Mitchell Hooper Issues Deadlift Challenge to Hafthor Bjornsson

“This isn’t clickbait,” said Mitchell Hooper moments before issuing a deadlift challenge to 2018 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) champion Hafthor Björnsson.

Hooper, hot off a recent win at the 2024 Strongest Man on Earth competition and 2024 USA Strongman Championships, believes he can beat Björnsson to set a new all-time deadlift world record.

“I’m formally requesting to be involved in any event that Thor goes to,” Hooper continued on Oct. 2, 2024. Hooper has his eyes on a new all-time strongman deadlift record — the mythical 505 kilograms (1,113 pounds), that has thus far eluded the world’s top pullers.

Can Hooper Topple the Mountain?

Last September, Björnsson, who hadn’t made a run in strongman since his retirement in 2020, announced a surprising comeback to the sport.

While competitive strongman evolved since Björnsson’s departure — a power vacuum that relative newcomer Hooper has capitalized on — the Icelandic native has done well so far:

2024 Arnold Strongman Classic: Fourth Place

2024 Strongman Champions League: First Place

2024 Arnold Pro Strongman World Series: Second Place

2024 Iceland’s Strongest Man: First Place

Medal Cabinet: Björnsson’s victory at the 2024 Iceland’s Strongest Man in August marked his 11th consecutive title in that contest since 2011, though he did not participate in 2021, 2022, or 2023.

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Most relevant, Björnsson earned second place at the 2024 Strongest Man on Earth competition behind Hooper. As the competitive strongman season winds down, both athletes have their eyes on the same prize.

“I think I’m a worthy candidate,” Hooper continued on social media. To build his case, Hooper cited several strong deadlift performances he’s had over the past few months.

“Despite my training and nutrition being chaotic, I believe I had the closest attempt at 505 kilograms of anyone, ever,” Hooper remarked of his performance in Event 1 of the 2024 Giants Live World Deadlift Championships in Las Vegas. “I got it to my knees, without a preparatory cycle.”

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The Moose vs. The Mountain

“I will not avoid any show, any competitor, or any lift,” Hooper proudly declared. Björnsson’s resurgence in competitive strongman seems to have lit a fire under Hooper — that, or he just loves a good strongman showdown as much as we do.

Hooper and Björnsson will collide in Aberdeen, Scotland, at the 2024 Rogue Strongman Invitational on Nov. 8-10, 2024. Hooper is the defending champion, and Event 1 is a one-rep max raw deadlift.