome.

Why It Matters

The 2021 Giants Live Strongman Classic had lasting implications for the sport of strongman, elevating new stars and reshaping global rankings ahead of the World's Strongest Man competition.

Tom Stoltman's breakthrough: His win signaled the arrival of a new generation, culminating in his 2021 World's Strongest Man title just months later.
Brother rivalry: The Stoltman brothers taking first and second was unprecedented and boosted media interest in the sport.
Scottish dominance: With three Scots in the top five, the event highlighted Scotland’s growing influence in international strongman.
Event format validation: The mix of speed, power, and endurance events proved effective in identifying the most well-rounded strongman.
Global exposure: Broadcast in over 60 countries, the event increased visibility for strength sports beyond traditional markets.
Path to WSM: The competition served as a direct qualifier, giving top finishers automatic entry into the 2021 World's Strongest Man finals.

The 2021 Giants Live Strongman Classic was more than just a contest—it was a pivotal moment that reshaped the strongman landscape, introduced rising stars, and delivered one of the most memorable rivalries in the sport’s history.