Tom Stoltman has a preference for his nickname “The Albatross” over “King of the Stones.” Standing at an impressive 6-foot-8, the strongman appreciates “The Albatross” due to its association with his enormous wingspan.
“I don’t really care about being called the ‘King of the Stones’,” Stoltman expressed to USA TODAY Sports on Sunday. “My ultimate goal is to be recognized as the ‘King of the World,’ and that’s exactly what I’ve achieved this weekend.”
Stoltman, at the age of 29, just secured his third “World’s Strongest Man” title in four years. He dominated the 2024 World’s Strongest Man finals from start to finish, demonstrating his incredible strength and determination. His victory was solidified by his outstanding performance in the Atlas Stones event, which is known as his specialty.
“I’ve been striving for a third title for quite some time now, and achieving it before the age of 30 is truly an accomplishment,” expressed the Scottish native. “I feel content with myself and proud of my performance. I managed to stay focused throughout.”
Stoltman dominated the competition, securing a total of 53 points and finishing 5.5 points ahead of Mitchell Hooper, the 2023 champion. Despite Hooper’s best efforts, he couldn’t stop Stoltman from claiming another title, as he did last year when he prevented Stoltman from achieving a rare three-peat.
“It really shattered me, not being able to secure that title,” expressed Stoltman, who achieved a second-place finish in 2023.
Having Hooper in the World’s Strongest Man has been a game-changer for me,” Stoltman expressed. Stoltman saw Hooper’s victory last year as a catalyst for his own growth and development. To better prepare for the competition, Stoltman incorporated new conditioning techniques into his routine, such as running two to three kilometers every week and utilizing hyperbaric chambers for recovery. Additionally, Stoltman slightly ramped up his training intensity in the gym. This newfound motivation and dedication have undoubtedly propelled Stoltman towards even greater heights in his career.
Stoltman expressed his confidence in himself and his competitor, stating, “When we’re both operating at our best, we are unstoppable.” Despite his victory in this particular competition, Stoltman acknowledged that his competitor will bounce back. He anticipates a back-and-forth battle for titles between the two of them in the coming days.
Stoltman consistently performed well throughout the two-day finals, never finishing below third place in any of the six events. He showcased his strength by tying for the highest number of points in the Max Axle event, completing an impressive four repetitions. Additionally, Stoltman demonstrated his agility and precision in the Keg Toss event, achieving a remarkable five repetitions. These outstanding performances allowed him to secure the lead after the first day of competition.
Stoltman, weighing approximately 400 pounds, has now joined American Bill Kazmaeir (1980, 1981, 1982) to share the third spot on the WSM’s all-time winners list. Leading the pack is Mariusz Pudzianowski, who holds the record with five championships, followed by four other champions, including American Brian Shaw.
Stoltman expressed his ambition to become the greatest, stating that he believes he has not yet reached his peak performance.
Evan Singleton claimed the third spot in the event, securing the highest ranking among American participants. He stood as the sole American to progress to the finals. Last year, Singleton also excelled, tying for fourth place and emerging as the leading American contender.
Luke Stoltman, who recently won Europe’s Strongest Man, secured the ninth place in the World’s Strongest Man competition. Alongside his brother Tom, the Stoltman Brothers have a popular YouTube channel with almost 250,000 subscribers who eagerly follow their fitness and gym-related content. During the week-long event in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where the WSM took place for the second consecutive year, the brothers captured numerous behind-the-scenes moments on camera.
Tom Stoltman is actively using his platform to raise awareness about autism.
“People often label individuals with autism as disabled and focus on their limitations,” Stoltman expressed. “But I believe in reframing it as a superpower. Just look at me! I have won the title of World’s Strongest Man three times, all while living with autism every single day of my life.”
Stoltman eagerly anticipated indulging in an adult beverage on Sunday night to celebrate his victory. He had refrained from consuming alcohol since the autumn to optimize his training efforts.
He didn’t have a specific preference for alcohol.
“I’m definitely going to indulge in a few drinks tonight,” Stoltman expressed. “It’s been quite a while since I last had a drink, so I’m all up for anything that can get me tipsy and help me forget about the night.”
Tom Stoltman, the renowned strongman, has once again emerged victorious at the World’s Strongest Man competition, securing his third title in just four years. This remarkable feat is a testament to Stoltman’s unparalleled strength and unwavering dedication to his craft.
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