Luke Richardson wins 2025 Europe’s Strongest Man

[Kayce]

Luke Richardson reclaimed the prestigious title at the 2025 Europe’s Strongest Man competition held in Leeds, England, on April 5th. Richardson outperformed eleven elite European strongmen in a gripping contest that went down to the wire, securing victory with a total of 51 points.


Luke Richardson burst onto the professional strongman scene in 2020, winning Europe's Strongest Man at 23 years old in only his 5th ever strongman competition.Luke Stoltman was the 2x and defending European Champion and was looking to defend his title.

Final Standings: 2025 Europe's Strongest Man​

The competition was fiercely contested, especially among the top four competitors, who remained within just 2.5 points of each other before the final event.

1. Luke Richardson (51 points)
2. Mateusz Kieliszkowski (48.5 points)
3. Paddy Haynes (47.5 points)
4. Ondrej Fojtu (46 points)
5. Pavlo Kordiyaka (34.5 points)
6. Andrew Flynn (29 points)
7. Rauno Heinla (27.5 points)
8. Pa O’Dwyer (25.5 points)
9. Aivars Smaukstelis (21.5 points)
10. Luke Stoltman (20 points)
11. Nicolas Cambi (20 points)
12. Gavin Bilton (18 points)

Event Breakdown and Performance Analysis​

The athletes were challenged by five grueling events, each testing different aspects of their power, endurance, and versatility.

Event 1: Press Medley – Kieliszkowski Dominates​

Athletes tackled a demanding medley involving Dumbbells, Yoke Press, Log Lift, and Axle Press, each requiring two repetitions. Only three strongmen completed the challenge entirely, highlighting its extreme difficulty.

• Mateusz Kieliszkowski secured first place (62.09 s)
• Ondrej Fojtu took second place impressively (64.96 s)
• Luke Richardson secured third (66.10 s)

Event 2: Shield Walk – Paddy Haynes Sets Stunning Benchmark​

Competitors carried a punishing 200 kg shield for maximum distance, testing endurance to the limit.

• Paddy Haynes dominated spectacularly (89.99 meters)
• Pavlo Kordiyaka earned second place (61.84 meters)
• Mateusz Kieliszkowski followed closely in third (56.82 meters)

Event 3: Anchor Carry & Drag – Tie Between Richardson and Kieliszkowski​

Athletes raced to carry a 125 kg anvil and drag a 350 kg chain over 40 meters total, a test combining brute strength and speed.

Remarkably, Luke Richardson and Mateusz Kieliszkowski both completed in exactly 22.58 seconds, sharing first place honors. Ondrej Fojtu delivered another solid performance in third place (25.08 seconds).

Event 4: Axle Deadlift – Heinla and Haynes Share Top Spot​

The stiff Axle Bar deadlift proved a challenge even for the strongest, with competitors lifting 350 kg for maximum reps.

• Rauno Heinla and Paddy Haynes tied impressively, each completing 8 reps
• Ondrej Fojtu again demonstrated consistency with third place (6 reps)

Event 5: Castle Stones – Richardson Seals Victory​

The classic strongman finale required athletes to load five increasingly heavy stones (120–200 kg) onto platforms as quickly as possible.

• Luke Richardson clinched the title decisively, loading all five stones in just 25.96 seconds
• Paddy Haynes secured second place (26.34 seconds)
• Rauno Heinla rounded out third place (28.44 seconds)

Get an exclusive look behind the scenes of Event 5 at Europe's Strongest Man 2025 in Leeds as our Giants attempt to take the title in the final event!

Luke Richardson’s Return to Glory​

Luke Richardson’s performance at the 2025 Europe's Strongest Man marked an inspiring comeback. After initially claiming the title in 2020, Richardson battled injuries, displaying extraordinary resilience to regain his crown. At 27 years old, this victory sets the stage for future success and underscores his reputation as one of Europe's premier strongmen.

Notable Performances and Rising Stars​

Several athletes delivered standout performances. Ondrej Fojtu, just 23 years old, showed incredible potential, consistently placing among the top contenders and signaling a promising future in the sport. Meanwhile, seasoned competitor Mateusz Kieliszkowski reaffirmed his elite status with consistently powerful performances, narrowly missing the overall title.

Historical Context and Significance of 2025 Event​

The 2025 competition showcased Europe's strongest athletes performing at unprecedented levels. Luke Richardson’s victory not only reasserted his dominance in the sport but also emphasized the increasing depth of talent within European strongman competitions. With emerging athletes like Ondrej Fojtu and veterans such as Mateusz Kieliszkowski continuing to impress, the future of European strongman competitions appears incredibly robust.


Darren Sadler and Luke Richardson discuss all things Europe's Strongest Man 2025 as well as upcoming shows for the rest of the Strongman Season!