Sthenos Xbition IV 2026: what to expect in Lausanne
Sthenos Movement just announced most of the Xbition IV lineup. Here's what the competition is, who's competing, and what the field looks like.
On May 29, Lausanne hosts the fourth Sthenos Xbition. Three days, five disciplines, around 177 athletes from at least 14 countries. On May 11, Sthenos Movement published most of the confirmed lineup, not in the caption, but in the carousel slides, which meant reading names off each image rather than finding them in a list.
Here is what this competition is, how it has developed across four editions, and who is competing.
What is Sthenos Xbition
Sthenos Xbition is an annual calisthenics event in Lausanne, Switzerland, run by Sthenos Movement. The first edition ran in June 2023 with two disciplines. By the fourth, it covers five: OnlyStatic, Semi-Pro Freestyle, Professional Freestyle for men and women, Set & Reps, and Strength War.
Each discipline gets its own slot across three days:
- May 29: Semi-Pro Freestyle Championship
- May 30 morning: Set & Reps
- May 30 afternoon: Pro Freestyle, women and men
- May 31 morning: Strength War
- May 31 afternoon: OnlyStatic Championship
OnlyStatic is the format that sets Xbition apart from most calisthenics competitions. Athletes go one-on-one in a single-elimination bracket, judged on static hold difficulty, execution, and fluidity. No freestyle, no dynamics: just positions held under pressure.
From edition I to IV
The first edition at the Place de l’Europe had 35 athletes from 6 countries and two disciplines: a Strength War in the morning and a Freestyle battle in the afternoon. Roman Demchenko won the men’s Freestyle ahead of Ismail Moro. In the women’s bracket, Maureen took first, Naïka Aymon second, Célia third. Dailong served as a judge at this edition.
The second edition, in June 2024, introduced OnlyStatic to Switzerland for the first time. Thomas Kurganov attended as special guest, judge, and advisor. Six disciplines ran across two days. Iliesse Belasri won OnlyStatic, Youssef Moro won the men’s Freestyle Pro, Tifenn won the women’s Freestyle.
The third edition moved to the Place des Pionnières and drew 24 athletes from 14 countries for OnlyStatic alone. Melvyn beat Nathan Bosech in the final. In Pro Freestyle, Ismail Moro beat Youssef Moro. In Semi-Pro, Martin Longy won ahead of Aggelos. That second place earned Aggelos a Pro ticket for this edition.
The fourth edition has around 177 registered athletes across five disciplines.
The lineup announced on May 11
Sthenos posted the confirmed names in carousel slides, with nothing listed in the caption. The post read more like a teaser than a standard announcement, and some names are still being held back ahead of May 29.
Pro Freestyle Men has 14 of 16 spots confirmed: Rembi, Julian Pagel, Stefan Majkowski, Youssef Moro, Aggelos, Thomas Ansotte, Ismail Moro, Goku, Adrian Moreno, Samu Könönen, Diego Duron Lopez, Lokazo, Antony Sam, and Arian Cabrera. Ismail Moro returns as defending champion. Aggelos moves up from Semi-Pro after finishing second in 2025. Diego Duron Lopez comes in from Honduras. Two spots remain undisclosed.
Pro Freestyle Women has 9 of 11 confirmed: Maureen, Léa Depagneux, Mei Yan, Olympe Monteagle-Sauvage, Julia Laszczyk, Héloïse Caille, Chloe, Charlotte, and Teres Ryomen. Two spots still open.
Semi-Pro Freestyle Men has 30 of 41 confirmed. The top 16 finishers earn a Pro ticket for the next edition, which gives the category stakes that go beyond the podium. The remaining names are expected before May 29.
OnlyStatic has 41 of 67 confirmed. Daï-Long Huynh, who judged the first edition in 2023, competes this year as an athlete. The full roster of 67 is still coming.
The complete confirmed lineups are on the Xbition IV edition page.