WSM Qualifying Round Previews: Group 2
2022-05-21 by Éloi Fournier
The second qualifying group at the 2022 World’s Strongest Man is headlined by the only multiple champion in the field, Brian Shaw. The four-time WSM champion (2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016) missed out on a third crown last year, finishing only 3 points behind Tom Stoltman, and he is still hungry for the title. At age 40, Shaw is still one of the favourites to take home the crown this year.
This group is the only one to feature three finalists from last year. Along with Shaw, Konstantine Janashia and Bobby Thompson (respectively 6th and 9th in the 2021 Final) are looking to qualify again.
Janashia, the Georgian Bull, has qualified for the Final in all five of his WSM appearances. Only 3 men in history have done so more than 5 times in a row to start a career: Hugo Girard (6 times), Hafthor Julius Bjornsson (9 times) and Mariusz Pudzianowski (9 times). Thompson has proven his worth in the past few years, tying Luke Stoltman for 3rd place at this year’s Arnold Strongman Classic.
A third resident of the United States is representing Mexico in Group 2! Gabriel Peña is looking for revenge after his first World’s Strongest Man, in 2020, was cut short due to health concerns. After a year on the sidelines, he is ready for another opportunity.
Veteran Mark Felix needs no introduction: at age 56, he is making a record-breaking 17th WSM appearance! Felix last made the Final in 2015, but he has proven time and time again that he is still among the elite 30. Last year, he took 6th at the Britain's Strongest Man competition.
Rounding out the group is a relatively unknown athlete… Mitchell Hooper of Canada made a name for himself in Australia in the past few years, lifting massive weights in regional competitions. The 2022 WSM will be his first international competition, and he has some very high hopes although the odds are always stacked against newcomers.
The Events
The Loading Race could go either way… None of these athletes are particularly known for their speed, but perhaps the experience of Brian Shaw or Konstantine Janashia could come in handy.
The Deadlift Ladder will see one or two great deadlifters bringing up the rear! Janashia won this event at Europe’s Strongest Man, Mark Felix used to be unbeatable at it, Gabriel Peña and Mitchell Hooper have pulled massive weights have pulled massive weights in the past year, while both Shaw and Bobby Thompson did very well in the Deadlift for reps in 2021. Who will lose out? It’s hard to say!
The Car Walk could see Shaw make up some points, but Thompson is also very good in yoke events. Hooper has shown great potential for this event in training as well.
Thompson should be right up there again the Log Lift for reps, with Janashia and Shaw hot on his heels.
The Wrecking Ball Hold is another event that is difficult to call for some of the athletes in this group, but it should be a great way to end the Qualifying Round for veteran Mark Felix, who is nearly unbeatable in grip events.
If Thompson finds himself in the Stone Off, he could have a hard time against Janashia or Shaw… But with Group 2 being so stacked, the 4-time champion may have to face this event for the first time ever.
Some Head-to-head Matchups
Brian Shaw 7-0 Konstantine Janashia (most recent meeting: 2021 Shaw Classic - Shaw 2nd, Janashia 10th)
Brian Shaw 2-0 Bobby Thompson (most recent meeting: 2021 Shaw Classic - Shaw 2nd, Thompson 6th)
Konstantine Janashia 2-2 Bobby Thompson (most recent meeting: 2021 WUS Dubai - Janashia 5th, Thompson 6th)
Our picks: Bobby Thompson & Brian Shaw