2018 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) and three-time Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC) champion Hafthor Björnsson competed in a powerlifting meet in his gym in Iceland on Saturday, April 15, 2023, when he suffered an injury.
Björnsson attempted a bench press of 252.5 kilograms (556.7 pounds) when he injured what appeared to be his pec. The attempt can be seen below, courtesy of a livestream from Björnsson’s YouTube channel:
Björnsson held the weight at lockout when he received the start command. Once he was prepared to pause the weight, he immediately called for assistance. Three spotters helped return the barbell to the rack.
Björnsson was then assisted off the bench and walked away, waving to the crowd, which applauded him. It was confirmed on the livestream chat that Björnsson went to the hospital. The initial belief is that Björnsson tore his left pec, but that has yet to be confirmed by Björnsson at the time of this article’s publication.
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Björnsson weighed in for the meet at 180.6 kilograms (406.35 pounds). Prior to the injury, the former cast member on HBO’s Game of Thrones finished the squat portion of his meet, topping off at 445 kilograms (981.2 pounds).
Björnsson had completed two bench press attempts with 230 and 240 kilograms (507 and 529 pounds, respectively) prior to the uncompleted third attempt. He planned to open with a 380-kilogram (837.9-pound) deadlift.
This meet was the second Björnsson competed in within the last six months. On Dec. 3, 2022, Björnsson entered and won “Thor’s Power Meet” with the following lifts:
Thor’s Power Meet Results — Hafthor Björnsson
- Squat — 380 kilograms (837.7 pounds)
- Bench Press — 210 kilograms (463 pounds)
- Deadlift — 380 kilograms (837.7 pounds)
- Total — 970 kilograms (2,138.5 pounds)
This meet was the latest step in Björnsson’s goal of breaking Dan Bell’s all-time world record raw with wraps total by the end of 2023. Björnsson planned to return to strongman in the 2024 ASC.
Björnsson and Bell trained together at the Rogue Fitness booth during the 2023 Arnold Sports Festival (ASF) in early March. Björnsson was also inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame that same weekend.
BarBend will provide updates on Björnsson’s injury as they become available.
Featured image: @thorbjornsson on Instagram
