Mitchell Hooper has been a dominant force in strongman for over three years. Competing in 26 international events, he claimed victory in 15 and reached the podium 24 times. His list of accolades includes winning the 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM), the 2023 and 2024 Rogue Strongman Invitational, the Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC) three times, and the 2024 Strongest Man on Earth (SMoE).
However, in 2025 at the Giants Live Strongman Classic, Hooper delivered an uncharacteristically lackluster performance, finishing seventh overall and falling short of a podium finish for the first time in three years. His only prior absence from the podium occurred during his international strongman debut at the 2022 WSM, where he placed eighth.
Throughout his career, Hooper’s off-season lasted just four weeks, a rare break during the three-month gap between the Rogue Strongman Invitational and the Arnold Strongman Classic in 2023 and 2024. Typically, Hooper’s schedule involves four weeks of off-season followed by 12-week preps. That means he’s prepping or competing for nearly 11 months per year.
“It’s been an incredible test of my feat of endurance. It’s been a great personal challenge of mine,” Hooper shared. “But it’s been over three years of my life lived in weeks at a time.” Hooper will skip the 2025 SMoE, prioritizing recovery instead.
I’m pulling out of the [2025] Strongest Man on Earth. This is the first time I’ve done so in my career. It’s the right decision.
—Mitchell Hooper
Hooper will still attend the 2025 Shaw Classic to cheer on his fellow athletes and engage with fans. Hooper’s attempt to break the deadlift world record has been postponed until 2026.
Hooper’s Past Performance Struggles
Reflecting on the 2024 Rogue Strongman Invitational, where he successfully defended his title, Hooper acknowledged his performance fell short of his full potential.
I didn’t execute as well as I would typically do. I wasn’t entirely happy.
—Mitchell Hooper
At the 2025 ASC, Hooper faced a similar challenge when attempting to clean a 195-kilogram log, struggling to complete the lift.
That’s not normal for a strongman; that’s weird. I won the show regardless, but I was not my best.
—Mitchell Hooper
In the 2025 WSM Final, Hooper wasn’t performing at his best, yet still secured the overall bronze.
7th Place at the 2025 Strongman Classic
At the 2025 Strongman Classic, Hooper ranked seventh, ending a streak of 24 consecutive podium finishes. He attributed this result to several factors, including a minor biceps injury. Additionally, Hooper is currently dealing with a back injury, sciatica radiating down his left leg, and issues with his left knee.
I’m tending to get much stronger, but I’m less athletic.
—Mitchell Hooper
Hooper’s trending loss of his greatest strength — his athleticism and ability to recover quickly — hinders his results. After three years of competing, his average preparation time for a show is 45 days. With competitions scheduled every six and a half weeks, training effectively and performing at his best becomes increasingly difficult.
Time for a Reset
Hooper acknowledged that trying to compete in every aspect of his career has been draining. As a result, he decided to approach his career in two distinct phases, with the first phase now officially behind him.
I’m retired from competing at everything under the sun.
—Mitchell Hooper
Hooper envisions cementing his legacy as one of the greatest strongmen ever. His resume already holds seven major accolades, including wins at every major contest. He believes he can reach double digits with the right approach. To achieve this, his contest pursuits must become more intentional.
“Nobody has seen me rested [or] able to give intention to every show. I’ve never lost an Arnold Strongman Classic, and those have been the longest preps,” Hooper said. From now on, every show Hooper pursues will be a significant, impactful, major title.
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Featured image: @mitchellhooper on Instagram
