Hooper’s Trajectory Might Be a World Record Deadlift in 2025

Mitchell Hooper, the 2023 World’s Strongest Man and 2024 Strongest Man on Earth, is gearing up to defend his Arnold Strongman Classic title for the second time.

Training for the Arnold Strongman Classic

Mitchell Hooper has three months until he attempts to defend his title at the Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC) in Columbus, OH, from February 27 to March 2, 2025. Part of his training includes heavy conventional deadlifts to challenge arguably the world’s strongest deadlifter, Hafthor “The Mountain” Björnsson.

Check out Hooper’s 750-pound beltless deadlift in training in the video below, courtesy of his Instagram page:

A Battle for the Deadlift Record

The ongoing undercurrent in the build-up to the 2025 ASC is a battle between Hooper and Björnsson in what is expected to be the opening event – a max deadlift – even though the 2025 ASC events have not yet been officially revealed at the time of this article’s publication.

Thus far in history, only two strongmen have pulled 500-kilogram conventional deadlifts. Eddie Hall, in 2016, pulled 500 kilograms, the first human to ever do so, and Björnsson, in 2020, chipped a kilogram to that, locking out 501 kilograms.

Since then, the race to pull a 505-kilogram deadlift has loomed large on the sport and who might be capable of accomplishing it. Tom Stoltman and Ivan Makarov have both stated their intent to achieve that feat of strength, though the former has yet to attempt it, and the latter has failed on multiple occasions despite coming closest to entering the 500-kilogram club.

Hooper is the most recent strongman to pose his intent to enter the 500-kilogram club earnestly. It’s reasonable to argue that the best betting odds are on the athlete who hasn’t missed a podium in his last 24 elite contests. Since 2022, the only athletes to best Hooper in a max deadlift event are Björnsson and Tom Stoltman.

Conclusion

When the 2025 ASC rolls around, we’ll see if Björnsson and Hooper push each other into a must-win situation involving a world-record deadlift. Historically, both have prioritized winning the competition rather than attempting a world-record deadlift. However, history could be made if the incentive aligns with their condition in Columbus.

FAQs

Q: Who is Mitchell Hooper?

A: Mitchell Hooper is the 2023 World’s Strongest Man and 2024 Strongest Man on Earth.

Q: What is the Arnold Strongman Classic?

A: The Arnold Strongman Classic is a strongman competition held annually in Columbus, OH.

Q: Who is Hafthor “The Mountain” Björnsson?

A: Hafthor “The Mountain” Björnsson is a strongman competitor and arguably the world’s strongest deadlifter.

Q: What is the current record for the deadlift in strongman competition?

A: The current record for the deadlift in strongman competition is 501 kilograms, held by Hafthor “The Mountain” Björnsson.