Ukraine's Oleksii Novikov wins 2020 World's Strongest Man after 1,185-pound partial deadlift
The COVID-19 pandemic delayed this year's preeminent strongman competition by six months, but it didn't stop a new World's Strongest Man from being crowned.
Oleksii Novikov of Ukraine earned the title for the first time Sunday in just his second year of competition, breaking the world record in the partial deadlift en route to a victory at the 2020 World's Strongest Man competition in Bradenton, Florida.
Novikov, 24, is the youngest person to win the event since 1984 and just the second winner from Ukraine.
"It's unbelievable," Novikov told USA TODAY Sports on Sunday evening, with the assistance of translator Roman Hidan. "You must feel this, and you understand then. I can't explain this emotion."
Novikov is a relative newcomer to World's Strongest Man, and he was also among this year's smallest competitors. Though "small," of course, is a relative term; Novikov is listed at 6 feet 1 and 298 pounds.
