Hafthor Bjornsson, best known as “The Mountain” from Game of Thrones, just made history again—this time in the real world, not Westeros.
At the 2025 World Deadlift Championship in Birmingham, England, the Icelandic strongman completed a record-shattering 510-kilogram (1,124-pound) deadlift, a feat that pushed the boundaries of human strength and left fans and fellow athletes in awe.
Even more impressive? He went on to win the entire strongman competition, becoming the first person to ever do both in a single event.
Jump to:
A Historic Lift That Redefined Human Limits
Bjornsson’s new world record wasn’t just heavy—it was unbelievably effortless. Lifting 1,124 pounds off the ground should look like a life-or-death struggle, but Thor made it look like he was moving furniture.
“It’s surreal,” he said before the competition. “Third time breaking my own record—it’s hard to wrap my head around.”
This new mark tops his previous personal best of 505kg (1,113 pounds) set just months earlier, which itself broke the legendary 501kg lift from 2020. Every time the world thinks he’s peaked, Thor finds another gear.
The First to Lift 510kg—And Keep Going
Breaking a deadlift world record is typically the only goal of the day. Lifters who attempt weights in the 500kg range usually shut down afterward to recover. Not Thor.
“I won’t go heavier,” he said before the event. “I want to win the whole show. I have five events left after that lift. It’s about being smart.”
This strategy paid off. Not only did he break the deadlift world record, but he became the first person in history to complete a full strongman show after lifting over 500kg—and win it.
No athlete had ever successfully pulled more than 500kg and gone on to finish an entire competition. Thor did it with dominance.
Preparation, Discipline, and a “Breakfast of Champions”
Thor’s path to 510kg wasn’t fueled by gimmicks—it was built on consistency, simplicity, and strategic planning.
In a video shared the morning of the event, he calmly ate his go-to competition breakfast: potatoes (both sweet and regular), eggs, rice, Greek yogurt, oatmeal with blueberries, and orange juice.
“I never change things on comp day,” he said. “The same food, the same plan. Keep the stomach happy, stay focused.”
He walked through his warm-up strategy too:
- 70kg for 5
- 120kg for 3
- 170kg for 2
- 220kg, 270kg, 320kg, 370kg — all singles
- First lift on the main stage at 420kg
- Second at 470kg
- Final attempt: 510kg
By the time he reached that final lift, his confidence was peaking.
“470 felt like nothing,” he said. “I’m more confident now than I was before I started. Let’s f***ing crush it.”
Winning the Show Was the True Test
While the 510kg deadlift was the centerpiece, Thor knew the competition wasn’t won yet. He still had to face a gauntlet of events:
- Farmers carry
- Sandbag medley
- Front hold
- Axle press (Wagon Press)
- Power stairs
Each event was a mental and physical grind. After the power stairs, Thor admitted:
“I’m absolutely fried. I’ve got a pounding headache. But I’m still standing—and I’m still in it.”
Despite his fatigue, he pushed through with remarkable composure and sheer willpower. His final performance in the power stairs sealed the deal, and Thor was crowned champion, finishing more than eight points ahead of the competition.
A Legendary Moment in Strongman History
What Thor accomplished in Birmingham goes beyond personal records. It redefines what’s possible in strength sports.
He didn’t just show up to pull an impossible lift—he stayed to prove he was still the best all-around athlete on the stage.
“No one’s done this before,” he said. “No one’s lifted over 500kg and then completed the show—let alone won it. I wanted to be the first.”
He was.
A Team Effort, A Champion’s Mindset
Thor was quick to give credit to the people around him. From his wife and father to his training team and film crew, he emphasized how crucial his support system was to his success.
“My team is everything,” he said post-win. “They keep me calm, keep me fueled, keep me grounded.”
He also had a message for the doubters:
“To all the people that doubted me—this is for you. And to everyone who believed in me—this is for you too.”
What’s Next for the Mountain?
With three historic deadlift records, a World’s Strongest Man title, three Arnold Strongman Classic wins, and now a victory at the 2025 World Deadlift Championship, Hafthor Bjornsson has etched his name into the pantheon of strength sports.
He’s not just a former TV star. He’s one of the greatest strength athletes to ever live.
Whatever comes next—be it more records, another boxing bout, or retirement—Thor’s legacy is already carved in stone. Or perhaps, more fittingly, in steel.
