Novikov would not enable a tiny tear derail his ambitions for 2023.
Oleksii Novikov is a single of strongman’s biggest names and an individual lots of had an eye on entering the meat of the 2023 competitive year. Provided new developments, it seems to be like the Ukrainian celebrity will have to contend with a minimal bout of adversity to stay up to astronomical expectations.
Throughout a Mar. 18, 2023, YouTube video clip, Novikov disclosed he suffered “a smaller tear” in his lat muscle mass in the course of a teaching session in preparation for the future 2023 Europe’s Strongest Gentleman (ESM) and World’s Strongest Gentleman (WSM) contests. Novikov didn’t disclose specifically when the injury occurred or its exact degree, but characterised it as a insignificant ailment endured at some level during a sandbag-centered exercise.
He will progress with his programs to contend in the 2023 ESM on Apr. 1 in Leeds, England, and the 2023 WSM on Apr. 19-23, 2023, in Myrtle Seaside, SC. Novikov is the defending ESM champion and the winner of the 2020 WSM.
Despite his injuries, Novikov built it seem to be like it was not significantly of a hindrance. The online video of his reveal featured the strongman powering via several upper-entire body centric movements which include a standing log press, an incline press with the identical log put into practice, and even the famed Fingal’s Fingers: a staple function at lots of strongman contests.
At the very same time, a thorough Novikov maintained he was not attempting to “activate” his lat muscle mass as a lot as he ordinarily would. Novikov’s take care of to defend his ESM title and vie for a second profession WSM championship may be admirable, but the personal injury could put a hitch into his strategies. If the strongman is nearly anything significantly less than 100% at either level of competition — once again, the actual timeline and nature of his damage and ensuing restoration process are unidentified at the time of this writing — it could probably impression both respective podiums.
Below is the roster for the 2023 ESM at the time of this article’s publication:
2023 Europe’s Strongest Man Roster
Below is the 2023 WSM roster:
In accordance to Strongman Archives, Novikov recorded a podium end in seven of 8 competitive strongman appearances in 2022. In addition to his ESM victory, the athlete was triumphant in the 2022 Giants Live Strongman Typical and the 2022 Strongman Rogue Invitational. Novikov concluded in third location powering Martins Licis (next) and two-time reigning winner Tom Stoltman at the 2022 WSM.
It seems Novikov will not permit any hurdles get in his way of fruitful 2023 performances. Whether or not he can persevere as a result of his damage and still shine at the 2023 ESM and WSM remains to be noticed. Regardless, a thing states this celebrity will obtain the means to make it all come with each other wonderfully.
Featured graphic: Oleksii Novikov [ENG] / YouTube