Brian Shaw Suffered a Torn Pec at the 2023 Shaw Classic

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1 year ago

At the 2023 Shaw Classic, viewers in the crowd and watching at home knew the show’s namesake, four-time World’s Strongest Man (WSM) Brian Shaw, was competing in the final competitive strongman show of his career. With the pressure to a noteworthy performance one last time, Shaw pulled through and scored the gold to become a two-time Shaw Classic champion — he also won the inaugural contest in 2020.

However, en route to standing atop the podium, Shaw suffered a torn right pec. On Aug. 31, 2023, Shaw published a video on his YouTube channel wherein received the specifics of his injury from his go-to physician in Arizona. Check it out below:

Note: The video contains medical treatment, including needles; view discretion advised.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqBjzdYqQfI&ab_channel=SHAWSTRENGTHVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: I TORE MY PEC | ROAD TO RECOVERY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqBjzdYqQfI&ab_channel=SHAWSTRENGTH)

After flying from Colorado to Arizona to receive treatment, Shaw entered his physician’s office to a warm welcome, a vitals check, and 60 vials of blood work. When asked when his injury occurred, Shaw explained that he felt the tear during the standing chest press event, which he won with nine reps.

It was clear from the ultrasound that Shaw tore clavicular and pec fibers, explaining the significant purple bruising on his chest. The doctor recognized the injury immediately but did not seem distressed by the findings.

It’s high grade, but it’s a partial.

Shaw received treatment via syringes visible on the monitors without much delay. Although Shaw won’t be able to fully load his pec until the injury heals, his day-to-day activities should otherwise remain unchanged. With time, the doctor expects Shaw to reach a full recovery.

Shaw wasn’t the only athlete to suffer an injury at the 2023 Shaw Classic. That contest’s runner-up, 2023 WSM champion Mitchell Hooper, endured a hamstring tear. Of course, both Hooper and Shaw finished the event standing next to each other on the podium despite their physical setbacks during the contest.

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