Brian Shaw is nearing the end of his Strongman career as a competitor since his final professional appearance will be at the 2023 Shaw Classic on August 19-20. However, seeing how Brian was always focused on improving the sport, he still plans to continue, but from the position of an organizer instead of a competitor. So, wanting to make the Shaw Classic the greatest competition in the world, Brian has acquired the title of ‘Strongest Man On Earth’.
The Shaw Classic will take place for the fourth time this year and will be the first time the winner will be called the ‘Strongest Man On Earth’. Each year the competition gets better, mostly because Brian makes sure to put on as great of a competition as possible. So, he has now added another factor which will lure the greatest Strongman athletes currently to compete in his competition, as the title of ‘Strongest Man On Earth’ will be awarded to the winner.
This title was trademarked by Paul Ohl, who organized a competition called Fortissimus in 2008 and 2009. It was one of the greatest competitions at the time, and the winner earned the title of the ‘Strongest Man On Earth’. However, Paul has now decided to pass down the torch to Brian Shaw, as Paul considers him one of the greatest Strongman champions in history alongside Zydrunas Savickas.
“EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE STRONGEST MAN ON EARTH WILL OFFICIALLY BE CROWNED AT @theshawclassic IN 2023!
In 2023 The Shaw Classic will carry on the torch that has been passed from Paul Ohl and Fortissimus and now crown The Strongest Man on Earth.”
Watch a snippet of Brian Shaw & Paul Ohl’s conversation here:
Related: 2023 Shaw Classic Updates: New Competitor, Arm Wrestling Matches & More Revealed By Brian Shaw
Paul Ohl revealed that he was a fan of Brian Shaw even when he just started the sport. He recognized the greatness in Brian before anyone else and is now delighted to pass down the torch.
“At that time, there was a little hesitation… In January of 2008, I saw you compete, and I saw the first two events. I said this man — that superman should I say — will be a part of the history of the Strongman.” said Paul Ohl.
Apart from the title of The Strongest Man On Earth, Paul Ohl has also given Brian Shaw the blessing to use one of his iconic events — The Louis Cyr Stone. It is a natural stone weighing 533 pounds that is meant to be picked up. However, the events for this year’s Shaw Classic have already been revealed, meaning the Louis Cyr Stone will not be one of them. Therefore, it is likely that this event will be featured in future editions of the show, as Brian made some promising comments regarding it.
Paul then revealed why he trademarked the title of The Strongest Man On Earth and got into the committee for the competition.
“I said I am going to be on that committee for one reason. Athletes are bleeding and sweating 100%, while organizers are looking at the athletes and putting 100% in their pockets. So, I am going to be on that committee to make a bet on the biggest prize money ever.”
Paul Ohl has recognized that Brian Shaw also cares the most about the competitors instead of his own profit. So, he was more than glad to give him a trademark title.
“I am so damn proud that Brian Shaw, at the end of his career, will be the man who will take it over and will carry the torch further. I am sure you will do that. You are the man with the ethics, you are the man with the track record, and you are the man with the passion and knowledge about Strongman amongst all of them.”
Brian Shaw also had a word to say about how much this means to him and what he plans to do with his competition in the future.
“Being able to work into a position like this and have somebody like you endorse the Shaw Classic and now the Shaw Classic being able to legitimately crown the Strongest Man On Earth, is just… I don’t even have the words to say how much that means to me,” said Shaw.
Watch the full conversation here:
Related: Mateusz Kieliszkowski Withdraws From 2023 Shaw Classic; Gavin Bilton Makes His Debut
The lineup and the events for the 2023 Shaw Classic have been revealed, but now the athletes have a much bigger incentive to perform well. There is no doubt that those taking part will now push themselves to their absolute limits to claim the prestigious title, which makes the Shaw Classic arguably the greatest Strongman competition in the world.