Mateusz Kieliszkowski Withdraws from the 2025 Arnold Strongman Classic – What’s Next for the Polish Powerhouse?

[MuscleMecca Crew]

Kieliszkowski Bows Out – The Big Man Needs More Time​

Mateusz Kieliszkowski, one of the most explosive strongmen in the world, has officially withdrawn from the 2025 Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC), and let’s just say, the competition just got a whole lot easier for the other guys. The Polish powerhouse, famous for his insane speed and ridiculous pressing power, announced that he’s not quite ready to compete after recovering from a nasty Achilles injury.

An Achilles Injury – A Strongman’s Kryptonite​

Nothing derails a strongman’s career quite like an injury, and Achilles problems are no joke. Just ask Kieliszkowski, who had to sit out major competitions like Europe’s Strongest Man and World’s Strongest Man in 2024. The good news? He made a huge comeback by winning the 2024 Magnus Ver Magnusson Classic in Iceland. The bad news? The Arnold Strongman Classic is a whole different beast, featuring some of the heaviest events in the sport, and he’s just not ready to risk it all… yet.

"I was progressing up to a certain point. I stopped somewhere. My leg still does not allow me to gain the appropriate strength or level to compete, and I don’t intend to go to finish last."
– Mateusz Kieliszkowski, dropping some strongman wisdom on YouTube

Look, if you can’t move like a freight train with a 700-pound frame carry on your back, maybe sitting this one out isn’t the worst idea. No one wants to see Kieliszkowski limping across the competition floor just to place last.

What Does This Mean for the 2025 Arnold Strongman Classic?​

With Kieliszkowski out, the 2025 ASC, scheduled for February 28 to March 1 in Columbus, Ohio, just got even more competitive. That means ten strongmen will now battle it out for the prestigious title, and these guys are no joke:

• Mitchell Hooper – The reigning two-time ASC champion, currently looking unstoppable.
• Hafthor Björnsson – Three-time ASC winner, also known as the dude who deadlifted 501 kg (1,104 lbs) and crushed heads on Game of Thrones.
• Tom Stoltman – The three-time World’s Strongest Man (WSM), looking to add the ASC trophy to his collection.
• Trey Mitchell – Two-time Shaw Classic champion, a deadlift machine.
• Bobby Thompson, Evan Singleton, Maxime Boudreault, and other strong contenders who are ready to shock the world.

With no official replacement announced, it’s now a battle of ten titans instead of eleven. Less competition means a better shot at the podium for some of these guys.

Is a Giants Live Comeback on the Horizon?​

Just because Kieliszkowski won’t be battling it out at the ASC doesn’t mean he’s done for the year. He’s hinted at making a return later in 2025, possibly at Giants Live competitions, where his speed and agility give him an edge.

If he recovers fully, expect him back in major events by mid to late 2025, ready to dominate medleys, yoke carries, and stone runs like he never left. Let’s be honest—the man has unfinished business.

Kieliszkowski’s Arnold Strongman Classic History – So Close, Yet So Far​

Mateusz has been knocking on the door of an ASC title for years, but bad luck and injuries have always gotten in the way. Here’s a look at his ASC track record:

• 2018 – 2nd place, lost to Hafthor Björnsson
• 2019 – 2nd place, Hafthor beat him again (seriously, man, let someone else win)
• 2020 – 2nd place, still couldn’t get over the hump
• 2021 & 2022 – Did not compete due to injuries
• 2023 – 4th place, solid return
• 2024 – 2nd place, again the silver medalist
• 2025 – Withdrawn, waiting for his moment to strike

For a guy who’s always in the mix, it’s only a matter of time before he wins this thing.

What’s Next for Strongman in 2025?​

With Kieliszkowski out, Mitchell Hooper, Tom Stoltman, and Hafthor Björnsson are now the clear frontrunners for the ASC title.

But don’t count out the dark horses. Evan Singleton and Maxime Boudreault could pull off upsets and shake things up. One thing’s for sure—the ASC never fails to deliver surprises.

Final Thoughts – Kieliszkowski’s Strongman Journey Continues​

Mateusz Kieliszkowski’s withdrawal from the 2025 Arnold Strongman Classic is a big blow to fans who were hoping to see him take down the best in the world. But this isn’t the end—this guy is just biding his time.

Will we see him dominate at Giants Live later this year? Probably.
Will he finally win an ASC title in the future? It’s not a question of if, but when.

For now, we wait. But one thing’s for sure—when Kieliszkowski is back at 100%, the rest of the strongman world better be ready.