The 2025 Iceland’s Strongest Man (ISM) contest, held from Aug. 8-9, 2025, featured eight events. The host country’s most decorated strongman and deadlift world record holder, Hafthor “The Mountain” Björnsson, was crowned with his 12th ISM title.
Although Björnsson stood atop the podium, his performance wasn’t the only headline-worthy performance in Iceland. Paddy Haynes of the UK ranked as the runner-up to Björnsson and set a Húsafell Stone world record of 109.95 meters along the way. Check out Haynes record-breaking run in the video below:
Björnsson was the overwhelming favorite to win the contest, but a newcomer watching the opening event — the Húsafell Stone carry — might not believe that to be true given Haynes world record performance.
After a random draw determined turn order, Haynes’ heat followed Björnsson’s.
The Mountian set the mark at 90.3 meters, just shy of Vilius Jokužys of Lithuania’s distance of 92.3 meters. Hayne’s tightened his ultramarathon shoes before what would be a high-volume test of hamstring, core, and biceps strength.
Haynes’ pace through the first two laps garnered joyous reactions from the crowd live at the scene. Haynes’ scorched the distance needed to win the event before regripping for an additional half lap.
Upon dropping the stone, Haynes was clearly winded without the energy to react to hearing the head judge confirm he had achieved a world record. After bending over to catch his breath, Haynes rose to the smiling Björnsson, who extended his hand in congratulations for rewriting the record books.
2025 Iceland’s Strongest Man — Húsafell Stone Results
- Paddy Haynes — 109.95 meters — World Record
- Vilius Jokužys — 92.3 meters
- Hafthór Björnsson — 90.3 meters
- Hilmar Örn Jónsson — 65.3 meters
- Evans Nana Aryee — 50.5 meters
- Thorlákur Gunnarsson — 36 meters
- Kári Kristófer Elíasson — no lift
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Featured image: @paddy_strongman on Instagram
