Greatest Stone Off of All-Time | 2023 World's Strongest Man

Four-time WSM Champion Brian Shaw (‪@SHAWSTRENGTH‬) and Estonia's Rauno Heinla (‪@rauno21aa‬) delivered an unforgettable Stone Off performance during the 2023 World's Strongest Man competition from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
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Created in 1977, The World's Strongest Man™ has become the premier event in strength athletics. For over 30 years, the strongest men on the planet have come together in a series of unique and amazing tests of strength to determine The World's Strongest Man. The competition has travelled to stunning and varied locations such as Zambia, Iceland, Mauritius, Malaysia, Morocco, China and the USA.
For over three decades The World's Strongest Man has tested the limits of human strength, power, and endurance. The best strongmen on the planet and the most demanding challenges including Fingal's Fingers, Truck Pull, Dead Lift, Giant Farmers Walk, Plane Pull and the Atlas Stones have made the event a highlight in the TV calendar and the show a family favourite with a worldwide audience of over 220 million people.
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[@petershortland478]

People sleep on Rauno but he is a massive powerhouse

[@mlksntch]

He is so great

[@robertmills6497]

Rauno has to be favourite to dethrone Big Z in the masters world championship at OSG

[@user-zq9kd2pn9m]

6′ 8″ ~~ 400 pounds.

[@petershortland478]

​@robertmills6497 he has Big Loz to beat as well. Big Z is still strong on the stones which is how he beat Rauno

[@christinekrappel3181]

Bbmcj

[@alialihafidh6809]

Strong, humble, polite, and full of morals. History will never bring like Brian shaw again. All respect to you.

[@AdityaYadav-py9yz]

Brian is unique in his own way, but i think oleksi also exhibits all the fore mentioned traits

[@cwill102able]

Rauno pushed Brian to the limit, big ups to him

[@bigperm4119]

Brain is a beast

[@Nukappi]

Brian! Not Brain

[@bigperm4119]

@@Nukappi who to is it that u r replying?

[@aidangriffiths5075]

He pushed Rauno to Raunos limit, not Brian's 😂

[@petershortland478]

​@aidangriffiths5075 u can argue he did because that fatigued Brian during the final and Brian admitted the after effects were from that

[@presqueisle69]

There will never be another athlete like Brian Shaw he's one of a kind ❤

[@AKarnold1010]

And a national treasure

[@jacoblape]

No more strongman but he's not dead

[@farmfitnesspham4913]

Common man the stone off the shorter guy did better he lift it up drop it over the bar nor on bar and shaw it way taller than him

[@SpodyOdy]

I feel this event would be better for final where they dont need to worry about tomorrow. But was awesome to watch just feel it impacted Brain in Final.

[@bigperm4119]

This Brain guy must be a beast

[@jimllbreakit8537]

I hate the stone off so much. Praying it’s gone in 2024.

[@Raaven0991]

Get rid of the stone off!!!

[@AlasdairThompson]

Yep. Take the top 3 from each group, no stone off, have 15 man final. Everyone happy.

[@Ripplin]

Doesn't change the fact that most fans hate it!

[@copyRtest1]

Rigged organization. Luke stoltman was recorded talking about how giants live picks events to favor the moneymakers

[@theworldsstrongestman]

lol no, Giants Live is not involved in the picking of events or groups.

[@lonestar2495]

@@copyRtest1 how you gonna say rigged when everyone had Shaw has having the “easiest” group

[@ronaldhowsley6725]

All the fans are athletes are against and worlds strongest man seems not to care, then they have some smart ass running there youtube page.

[@Ripplin]

@@ronaldhowsley6725 Maybe it's Colin, haha. ;) But yeah, the event seems mostly for TV and newer fans...but mostly TV. Rational people can see how unfair it is, though. Countback, though also controversial at times, was fair, and I wish it was still used. I think they think newer fans wouldn't understand it.

[@StrongmanJack95]

I was there about 20 feet away watching this as it happened and it was EPIC!!

[@leowestgarth711]

Incredible they're both masters too

[@93NissanAltima]

Wow not watching this live I can now understand how this can fatigue anyone going into the finals, totally unfair advantage to the finalists that do not have to do this after winning their group

[@theworldsstrongestman]

1st place in your group deserves an advantage.

[@unstabletwig1038]

​@@theworldsstrongestmanwhy bother letting in the 2nd and third then, the advantage is huge not having to do an event to failure

[@copyRtest1]

Yeah but who's picking the groups, then, and why? Just makes a biased system even more slanted to the favorites. Totally unfair and biased!

[@santiagosteven6105]

​@@theworldsstrongestmanI feel like for the stone off if second is farther ahead on points let's say no less than 5 points should make the 3rd place finisher do at least 2 stone lifts. This would make it fair for the second place finisher.

[@ArtemisBumwhistle]

​@@theworldsstrongestman Getting to go last in the first event in the finals would seem fair to me, instead of pushing yourself to the limit on an event. Group stages are unfair in general and so is the stone off. Bobby Thompson came 3rd in his group, but if you compare his results to that of the overall groups, his performance would have been 6th/30. Bobby's worst event is probably stones, so unless he wins his group, he won't make it to the final, which is bullshit. Someone like him can go into stones with a signifcant lead in points over 3rd place and get completely screwed over. Likewise, someone like Tom, Trey, Maxime or Brian only need to get 3rd in their group and they're pretty much guaranteed to go to the final. Obviously doesn't make for as good TV, but 30 atheletes all going against each other then cutting out the bottom 20 after 5 events is the most fair imo - like OSG.

[@AlasdairThompson]

Stone off sucks. I get that it's entertaining for the fans but it puts those who win them at a huge disadvantage going into the finals. The way I look at it is this: Imagine if they went purely on points across the groups and chose the top 10 that way.... then said to bottom half "Ok, you guys have to complete an entire other event, the top 5 don't" ... does that sound fair in any way? No. My personal solution is simple: Take the top 3 from each group, no stone off, 15 man final. 15 is still a managable number and would actually make the finals more interesting with 15 points for a win.

[@billybaggins-ff5sj]

Absolutely agree, 100%

[@GRD211]

Credit to both guys but they need to get rid of the stone off. Completely unfair for guys who have to battle through. I don't know any genuine Strongman fan who likes it.

[@AlasdairThompson]

Yeah man, just look at the comments on this video. Vast majority are saying the same thing. Stone off needs to go.

[@peytonscoggin3746]

Get rid of the stone off. Not fair for anyone who has to go into it

[@budthecyborg4575]

If this were a timed run and not a "lift to exhaustion" there wouldn't be nearly as many complaints. As-is the stone-off puts these competitors at a serious disadvantage in the main competition.

[@danb2936]

Someone should paint the stones to look like planets.. be quite a sight to see ❤😊

[@Kpazz]

I feel like anyone that places 2nd gets the worst end of it. Imagine you are way ahead in points compared to 3rd but still have to compete against them and lose. It almost seems more beneficial to do less effort and aim for 3rd rather than hold 2nd place. I think it would make more sense to let 1st and 2nd place through. Then you could make 3rd place from each pool compete for a spot.

[@nevilleboone8]

It feels so good to hit the thumbs up at 1000.

[@youtubeconnollyfamily]

Brian is the best ever at WSM

[@PhillipCalvin627]

I’ve always disliked the emphasis on the stones (double points/tie breaker) but the stone off is flat out my least favorite feature in WSM history. In 2019 we could have had a head to head between Martins Licis and Oleksii Novikov that would have made that final event better, especially with Brian and Thor off their game. Not to mention he was 7 points ahead of Trey Mitchell (Not talking down about Trey BTW) We could have had a proper send off Final for Big Tel in 2020. Could have saved Oberst an unnecessary bicep injury etc etc and this year we got Brian’s last hurrah energy sapped with a ridiculous and unnecessary event that put him at a disadvantage for the final and saw him finish in 8th place. He was 3.5 points ahead of Rauno. He had already earned his place in the Final. It’s not right that half the field has to go through an extra event and an intense one at that.

[@AlasdairThompson]

Agree 100% (I actually just made a comment saying the same thing before I read yours). It hamstrings half the field going into the finals and is just unfair. I would favour taking the top 3 from each group, no stone off, 15 man final. 15 is still totally managable and people will want to see their favourite athletes do more events! Why aren't they doing it this way already?!

[@HeCute_]

Stone off is such BS

[@Adam.Rushing]

I hate the stoneoff...but that was an impressive battle.

[@str1ker_eureka]

Stone off needs to go

[@simenandersen3262]

Very nice event, leaving us with only 5 actual competitors in the final

[@davidmoss9667]

X2

[@NolanFriedline]

"That was just a warm up" - Brian Shaw

[@billybaggins-ff5sj]

Unfortunately it wasn't. This marathon absolutely wrecked his chances of doing well in the final. Stone off is entertaining but needs to go.

[@JussiAleksi]

Trey vs Novikov was much greater 🎉

[@lonestar2495]

Will always enjoy watching WSM but please for the fans n the athletes get rid of the stone off

[@riccardoportelli4065]

Why is that? It seems fun to watch although I'm fairly new to strongman.

[@lonestar2495]

@@riccardoportelli4065 I can be fun to watch but it should just be who is in 2nd go next and just like this both athletes get exhausted

[@KAR5AVATARGT]

​@@lonestar2495 that's what its for

[@MichaelBrown-wx6zq]

​@lonestar2495 yes. That's the point

[@bflex]

I like the stone off ..pssshhtt..lol

[@copyRtest1]

The group and event selection is already unfair. Stone off just makes it even worse for the athletes

[@lonestar2495]

Explain how the group selection was unfair?

[@Hesher93]

@@lonestar2495 There are always easier and harder groups, its impossible to make 100% fair groups. It should be done like they do it at OSG, all 30 Athletes go against each other after two days the best 10 go to the finals.

[@lonestar2495]

@@Hesher93 100% agree with you it should be done the OSG way but the sad through I don’t see that happening

[@theworldsstrongestman]

@@lonestar2495 OSG is part of our pyramid, who knows, but it’s not apples to apples

[@lonestar2495]

@@theworldsstrongestman thank you response

[@JohnDoe-hb2ge]

Where is the footage of stones 1-3?

[@SteveNinetyski]

I'm sure you can use your imagination...same as the other lifts..but easier, and less sweaty, and less exciting.

[@mreeenigma-4101]

You guys should do water challenge in water ... With water tanks that dont sway ... You know a bar or harness... Think about it..

[@mreeenigma-4101]

Because once you lifted the tank out of water oh man is it heavy then the loser drops tanks back in... Meany applications...

[@markstafford3227]

I would have loved to watch Tom stoltman against Brian in this event .

[@user-dd1bb4tw4r]

Lifting from the ground or close to it hurts 2x worse for a guy the size of Shaw

[@chrisbusinelle7276]

If you actually watched this competition, you'd only see Rauno costing himself a final and possibly Brian a podium.

[@rb7922]

Can someone explain to me why Shaw doesn't have to put the stone up one more time after Heinla can't?

[@stuartmackay9270]

A very unfair event in most cases, the person in second place should get to choose the deciding event, not get thrown out based on a bias....

[@theworldsstrongestman]

That would be dangerous and cause many injuries. There are no biases.

[@kenlay9366]

​@@theworldsstrongestmanI was there and loved the show and I don't want to just add negativity because it was great but there is a bias to one event at the moment, would you consider each year rotating the stone off to a log off then a deadlift off or whatever off. Removes the stone bias

[@stuartmackay9270]

@theworldsstrongestman you have a competition with 10, 11, 12 etc events a selection chosen per year 2nd and 3rd do a face of, 2nd pics one of the events, so you are stating your events are dangerous! Then you say there is no Bias, but it's always the stones, and as we know, they generally suit the taller athlete.. that by definition is a bias as is your selecting the event, as well as enforcing a selection and knowing this!

[@GRD211]

@@theworldsstrongestman if you won't get rid of the eliminator between 2nd and 3rd, would you at least consider having a different event each year? Way too much emphasis is placed on the stones in WSM.

[@theworldsstrongestman]

@@stuartmackay9270 Athletes know the events months in advance and get to train with and touch all implements days before the competition. Springing an event on them last minute 1) would require an additional day for set up 2) would cause injuries. If we rotated events I’m sure we would still be accused of being biased if for some reason someone who went into the playoff and had that weakness that year. Having the same playoff event and it being known ahead of time prevents that from happening. Some of the best stone lifters aren’t the tallest - and stones are the most rounded test of strength.

[@SpodyOdy]

I feel crowd noise is fake/edited or something or my memory is off from being there live. 🤷‍♂️ but there was chanting like the U!S!A! chant pretty sure🤷‍♂️

[@theworldsstrongestman]

Crowd noise hasn't been manipulated, but the mics are on the ground in the corners of the arena - pointed towards competitors.

[@SpodyOdy]

@@theworldsstrongestman interesting thanks for reply 👍😎

[@ora6925]

They only added fake crowd noise for the 2020 competition. Not in the past 3 years I think.

[@Curi0u50ne]

What a load of balls, this isn't fair dude on one side fails to lift and the or her wins?! Or am I missing somthing?!

[@user-zq9kd2pn9m]

Remember when Shaw ripped a cars door off to help someone who was trapped after an accident

[@phillipholland6795]

No, but I believe he would do something like that. True legend.

[@guanjun1178]

Great tussle between these 2.

[@Amberstargazerofearth]

They're impossible!

[@PeterDrewery]

Sorry the little fella is too cute

[@BazookaChopsLoL]

Group format remains a very flawed and outdated system that won't always adequately determine the top 10 strongest people in the world, but if WSM insists on maintaining the group format, here is a simple solution that rewards group winners without punishing half of the finalists so harshly, while minimizing impact of unfortunate/unfair group pairings/seedings: Expand the final to a 15 athlete lineup Ranks 1 and 2 from each group advance after 5 events Ranks 3 and 4 compete in Stone Off under same rules to fill the additional 5 spots in final Determine athlete order for first event in final based on overall standings, separated by group placing All group winners will be ordered 15-11 Rank 2 finishers ordered 10-6 Stone Off winners ordered 5-1 This system promotes a more accurate determination of the top 10 athletes in the world without such an emphasis on stone lifting to failure, which will inevitably be tested in the final. Group winners still retain an advantage of going last in the opening final event without having such a drastically reduced workload compared to Rank 2 finishers. The Stone Off winners from Ranks 3 and 4 will round out the additional 5 spots in the final with the disadvantage of having done an extra event and will go first in the opening event, but they would only encompass 33% of the final competitors as opposed to 50%, and serve as the "wild card" athletes that still have a shot in the final despite finishing middle of the pack in the group stages. Expanding the depth of the final athlete pool allows for better competition between the top 10 athletes and also opens up the door for the wild card athletes to shake up points and create upsets. WSM can keep their group format and Stone Off while making the contest better and more competitive for the athletes.

[@petershortland478]

I think just do what OSG does and top 10 qualify

[@kevinarmstrong6957]

They should have heavier stones .

[@Mrnobody0070]

John 3 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

[@intuitiveeevee]

What's that got to do with this ? There is always one *yawn*by the way Seth is the name of a demon

[@troywillis167]

Rauno screwed himself out of the finals at WSM and I'm sure he knows it

[@cessactdm]

shouldn't shaw have to lift it as well to actually win? because this way they are essentially tied, no? like what this is so stupid, what if shaw (although I do think he had more in him) can't lift it as well, the other guy shouldn't be punished for going 1st.

[@daviesugo7641]

There was a group stage and shaw came 2nd, rauno 3rd. So Shaw purposely has the advantage

[@aussiebodie]

Comment 🦍

[@intuitiveeevee]

I don't agree the stone off should go ,but having the event on a hot beach in America is unfair to people like the Stoltmans who are Scottish and simply cant cope with sun and hot weather. . i should know ,im Scottish myself ,i would die if i had to carry a bag of shopping in that heat Also why are there not rules for stone lifting,why do some have their arms taped,some have bare chests ? Shouldn't they all do it the same way ?! Its a bit like a boxing match where one wears gloves and the other is bare knuckle but dont listen to me,im just a woman

[@Nolan-55]

I love the stone off. I do wish the finals had more people though. Like 1 and 2 qualify. 3 and 4 do the stoneoff. Winners are the last 5 to go on each event can be their advantage of winning group. Especially on years like this, Bobby Tompson finished 3rd in group 1 but wouldve been 5th overall. But Shaw had to be given one of the easiest groups in WSM history.

[@aidangriffiths5075]

A shame the stone-off is a really stupid event

[@Bmxae]

Such a stupid event. Cripples half the guys who make it to the final.

[@idk13539]

Stone off needs to go