WORLD STRONGMAN
International Union
The Executive Committee of the World Strongman International Union (WSM) has officially announced that Mr. Vladimir Burdun has been removed from his position as President, effective immediately.
During an extraordinary session held on August 5–6, 2025, the Executive Committee unanimously voted to terminate Mr. Burdun’s mandate due to:
Repeated violations of the WSM Constitution
Unauthorized control attempts over WSM’s digital assets and public image
Disruptive conduct toward international partners, including AIMS and the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC)
A complete withdrawal from presidential duties, publicly declared by Mr. Burdun himself
In response, the Committee has appointed Mr. Vladislavs Redjkins, WSM Secretary General, as Acting President until the Extraordinary General Assembly in December 2025, when a new President will be elected.
WSM reaffirms its full alignment with:
The Olympic values and principles
The WADA Code and anti-doping compliance
Ongoing cooperation with AIMS as part of its recognition process
Strategic partnership with the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) in the development of Para-Strongman
The World Strongman International Union reaffirms that its mission transcends individual leadership. Our organization remains the sole legitimate custodian of the sport’s global heritage, built over decades of international collaboration. We assure our athletes, national federations, and global partners that the transition process is being handled with the utmost transparency and adherence to international sports law. The upcoming General Assembly in December 2025 will mark a new chapter, ensuring that the development of Strongman and Para-Strongman continues under a leadership fully committed to transparency, integrity, and the Olympic spirit.
In addition to these leadership changes, the Executive Committee informs partners and fans of a potential temporary update to the organization’s visual identity. It has come to light that Vladimir Burdun, utilizing his previous position, registered the current logo as a personal Trademark (TM) under Class 41 in the UAE. Despite these legal maneuvers, our organization remains fully committed to continuing the long-standing history of world strongman sports. We are focused on athletic excellence and the development of our athletes rather than bureaucratic disputes, and we stand ready to refresh our branding to protect the Federation’s integrity and future.
📄 Download full press release:
🗂 English Version (PDF)
🗂 Русская версия (PDF)
📧 For official communication: gensec@worldstrongman.org
