The 2024 Strongest Man on Earth (SMOE) contest at the 2024 Shaw Classic has become one of the most prestigious pro-Strongman events in just five years. The grueling two-day contest pushes athletes to deliver awe-inspiring performances annually through inventive events like the car leg press in 2023 or the max squat in 2024.
Mitchell Hooper emerged victorious at the 2024 SMOE. The silver medalist, 2018 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) Hafthor Björnsson, stole some spotlight, setting two new world records — one in the Keg Toss and the other in the Manhood Stones. This was Björnsson’s third pro strongman contest since his return to competitive strongman. The other two were the 2024 Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC), where he finished fourth, and the 2024 Arnold Strongman Classic UK, where he finished second.
Björnsson won five of eight events and set two world records, competing against the top 16 strongman athletes in the pro circuit.
Keg Toss World Record
The third event at the 2024 SMOE was a keg toss for maximum height. Björnsson launched the 15-kilogram (33-pound) keg to a colossal height of 7.77 meters, eclipsing the previous world record of 7.76 meters, jointly held by Hooper, Wesley Derwinsky, and Tom Stoltman.
The former world holders settled for a second-place tie with three other contestants — Evan Singleton, Thomas Evans, and Mathew Ragg, as they all converted 7.32 meters.
Björnsson entered this event as the clear favorite, as he had thrown a heavier 15.5-kilogram (34.1-pound) keg eight meters (26 feet 3 inches) high during training.
Manhood Stones World Record
Each athlete had 90 seconds to lift a 204, 227, 249, or 272-kilogram stone for as many reps as possible. Björnsson etched his name in the record books by lifting the 249-kilogram (549-pound) stone for a double, a feat unmatched in a full competition.
Austin Andrade, Trey Mitchell, and Hooper shared second-place points for scoring a single rep with the 249-kilogram stone each.
Like with the keg toss, Björnsson entered this event as the frontrunner, showcasing his potential by lifting a 260-kilogram (573-pound) stone in training. The reigning three-time WSM champion Tom Stoltman, renowned for his prowess with the stones, bombed out at this event. Furthermore, no athlete in the lineup could hoist the 272-kilogram stone.
2024 Strongest Man On Earth Results, Hafthor Björnsson
- Max Deadlift — 450 kilograms
- Keg Toss — 7.77 meters — World Record
- Manhood Stones — 249 kilograms, two rep — World Record
- Wheelbarrow & Arm-Over-Arm Medley — DNF Pull, 34’5
- Fingal’s Fingers & Power Stairs Medley — 45.27 seconds
Björnsson finished fourth in the squat lift event. The overhead and dumbbell medley events proved more challenging, resulting in ninth and 10th-place finishes, respectively.
Way Forward
Björnsson will next compete at the 2024 Rogue Strongman Invitational, scheduled for Nov. 8-10 in Aberdeen, Scotland. Since its inception, this is the first time the contest will be held outside the US.
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Featured image: @thorbjornsson on Instagram
