2020 Arnold Strongman Classic: Part 2 | Full Recap

Coverage from the final day of the 2020 Arnold Strongman Classic, as re-broadcast on the CBS Sports Spectacular. The competition took place the weekend of March 6-7 in Columbus, Ohio, and brought together 10 of the most accomplished Strongman athletes from around the world, including 2x defending Arnold Classic champion Hafthor Bjornsson of Iceland, Martins Licis (USA), Mateusz Kieliszkowski (Poland), Jean-Francois Caron (Canada), and Mikhail Shivlyakov (Russia). Due to early Covid-19 safety protocols, the event was held without live spectators.
The CBS broadcast begins with an episode of the Rogue Iron Game, hosted by Sam Farber and Dr. Bill Crawford, as they break down the standings after Day One and catch up with leaders Kieliszkowski and Bjornsson. This is followed by the final three events: the Elephant Bar Deadlift, Frame Carry, and Cyr Dumbbell Challenge. In the end, Thor's drive for a third straight title would come right down to the wire.
For additional coverage, final standings, and full event recaps from the 2020 Arnold, visit www.roguefitness.com/theindex..."

[@MenelikiGaming]

I feel like this is the only sport where I'm cheering for *everyone*.

[@Thulgore]

agree 99%

[@shivasrinivasan80]

Absolutely. You want everyone to do well.

[@jedgriffin3796]

Everyone but hapfor

[@AA-tq7dm]

@@jedgriffin3796 Well clearly he doesn't need you to cheer and still wins lmao.

[@nikey1789]

true !!!

[@Jacob-mn2od]

"I train harder in home than competitions" Mateusz Kieliszkowski is just a BEAST!

[@alexanderaflalo4128]

That's what you're supposed to do, that's what Shaw does, that's why Shaw has won WSM 4 times

[@itzate1565]

Yeah kinda makes sense to do that; the polish dude is already astoundingly strong so look forward to progress people! In competition you have to be realistic and lift/pull/whatever what you believe you can realistically do. It's not like a home gym where you can do your max and then attempt something heavier. In competition you get a limited number of attempts unless they go back to the days when a world record deadlift was broken 10 times in one competition, that was awesome because so many strongmen were of the same calibre then. Now there's guys stronger in certain events, not many all rounders like Pudzianowski was. (Well Except Hafthor) The jumps are extremely stressful on the body in competition, maybe that should change and we won't see people hurting themselves anymore.

[@gokkuro]

Agree , is an awesome athlet

[@Mitjitsu]

When I box in the gym I hit the bag for an hour non-stop. That way in a real match I know I'd never have a problem with endurance. It's the same thing for pretty much any other sporting discipline.

[@djalone8208]

@@alexanderaflalo4128 i

[@None-zv2qk]

shivlyakov is made of something different, man is tough as nails

[@kooroshrostami27]

Russian Special Forces is no joke

[@trask9100]

@@kooroshrostami27 Just living in Siberia is no joke.

[@joebidon7524]

они из говно сделаны

[@user-xb8iz3of7y]

He is a clown with his clown hat. It's а shame to be russian!

[@douglassantet647]

@@user-xb8iz3of7y Ukrainian spotted

[@dysthimia]

Love to see that legendary frame carry again, Mateusz is awesome.

[@jlim9411]

Got worried for a second when it bounced back and hit him in the shins. He shot up the ramp so fast he almost took out his legs when he dropped the frame. LOL

[@legit_zepikx573]

I love the Russian guy the way he salutes and everything he’s so humble 😂

[@FITNESSOVER45]

he is ex russian special ops

[@jotaveh2670]

So if Mateusz improves his deadlift, he wins this "easy", right?

[@theodorostoumbas]

Yeah most probably man

[@itzate1565]

You can see he deadlifts mostly with his back alone, needs to drive upward from his lower body (legs to core) and explode out to finish, he's not as experienced as the others but yes. He will be great(er).

[@mikemacias7564]

I don’t get how Mateusz can get 1st place in 4 out of 6 events showing he has great strength and endurance. Lifting and carrying 881lbs further then Hafthor and faster then everybody else. Picking up the most weight with one arm then the whole field of competitors. Clearly showing he has incredible strength. But for some odd reason he can’t deadlift over 900lbs??? When half of the other competitors can. It just doesn’t make any sense. Why he struggled so hard with the deadlift. How can somebody dominate so hard in every other event and fall so short in one making him take second??

[@sagebias2251]

@@mikemacias7564 His glutes are weak relative to the rest of his body. If he fixes that he will be tough to beat. But remember that Thor is not trying 100% in some events. He saves energy for later and he knows he can afford a few second places because Mateusz is guaranteed to lose the deadlift. Thor is stronger than Mateusz, but Mateusz goes bear mode on every event. I am amazed he hasn't gotten injured more.

[@onurbole7921]

@@mikemacias7564 I thought the same thing. So he can basically grab his maximum deadlift weight, with a much harder grip and set up, without straps, and basically run uphill? While he can barely lift the same weight with straps and an elephant bar? That's the weirdest thing I've seen.

[@prisonfishgaming8195]

Can we take a second to acknowledge Mateusz Kieliszkowski for the machine he is most of the top competitors have 30kg in weight on him thor has about 50kg on him. And this dude straight slays 4 out of 6 events. pound for pound that man is well stronger.

[@dodgecoates8760]

kearney is impressive too. guy's 5'8 and like 270 pounds

[@jacekblaszynski5588]

I believe mateusz kieliszkowski is the worlds strongest man. He won more competitions then Hafthor all he need to do is increase his deadlift a bit and he is the strongest man in the world. I believe he will win an insane amount of competitions in the future.

[@meginna8354]

@@jacekblaszynski5588 you're a Polish fanboy and you barely know anything about strongman, Mateusz is not stronger than Thor, he will tell you that he is nowhere close to being as statically strong as Thor, Thor Squats a lot more, deadlifts way more, presses way more, stronger grip, Mateusz is a great aethlete but Thor is stronger in every way.

[@alexinator6017]

@@meginna8354 And youre being a Thor fanboy... Mateusz literally won 4 out of 6 Events. Hes way younger and inexperienced and still got so close. In a few years he will be unstoppable, if everything goes well with him healthwise. I agree with you that thor has way more raw power, but these events arent all about raw power as you could see. So hopefully Mateusz stays injury free.

[@meginna8354]

@@alexinator6017 No i'm not, i just follow the sport for a long time and get context. Thor won that competition comfortably, the events played to Mateusz' strengths but Thor could still go through it conservatively and win comfortably, like on the stones, and still win comfortably. He could have matched Mateusz on dumbell but had already won the show and wanted to put on a show for the crowd. And no, you clueless newbie, Mateusz will not be unstoppable, you newbies think the same, this is the only competition you've seen, Mateusz has performed like this in the past but it's inconsistent because not everything suits him.

[@bigjumbo9479]

Mikhail with that ankle strain is a true warrior.

[@danilobakovic]

Mateusz Kieliszkowski hahaha I love that guy more each time he competes! So passionate and a hard worker, much respect to him!

[@malanaphy5767]

I wonder if the guy at 17:27 is still trying to get that hat just right tho...

[@azulsteel---4650]

lmbo!

[@justinrumpsa]

Yo I didnt see at first cause it was a couple seconds later but then I saw it and lost it lololololol

[@nikolaygerov3563]

hahahahh made my day

[@achilles_wiggen]

rumour says he is still trying to this day..

[@-Erebus]

Weird

[@youfakou]

Kieliszkowski you're the BEST Support and Love from Algeria

[@bmw740v8]

Thanks dude, greetings from Poland.

[@creativemod]

Arnold Schwarzenegger is at the competition, and yet Mateusz Kieliszkowski is probably the closest to being a god damn terminator there.

[@MikeMike-gj9vg]

How could you even say that... Arnold Schwarzenegger IS THEE Terminator, literally.

[@axelnova123]

@MrEmolinho123 Some dudes are just dense hahaha

[@itzate1565]

"Arnold Schwarzenegger is at the competition" Uhh yes, the competition is named after him bro.

[@michaelmajokson768]

Mateuze gonna be world strongest man one day.

[@scottwarren4998]

New super talent Mitchell Hooper seems to be able ruin your guess..

[@momentary_]

No disrespect to Thor, but I wanted Mateusz to win.

[@peterfedak4297]

Same

[@calebgarbines3036]

Same, I bet he’ll win WSM 2020

[@mabri9766]

With all my heart ❤

[@willieboy925]

Spoiler

[@powersurge998]

Same.

[@9256steven]

Mateusz is superhuman.

[@markokasalo7675]

Thor is official winner, Mateusz is winner of our hearts!❤🇭🇷

[@doku7347]

👍

[@thecaptain138]

Thor is the present. Mateusz is the future.

[@antoniocenteno1483]

@@thecaptain138 I´m from the future... i have sad news

[@thecaptain138]

@@antoniocenteno1483 😔

[@arasspider8289]

congratulation for Thor!!!Mateusz Kieliszkowski you are great man.My heart always with you!!!!!

[@camilavasquez7227]

Mateusz Kieliszkowski just needs to work on that damn deadlift! What a beast

[@fullgazz]

Mateusz is the next big winner.. but until there.. he needs to improve his lift

[@Mohawks_and_Tomahawks]

17:50 I was so scared his legs were gonna break that I held my breath lol. Amazing job Kieliszkowski 💪

[@AleX-fs4ww]

Mateusz got 4 out of 6 events in first place yet still did face a loss. For a strongman you cannot have any weakness. Perfect example is Lalas, he won 2012 ASC and only got 1 first place event

[@TheMrrobustus]

I wanna do a shoutout to Caron. Ripped his hamstring at the deadlift I think in 2018, comes in and does this well. Same with Mikhail Shivlyakov. He might not have won the event, but he definitely won a ton of respect for fighting his injury.

[@jendrej83]

17:54 This is called the will to fight. A respect for you!

[@grzegorzkamienski2202]

Mateusz jestem całym sercem za tobą. Mega osiągnięcie, podziwiam i gratuluję

[@bobkin611]

I don't know what you said but I agree.

[@ckflorin]

That size difference between the two guys, and matteusz doesn't disappoint. He deserved to win. Thor is a beast, but Matteusz is a monster, especially when you take the size difference into account.

[@aaronbarlow4376]

If he gets his deadlift and bag over bar up then he'll be unstoppable.

[@bogisimonsen471]

What a loat of bull, Matteusz is not as strong as Thor nor will he ever be, to say- but Thor is much bigger.....is just stupid. Strongman is not devided into weight G. To say that Matteusz deserved to win is not only wrong but also disrespectful

[@Genoflesh]

Respect for all the athletes. Especially the Siberian Force... Salute!

[@joeclark2201]

By far the best coverage of any strongman event. Setting the standard

[@iielysiumx5811]

hopefully one day WSm will have the same standards

[@boone_magnusson3196]

Only three outta ten guys finish the frame and Mateusz has the nerve to say "is not possible to drop this" what a badass

[@rdh9155]

It's time for a New Champion young blood Kieliszkowski, congrats to Mateusz .

[@barelyfree9427]

Gotta say I'm becoming a Mateusz fan. Hafthor is just a giant though, hard for him not to beat everyone.

[@user-hp6oe6ys6t]

I was so moved tears by these incredible strength. Furthermore, they are so polite. Kieliszkowski lost a battle, but his grip and carrying power are so much outstanding.

[@TheRausing1]

Hafthor is a true champion. He has the strength of course but what’s more important is his personality. Such a nice and hardworking guy, always striving for more. Just look how his English has improved so much. He works hard in everything

[@fitrahulrana777]

Mateusz is awesome ❤️❤️💯

[@slywolf3129]

Sadly Michail couldnt do very well,he is really strong and has crazy willpower. Im proud of this guy and all competitors

[@raf.nogueira]

This is the only sport that I see where you cheer for everyone. This should have more audience

[@rg_barrow]

Let’s just be honest here...Mateusz stole our hearts and should have won this one

[@Tootall7]

For halfthor to get bells palsy and still compete mad respect to him and his 👪 what a great man

[@user-np8kg4lc5x]

Just two points... Mateusz was so close... Great competition)))

[@pathurd9595]

We need a “takes the flex out of the bar” counter in the corner of the screen

[@ariesprime6060]

LOL! I think it will tie with the 'Martin Leeches' counter :D

[@LogHewer]

😂😂😂 I suggested a drinking game.

[@Sharbecca23]

I love watching the strongman competition. Tbh, its fuel for me to workout

[@ruchitm6285]

The real question is how tall is that interviewer ?

[@alexanderaflalo4128]

I swear to God...I think Mateuz almost smiled when he lifted that 886 on the elephant bar....but then he blocked the smile...with his fist!

[@alexanderaflalo4128]

Mateuz, how do you train for frame carry? "Well, you see, not very different, i take ropes and tie to legs, then other end of ropes I tie to team of 10 horses then..i pick up frame and walk backwards up mountain for ten miles, pulling horses. Not so different."

[@aimilios.epanos.7471]

i am the only one who thinks Mateusz is the real winner here?

[@coltpwrs7]

Aimilios Epanos Doesn’t matter who you think should win.. it’s the scoreboard that decides

[@joixedcracked3305]

They should make it more fair with the sandbags bc obv hafthor would win that bc he is the tallest guy there so he has an advantage

[@mouradoss]

@@joixedcracked3305 then he is the strongest ???? no reason to do it more fair we want to know who is THE STRONGEST ! :)

[@MegaZack61]

@@joixedcracked3305 What they should do imo, is give the guy who becomes 1st place on multiple events bonus points, for becoming 1st place in multiple events. Cuz its weird why he doesnt, like you become first place in 4/6 events but still are second at the end of the day, cuz one event you didn't do a that great in. Like it feels strange to me personally. Plus this would make guys like Thor, try harder to become first place. Cuz it doesn't just become a math contest, and really pushes the STRONGEST MAN.

[@eddiejohnston1853]

@@MegaZack61 I agree with you

[@gainz4ever]

41:38 the guy in the red shirt was so serious and now he's so happy

[@Waghdatiger]

Amazing people all over the event. Even the judges and the staff is cheering for everyone.

[@anibaldk]

All my respect for the Russian. Making it thus far and such performance with an ankle injury.

[@DieAmbergauer]

Mateusz should be number one

[@OutdoorsWonder]

if he can improves his dead lift he will

[@meginna8354]

No, Thor won because he was better, no funny buissness

[@bmw740v8]

@@meginna8354 Losing 4 of 6 events mean he was better ? Joke.

[@meginna8354]

@@bmw740v8 Yes, the Events were suited for Kieliskowski and Thor was cruising through the competition because he was getting ready for Dubai where he was going to pull 500. He went super slow and relaxed through the first event since it was new and he let Mateusz win the last event because Thor had already won the competition and decided to go for a new world record rather than max points.

[@bmw740v8]

@@meginna8354 Mateusz surely should improve his deadlift and he will smoke any competition.

[@EquitySolutionRayRaz]

Can you imagine Mateusz coming at you down a hallway with nowhere to go , the guy is an animal , total beast , future Arnold Strongman after Thor

[@cosmosadorabilis7677]

Ok but he clearly isn't an aggressive man.

[@Kroniee]

Gotta love the camaraderie amongst these guys, love to see these guys do what the love and perform at a level that few can, impressed with Mateusz, tho he came up a little short this time around. Great comp.

[@sanjaygatne1424]

All the guys have amazing strength.

[@gutogutemberg2025]

Mateusz is unbelievable

[@paulk6399]

Take a shot every time the commentator says 'take the flex out of the bar' World's drunkest man

[@mbcheethampoppie208]

I wish they make the statue of Arnold spin. He was build beautiful. I LOVE the Roque series competitions. ALL of them. Thank you for bringing this to my house.

[@aneestuitionacademysirusam5370]

The difference between hafthor and keluskowski is , hafthore believes in overall strength , while kelowskoski believes in hard training at home , similar to these sort of activities , and i love kelowskoski , so light but so strong ❤️ respect

[@makaan699]

lmao how do you manage to spell Kieliszkowski differently every time xDDD

[@soniatiwari9986]

@@makaan699 🤣

[@MDSF9090]

Damn. The Mtn actually got that 330 dumbbell up there. If you watch it in .25x speed, it looks like he really had a chance to lock it out and score a completed lift. Incredible!

[@jonathandixson1424]

tfw you win 4 out of 6 events and still place second.

[@pietateip]

placement wise, he won 3 over haftor, but he lost too much at the deadlift

[@jonathandixson1424]

@@pietateip Didn't he beat thor in the medley, the wheel of pain, the frame carry and the cyr dumbell?

[@baby_jade94]

@@jonathandixson1424 Yes but Thor 2nd in the medley by seconds. 3rd in wheel, 4th in timber carry and could've potentially got joint first in cyr dumbell but went for the world record heavier dumbell. Whereas Mateusz got 8th on deadlift.

[@antoniocenteno1483]

That is the story of strongman right there, is not as much as winning evey event but rather not having serious weakness. Thor has been in the end of the same spade in the past, WSM 2014 he gave a great competition, beat a world record and won 3 of 6 events and placing better than Big Z in 4 of 6, Tire race, Keg Toss, Bus pull and the Atlas Stone, However in the Squat Big Z did 14 - 15 Squats (can´t remember right now), and Thor did 7 due to an amateur mistake not wearing a suit and finishing way low on the table; Big Z got him in two events, the other one been an OVP meddley wich Z obviously won but Thor placed second. At the end due to Squats Z is a 4 x WSM and Thor let that one go

[@JohnnytNatural]

Haftor could've beaten him in the first event if he went last and put up 320 lbs on the last event if he needed to.

[@jonkelley9021]

if mateusz was able to deadlift like 100 more lbs he would win this whole competition easily every year

[@BeyondCelsus]

41:59 HHH texting Mcmahon 'We gotta get this Thor guy signed to replace Mark'

[@ZarkoTomicic]

Thor has to improve his technique. He is still the srongest but has some issues regarding speed and technique.

[@socialanimal1837]

Respect for shivlikov

[@deej8983]

I wanna see Mateusz get a win dammit

[@oldnick9437]

Damn you guys must have a damn good upload speed

[@Nirsterkur]

43:06 Damn, you almost got the 330 Thor. Great effort anyway after so many events.

[@SaneGuySports]

Wow, Mateusz last Dead Lift was inspirational. I am pumped now to get back to my spreadsheets..

[@cancer_sucks]

next year should be damn interesting!

[@pikulpower]

Kieliszkowski will get Thor next year

[@Blackheart_Rises]

I think Thor retired.

[@SalahEd25]

Mateusz is now injured. I hope he'll recover in time for this year's Arnolds and claim the title.

[@thejerk7162]

Can't wait for the Shaw Classic!

[@muunme]

Shivlyakov would be even more beastly on two proper ankles. Wow! Great job everyone.

[@19Poison84]

11:35 Wow 921lb deadlift and Dart World Champion

[@AdrieAgent]

Haha yeah he looks like Peter Wright’s brother😂

[@KS-oi9ym]

I don't watch a lot of sports except for MotoGP and strongman and occasional soccer. I support every one of these guys and my only hope in every event is that no one gets injured. These are true athletes and it's amazing to see how they support each other.

[@paysonfox88]

35:00 -- The world Record holder in this event died 30 years ago. His name was Paul Anderson, he was from Georgia. Paul Anderson put a dumbbell overhead weighing 385lbs in the early 1960's. He also did 300lbs for reps on live TV

[@Vipinn17]

Many of his Records are suspicious

[@mavrick1413]

Matuesz is just a different breed im definitely watching him up close from now on

[@Dr-789]

Mateuz won 4 events while thor won two events but still thor won....what a pethatic game....

[@tysontenaz3677]

"Byceps is gud"

[@hubertszadurski3344]

?

[@gavroshtheswift9959]

Lol loved that part

[@cristian3199]

The mountain is a beast

[@freakygamer3138]

"training harder in home than in comp/gym" aw man I feel ya!

[@420troll4]

AWESOME! What a show!

[@PandejoJon]

Just seeing at the end Stephanie McMahon Arnold and Triple H all sitting together

[@abhaybhagat9611]

Mateusz 2018 - 4th 2019 - 3rd 2020 - 2nd 2021 - cancelled due to COVID 19

[@nilsholgerson4958]

He is crazy strong and fast legend in the making.

[@abhaybhagat9611]

@Thor Odinson well, bro. I wish that would have been the case. But we have to learn to live with this virus. Just like, HIN1, Ebola, SARS COV 1 & MERS. The only thing is going to protect us from this is a vaccine. Untill and unless most of the population gets vaccinated. There's hardly any chance of any public event taking place.

[@magpie6376]

@Thor Odinson yea na not for America

[@kooroshrostami27]

Mateusz is recovering from multiple injuries ATM, he said himself it would be beat for him if competitions start again way into 2021

[@libertypastor1307]

Only idiots cancel events due to the Covid-19 flu. It's just a flu virus, for crying out loud! Amazing how many rights dumbed-down people will give up out of fear! The world is turning into a bunch of entertainment-drugged zombies who can't think for themselves and gladly volunteer to be slaves. Most people are breathing their own exhaust. What's next, famine, when people will eat bird dung and drink their own piss?

[@AlxisRodriguez]

Mateusz improved since 2018 as he promised, and a lot. Respect!

[@jamerson808]

That equipment is beautiful

[@paysonfox88]

The Frame Carry in 2003-04 is what made Zydrunas a real legend. The first year or two, Savickas was the only man to be able to finish the ramp.

[@prisonfishgaming8195]

mateusz is a monster athlete makes thor look like a baby in comparison yes thor can deadlift like a beast but he also has massive weight advantages on mateusz like if they were equal in size and weight and it just went of their drive and focus it would be a no contest

[@mohammadasadkhan9574]

Goosebumps

[@oliwiersikorski7195]

Polskaaaa GÓRĄĄĄĄĄĄĄĄĄĄĄĄ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jarda1070]

*kieliszkowskii* 👑🔥💪

[@aquariussoda007]

great comp .

[@mateuszekert3753]

Love Mateusz

[@munawarhussain-zr3gf]

Mateusz is beast man......wooooo

[@thinkforyourself2109]

Mateus fighting to get that last deadlift was inspirational.

[@sank123100]

After seeing the last event my right shoulder started paining!!

[@captaincodm844]

MATEUZ SO STRONG THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY HE'S LIKE SUPER MAN IN REAL LIFE

[@reisslindhardt9441]

It blows my mind that Mikhail did all of this with a bad ankle sprain 🤯 such a beast

[@Silky_boi]

Thor was so MASSIVE!! Had he not retired he most likely would’ve been the only man capable to reach Zydrunas record!

[@heindrichcardenas5632]

i love Thor but come on, give some real credit to Mateusz. Love from PHL.

[@GabrielFonsecaDarkusFones]

Essas competições são tops demais. Os caras são muito muito muito fortes.

[@shadiaboufakher8066]

Mateusz is awesome

[@KingKong-do8cj]

Mateusz demonstrates simple but effective training.

[@wtp7631]

Could you imagine seeing Hafthor on the battlefield in 800AD....what a monster

[@ethanbrighenti5799]

I love the way he says biceps is awesome