Game of Thrones star Hafthor Bjornsson has once again etched his name in the annals of strength sports history. He recently shattered the world deadlift record by hoisting 505kg (1,113 pounds) – all while maintaining a significantly leaner physique than his previous record-breaking attempts.
The 36-year-old Icelandic giant, beloved by millions for his portrayal of The Mountain in the hit HBO series, announced his historic achievement on Instagram over the weekend. He wrote on his social media post: “505kg WORLD RECORD! History made again” alongside footage of the monumental lift.
What makes this achievement particularly remarkable is that Bjornsson accomplished this feat while weighing considerably less than during his previous strongman career. The 6-foot-9 athlete has undergone a dramatic physical transformation in recent years, having shed over 100 pounds from his peak competitive weight. Where he once tipped the scales at a massive 423 pounds during his strongman prime, recent reports suggest he now maintains a more streamlined 328 pounds.
The video shows Bjornsson approaching the loaded barbell with characteristic composure. He barely even flinched as he squatted down to lift the mind-boggling amount of weight.
This latest record surpasses his previous world record of 500kg, which he set in 2022, marking yet another milestone in his ongoing rivalry with fellow strongman Eddie Hall. The achievement has garnered widespread attention from the fitness community and Hollywood alike, with celebrities including Terry Crews and Arnold Schwarzenegger commenting on the video to celebrate his victory.
Despite his reduced body weight, Bjornsson maintains an incredibly demanding nutritional regimen to fuel his training. The former World’s Strongest Man champion consumes three meals and three snacks daily, totaling approximately 8,000 calories. His morning routine begins with three eggs, one pound of cooked rice, half a cup of strawberries, and two cups of milk, followed by a protein-rich shake containing orange juice, Skyr yogurt, and blueberries.
His daily “snacks” would constitute full meals for most people – featuring 4-ounce steaks, nearly two cups of rice, vegetables, and avocado. This attention to nutrition has allowed him to maintain his incredible strength while operating at a lower body weight than his traditional strongman competition days.
The transformation journey began when Bjornsson shifted his focus from pure strongman competition to other athletic pursuits. His weight loss was initially motivated by preparation for boxing matches, where carrying less bulk while maintaining functional strength became crucial. However, this latest deadlift record proves that his reduced weight hasn’t compromised his raw power output.
