“The Dragon” has already withdrawn from the 2024 World’s Strongest Man contest.
Final up to date on April seventeenth, 2024
Following a contest hiatus via 2023, the 2019 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) champion Martins Licis made his professional strongman comeback on the 2024 Arnold Strongman Basic (ASC) to an underwhelming eighth-place end.
Licis was scheduled to compete on the 2024 WSM contest on Could 1-5, 2024, in Myrtle Seashore, SC, however withdrew three weeks earlier than the competition as a consequence of sciatica, a situation that causes ache, weak point, numbness, or tingling sensations within the leg.
Licis acknowledged that persevering with to compete on the high stage of the game whereas battling sciatica might enhance the chance of his long-term well being. He appeared on his YouTube sequence “Energy Unknown” to share an replace relating to his energy whereas recovering:
“I’ve pushed via quite a lot of accidents, usually successful reveals regardless of the protest of ache echoing via all of the joints of my physique,” mentioned Licis. “In January [2024], when sciatica hit, I developed an ego and thought I might push via it.”
Licis took a a lot completely different strategy to restoration up to now and relied on bodily remedy to handle his accidents. Licis’ sciatica flared up on day one of many 2024 ASC warm-ups. He couldn’t put weight on his proper leg, making standing tough.
I went right into a frantic, messy area in my head. I couldn’t…get myself again within the recreation.
The Latvian-American strongman squashed retirement hypothesis and reiterated his dedication to the restoration interval. “I do know higher to not push via an harm that retains getting worse, so I’ll give it a while and respect and deal with getting higher,” mentioned Licis. This harm has compelled Licis to re-evaluate his aggressive strongman profession and future targets.
Though Licis’ choice to withdraw from the 2024 WSM contest was a setback, he’s utilizing this time to pursue different inventive endeavors, equivalent to portray and documenting energy’s affect on completely different cultures via his YouTube channel.
“It’s heartbreaking for me to not compete proper now,” confessed Licis. “I do know deep down inside that I wish to come again and win once more, however I can not sleep on this harm.”
Licis will compete subsequent on the 2024 Rogue Strongman Invitational, set for Nov. 8-10 in Aberdeen, Scotland.
Featured picture: @martinslicis on Instagram