The Mountain Just Won the Arnold Strongman Classic 2020

Hafthor Bjornsson, aka The Mountain, has won the Arnold Strongman Classic 2020; his third consecutive win at the annual event. Bjornsson smashed the rest of the competition on the second day during the Elephant Bar Deadlift, where he lifted 1,026 pounds (465 kgs).

“1st place baby! I won the Arnold Strongman Classic 2020! 3 years straight!!! Words can’t describe how happy and grateful I am for the support around me,” Bjornsson wrote on Instagram. “I was very confident this year that I was going to do well, because I knew that I had put in the work, but I was pushed so hard by the other amazing athletes… I am so grateful for the support team I have had working with me for this competition.” He went on to thank his wife, parents, coach, and nutritionist.

View this post on Instagram

1st place baby! I won the Arnold Strongman Classic 2020! 3 years straight!!! Words can’t describe how happy and grateful I am for the support around me ❤ This years competition was so crazy. Just days before the event, we received news that the whole festival was going to be cancelled because of the Corona Virus and then we were updated with changes every hour leading up to the show. Apart from this roller coaster of events that was out of our control, the competition continued and ran perfectly thanks to @drjantodd , and @roguefitness @billhenniger @caityhenniger and the amazing team working behind the scenes that made sure everything ran so smoothly. I was very confident this year that I was going to do well, because I knew that I had put in the work, but I was pushed so hard by the other amazing athletes, especially @kieliszkowskimateusz all the way through to the last event. I am so grateful for the support team I have had working with me for this competition. My coach @australianstrengthcoach making sure my training is on point and travelling around the world for me to make sure he was here so everything ran smoothly ?? My nutrition coach @stanefferding and @theverticaldiet for helping fuel my body to perform at the highest level ?? My amazing wife @kelsc33 for looking after me ❤ my best friend @andrireyr My dad @bjornthorr and mom @ragnheidurmj and the rest of my amazing team!! Lastly I would like to thank my sponsors for having my back always!! @reignbodyfuel @roguefitness @sbdapparel @revive_md @theverticaldiet @kingkongapparel

A post shared by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (@thorbjornsson) on Mar 8, 2020 at 8:40am PDT

The current world record for heaviest deadlift is held by Bjornsson’s rival, Eddie Hall, who pulled 1,100 pounds (500 kgs) at Europe’s Strongest Man in 2016. However, Bjornsson’s lift this weekend was on the Elephant Bar, which is made to be longer than a regulation “Olympic” bar in order to accommodate extra weights. “Even though he could’ve made a third attempt to break the elusive 501 kg (1,104 pounds) and win $100,000, he ultimately opted to save his energy for the rest of the competition,” writes Roger Lockridge at BarBend.

Earlier this year, Bjornsson set an unofficial Elephant Bar deadlift record, pulling 1,058 pounds. It technically didn’t count as he lifted with straps but no deadlift suit, which affects competition categories, but was a staggering feat nonetheless.

Source: Read Full Article