Even “The Mountain” can still reach new heights.
With the 2024 Rogue Strongman Invitational scheduled for Nov. 8-10, 2024, Hafthor Björnsson looks primed to give the Scottish crowd a vintage performance.
Less than two months removed from setting two world records at the 2024 Strongest Man on Earth contest, the Icelandic legend left no doubt about his readiness for the Invitational by recording a two-rep, 430-kilogram (948-pound) deadlift PR during a training session.
On Oct. 19, 2024, Björnsson shared a video of his latest impressive feat of strength on his Instagram account. Check it out below:
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Hafthor Björnsson’s Record-Setting Deadlift Session
Talk about a great day at the office.
With audible cheers of encouragement coming from his co-workers, Björnsson set the stage for a record-setting lift by securing his wrist wraps around an Olympic barbell loaded with Rogue competition weight plates. Next, he positioned his feet about shoulder-width apart, grabbing the bar just outside his feet for the textbook definition of a proper conventional deadlift setup.
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Donning long socks to protect his legs and a lever-style weightlifting belt to safeguard his back and core, Björnsson rolled the bar back to his shins, dropped his hips, and executed a flawless rep. After making a near-1,000-pound pull look easy, he followed with a second rep that was almost as smooth as the first.
The 6-foot-9 strongman displayed excellent mechanics by:
- Hinging at the hips
- Keeping his spine neutral
- Driving his feet through the floor
- Engaging his glutes to complete the lockout
In other words: Björnsson delivered a masterclass in how to execute a conventional deadlift.
Can “The Mountain” Make History at the 2024 Rogue Strongman Invitational?
Set to turn 36 on Nov. 26, “Thor” has an opportunity to kick off his birthday month by doing something he’s all too familiar with: making history.
However, it’s also not too late for Björnsson to experience something different.
With the sixth edition of the Rogue Invitational moving from Round Rock, TX to Aberdeen, Scotland, 10 of the world’s top strongmen will compete for the largest prize purse in the sport in a new venue. Reigning Rogue Strongman Invitational champion and 2024 Strongest Man on Earth Mitchell Hooper headlines a stacked roster that includes Björnsson, three-time reigning World’s Strongest Man Tom Stoltman, and USA’s Evan Singleton.
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Even if Björnsson can’t unseat Hooper from his throne and secure a six-figure payday, he certainly looks capable of winning the Max Deadlift event.
After all, he’s proven his prowess in both training and competitive settings in 2024.
Back in March, Björnsson made an emphatic return to his favorite sport by recording a 456-kilogram (1,006-pound) Elephant Bar deadlift at the 2024 Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC).
Although he settled for fourth place overall, the three-time ASC champion finished first in the deadlift and second in the Timber Carry and Webster Stones events.
Based on his recent training PR, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see “The Mountain” stand atop the leaderboard in his signature lift. However, only time will tell whether he has the agility and conditioning to leave Scotland as the 2024 Rogue Strongman Invitational champion.
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Featured image: Hafthor Björnsson / YouTube
