Brian Shaw has explained why he decided to bring Strongest Man on Earth back in 2027 after spending the past year reflecting on the future of the competition.
The Shaw Classic and Strongest Man on Earth will return from August 27 to 29, 2027, with tickets on sale right now.
But behind the comeback is something much more personal for Shaw.
While considering what to do next, the Strongman legend found himself thinking about Fortissimus, a competition whose disappearance left a lasting impression on him.
“I was super sad when Fortissimus went away. I felt like the format of that competition with more events, more competitors, heavy, hard, brutal, you know, truly determining who the strongest man on earth is,” he said.
Shaw felt something had been lost when the contest disappeared and regularly wondered what it would have been like to compete in that format himself.
“It was something that, you know, I missed,” he said.
“I often thought that if we could have a contest like that, it would be awesome, you know, especially with Zydrunas and myself being able to battle it out on a stage like that,” he said.
Years later, Shaw believes the competition he created eventually provided exactly that kind of platform for another generation of strongmen.
“What we had built with, you know, the Shaw Classic and then leading into the Strongest Man on Earth is that stage. We built that stage for the competitors,” he said.
That became particularly significant as new athletes entered the sport with ambitions of eventually competing at the event.
Shaw didn’t want those athletes to experience the same feeling he had after Fortissimus disappeared – wondering what could have happened had the competition survived.
“I didn’t really want this generation to ever think like that where, hey, yeah, that Strongest Man on Earth was an awesome competition and if that wouldn’t have went away, maybe this, maybe that,” he said.
The decision came after what Shaw described as a “roller coaster ride”, involving considerable self-reflection and discussions with people interested in helping run or buying into the event.
Ultimately, however, his belief in what had been created remained.
“What we have built, after thinking about it and really taking some time to reflect, was special. It was very important for the sport of strongman and my love and passion for the sport of strongman hasn’t gone anywhere,” he said.
For Shaw, the objective of the returning contest is now clear.
He wants to focus on the competition itself and the events – an area he believes plays directly to his strengths and passion.
“That’s what I’m the best at. That’s what I’m so passionate about,” he said.
And when Strongest Man on Earth returns in 2027, Shaw wants its title to leave little room for doubt.
“I can’t wait to have a contest that truly, you know, proves and shows to the sport who the strongest man on earth is,” he said.
You can find Shaw Classic 2027 tickets HERE.
Featured image credit: SHAWSTRENGTH / YouTube
