Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson#Boxing career

{{Infobox person

| name = Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson

| image = Björnsson Arnold Classic 2017.jpg

| image_size =

| alt = Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson wearing black shorts, black tank top that reads ROGUE, knee braces, and flip flops, standing onstage, holding a barbell over one shoulder, with one arm raised, scowling and looking right of camera

| caption = Hafþór in 2017

| nickname = {{hlist|The Mountain|Thor|Ljónið}}

| birth_name = Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1988|11|26}}

| birth_place = Reykjavík, Iceland

| occupation = {{hlist|Strongman|actor|powerlifter|boxer}}

| years_active = 2010–2020, 2024–present (strongman)

| spouse = {{marriage|Kelsey Henson|2018}}

| children = 2

| height = {{convert|2.05|m|ftin}}

| website = {{URL|hafthorbjornsson.com}}

}}

Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson ({{IPA|is|ˈhafθour ˈjuːlijʏs ˈpjœr̥sɔn|lang|Is-Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson.ogg}}; transliterated as Hafthor in English; born 26 November 1988) is an Icelandic professional strongman who is widely regarded as one of the greatest strength athletes of all time.{{cite web |last=Maanas |first=Aaromal |date=2 November 2022 |title=Who is the World's Strongest Man? Ranking the top five Strongest Men in History |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/health-and-fitness/news-top-five-strongest-men-history |access-date=2 November 2022 |website=Sportskeeda}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XSIPoCji7I |title=Top 10: Greatest Worlds Strongest Man |website=Laurence Shahlaei |date=15 September 2019 |access-date=21 September 2022}} He is the first and only person to have won the Arnold Strongman Classic, the Europe's Strongest Man, and the World's Strongest Man competitions in the same calendar year and holds numerous Strongman titles from multiple strength federations, including multiple world records.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJgtWiC4Bb4&t=213s |title=The Year Thor Bjornsson Completed Strongman |website=YouTube |access-date=25 March 2022}} With 31 international competition wins, he is the third most decorated strongman in history,{{cite web |title=Strongman Archives – Athletes|url=https://strongmanarchives.com/athletes.php?division=M|access-date=6 April 2022|work=Strongman Archives|date=5 April 2022}} and in terms of pure brute strength and having broken 123 world records,{{cite web|url=https://strengthrecord.com/#Strength%20Record%20Pantheon%E2%80%8B |title=STRENGTH RECORD PANTHEON, the most prolific record breakers of all time across all strength sports |website=www.strengthrecord.com |access-date=9 April 2025}} many strength analysts and Strongman experts widely regard Hafþór as "the strongest man to have ever lived".{{cite web |last=Gill |first=Michael |date=11 March 2019 |title=The Greatest Strongman of All Time Vs. The Strongest Man Ever |url=https://barbend.com/greatest-strongman-vs-strongest/ |access-date=8 April 2022 |work=BarBend}}{{cite web|url=https://balancethegrind.co/daily-routines/hafthor-bjornsson-daily-routine/ |title=Hafthor Björnsson: Daily Routine – Discover the habits and routines of 50 of the world's most successful people |website=Balancethegrind.co |date=25 October 2022 |access-date=9 November 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://events.sportshof.org/?playlist=c462d6b&video=4878acb |title=2023 International Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Hafþór Björnsson – Induction speech by Dr. Robert M. Goldman |author=Dr. Robert M. Goldman |website=International Sports Hall of Fame|access-date=17 March 2023}}

Hafþór has also appeared on television as an actor, portraying "The Mountain" Ser Gregor Clegane in the HBO series Game of Thrones for five seasons. He is often simply referred to as "Thor" or "the Mountain", the latter due to his Game of Thrones character and his own massive size.{{cite web |last=Wertheim |first=Jon |title=Coming Down from The Mountain |url=https://www.si.com/media/2022/07/05/hafthor-bjornsson-strongman-strength-issue |website=SI.com |date=5 July 2022 |publisher=Meredith Corporation |access-date=21 August 2022}}

In March 2023, Hafþór was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame.{{cite web |last=Zeglinski |first=Robert |date=3 February 2023 |title=Strongman Legend Hafthor Björnsson Receives International Sports Hall of Fame Induction |url=https://breakingmuscle.com/hafthor-bjornsson-international-sports-hall-of-fame-2023/ |access-date=17 March 2023 |website=Breaking Muscle}}

Early life

Hafþór was born on 26 November 1988 in Reykjavík, Iceland. When he was eleven years old, his family moved to Kópavogur. He received his primary education at Grundaskóli and then Hjallaskóli hill school, but due to high levels of energy as a child, he had difficulty sitting in a classroom or concentrating on his studies.{{cite web |date=11 April 2017 |title=Hafþór Júlíus: Ofvirki Skagastrákurinn sem breyttist í vöðvafjall |url=http://www.dv.is/folk/2017/4/11/hafthor-julius-ofvirki-skagastrakurinn-sem-breyttist-i-vodvafjall/ |access-date=4 March 2018 |publisher=DV |language=is}} As a student at the polytechnic school in Breiðholt,{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}} he was enthusiastic about sports and played soccer and did gymnastics, before discovering his passion for basketball in eighth grade. He was also a chess player, with a Blitz rating of 800.{{cite web |last=Zaghi |first=Michael |date=10 January 2021 |title=The Five Most Unexpected Chess Players |url=https://medium.com/getting-into-chess/the-five-most-unexpected-chess-players-2f1fcb03b89c |access-date=10 April 2022 |website=Medium}} He also loved playing video games.{{cite web |last=Campbell |first=Kyle |date=15 August 2022 |title=Hafthor 'The Mountain' Bjornsson says Counter-Strike is his all-time favorite game |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2022/08/the-mountain-cs-go |access-date=21 September 2022 |website=USA Today}}

A lanky teenager, Hafþór gained size and strength through daily exercise, combining basic movements (push-ups, chin-ups, and sit-ups) with working at his grandfather's farm during summers and lifting natural stones in the wilderness.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hExI-nhx1Sc |title=Thor's Origin Story |website=YouTube |access-date=14 August 2022}}{{cite news |last=Borden |first=Sam |date=1 November 2014 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/02/sports/icelandic-strongman-does-heavy-lifting-on-a-second-career-as-an-actor.html |title=Icelandic Strongman Does Heavy Lifting on a Second Career as an Actor |work=The New York Times |access-date=4 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102042639/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/02/sports/icelandic-strongman-does-heavy-lifting-on-a-second-career-as-an-actor.html |archive-date=2 November 2014}} His imposing height of {{convert|205|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}{{cite web|title=Hafthor Bjornsson|url=http://www.strongman.org/athletes/hafthor-bjornsson/|website=www.strongman.org|publisher=Strongman|access-date=18 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611184904/http://www.strongman.org/athletes/hafthor-bjornsson/|archive-date=11 June 2015|url-status=dead}} is credited to his {{convert|203|cm|ftin|abbr=on}} father, Björn Þor Reynisson, and his mother, Ragnheiður Juliusdottir, who is also of tall stature. Hafþór's grandfather Reynir Ásgeirsson is also very tall and just as broad across the chest. Hafþór has two sisters: Bryndís Björg Björnsdóttir and Hafdís Lind Björnsdóttir.{{cite news|first=Twitch broadcast|title=Training at Thor's Power Gym and behind the scenes – meet my family|website=twitch.tv|author=Hafthorjulius|date=17 November 2022}}

Basketball career

{{Infobox sportsperson

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| sport = Basketball

| position = Center

| alma_mater =

| years_active =

| club = 2004–2005 Breiðablik
2005–2006 FSu
2006–2007 KR
2007–2008 FSu

| height = 205 cm

| weight = {{convert|105|kg|lb|0}}{{efn|This is his body weight as a basketball player in his teens. For Strongman and boxing body weights, please refer to the respective sections.}}

}}

Hafþór began his athletic career as a basketball player, playing as a center with a bodyweight of around {{convert|105|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. He started his senior team career for the Icelandic 1. deild karla club Breiðablik in 2004.{{cite web |title=1. deild karla - Breiðablik |url=http://gamli.kki.is/mot/1500002022_BREIDABLIK__.htm |website=kki.is |publisher=Icelandic Basketball Association |access-date=2 May 2022 |language=Icelandic}} The following season, he transferred to FSu Selfoss, but after about ten games, it was discovered that he had been playing with a broken bone in his ankle and required surgery. After recovering, in 2006, Hafþór moved to KR in the Icelandic top-tier Úrvalsdeild.{{cite news |title=Hafþór til KR |url=https://timarit.is/page/5549003 |access-date=2 May 2022 |work=Fréttablaðið |date=13 July 2006 |page=50 |language=is}}{{cite web |url=https://www.kr.is/karfa/hafthor-bjornsson-genginn-til-lids-vid-kr/ |title=Hafþór Björnsson genginn til liðs við KR |author=Körfuknattleiksdeild |language=is |date= 11 July 2006 |access-date= 4 March 2018}} However, after a screw in his ankle shattered, he had to undergo a second surgery in November, forcing him to miss the rest of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.kr.is/karfa/hafthor-julius-bjornsson-leikur-ekki-meira-a-thessari-leiktid |title=Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson leikur ekki meira á þessari leiktíð |language=is|author=Drengjaflokkur, Körfuknattleiksdeild |date=12 November 2006 |access-date=4 March 2018}}

To commence the 2007–2008 season, Hafþór moved back to play for FSu Selfoss and averaged 6.7 points per game,{{cite web|url=http://gamli.kki.is/mot/1500002686_FSU_________.htm |title=FSu 2007–2008 statistics |language=is |access-date=4 March 2018}} helping the team to achieve a promotion to the Úrvalsdeild.{{cite news|url=http://www.mbl.is/sport/korfubolti/2008/04/02/fsu_i_urvalsdeildina_i_korfu_karla/ |title=FSu í úrvalsdeildina í körfu karla |newspaper =Morgunblaðið |language=is| date=2 April 2008|access-date= 4 March 2018}} However, the troublesome ankle continued and ultimately forced him to retire from basketball at the age of nineteen, shattering his dream of making it to the NBA one day.{{cite web |url=http://hafthorbjornsson.com/about/ |title=About Hafþór |website=hafthorbjornsson.com |access-date=4 March 2018 |archive-date=3 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003035300/http://hafthorbjornsson.com/about/ |url-status=dead }}

Between 2004 and 2006, Hafþór played 32 games for the Icelandic junior national basketball teams{{cite web|url=http://www.kki.is/landslid/karlar/leikjafjoldi/unglinga-og-drengja/ |title=Landslið unglinga- og drengja |work=Icelandic Basketball Federation|access-date=4 March 2018}} and 8 with Iceland's U-18 national team in Division A of the U18 European Championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.fibaeurope.com/compID_8aYeHlfuGF-mF5IqO8aFH1.season_2006.roundID_4888.teamID_300.playerID_43824.html |title=FIBA Europe – Hafthor Bjornsson |work=FIBA Europe |access-date=4 March 2018}} In May 2004, he won the Nordic championship with the U-16 team.{{cite news |author1=Óskar Ófeigur Jónsson |title=3 íslenskir Norðurlandameistarar |url=https://timarit.is/page/5467628 |access-date=2 May 2022 |work=Dagblaðið Vísir |date=24 May 2004 |page=19 |language=Is}} During the 2004 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship Division B, he helped Iceland achieve promotion to Division A.{{cite news |author1=Skúli Unnar Sveinsson |title=Hálfgerður bjarnargreiði |url=https://timarit.is/page/3607572 |access-date=2 May 2022 |work=Morgunblaðið |date=18 August 2004 |page=6B |language=Icelandic |via=Tímarit.is}} {{open access}} In 2006, he won the Nordic championship again, this time with the U-18 team.{{cite news |author1=Óskar Ófeigur Jónsson |title=Heilluðu alla í Solna-höllinni |url=https://timarit.is/page/5549003 |access-date=2 May 2022 |work=Dagblaðið Vísir |date=2 June 2006 |page=44 |language=Is}}

Strongman career

{{Infobox sportsperson

| name = Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson

| image = Hafthór Júlíus Björnsson Scottish Stone Put.jpg

| image_size = 250

| caption = At the 2015 Caledonian Club Highland Games, trying the 12 kg Scottish Stone Put.

| birth_date =

| birth_place =

| known =

| occupation =

| sport = Strongman

| height = 205 cm{{cite web |url=http://www.theworldsstrongestman.com/athletes/hafthor-bjornsson/ |title=Hafþór Björnsson |website=theworldsstrongestman.com |access-date=4 March 2018 |archive-date=9 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309001810/http://theworldsstrongestman.com/athletes/hafthor-bjornsson/ |url-status=dead }}

| weight = {{convert|180-210|kg|lb|0}}{{cite web |last=Szathmary |first=Zoe |date=7 May 2018 |title='Game of Thrones' star named 2018 World's Strongest Man |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/game-of-thrones-star-named-2018-worlds-strongest-man |access-date=16 November 2018 |work=Fox News}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q17yPy8SaUc |title=When EDDIE & HAFTHOR couldn't DEADLIFT over 400Kg!|website=YouTube.com|date=19 September 2021|access-date=21 September 2022}}

| show-medals = yes

| medaltemplates = {{CompetitionRecordCountry | {{ISL}} }}

{{CompetitionRecord|1st| 2015 Giants Live Iceland (Viking Challenge) | }}

{{CompetitionRecordCompetition| Arnold Pro Strongman World Series }}

{{CompetitionRecord|1st|2012 World's Strongest Team with Jarno Jokinen | }}

{{CompetitionRecord|1st|2015 World's Strongest Team with Matjaz Belsak | }}

{{CompetitionRecordCompetition|Eastfjord Strongman Championships }}

{{CompetitionRecordCompetition|OK Budar Strongman Championships }}

{{CompetitionRecord| | Outside of World's Strongest Man and Arnold Strongman Classic this list contains only the podium finishes. A full list is given under Competitive record | }}

| other_names =

| footnotes =

| module = {{Infobox YouTube personality|embed=yes

| channel_handle = @Hafthorjulius

| channel_display_name = Hafthor Bjornsson

| years_active = 2013–present

| genre = Strength training/Strongman

| subscribers = 922k

| subscriber_date = 20 April 2025

| views = 324.71 million

| view_date = 20 April 2025

| silver_button = yes

| silver_year = 2016

| gold_button =

| gold_year =

}}

After recovering from the ankle injury, and inspired by Ronnie Coleman and Dorian Yates, Hafþór trained like a bodybuilder.{{cite news |last=Metcalfe |first=Charlie |date=28 March 2022 |title=MF Meets Strongman Turned Boxer Hafþór 'Thor' Björnsson |url=https://mensfitness.co.uk/fitness/interview-hafthor-bjornsson/ |access-date=21 September 2022 |work=Men's Fitness Today}} One day, when four-time World's Strongest Man champion Magnús Ver Magnússon spotted the twenty-year-old, 6 ft 9 in, {{convert|140|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} Hafþór deadlifting in his gym, "Jakaból", he immediately realized his potential as a good prospect for strongman,{{cite web |last=Strossen |first=Randall J. |date=29 May 2010 |title=Magnus Ver Magnusson: Icelandic Strongman Scout |url=http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/Articles/2010/May/Magnus_Ver_Magnusson-Icelandic_Strongman_Scout.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810030627/http://ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/Articles/2010/May/Magnus_Ver_Magnusson-Icelandic_Strongman_Scout.html |archive-date=10 August 2014 |access-date=4 March 2018 |website=IronMind}} which paved the way for Hafþór to train with Stefán Sölvi Pétursson, Benedikt Magnússon, Páll Logason, and Ari Gunnarsson.

The following year, while training at the "Strongman Base" gym, Hafþór was nicknamed Ljónið (the Lion) by Stefán Sölvi Pétursson,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogSPC2MDIts|title=THOR TRAINS TO BECOME 3X CHAMPION! Episode 6|website=YouTube.com|date=19 November 2019|access-date=20 September 2022}} because he continuously grew bigger and got stronger, eventually reaching his heaviest body weight ever, of {{convert|210|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}}, in 2012.

=Iceland's Strongest Man=

With his newfound friendships and guidance, Hafþór progressed in the sport and went on to win several strongman contests in Iceland multiple times from 2009 onwards, including Westfjord's Viking, Eastfjord Strongman Championships, Highland Viking,{{cite web|url=http://vodvafikn.net/profils/64-aflraunamenn/1224-haftor-julius-bjoernsson.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706022835/http://vodvafikn.net/profils/64-aflraunamenn/1224-haftor-julius-bjoernsson.html |archive-date=6 July 2010|title=Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson|website=vodvafikn.net}} Iceland's Strongest Viking, OK Badur Strongman Championships,{{cite web |last=Strossen |first=Randall J. |date=10 August 2010 |title=Haffþór [sic] Júlíusson Björnsson wins Iceland's OK Budar Strongman Contest |url=http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/Articles/2010/Aug/Hafthor_Juliusson_Bjornsson_Wins_Icelandxs_OK_Budar_Strongman_Contest.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111210205412/http://ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/Articles/2010/Aug/Hafthor_Juliusson_Bjornsson_Wins_Icelandxs_OK_Budar_Strongman_Contest.html |archive-date=10 December 2011 |website=IronMind}} Akranes Strength Challenge, and Strongest Man in Iceland.{{cite web|url=http://grindavik.is/v/5659|title=Hafþór Júlíus sterkasti maður á Íslandi|website=Vefsíðan Grindavíkurbæjar|date=8 June 2010|access-date=5 April 2018|language=is}}{{cite web |last=Strossen |first=Randall J. |date=6 June 2011 |title=Hafthor Julius Bjornsson Wins the Strongest Man in Iceland |url=http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/Articles/2011/Jun/Hafthor_Julius_Bjornsson_Wins_the_Strongest_Man_in_Iceland.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810180938/http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/Articles/2011/Jun/Hafthor_Julius_Bjornsson_Wins_the_Strongest_Man_in_Iceland.html |archive-date=10 August 2014 |access-date=4 March 2018 |website=IronMind}} After placing third behind his friends Pétursson and Magnússon in 2010, Hafþór won his first Iceland's Strongest Man title (Iceland's most prestigious) in 2011,{{cite web |last=Strossen |first=Randall J. |date=19 June 2011 |title=Hafthor Julius Bjornsson Wins Iceland's Strongest Man |url=http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/Articles/2011/Jun/Hafthor_Julius_Bjornsson_Wins_Icelandxs_Strongest_Man.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623034820/http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/Articles/2011/Jun/Hafthor_Julius_Bjornsson_Wins_Icelandxs_Strongest_Man.html |archive-date=23 June 2011 |access-date=4 March 2018 |website=IronMind}} becoming the ninth Icelander to win the title since its inception, in 1985. His winning streak continued, and in 2024, Hafþór won Iceland's Strongest Man for the eleventh time, including ten consecutive wins between 2011 and 2020.

=Strongman Champions League=

Hailing from its IFSA roots, the Strongman Champions League organized several Grand Prix events, which attracted many athletes from around the world.{{cite web |last=Strossen |first=Randall J. |date=26 February 2008 |title=Strongman Champions League |url=https://ironmind.com/news/Strongman-Champions-League |access-date=26 February 2008 |work=IronMind}} It gave Hafþór the opportunity for international exposure, competing against the best strongmen in the world. From 2013 to 2015, he competed prolifically (up to fourteen competitions in a single year) throughout many Grand Prix competitions in Germany, Netherlands, Finland, Norway, Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Latvia, Russia, China, Malaysia, and Brazil, winning eight international titles, three silver medals, and two bronze medals.{{cite web |title=Strongman Archives - Hafthór Júlíus Björnsson|url=https://strongmanarchives.com/viewAthlete.php?id=176|access-date=10 April 2022|work=Strongman Archives|date=10 April 2022}}

In January 2015, at the World's Strongest Viking competition, held in Norway, Hafþór carried a {{convert|10|m|ft|adj=mid|-long}}, {{convert|650|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} log, {{convert|0.45|m|ftin}} in diameter for five steps, thus breaking a legendary 1,000-year-old record, set by Orm Storolfsson for three steps.{{cite web |last=Strossen |first=Randall J. |date=1 January 2015 |title=Hafthor Wins World's Strongest Viking, Sets Sights on World's Strongest Man |url=http://ironmind.com/news/Hafthor-Wins-Worlds-Strongest-Viking-Sets-Sights-on-Worlds-Strongest-Man/ |access-date=4 March 2018 |work=IronMind}}

=Europe's Strongest Man=

After placing fifth and fourth in 2012 and 2013, respectively, Hafþór won the 2014 Europe's Strongest Man competition in Leeds, organized by Giants Live. During the competition, after setting a new world record in the Atlas stones event, he famously answered the reporter, "I'm the future of strength, and I'm king of the stones!"{{cite web |last=Carson |first=Dan |date=12 April 2019 |title=The Mountain from 'Game of Thrones' Wins Europe's Strongest Man Competition |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2167173-the-mountain-from-game-of-thrones-wins-europes-strongest-man-competition |access-date=19 August 2014 |work=Bleacher Report}} Hafþór successfully defended his title in 2015, but in 2016, despite doing well in other events, he made a mistake at the car walk by gripping the apparatus from the center instead of the sides, which compromised his balance; he eventually lost the title to Englishman Laurence Shahlaei. He regained it in 2017, after an iconic battle with Eddie Hall, and famously answered Bill Kazmaier, "This is not a beauty contest, this is Strongman!" He successfully defended the crown again in 2018 and 2019, becoming a five-time Europe's Strongest Man Champion.{{cite web |last=Court |first=Ben |date=8 April 2019 |title=The Mountain Just Proved That He's Europe's Strongest Man—Again |url=https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a27073093/thor-bjornsson-europe-strongest-man-2019/ |access-date=10 April 2022 |work=Men's Health}}

In addition to his five titles, Hafþór has also won the 2014 Giants Live FitX Melbourne, 2014 World's Strongest Viking, 2015 Giants Live Viking, and 2015 Giants Live Sweden, making him the greatest Giants Live champion of all time, with nine wins.{{cite web |author=Laurence Shahlaei – Big Loz Official (YouTube.com) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuJ0qH2H3Es |title=Giants Lives Most Successful Strongmen | website=YouTube |access-date=24 February 2022}}

=World's Strongest Man=

Hafþór took part in World's Strongest Man after earning a wild card invitation to the 2011 contest{{cite web |last=Strossen |first=Randall J. |date=8 August 2011 |title=Giants Live–Poland: Radzikowski, Jenkins and Baron Make WSM Cut... Bjornsson Gets Wild Card |url=http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/Articles/2011/Aug/Giants_Live_Poland-Radzikowskix_Jenkins_and_Baron_Make_WSM_Cut...Bjornsson_Gets_Wild_Card.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810035333/http://ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/Articles/2011/Aug/Giants_Live_Poland-Radzikowskix_Jenkins_and_Baron_Make_WSM_Cut...Bjornsson_Gets_Wild_Card.html |archive-date=10 August 2014 |access-date=7 March 2018 |website=IronMind}} and placed sixth. At 22 years and 300 days, he is the fourth-youngest WSM finalist in history. Taking part again in ensuing years, he placed third in 2012, 2013, and 2015, and finished runner-up in 2014 to Žydrūnas Savickas{{cite news |last=Boren |first=Cindy |date=19 May 2014 |title='Game of Thrones' villain is second-strongest man in the world |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2014/05/19/game-of-thrones-villain-is-second-strongest-man-in-the-world/ |access-date=19 May 2014 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} by half a point, again in 2016 to Brian Shaw{{cite web |last=Stefánsson |first=Páll |date=1 April 2014 |title=Hafþór Júlíus Runner up in World's Strongest Man Comp |url=http://icelandreview.com/news/2014/04/01/hafthor-julius-runner-worlds-strongest-man-comp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408130518/http://icelandreview.com/news/2014/04/01/hafthor-julius-runner-worlds-strongest-man-comp |archive-date=8 April 2016 |access-date=7 March 2018 |website=Iceland Review}} by two points, and finally in 2017 to Eddie Hall{{cite web |date=27 May 2017 |title=Breaking: Eddie Hall Wins 2017 World's Strongest Man in Botswana |url=https://barbend.com/2017-worlds-strongest-man-results/ |access-date=4 March 2018 |website=BarBend}} by one point, before becoming the World's Strongest Man in 2018,{{cite web |last=Tao |first=David |date=6 May 2018 |title=Breaking News: Hafthor Bjornsson Wins 2018 World's Strongest Man in Manila |url=https://barbend.com/2018-worlds-strongest-man-results/ |access-date=6 May 2018 |website=BarBend}}{{cite web |last=Sunderland |first=Tom |title='The Mountain' Hafthor Bjornsson Crowned 2018 World's Strongest Man |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2774532-the-mountain-hafthor-bjornsson-crowned-2018-worlds-strongest-man |access-date=6 May 2018 |website=Bleacher Report}} winning the competition by six-and-a-half points over the runner-up, Mateusz Kieliszkowski. Hafþór was the third Icelander to win the title, after Jón Páll Sigmarsson and Magnús Ver Magnússon.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/07/sports/Hafthor-Bjornsson-worlds-strongest-man-mountain.html|title =The Mountain from Game of Thrones Wins World's Strongest Man Title|website =The New York Times|first =Victor|last =Mather|date =7 May 2018}}

In his attempt to defend the title in 2019, Hafþór suffered a torn plantar fascia during the group stages and emerged in third place overall, behind Martins Licis and Mateusz Kieliszkowski,{{cite web |last=Salmon |first=Jonathan |title=Did Hafthor Bjornsson Lose World's Strongest Man Competition Because of Injury? |url=https://generationiron.com/did-hafthor-bjornsson-lose-worlds-strongest-man-competition-because-of-injury/ |access-date=16 March 2022 |work=Generation Iron Fitness & Bodybuilding Network |date=17 June 2019}} thus achieving the longest continuous podium streak in World's Strongest Man history, with eight (2012–2019). Hafþór has also won more vehicle pulls,{{cite web|url=https://strongmanarchives.com/viewEvent.php?id=10 |title=Most Successful Athletes: Vehicle Pull |publisher=strongmanarchives.com |access-date=10 April 2022 |date=10 April 2022 }} stone events,{{cite web |title=Most Successful Athletes: Stones|url=https://strongmanarchives.com/viewEvent.php?id=5|access-date=6 April 2022|work=Strongman Archives|date=5 April 2022}} and medleys and loading races{{cite web |title=Most Successful Athletes: Loading Race|url=https://strongmanarchives.com/viewEvent.php?id=3|access-date=26 May 2022|work=Strongman Archives|date=3 April 2022}} than any other competitor in the history of the competition. Among the past winners who have managed to qualify for the finals at a 100% ratio, Hafþór and Mariusz Pudzianowski top the list, with nine finals out of nine appearances. In May 2020, Hafþór stated that he would not return to Giants Live or World's Strongest Man competitions.{{cite web |last=Magnante |first=Matthew |date=21 May 2020 |title=Hafthor Bjornsson Say's He'll Never Compete for Giants Live and Probably Not World's Strongest Man Ever Again |url=https://fitnessvolt.com/hafthor-bjornsson-never-giants-live/ |website=Fitness Volt}}

=Arnold Strongman Classic=

Hafþór entered the Arnold Sports Festival's limelight after winning second place in the 2011 Arnold Amateur competition, which was also his first-ever competition abroad. This paved the way for him to qualify for the Arnold Pro Strongman World Series, eventually winning the Arnold Brazil, Arnold Australia, Arnold South Africa, and Arnold Canada competitions.

Widely recognized as the heaviest and most difficult strongman contest in the world,{{cite news |last=Bland |first=Christo |date=6 February 2017 |title=Which Event Really Finds the World's Top Strongman? |url=https://barbend.com/world-top-strongman/ |access-date=12 April 2022 |work=BarBend}}{{cite news|url=https://www.roguefitness.com/theindex/documentaries/the-commissioner-of-power|title=Brute strength / the commissioner of power|date=4 May 2021|work=Rogue Fitness|access-date=1 August 2022}} Hafþór first participated in the Arnold Strongman Classic finals, held annually in Columbus, Ohio, in 2012, placing tenth (last place). But after a continuous progression, placing eighth in 2013, fifth in 2014, seventh in 2015, fifth in 2016, and second in 2017, Hafþór defeated the defending champion, Brian Shaw, and won the 2018 Arnold Strongman Classic, becoming only the seventh person to win the prestigious title. In the fourth event, Hafþór broke the elephant bar deadlift world record with {{convert|472|kg|lb|abbr=on|0}}, beating Jerry Pritchett's {{convert|467.7|kg|lb|abbr=on|0}}, established the previous year.{{cite news|url=http://canoe.com/entertainment/celebrity/game-of-thrones-the-mountain-sets-new-strongman-record|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308141949/http://canoe.com/entertainment/celebrity/game-of-thrones-the-mountain-sets-new-strongman-record|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 March 2018|title=Game of Thrones' 'The Mountain' sets new strongman record|date=7 March 2018|work=Canoe.com|access-date=8 March 2018}}{{cite web|title=2018 Arnold Strongman Classic – Rogue Elephant Bar Deadlift – Full Live Stream Event 4|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InSl_bG-A7w |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/InSl_bG-A7w |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|website=YouTube|publisher=Rogue Fitness|date=4 March 2018|access-date=25 March 2018}}{{cbignore}}

Hafþór successfully defended his title at the 2019 Arnold Strongman Classic in dominant fashion and improved on his elephant bar deadlift world record, increasing it to {{convert|474.5|kg|lb|abbr=on|0}} in only his second attempt out of the three allowed.[https://barbend.com/hafthor-bjornsson-2019-arnold-strongman-classic/ Hafthor Bjornsson Wins 2019 Arnold Strongman Classic (Plus Final Results)] Barbend[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-04/game-of-thrones-the-mountain-breaks-deadlift-world-record/10866688 Game of Thrones star Hafthor Julius Bjornsson, aka 'The Mountain', breaks his own deadlift world record] ABC

After successfully defending his crown again in 2020, Hafþór became only the second person in history to win the Arnold Strongman Classic three times in a row, after Žydrūnas Savickas.{{cite news|url=https://barbend.com/2020-arnold-strongman-classic-results/ |title=2020 Arnold Strongman Classic Day 2 Recap and Final Results|date=1 August 2023|work=Roger Lockridge for BarBend|access-date=13 April 2024}}

Following a three-year hiatus due to boxing and powerlifting, Hafþór returned to the 2024 Arnold Strongman Classic and deadlifted {{convert|456|kg|lb|abbr=on|0}} to win the inaugural event. However, since he was recovering from a pectoral tear from the previous year, his pressing power was only adequate for the overall fourth place.{{cite news |last=Halder |first=Pritha |date=2 March 2024 |title="Strongest Man in History": Hafthor Bjornsson's 1000lbs Deadlift at Arnold Classic Leaves Fitness World Flabbergasted! |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/bodybuilding-news-strongest-man-in-history-hafthor-bjornssons-thousand-lbs-deadlift-at-arnold-classic-leaves-fitness-world-flabbergasted/ |work=www.essentiallysports.com |access-date=13 April 2024}} Two weeks later, Hafþór participated in the UK edition of the competition and secured second place, after breaking the world record for the raw deadlift for reps event, performing ten repetitions with {{convert|350|kg|lb|abbr=on|0}} on a stiff bar within sixty seconds.{{cite news|url=https://fitnessvolt.com/2024-arnold-strongman-classic-uk-results/ |title=2024 Arnold Strongman Classic UK Results – Mitchell Hooper Triumphant|date=17 March 2024|work=Vedad Tabakovic for Fitnessvolt|access-date=13 April 2024}}

=World's Ultimate Strongman=

In 2018, Hafþór won the inaugural World's Ultimate Strongman, held in Dubai, in a stacked field of twelve athletes.{{cite web |title=2018 WUS Dubai|url=https://strongmanarchives.com/viewContest.php?id=176|access-date=10 April 2022|work=Strongman Archives|date=26 October 2018}} This year also marked the most dominant calendar year in strongman history, with Hafþór winning the Iceland's Strongest Man, Europe's Strongest Man, World's Strongest Man, World's Ultimate Strongman, and the Arnold Strongman Classic.

Also from 2018 onwards, Hafþór significantly increased his static strength under the mentoring of his strength coach since 2016, Sebastian Oreb,{{cite web |last=Hicks |first=Jordan |date=29 October 2020 |title=Sebastian Oreb Became Hafthor Bjornsson's Coach After Just One Tip |url=https://barbend.com/sebastrian-oreb-trains-hafthor-bjornsson/#:~:text=Today%20we're%20talking%20to,World's%20Strongest%20Man%20Hafthor%20Bjornsson. |access-date=10 April 2022 |work=BarBend}} and increased his squat to {{convert|445|kg|lb|0|abbr=}} during training and {{convert|460|kg|lb|0|abbr=}} during Thor's Powerlifting Challenge. In February 2020, Hafþór deadlifted {{convert|455|kg|lb|0|abbr=}} for two reps and became the first person in history to deadlift 1,000 lb for two reps. Two weeks later, he deadlifted an unofficial world record on the elephant bar, with {{convert|480|kg|lb|0|abbr=}}. All of the lifts were performed raw (only wraps for squats and straps for deadlifts).

On 2 May 2020, Hafþór deadlifted {{convert|501|kg|lb|0|abbr=}} under strongman rules (standard bar with figure-eight straps and single-ply suit) at Thor's Power Gym, Kópavogur, Iceland, while being refereed by Magnús Ver Magnússon under the sanctioning of World's Ultimate Strongman, and broke the near-four-year strongman deadlift world record of {{convert|500|kg|lb|0|abbr=}}, by Eddie Hall.{{cite news |last=Nair |first=Rohith |date=2 May 2020 |editor-last=Holmes |editor-first=David |title=Weightlifting: 'The Mountain' Bjornsson deadlifts 501 kg to set official world record |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-weightlifting-deadlift-bjornsson/weightlifting-the-mountain-bjornsson-deadlifts-501-kg-to-set-world-record-idUSKBN22E0R1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503105729/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-weightlifting-deadlift-bjornsson/weightlifting-the-mountain-bjornsson-deadlifts-501-kg-to-set-world-record-idUSKBN22E0R1 |archive-date=3 May 2020 |work=Reuters}} The lift was globally televised live by ESPN, and the Guinness World Records verified it as 'the Heaviest Deadlift of all time'.{{cite web |date=10 May 2020 |title=Heaviest Deadlift |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/heaviest-deadlift#:~:text=The%20heaviest%20deadlift%20is%20501,Iceland%2C%20on%202%20May%202020. |access-date=25 March 2022 |website=Guinness World Records}}

=Rogue Invitational and Shaw Classic=

In 2022, Hafþór made a guest appearance at the 2022 Rogue Invitational in Austin, Texas, and broke the {{convert|25.5|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} Highland games one-arm weight over bar world record for the twelfth time, with a clearance of {{convert|6.17|m|ftin}}.{{cite web |last=Gutman |first=Andrew |date=30 October 2022 |title=Hafthor Björnsson Sets New Weight Over Bar World Record of 20 Feet, 3 Inches; Teases Competitive Return to Strongman |url=https://barbend.com/hafthor-bjornsson-weight-over-bar-world-record-23-feet-3-inches/ |website=BarBend |access-date=31 October 2022}} He also planned to debut at the 2024 Strongest Man on Earth competition at the Shaw Classic{{cite web |last=Tabakovic |first=Vedad |date=13 April 2024 |title=Hafthor Bjornsson Plans to Deadlift {{convert|505|kg|lb|abbr=on|adj=on}} This Year; Joins 2024 Strongest Man on Earth Lineup |url=https://fitnessvolt.com/hafthor-bjornsson-plans-505-kg-deadlift-attempt/ |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=Fitnessvolt}} as well as the 2024 Rogue Invitational.{{cite web |last=Blechman |first=Phil |date=28 February 2024 |title=The 2024 Rogue Invitational Will Be Hosted in Aberdeen, Scotland |url=https://barbend.com/the-2024-rogue-invitational-in-aberdeen-scotland/ |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=BarBend}}

=Competitive record=

Strongman

Placements: 58 x 1st places, 16 x 2nd places and 11 x 3rd places = 85 x podium finishes from 103 total competitions.{{cite web |title=Results|url=https://strongmancl.com/results-and-rankings-2013/|access-date=14 April 2022|work=Strongman Champions League |date=18 December 2015}}{{cite web|title=About Hafþór|url=https://hafthorbjornsson.com/about-hafthor/|access-date=19 March 2022|work=Thor's Power Apparel|date=30 May 2019|archive-date=19 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319054414/https://hafthorbjornsson.com/about-hafthor/|url-status=dead}}

Winning percentage: 43.7% in International circuit & 84.4% at National circuit
Podium percentage: 76.1% in International circuit & 96.9% at National circuit
Top 5 percentage: 93.0% in International circuit & 100% at National circuit

class="wikitable"
! style="background: gold;"\|1st ! style="background: silver;"\|2nd ! style="background: #c96;"\|3rd ! Podium ! 4th ! 5th ! Top 5 ! 6th ! 7th ! 8th ! 9th ! 10th ! Total
International \| 31 \| 15 \| 8 \| style="background: #EEEEEE;"\|54 \| 5 \| 7 \| style="background: #EEEEEE;"\|66 \| 1 \| 2 \| 1 \| \| 1 \| style="background: #EEEEEE;"\|71
National \| 27 \| 1 \| 3 \| style="background: #EEEEEE;"\|31 \| 1 \| \| style="background: #EEEEEE;"\|32 \| \| \| \| \| \| style="background: #EEEEEE;"\|32
Combined \| 58 \| 16 \| 11 \| style="background: #EEEEEE;"\|85 \| 6 \| 7 \| style="background: #EEEEEE;"\|98 \| 1 \| 2 \| 1 \| \| 1 \| style="background: #EEEEEE;"\|103

class="wikitable"

! style="background: gold;"|1st

! style="background: silver;"|2nd

! style="background: #c96;"|3rd

! Podium

! 4th

! 5th

! Top 5

! 6th

! 7th

! 8th

! 9th

! 10th

! Total

International

| 31

| 15

| 8

| style="background: #EEEEEE;"|54

| 5

| 7

| style="background: #EEEEEE;"|66

| 1

| 2

| 1

| style="background: #EEEEEE;"|71

National

| 27

| 1

| 3

| style="background: #EEEEEE;"|31

| 1

| style="background: #EEEEEE;"|32

Combined

| 58

| 16

| 11

| style="background: #EEEEEE;"|85

| 6

| 7

| style="background: #EEEEEE;"|98

| 1

| 2

| 1

| style="background: #EEEEEE;"|103

Powerlifting

Despite the fact that Hafþór never trained specifically for powerlifting, he did two full competitions during his strongman career and another post-retirement. In the 2011 Íslandsmót tournament, at the age of 22, he totaled {{convert|930|kg|lb|abbr=on}} raw, winning second place overall, behind Páll Logason.{{cite web |title=2011 RAW-Iceland Íslandsmót |url=https://www.openpowerlifting.org/m/raw-iceland/1101 |website=Openpowerlifting.org | date=3 June 2011 | access-date=4 April 2022}} During the 2018 Thor's Powerlifting Challenge (sanctioned by the 'World Raw Powerlifting Federation'), with only five weeks of casual preparation, Hafþór totaled {{convert|1,100|kg|lb|abbr=on}} raw, which was at the time the fifth-highest raw superheavyweight powerlifting total of all time. He won second place for highest bench press, behind Kirill Sarychev, and won first place for the highest squat, highest deadlift, highest total, and highest Wilks score, winning the overall competition.

After a two-and-a-half-year hiatus from strength training, Hafþór competed in 2022 Thor's Powerlifting Meet in December and totaled {{convert|970|kg|lb|abbr=on}} raw.{{cite web |last=Blechman |first=Phil |date=6 December 2022 |title=Hafthor Björnsson (+140KG) Wins 2022 Thor's Powerlifting Meet Via a 970-Kilogram (2,138.5-Pound) Total |url=https://barbend.com/hafthor-bjornsson-wins-2022-thors-powerlifting-meet/ |access-date=25 May 2023 |website=BarBend}} Then on 13 February 2023, Hafþór proceeded to officially announce his return to strength sports, stating he will attempt to break the all-time powerlifting total world record at the end of the year.{{cite web |last=Tabakovic |first=Vedad |date=13 February 2023 |title=Hafthor Björnsson Aims to Break ATWR in Powerlifting Before His Strongman Comeback in 2024 |url=https://fitnessvolt.com/hafthor-bjornsson-powerlifting-atwr-strongman-in-2024/ |access-date=19 February 2023 |website=Fitness Volt}} On 15 April 2023, he competed in his first out of three scheduled powerlifting meets, on his journey towards breaking the world record, and squatted {{convert|420|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, but tore his left pectoral muscle on his last bench press attempt of {{convert|252.5|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, forcing him to withdraw from performing the deadlifts.{{cite web |last=Tabakovic |first=Vedad |date=15 April 2023 |title=Video: Hafthor Bjornsson Tears His Pec During {{convert|252.5|kg|lb|abbr=on|adj=on}} Bench Press Attempt |url=https://fitnessvolt.com/hafthor-bjornsson-tears-his-pec/ |access-date=17 April 2023 |website=Fitness Volt}} A week later, he underwent a five-hour surgery in Los Angeles, where the muscle was successfully re-attached to the bone, promising a full recovery.{{cite web |last=Ellis |first=Jordan |date=28 April 2023 |title=Thor undergoes surgery for horrific muscle tear while trying live stream bench press |url=https://talksport.com/sport/1409388/thor-surgery-muscle-injury-bench-press/ |access-date=25 May 2023 |website=talkSPORT}}

Highland Games

Hafþór participated in the 2012 Icelandic Highland Games; the 150th anniversary of the Caledonian Club of San Francisco's 2015 Highland Games; and was a guest participant at the New Hampshire Highland Games (also known as Loon Mountain Highland Games) in 2014, 2015, and 2017, where he broke multiple world records in deadlift, stone carry, stone press, keg, and weight toss events.{{cite web |title=Day 3 of the #NHHighlandGames saw yet another Wrorld Record from the Mountain. Watch as he shatters it with a 28' keg toss!|url=https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10152738354733249&extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-AN_GK0T-GK1C&ref=sharing&mibextid=Nif5oz|access-date=24 March 2024|work=Loon Mountain Resort|date=22 September 2014}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.houseofmuscle.com/loon-highland-games.html |title=40th Annual Loon Mountain Highland Games |author=Nick Hickey |website=houseofmuscle.com |date=28 October 2015 |access-date=11 April 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.elitefts.com/news/new-hampshire-highland-games-with-hafthor-bjornsson/|title=New Hampshire Highland Games with Hafþór Björnsson|date=21 September 2017|work=Robert Cox|access-date=11 April 2022}}

=Personal records=

{{main|List of World Records and feats of strength by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson}}

Deadlift on standard bar (with deadlift suit and figure 8 straps) – {{convert|501|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}}, {{convert|440|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} x 3 reps{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7MTUHMITVI |title=World Record Prep! 970lbs / 440kg for reps!! Road to 501kg!! |website=YouTube |access-date=13 April 2020}}
Deadlift on elephant bar (raw, and with normal straps) – {{convert|480|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}},{{cite web |title=Hafthor Bjornsson Deadlifts 480kg (1,058 Pounds) with No Suit |url=https://barbend.com/hafthor-bjornsson-deadlifts-480kg/|access-date=16 September 2024|work=Roger Lockridge for www.barbend.com|date=15 February 2019}} {{convert|455|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} x 2 reps{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbxVX-5C7g0&t=1062s |title=1003lbs/455kg PR deadlift! Heaviest deadlift ever for reps |website=YouTube |access-date=21 March 2022}}
Deadlift on stiff bar for reps (raw, and with normal straps) – {{convert|350|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} x 10 reps{{Cite web|url=https://strongmanarchives.com/viewContest.php?id=1465|title=2024 Arnold UK - Strongman|website=strongmanarchives.com|access-date=17 March 2024}}
Squat (raw with wraps) – {{convert|460|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}},{{cite web |last=Boly |first=Jake |date=17 December 2018 |title=Hafthor Bjornsson Puts Up Big Total at Powerlifting Meet |url=https://barbend.com/hafthor-bjornsson-powerlifting-meet/ |access-date=21 December 2018 |website=BarBend}}{{cite web|title=Good Lifts That Got Red lights |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9qEC7mJNR8 |website=Lifting Vault | date=17 July 2020 | access-date=24 March 2021}} {{convert|400|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} x 2 reps{{cite web|url=https://barbend.com/hafthor-bjornsson-400kg-squat/ |title= Hafthor Bjornsson Makes a Blisteringly Fast 400kg X 2 Squat PR |website=Nick English for Barbend |access-date=9 October 2017}}
Squat for reps (raw with wraps) – {{convert|380|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} x 5 reps (paused), {{convert|325|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} x 8 reps (paused), {{convert|200|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} x 29 reps
Bench press (raw) – {{convert|250|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}}, {{convert|220|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} x 6 reps, {{convert|200|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} x 10 reps
Incline dumbbell press – {{convert|100|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} dumbbells per hand x 7 reps,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDIVfFdCbcM |title=Road to 501kg deadlift – PR session at Thors Power Gym!|website=YouTube |access-date=27 September 2022}} {{convert|80|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} dumbbells per hand x 12 reps
Log press – {{convert|213|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}},{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RYUITnHTbI&t=12s |title=Europe's Strongest Man 2018 |website=YouTube |access-date=25 March 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XndyEyIfd-8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/XndyEyIfd-8 |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Europe's Strongest Man 2018 – Log Lift 213kg – Thor|website=YouTube|publisher=Europe's Strongest Man|date=7 April 2018|access-date=8 April 2018}}{{cbignore}} {{convert|195|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} x 3 reps
Axle press – {{convert|206|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}},{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYqvTdz6qaQ&t=2089s |title=Europe's Strongest Man 2017 |website=YouTube |access-date=25 March 2022}}{{cite web|title=Europe's strongest man 2017 with Hafthor Bjornsson and Eddie Hall |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlNkuqY07k0 |website=GL | date=4 January 2019 | access-date=30 May 2019}} {{convert|181.5|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} x 4 reps
Barbell push press (behind the neck) – {{convert|232.5|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}}{{cite web|title=2025 Arnold Strongman Classic|url=https://www.strongmanarchives.com/viewContest.php?id=1620|website=strongmanarchives.com|date=1 March 2025 |access-date=9 April 2025}}
Cyr dumbbell press – {{convert|146|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}},{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6EyJeccDqI |title=100KG/220LBS PB Incline dumbbell press for 6 reps!|website=YouTube |access-date=26 September 2022}} {{convert|129|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} x 3 reps
Manhood Stone (Max Atlas Stone) over 4 ft bar – {{convert|260|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}},{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQxveDkDa8c&t=637s |title=260kg/573lbs Atlas Stone PR!|website=YouTube |access-date=25 July 2024}} {{convert|250|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} x 2 reps
Atlas Stones run – 5 stones weighing {{convert|120-200|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} in 17.54 seconds{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ-_buN4He4&t=140s |title=The Giants: Thor Bjornsson v Eddie Hall, that Famous night! |author=GiantsLive |website= Youtube.com |date=29 November 2019 |access-date=24 March 2022}}
Húsafell Stone carry – {{convert|186|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} for {{convert|98.16|m|ftin}}{{cite web |date=24 March 2022 |title=Húsafell Stone |url=https://liftingstones.org/articles/husafell_stone#:~:text=In%20competition&text=Haf%C3%BE%C3%B3r%20J%C3%BAl%C3%ADus%20Bj%C3%B6rnsson%20holds%20the,at%20Iceland's%20Strongest%20Man%202019. |access-date=24 March 2022 |website=liftingstones.org}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smSR7Xfvk40&t=1422s |title=Iceland's Strongest Man 2019 |website=YouTube |access-date=25 March 2022}}
Bale tote (super yoke) – {{convert|710|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} for 4 metres in 28.65 seconds
Timber carry (on 35' inclined ramp) – {{convert|500|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} in 10.15 seconds (with straps), {{convert|400|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} in 8.40 seconds (Raw grip)
Keg toss – {{convert|12.5|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} over {{convert|8.54|m|ftin}}, {{convert|15|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} over {{convert|7.77|m|ftin}}
Keg toss run – 8 kegs ({{convert|18-25|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}}) over {{convert|4.90|m|ftin}} in 16.35 seconds{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZBaFKZV8-Y&t=552s |title=2014 World's Strongest Man Final |website=YouTube |access-date=25 March 2022}}{{cite web|url=http://strongman.org/news/worlds-strongest-man-2014/ |title=World's Strongest Man 2014|website=Strongman.org|date=19 March 2014|access-date=9 May 2018}}
Weight over bar – {{convert|25.5|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} over {{convert|6.17|m|ftin}}
Sandbag over bar – {{convert|45.4|kg|lb|abbr=on|0}} over {{convert|4.57|m|ftin}}
Viking ship mast (Ormrinn langi) carry – {{convert|650|kg|lb|abbr=on|0}}, 10 metres (33 ft) long log for 5 steps{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2352774-the-mountain-from-game-of-thrones-breaks-1000-year-old-weightlifting-record|title=The Mountain from 'Game of Thrones' Breaks 1,000-Year-Old Weightlifting Record|author=Kyle Newport |website=Bleacher Report |date=3 February 2015| access-date=4 March 2018}}
Plane pull – {{convert|40000|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} for 24.90 meters 'uphill, with an extra uphill on the final meter'

=Legacy=

During his international strongman career, Hafþór won all the major strongman competitions and titles that were available at that time, including World's Strongest Man, Arnold Strongman Classic, Europe's Strongest Man, Strongman Champions League, Giants Live, and World's Ultimate Strongman, and his thirty international wins rank him as the third most decorated strongman of all time. Even though he was noted primarily for his strength in the moving events during the initial years of his career (for example, medleys and loading races, keg-tossing, power stairs, vehicle pulls, and natural stones, which require good stamina and athleticism), Hafþór kept on improving and upscaled his brute strength, which helped him excel in static events, such as deadlifts, squats, log presses, axle presses, circus dumbbells, etc. This made him a well-rounded strongman by the year 2018. Experts consider the three years from that point onwards as the "highest peak performance" of any strongman in history, due to Hafþór's dominance and having no weaknesses at any event.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJgtWiC4Bb4&t=213s |title=The Year Thor Bjornsson Completed Strongman |website=Matt Rhodes Sport |access-date=21 September 2022}} During these three years, the only time Hafþór failed to win a competition was due to an injury, and apart from it, he remained unbeaten. Hafþór's international accolades and winning everything there is in the sport cemented his legacy as one of the greatest strongmen of all time, and due to breaking 100+ world records in various static lifts and feats displaying brute strength, many analysts and strongman experts regard him as "the strongest man to have ever walked the earth".

Boxing career

{{Infobox sportsperson

| name = Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| birth_date =

| birth_place =

| known =

| occupation =

| sport = Boxing

| weight_class = Titanweight

| height = 205 cm

| weight = {{convert|144-152|kg|lb|0}}{{cite web |first=Donagh |last=Corby |date=4 February 2022 |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/boxing/thor-bjornsson-eddie-hall-weight-26136899 |title=Thor Bjornsson photos hailed as "two different people" after 120lb weight loss |website=Insider |access-date=21 March 2022}}{{cite web |last=Fordham |first=Josh |date=19 March 2022 |title=SCALES Eddie Hall and Hafthor Bjornsson weigh combined 295kg |url=https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/1066768/eddie-hall-hafthor-bjornsson-weigh-in-heaviest-boxing-match/ |access-date=25 March 2022 |website=talkSPORT}}

}}

On 2 May 2020, after breaking the Deadlift World Record, Hafþór challenged its previous record holder, Eddie Hall, to a boxing match.{{cite news |last=Fordham |first=Josh |date=19 March 2022 |title=How Eddie Hall vs Hafthor Bjornsson rivalry started as pair set for boxing clash |url=https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/1067318/eddie-hall-hafthor-bjornsson-how-rivalry-started-boxing/ |access-date=26 March 2022 |work=talkSPORT}} Despite having no boxing experience whatsoever, Hafþór learned the fundamentals of the sport and made commendable progress{{cite web |first=Lewis |last=Corrick |date=18 March 2022 |url=https://www.sporf.com/joe-rogan-gives-his-verdict-on-thor-bjornsson-boxing/ |title=Joe Rogan gives his verdict on Thor Bjornsson's boxing ability |website=sporf.com |access-date=1 December 2022}} under the guidance of his coaches, Billy Nelson{{cite web |last=Williams |first=Craig |date=9 December 2021 |title=Game of Thrones star The Mountain goes daft for steaks from Airdrie butchers while training in town |url=https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/game-thrones-mountain-goes-daft-22411215 |access-date=22 March 2022 |website=Glasgow Live}} and Vilhjálmur Hernandez, and support from his two main sparring partners, Skúli Ármansson and Bill Hodgson. With a stricter diet that differed from his strongman days, Hafþór also transformed himself to suit the new sport, losing {{convert|64|kg|lb|abbr=on|0|}} in the process.{{cite web |first=Rachel |last=Hosie |date=7 September 2021 |url=https://www.insider.com/hafthor-mountain-bjoernsson-lost-120-pounds-diet-eating-5-meals-2021-9 |title='The Mountain' says he lost 120 pounds by eating 5 high-protein meals a day. Here's what he dishes up |website=Insider |access-date=21 March 2022}} He started training twice a day (up to five hours per day), with a weekly routine that was segmented into fourteen sessions. They consisted of six boxing training sessions, four strength training sessions (two each for upper and lower body), and four endurance training sessions.

Hafþór's first exhibition match was against ex-WBO European light-heavyweight champion Steven Ward, in January 2021.{{cite news |date=17 January 2021 |title=Steven Ward vs Hafthor Bjornsson results |url=https://britishboxingnews.co.uk/blogs/steven-ward-vs-hafthor-bjornsson-results |access-date=23 March 2022 |work=British Boxing News}} For his second exhibition match, he faced the 2010 Commonwealth Games Heavyweight Gold Medalist, Simon Vallily, in May 2021.{{cite web |first=Michael |last=Benson |date=29 May 2021 |url=https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/887933/hafthor-bjornsson-vs-simon-vallily-the-mountain-highlights-eddie-hall/ |title=Hafthor Bjornsson vs Simon Vallily: 'The Mountain' staggered in final exhibition fight before Eddie Hall bout as both men touch canvas but no knockdowns are given |website=Talksport.com |access-date=24 March 2022}} The two fights provided him his first real ring experience. On 18 September 2021, Hafþór faced Canadian professional arm-wrestler Devon Larratt in his first non-exhibition boxing match. Larratt volunteered for the fight when Eddie Hall withdrew, after sustaining a biceps tear during training.{{cite magazine |first=Philip |last=Ellis |date=26 July 2021 |url=https://www.menshealth.com/health/a37131547/strongman-eddie-hall-detached-bicep-surgery-video/ |title=Eddie Hall Just Detached His Bicep During a Sparring Session |magazine=Menshealth |access-date=24 March 2022}} Within the first round, the referee was forced to stop the fight, awarding Hafþór the win via TKO (technical knockout).{{cite web |last=Dick |first=Jeremy |date=21 September 2021 |url=https://movieweb.com/thor-bjornsson-boxing-match-results/|title=Game of Thrones Mountain Actor Thor Bjornsson Obliterates Opponent in Boxing Match |website=MovieWeb |access-date=21 March 2022}}{{cite web |first=Neelabhra |last=Roy |date=19 September 2021 |url=https://www.givemesport.com/1755299-hafthor-bjornsson-vs-devon-larratt-full-highlights-as-thor-batters-arm-wrestler |title=Hafthor Bjornsson vs Devon Larratt full highlights as Thor batters arm wrestler |website=Givemesport.com |access-date=23 March 2022}}

=The Mountain vs. The Beast=

On 19 March 2022, after almost two years since its announcement, Hafþór and Hall finally faced each other in Dubai in a fight taglined The Heaviest Boxing Match in History. Hall started the first round with continuous haymakers, but Hafþór kept his composure and stuck to the basics, focusing on a solid jab and better footwork. Once he realized Hall's game plan, Hafþór took control of the fight by bludgeoning and knocking Hall down twice, in rounds three and six. Hall sustained bleeding lacerations on top of both eyes, and Hafþór won the fight via unanimous decision.{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/boxing/eddie-hall-thor-bjornsson-weight-26326530|title=Eddie Hall fans convinced Thor Bjornsson looks "unhealthy" after weight loss|first=Harry|last=Davies|date=25 February 2022|work=Mirror|access-date=20 March 2022}}{{cite news |title=Thor smashes Strongman rival in brutal boxing fight |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/boxing/thor-smashes-strongman-rival-in-brutal-boxing-fight/news-story/02acfdc7a4bfc436f8fcc007144562ca |access-date=20 March 2022 |work=Fox Sports |date=20 March 2022}}{{cite web |last=Andrews |first=Connor |date=20 March 2022 |title=Thor wins boxing's heaviest match as he sends Eddie Hall to the floor twice |url=https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/1067937/thor-vs-eddie-hall-result-boxing-heaviest-highlights/ |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=talkSPORT}}

Exhibition boxing record

{{BoxingRecordSummary

|draws=2

|ko-wins=1

|ko-losses=

|dec-wins=1

|dec-losses=

}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{{abbr\|No.\|Number}} !Result !Record !Opponent !Type !Round, time !Date !Location !Notes
4 \|{{yes2}}Win \|2–0–2 \|style="text-align:left;"\|Eddie Hall \|{{abbr\|UD\|Unanimous decision}} \|6 \|19 Mar 2022 \|style="text-align:left;"\|{{small\|Aviation Club Tennis Centre, Dubai, U.A.E.}} \|
3 \|{{yes2}}Win \|1–0–2 \|style="text-align:left;"\|Devon Larratt \|{{abbr\|TKO\|Technical knockout}} \|1 (6), {{small\|2:00}} \|18 Sep 2021 \|style="text-align:left;"\|{{small\|Sports Society, Dubai, U.A.E.}} \|
2 \|{{draw}}Draw \|0–0–2 \|style="text-align:left;"\|Simon Vallily \|D \|4 \|28 May 2021 \|style="text-align:left;"\|{{small\|Conrad Hotel, Dubai, U.A.E.}} \|
1 \|{{draw}}Draw \|0–0–1 \|style="text-align:left;"\|Steven Ward \|{{abbr\|D\|draw}} \|3 \|16 Jan 2021 \|style="text-align:left;"\|{{small\|Conrad Hotel, Dubai, U.A.E.}} \|

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

!Result

!Record

!Opponent

!Type

!Round, time

!Date

!Location

!Notes

|{{yes2}}Win

|2–0–2

|style="text-align:left;"|Eddie Hall

|{{abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}}

|19 Mar 2022

|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Aviation Club Tennis Centre, Dubai, U.A.E.}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|1–0–2

|style="text-align:left;"|Devon Larratt

|{{abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}}

|1 (6), {{small|2:00}}

|18 Sep 2021

|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sports Society, Dubai, U.A.E.}}

|{{draw}}Draw

|0–0–2

|style="text-align:left;"|Simon Vallily

|28 May 2021

|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Conrad Hotel, Dubai, U.A.E.}}

|{{draw}}Draw

|0–0–1

|style="text-align:left;"|Steven Ward

|{{abbr|D|draw}}

|16 Jan 2021

|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Conrad Hotel, Dubai, U.A.E.}}

Acting career

Hafþór was cast as Ser Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane for the fourth season of the HBO series Game of Thrones in August 2013.{{cite web|url=http://winteriscoming.net/2013/08/mountain-recast/|title=Mountain Recast|author=Ours is the Fury|publisher=WinterIsComing.net|date=30 August 2013|access-date=30 August 2013|archive-date=1 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901211209/http://winteriscoming.net/2013/08/mountain-recast/|url-status=dead}} This was his first main acting role, and he is the third person to depict the character after Conan Stevens played the role in season 1 and Ian Whyte in season 2, but the first actor to portray Clegane in more than one continuous season, with his appearances in seasons four through eight.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/WatchersOTWall/status/510783858657071105|title=The Mountain in Belfast, and Game of Thrones filming in Split continues despite flooding |publisher=Watchers on the Wall|date=13 September 2014|access-date=10 October 2014}} He was also cast for the lead role in the Philadelphia Renaissance Faire during their debut season, in 2015. He appeared as 'King Thor', the leader of a Viking raiding party intent on capturing the city of Amman.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.phillymag.com/ticket/2015/04/08/game-of-throness-the-mountain-coming-to-philly-ren-faire/ |author= Dan McQuade |title=Mountain Comes to Philly Ren Faire|magazine=Philadelphia Magazine|date=8 April 2015|access-date=7 March 2018}}

In 2018, Hafþór played Mongkut, the main villain in Kickboxer: Retaliation, opposite Alain Moussi and Jean-Claude Van Damme, in a story about a kickboxer (Moussi) who is sedated and taken to a prison in Bangkok, where he is forced to fight a giant for freedom and a large sum of money.{{cite news |last=Mancuso |first=Vinnie |title=Watch 'The Mountain' Becomes a 400-Pound Killing Machine in This Clip from 'Kickboxer: Retaliation' |url=https://www.menshealth.com/trending-news/a19546945/kickboxer-retaliation-jean-claude-van-damme/ |access-date=12 April 2022 |work=Men's Health |date=26 January 2018}} In the same year, he also played Big John in the film Operation Ragnarok, about a town in the south of Sweden isolated after a viral outbreak and the trapped Swedes and immigrants uniting to survive an onslaught.{{cite news |last=Miska |first=Brad |title='Operation Ragnarok' Trailer Survives a Viral Outbreak |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3439693/operation-ragnarok-trailer-survives-viral-outbreak/ |access-date=12 April 2022 |work=Bloody Disgusting! |date=30 May 2017}}

The next year, he starred with Mike Tyson in the action film Pharaoh's War, about a former soldier (Tyson) with a mysterious past leading a group of Egyptian refugees through the desert to protect them from a group of evil mercenaries.{{cite news |last=Mutuc |first=Peter |title=God of War: Casting Kratos for Amazon's Show |url=https://screenrant.com/god-of-war-show-kratos-actors-cast-prediction/ |access-date=12 April 2022 |work=ScreenRant |date=9 March 2022}}

In 2022, Hafþór had a minor role as Thorfinnr the Tooth-Gnasher in the historical epic fantasy The Northman, which starred Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Ethan Hawke, Claes Bang, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Willem Dafoe.{{cite news |last=Bulten |first=Izak |title=The Northman: 10 Movies & TV Shows Where You've Seen the Cast |url=https://screenrant.com/the-northman-cast-movies-tv/ |access-date=12 April 2022 |work=ScreenRant |date=18 January 2022}}

=Filmography=

=Film=

class="wikitable sortable" \|+ {{Sronly\|List of film appearances, with year, title, and role shown}}
Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes
2015 \| Eddie: Strongman \| Himself \|
2017 \| Devilish Deeds \| Psycho Phil Bell \|
2018 \| Kickboxer: Retaliation \| Mongkut \|
2018 \| Operation Ragnarok \| Big John \|
2019 \| Pharaoh's War \| Frank \|
2022 \| The Northman \| Thorfinnr \|
2026 \| Masters of the Universe \| Goat Man \| Filming

class="wikitable sortable"

|+ {{Sronly|List of film appearances, with year, title, and role shown}}

Year

! Title

! Role

! Notes

2015

| Eddie: Strongman

| Himself

2017

| Devilish Deeds

| Psycho Phil Bell

2018

| Kickboxer: Retaliation

| Mongkut

2018

| Operation Ragnarok

| Big John

2019

| Pharaoh's War

| Frank

2022

| The Northman

| Thorfinnr

2026

| Masters of the Universe

| Goat Man

| Filming

=Television=

class="wikitable sortable" \|+ {{Sronly\|List of television appearances, with year, title, and role shown}}
Duration ! Title ! Role ! Notes
2011–2019 \| The World's Strongest Man \| Himself \|
2014–2019 \| Game of Thrones \| The Mountain \| Recurring role
2015 \| A League of Their Own \| Himself \| Series 9, Episode 7
2016 \| "Heavy Bubbles" \| Himself \| Commercial
2017 \| Born Strong \| Himself \| Documentary film
2018 \| Keith Lemon: Coming to America \| Himself \| Series 1, Episode 6
2019 \| E:60 – "How the World's Strongest Man became 'The Mountain' on Game of Thrones" \| Himself \| Original air date; 14 April 2019

class="wikitable sortable"

|+ {{Sronly|List of television appearances, with year, title, and role shown}}

Duration

! Title

! Role

! Notes

2011–2019

| The World's Strongest Man

| Himself

2014–2019

| Game of Thrones

| The Mountain

| Recurring role

2015

| A League of Their Own

| Himself

| Series 9, Episode 7

2016

| "Heavy Bubbles"

| Himself

| Commercial

2017

| Born Strong

| Himself

| Documentary film

2018

| Keith Lemon: Coming to America

| Himself

| Series 1, Episode 6

2019

| E:60 – "How the World's Strongest Man became 'The Mountain' on Game of Thrones"

| Himself

| Original air date; 14 April 2019

Other ventures

=Martial arts=

Since beginning with boxing, Hafþór has stayed involved in a range of martial arts. In 2020, he appeared on episode ten of Karate Combat, with Bas Rutten and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Josh Palmer, prior to having a training session with Palmer that was released to the public.{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Phil |date=6 December 2020 |title=Watch 'The Mountain' Hafthor Bjornsson Grapple with a BJJ Black Belt |url=https://jitsmagazine.com/watch-the-mountain-hafthor-bjornsson-grapple-with-a-bjj-black-belt/ |website=Jitsmagazine}} He then visited Mjolnir MMA to train with UFC veteran Gunnar Nelson in May 2021 and was filmed grappling with the professional fighter.{{cite web |last=Burne |first=Kathrine |date=10 May 2021 |title=Watch 'The Mountain' Hafthor Bjornsson Grapple with Gunnar Nelson |url=https://jitsmagazine.com/watch-the-mountain-hafthor-bjornsson-grapple-with-gunnar-nelson/ |website=Jitsmagazine}} In December 2022, Hafþór met Gordon Ryan prior to his match with Nicky Rodriguez at UFC FightPass Invitational 3 and was filmed having a sparring match with him.{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Phil |date=15 December 2022 |title=Watch Gordon Ryan and 'The Mountain' Hafthor Bjornsson Rolling Together |url=https://jitsmagazine.com/watch-gordon-ryan-and-the-mountain-hafthor-bjornsson-rolling-together/ |website=Jitsmagazine}}

Personal life

=Family and relationships=

Hafþór has been accused by several ex-girlfriends of domestic violence,{{cite news |last=Sindradóttir |first=Snærós |title=Lögreglan kölluð að heimili Fjallsins – Vísir |url=https://www.visir.is/g/2017170619974/logreglan-kollud-ad-heimili-fjallsins |access-date=18 March 2021 |work=Visir |date=9 June 2017}}{{cite news |last=Sindradóttir |first=Snærós|title=Hafþór Júlíus kærður til lögreglu af fyrrverandi kærustu|url=https://www.visir.is/g/20171054136d|date=15 June 2017 |work=Vísir |access-date=19 February 2021}} including Thelma Björk Steimann{{cite news |last=Sindradóttir |first=Snærós |title=Barnsmóðir Fjallsins stígur fram: Óttaðist um líf sitt við fyrstu árás |url=https://www.visir.is/g/2017535841d |date=24 June 2017 |work=Vísir |access-date=18 March 2021}} (the mother of his daughter), who feared for her life once during a vacation.{{cite news |date=27 June 2017 |title=Strongman "The Mountain" facing new serious accusations of dramatic violence |url=https://icelandmag.is/article/strongman-mountain-facing-new-serious-accusations-domestic-violence |access-date=30 September 2018 |work=Icelandmag}} She pressed charges, but the police investigation found no grounds for action,{{cite news |last=WERTHEIM |first=Jon |title=Coming Down from The Mountain |url=https://www.si.com/media/2022/07/05/hafthor-bjornsson-strongman-strength-issue |access-date=1 September 2022 |work=S.I. |date=5 July 2022}} and Hafþór charged her with slander.{{cite news |last=Sindradóttir |first=Snærós |title=Hafþór Júlíus kærður til lögreglu af fyrrverandi kærustu |url=https://www.visir.is/g/2017170619262/hafthor-julius-kaerdur-til-logreglu-af-fyrrverandi-kaerustu |date=15 June 2017 |work=Vísir |access-date=18 March 2021}}{{cite news |date=28 June 2017 |title=Strongman "The Mountain" denies accusations of domestic violence, threatens suing for libel |url=https://icelandmag.is/article/strongman-mountain-denies-accusations-domestic-violence-threatens-suing-libel |access-date=30 September 2018 |work=Icelandmag}}{{cite news |last=Gestsdóttir |first=Ragna |title=Hafþór Júlíus hyggst lögsækja konur vegna ærumeiðinga|url=https://www.dv.is/frettir/2019/02/07/hafthor-julius-hyggst-logsaekja-konur-vegna-aerumeidinga/|date=7 February 2019 |work=DV|access-date=19 February 2021}} However, things escalated to a point where Hafþór was not allowed to see his daughter for three years.{{Citation|title=Hafthor Bjornsson – Story of 'The Mountain' {{!}} One of the Most Compelling & Emotional Interviews EVER|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQoQrqk6-Ng|access-date=7 January 2020}} The situation settled over the years, and he frequently visits his daughter, Theresa Líf, who resides in Denmark with her mother.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/1sonSBgLj5/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/1sonSBgLj5 |archive-date=23 December 2021 |url-access=subscription|title=Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson on Instagram: "My daughter Theresa Líf – beautiful design from her mother :) repost via @instarepost20 from @thelmasteimann All about the maxi dress..."|website=Instagram|access-date=30 September 2018}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web |last=Archbold |first=Phil |date=21 February 2018 |title=Everything you don't know about The Mountain |url=https://www.looper.com/110519/everything-dont-know-mountain/ |access-date=30 September 2018 |website=Looper.com}}

In late 2017, Hafþór began dating Canadian fitness model Kelsey Morgan Henson, whom he met in Alberta during a promotional event for Icelandic Mountain Vodka and touring for the Warwick Strongman Festival. The couple garnered media attention because of their height difference.{{cite news |last=Fitzmaurice |first=Rosie |date=13 December 2017 |title=These photos of The Mountain from 'Game of Thrones' and his tiny girlfriend have baffled Instagram users |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/These-photos-of-The-Mountain-from-Game-of-Thrones-and-his-tiny-girlfriend-have-baffled-Instagram-users/articleshow/62054121.cms |access-date=30 September 2018 |work=Business Insider}}{{cite web|url=https://www.journalpost.com/enterainment/kelsey-henson-mountain-kisses/|title=Kelsey Henson, the Mountain's Girlfriend, Tells Her Fans How She Kisses Him|website=www.journalpost.com|access-date=30 September 2018|date=9 April 2018|archive-date=10 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710102409/https://www.journalpost.com/enterainment/kelsey-henson-mountain-kisses/|url-status=dead}} They married in August 2018,{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BpKmOUnC1dE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BpKmOUnC1dE |archive-date=23 December 2021 |url-access=subscription|title=It is with great pleasure...|first=Hafþór|last=Björnsson|date=21 October 2018|website=Instagram|access-date=21 October 2018}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=12146745|title=Enormous Game of Thrones star Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson ties the knot with girlfriend|first=Christine|last=Rendon|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=22 October 2018|access-date=23 October 2018}} and on 26 September 2020, welcomed a son, Stormur Magni Hafþórsson.{{cite news |title='Game of Thrones' star Hafthor Bjornsson, wife Kelsey Henson welcome baby boy |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/game-of-thrones-star-hafthor-bjornsson-wife-kelsey-henson-welcome-baby-boy/1944356 |access-date=28 September 2020 |work=Outlook India |date=28 September 2020}}{{Obsolete source|date=February 2023}}

On 10 November 2023, the couple announced on Instagram that their daughter had died at 21 weeks of gestation.{{cite magazine |last=Andalora |first=Angela |date=10 November 2023 |title=Game of Thrones' Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson and Wife Kelsey Henson Lose Baby Girl at 21 Weeks: 'Great Sorrow' |url=https://people.com/game-of-thrones-hafthor-julius-bjoernsson-and-wife-lose-baby-girl-at-21-weeks-8400518 |magazine=People |access-date=12 November 2023}}

=Nutrition=

During his Strongman days, Hafþór had to constantly force-feed himself to maintain his size and strength. He used to consume up to 8,000 calories a day during 2012–2017 to maintain a {{convert|180|–|190|kg|lb|abbr=on}} physique and increased it up to 10,000 calories a day in his prime (2018–2020) to maintain a {{convert|200|–|205|kg|lb|abbr=on}} body.{{cite web |last=Shiffer |first=Emily J. |date=11 March 2020 |title=Strongman Hafthor Bjornsson Shares How He Sticks to His 10,000 Calorie Meal Plan While Traveling |url=https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a31400175/hafthor-bjornsson-diet-video/ |access-date=10 April 2022 |work=Men's Health}} As a general rule, his macro balance was 2:2:1 carbs-to-protein-to-fat ratio.{{cite news |last=Rodio |first=Michael |date=10 May 2018 |title=Thor Bjornsson Diet: What 'The Mountain' Eats for His Strongman Training |url=https://www.mensjournal.com/food-drink/thor-bjornsson-diet-what-mountain-eats-his-strongman-training/ |access-date=11 April 2022 |work=Men's Journal}} A typical breakfast could consist of eggs, bacon, and French toast while a typical lunch may consist of rice, steak (or ground bison or salmon), potatoes, spinach, carrots, and chicken stock. He had six to eight healthy meals a day, with the occasional exception: "one cheat meal once in a while is fine as long as you stay on track the rest of the time".{{cite web |last=Blechman |first=Phil |date=6 March 2020 |title=Check Out Hafthor Bjornsson's Training Diet, 10,000 Calories Per Day |url=https://barbend.com/hafthor-bjornsson-diet/ |access-date=6 April 2022 |work=BarBend}}

From mid-2020, Hafþór reduced his caloric intake to around 5,000 calories a day, with a much stricter diet that helped him with his body transformation, to suit boxing.

=Health concerns=

Hafþór has had occasional sleep troubles in the past after heavy meals, due to his large body weight.{{cite news|url=https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a18801982/twenty-four-hours-with-the-mountain/|title=Twenty-Four Hours with The Mountain|date=2 March 2017|work=Men's Health|access-date=30 September 2018}}{{Citation|last=Men's Health|title=24 Hours with The Mountain|date=20 April 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAZobMyRy8o |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/lAZobMyRy8o |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=30 September 2018}}{{cbignore}}

In March 2017, he was diagnosed with Bell's palsy, which paralysed half of his face.{{cite web |last=Taylor |first=Adam |date=6 April 2017 |title='The Mountain' Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson has Bell's palsy |url=https://theconversation.com/the-mountain-haf-or-julius-bjornsson-has-bells-palsy-heres-what-it-means-75601 |access-date=4 March 2018 |website=The Conversation}} He recovered later that year, though he still has a slight facial droop on the right side.{{cite web |title=Facial droop 8/8/22 | website=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb4FCUBbQ8A |access-date=11 August 2022}}

In an interview, when asked if he had ever used steroids, Hafþór answered: "Yes, I have. When you want to be the best, you do whatever it takes". He did not provide further information related to the cycles or whether his use of the substances was ongoing;{{cite news |title=GoT's strongman champ admits to steroid use |url=https://www.espn.in/espn/story/_/id/26522096/got-strongman-champ-admits-steroid-use |access-date=8 December 2020 |work=ESPN |date=14 April 2019}}{{cite news |title=Game of Thrones star and World's Strongest Man admits steroid use played part in dramatic transformation |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/112156093/game-of-thrones-the-mountain-admits-steroid-use-played-part-in-dramatic-transformation |access-date=8 December 2020 |work=Stuff |date=18 April 2019}}{{cite news |last=McMillen |first=Gabrielle |title='Game of Thrones' actor, World's Strongest Man Hafthor Bjornsson admits to steroid use |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/other-sports/news/game-of-thrones-actor-worlds-strongest-man-admits-steroid-use-hafthor-julius-bjornsson/rf205zk914uf1351f3iyt64c4 |access-date=8 December 2020 |work=www.sportingnews.com |date=15 April 2019}} however, he has never failed a drug test during his entire career.

In April 2023, during the bench press event at a summer powerlifting meet at his gym, Hafþór sustained a major injury, tearing his left pectoralis major muscle off the humerus bone.{{cite web |title=Pec tear | website=Twitch | date=15 April 2023 |url=https://clips.twitch.tv/LivelyAmazingPlumageDoubleRainbow-gV_pm_LDqfM3V5h2|access-date=15 April 2023}}{{cite web |last=Bagchi |first=Sagnik |date=16 April 2023 |title="Oh What a Shame, Hopefully a Speedy Recovery": Strongman Giant Hafthor Bjornsson's Pec Injury Leaves Bodybuilding World Concerned |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/us-sports-news-bodybuilding-news-oh-what-a-shame-hopefully-a-speedy-recovery-strongman-giant-hafthor-bjornssons-pec-injury-leaves-bodybuilding-world-concerned/ |website=EssentiallySports}}

=Endorsements=

In 2016, Hafþór co-founded the spirits brand Icelandic Mountain Vodka, which is a seven-time distilled Icelandic vodka. The company also produces gin.{{cite news |last=Cappuccino |first=Jake |date=17 July 2016 |title=The Mountain's Amazing New Alcohol Is Basically a 'Game of Thrones' Vodka |url=https://www.elitedaily.com/entertainment/icelandic-mountain-vodka-commercial-game-of-thrones/1555599 |access-date=4 March 2018 |website=Elite Daily}}

Together with Unnar Helgi Danielsson, Dylan Sprouse, and Terry Crews, Hafþór is also a co-founder and brand ambassador of Thor's Skyr, a traditional Icelandic high-protein cultured dairy product high in probiotics and low in sugar.{{Citation|last=forbes.com|title=Viking Invasion: Icelandic Strongman Hafþór Björnsson and Dylan Sprouse Backed Thor's Skyr Promises More Protein and Less Sugar|date=7 September 2021|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/douglasyu/2021/09/07/viking-invasion-icelandic-strongman-hafr-bjrnsson-and-dylan-sprouse-backed-thors-skyr-promises-more-protein-and-less-sugar/?sh=496ae7e5eaa2|access-date=11 April 2022}}{{cite web |last=Cornell |first=Jim |date=10 November 2021 |title=Dairy Dialog Podcast 158: Dairyland Laboratories, Friesland Campina, Si-ware systems and Thor's Skyr |url=https://www.dairyreporter.com/Article/2021/11/10/dairy-dialog-podcast-158-dairyland-frieslandcampina-si-ware-thor-s-skyr |access-date=7 May 2023 |website=Dairy Reporter}}

Hafþór also owns 'Thor's Power Apparel', a family business retailing branded merchandise via an online shop, and is also a brand ambassador for SodaStream.{{cite web |title=HeavyBubbles™ – Uncut |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XGd8w9RhUM |website=YouTube |access-date=1 June 2022}}{{cite web |title=SodaStream's Join the Revolution |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5FoXLxpFPk |website=YouTube |access-date=1 June 2022}}

Notes

References

External links

{{Official website|hafthorbjornsson.com}}
{{YouTube|h=Hafthorjulius}}
{{IMDb name|id=5485781}}
{{Eurobasket.com player|77879|Hafthor Bjornsson}}

Category:1988 births

Category:Living people

Hafthór Júlíus Björnsson

Category:Centers (basketball)

Hafthór Júlíus Björnsson

Category:Icelandic Twitch (service) streamers

Category:21st-century Icelandic sportsmen