| Mikhail Shivlyakov | |
| Nickname: | Siberian Force |
| Birth Date: | 30 April 1980 |
| Residence: | Omsk, Russia |
| Sport: | Strongman |
Mikhail Vasilyevich Shivlyakov (ru|Михаил Васильевич Шивляков; born 30 April 1980) is a Russian professional strongman and former Russian Marine
Shivlyakov was born on April 30, 1980, in the city of Kiselyovsk, Kemerovo Region. During 1998 – 2000 he served in the Baltic Fleet, Black Sea Fleet and The Marines (Russian Naval Infantry)[1] in the ranks of Sergeant and Deputy Platoon Commander. Shivlyakov is a recipient of Medal of Suvorov and Medal of Zhukov.
After his service in the military, Shivlyakov developed a passion towards Powerlifting, winning competition across Siberian Federal District and breaking the Deadlift record at Kemerovo Region.[2]
In 2007, he debuted as a participant in the 'Bogatyr Baikal' strongman competition and followed competing in local strongman competitions across Omsk.
Shivlyakov's first international competition was 2011 Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships where he ended up in sixth place. The following year he advanced into second place and in 2013 won the competition.[3] This victory allowed him to compete in the 2014 Arnold Strongman Classic in Columbus, Ohio, in which he secured seventh place. He pulled 441abbr=onNaNabbr=on in the Hummer tyre deadlift event. In the same year, he also qualified for the World's Strongest Man but failed to enter the final.
In 2015 Shivlyakov entered the finals of World's Strongest Man after emerging second to Žydrūnas Savickas in the group and eventually won ninth place. In the same year he took part in World's Strongest Team competition and briefly held the world record in the Northumberland Stone carry before Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson gave it a go.[4]
2016 was a prolific year for Shivlyakov. He placed seventh in both the Arnold Strongman Classic and Arnold Africa, placed fifth in Arnold Europe, third in Arnold Asia, third in Ultimate Strongman World Championships, third in WSF World Cup India and won WSF World Cup Russia.[5] During the Arnold Strongman Classic, he pressed the 175abbr=onNaNabbr=on Slater Log for 6 reps.
In 2017, Shivlyakov secured fifth place in Arnold Strongman Classic and Giants Live World Tour Finals, fourth place in Arnold South America, second place in Arnold Australia and also got selected to World's Strongest Man.[5]
In 2018, Shivlyakov emerged third place in the Arnold Strongman Classic, behind champion Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson and runner up Brian Shaw[6] which according to many is his best career performance. During the competition, he became the fourth person to shoulder the Odd Haugen Tombstone, and to this day remains one of only eight men to ever do it. During the same competition, while valiantly deadlifting 426abbr=onNaNabbr=on on the Rogue Elephant bar, Shivlyakov bled profusely from his nose,[7] making it one of the most iconic moments in the history of Strongman. Three weeks later, he won the Arnold South America.[8]
In 2019, Shivlyakov narrowly missed the Arnold Strongman Classic podium by 1 point, ending up with fourth place. He also managed a fourth place finish at Arnold Australia and Arnold Africa. Shivlyakov also placed fifth in his inaugural Europe's Strongest Man competition,[9] and qualified himself in to World's Strongest Man once again.
In 2020 Shivlyakov won Força Bruta competition in Brazil and also broke the Masters Strongman deadlift world record with 436abbr=onNaNabbr=on at World's Ultimate Strongman feats of strength series.[10]
2021 marked the final year of Shivlyakov's international strongman career with a win at Força Bruta, and prolifically participating across Arnold Strongman Classic, World's Strongest Man, World's Ultimate Strongman, Rogue Invitational and Shaw Classic.
Shivlyakov is married and has two daughters. They live in Omsk.
→ The second heaviest powerlifting style raw deadlift ever performed by a Strongman athlete, behind Benedikt Magnússon.
Shivlyakov was invited to participate in the TV show "Army Shop".[16] Moscow directors sought to cast Shivlyakov in the title role of the feature film "Bogatyr".[17] Shivlyakov also starred in the comedy "Zomboyaschik".[18] The creators of the Time of Heroes comic chose Shivlyakov as a prototype for one of the characters.