Arnold Strongman Leaders Tied
Mitchell Hooper and Austin Andrade ended day one tied with 23.5 points each at the 2026 Arnold Strongman Classic in Columbus. In the women's division, Olga Liashchuk and Angelica Jardine are also tied at the top after three challenging events. The final day is expected to bring dramatic finishes as athletes vie for the coveted Arnold title.
The opening day of the 2026 Arnold Strongman and Strongwoman Classic saw a dramatic turn of events, with established champions facing fierce challenges from up-and-coming contenders. The grueling first day of competition included the Elephant Bar Deadlift, the Cyr/Monster Dumbbell Challenge, and the Stone to Shoulder. In the men's division, the tie for first place pits three-time defending champion Mitchell Hooper against the rapidly ascending Austin Andrade. Hooper, the 2023 World's Strongest Man, demonstrated his strategic prowess by winning the Elephant Bar Deadlift with a 981-pound pull and tying for first in the Cyr Dumbbell Challenge. Andrade, known for his incredible deadlifting power, placed a close second in the deadlift with a 976-pound lift. The women's competition is just as tense, with two-time Arnold Strongwoman Classic champion Olga Liashchuk finding herself in a dead heat with the reigning 2024 champion, Angelica Jardine. Liashchuk, a decorated veteran of the sport, is facing a formidable opponent in Jardine, who secured a crucial win in the Stone to Shoulder event to close out day one. The final day of competition on Saturday, March 7th, is set to be a nail-biter with three events remaining: The Stone Drag, the Austrian/American Oak, and the Ramp Rage. These events will test the athletes' endurance, power, and will to win, ensuring a thrilling conclusion to one of the most prestigious events in strength sports.
