Brian Shaw has officially announced his next move in the sport of arm wrestling — and it’s a massive one.
In a video posted to his YouTube channel, the four-time World’s Strongest Man began by addressing the constant speculation around his future in the sport.
“I know there’s been a lot of questions about me, arm wrestling, what’s going on, am I done with the sport, am I going to have another match,” he said. “It’s important that I kind of clear the air and give some certainty to what I’m doing and what my future holds in the sport of arm wrestling.”
And he did just that — announcing his return to the table after what he described as a much-needed break following his hectic 2025 season.
A New Chapter After Strongman Glory
Shaw’s transition from elite strongman to arm wrestler has fascinated fans across both sports. After wrapping up one of the most decorated strongman careers in history, he threw himself into arm wrestling in late 2024, debuting at King of the Table 13 against Eddie Hall.
That matchup — billed as a battle of strongman titans — ended with Shaw taking a 4–2 victory, backed by coaching from arm wrestling legend Devon Larratt.
He followed that up in 2025 with a high-profile clash against Brandon Allen at his own Shaw Classic, where he again came out on top 3–1. The win marked a clear leap forward in his technical ability and stamina, both of which have been focal points in his training over the past year.
“I don’t want to take matches where I’m going to walk through my opponent,” Shaw said. “I want a challenge. I want something that’s going to force me out of my comfort zone.”
That mindset led him straight to Leonidas Arona — and the matchup fans didn’t know they needed.
The four-time World’s Strongest Man revealed that he’ll face German powerhouse Arona at East vs West 23 on April 18th in Germany, in what promises to be one of the biggest and most hotly anticipated matches of 2026.
Enter Leonidas Arona
Arona isn’t just any opponent. The German athlete brings serious credentials to the table — literally. A powerlifter with a 2,000lb total and holder of Germany’s strict curl record, Arona has already taken wins over Larry Wheels and “Schoolboy” Aleksandr Beziazykov, and has gone head-to-head with icons John Brzenk and Devon Larratt.
Shaw acknowledged the threat immediately, saying: “Leonidas — exciting arm wrestler, big strength pedigree …Obviously very strong. His top roll is good. His endurance on the table seems to be very good. A number of qualities he has make him a dangerous opponent for me.”
That danger is part of what excites him.
“I’m literally walking into Leonidas’s backyard,” Shaw said. “I’m going to have to travel there, which I think is a challenge I’m excited about. The hype around this is going to be incredible.”
The East vs West Stage
Hosted in Germany, East vs West 23 is expected to feature a stacked lineup, with Shaw hinting that the rest of the card is “going to be ridiculous.” The international event series — which regularly features the world’s elite — will give Shaw his biggest platform yet in arm wrestling.
And – while remaining humble – Shaw says he’s determined to prove that his strongman success can translate once again.
“I’m definitely not going to sit here and say — like a lot of people might — ‘I’m going to crush him.’ I’m confident. I’m not going to say I’m not confident in my abilities and what I can do, but to execute that, I have to put the work in,” he said. “Without the hard work, without the dedication, without the sacrifice… that is not going to show up.”
“The challenge in front of me is real,” he said. “Some people are going to back me, some people are going to back Leonidas. But again, when it comes to an arm wrestling match, that’s what you want. You don’t want a match announced and everyone saying, ‘Yep, I already know exactly what’s going to happen.’”
That sense of unpredictability is what keeps Shaw hungry.
“If you’ve known me for any amount of time, you know that I’m competitive,” he continued. “I like challenges. I like putting my back against the wall where I’ve got an end date—something that I’m working toward.”
As for preparation, Shaw confirmed that his trademark intensity will carry straight into camp.
“The work starts today with this announcement. Right after I turn this camera off, I’m going to get to work—and the work is going to continue,” he said – with Shaw frequently sharing videos of his training sessions to his social media channels.
As such, he’s expected to continue documenting his buildup with training footage, table sessions, and heavy lifts, much like his approach to King of the Table last year.
Shaw also expressed gratitude toward Arona for accepting the challenge, saying: “I really appreciate Leonidas accepting this match. I think us being able to get on the table and really lock horns is going to be exciting — very, very exciting.”
For a man who once ruled the world of strongman, Brian Shaw’s next mountain to climb lies in a new arena — one defined not by stones and trucks, but by wrists, grips, and millimetres of leverage.
Germany awaits, Leonidas Arona stands ready, and Brian Shaw is back chasing another impossible challenge — this time, at East vs West 23!
Featured image credit: YouTube/ShawStrength
