Latest news with #HafthorBjornsson
News.com.au
28-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘I'm the f**king strongest': Hafthor Bjornsson's 505kg deadlift shatters world record
Champion strongman Hafthor Bjornsson has smashed the deadlift world record, lifting an absurd 505kg at the Eisenhart Black event. The man known as The Mountain from HBO's Game of Thrones, pulled off the incredible feat in competition, putting debate over the validity of his previous world record in 2020 officially to bed. Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Bjornsson broke long-time strongman rival Eddie Hall's world record of 500kg set at the 2016 World Deadlift Championships, going 501kg in 2020. But plenty had questioned if it was really the world record considering Bjornsson had set his record in a private gym outside of competition. However, the 206cm giant made no mistake this time, lifting 505kg at the Eisenhart Black event, sending the assembled crowd into hysterics. Immediately after breaking the record, Bjornsson screamed 'I am the f**king strongest' as fireworks erupted around him. For comparison, if half a ton is too esoteric, it's the equivalent of the weight of a Harley Davidson trike, or the middle-range of the average adult male polar bear. It's the second time Bjornsson has attempted to lift more than 500kg this year, having missed 501kg at the Arnold Strongman Classic, although he attempted it raw — which means with a weightlifting belt, wrist wraps and chalk only. However, he's not going to rest on his laurels, having already planned to beat his new record at the 2025 World Deadlift Championships in Birmingham, England on September 6. Powerlifter Ventsislav Dimitrov, who pulled 505kg at the same event in 2023 but in a sumo stance with lifting straps, tried 507.5kg in a sumo stance but failed to lock out the lift. Lifting straps are banned in powerlifting competitions, while the sumo stance is banned in strongman competitions, according to strength and fitness website Barbend. Despite long being bitter rivals and having faced off in a boxing match that Bjornsson won, Hall was quick to react to the Icelander's incredible feat. 'Massive respect to Thor for making history & setting the official WR at 505kg. That's one hell of a pull. Records are made to be broken,' he wrote on Instagram with a video of the feat. 'Big respect, big love.' Arnold Schwarzenegger responded: 'Congratulations, my friend.' Brooklyn Nine-Nine and America's Got Talent star Terry Crew posted: 'Congrats man!!!!! INCREDIBLE.' Last week, Bjornsson revealed he had hit 200kg on the scales but said: 'I haven't felt this strong since 2020. I'm ready for 505kg.' Bjornsson was the 2018 World's Strongest Man as well as runner up three-times and third-place getter another four times. Having taken a two-year hiatus from powerlifting to pursue boxing, Bjornsson lost over 60kg for his grudge match against Hall. After returning to strongman events, he suffered a brutal setback when he tore the pectoral muscle off the bone while trying for his bench press PB of 252kg in April 2023. The Icelandic strongman was sharing his journey to 505kg across his social media channels, revealing he eats 8000 calories a day to maintain his intimidating physique over three meals and three 'snacks'.
Daily Mail
27-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ex-Game of Thrones star makes history after breaking deadlift record AGAIN and his celeb fans rush to congratulate him
Ex-Game of Thrones star Hafthor Bjornsson has broken the world deadlift record again after benching an impressive 505kg. The actor and bodybuilder, 36, who is best known for portraying The Mountain on the series, proudly shared the achievement over on his Instagram during the weekend. It's not the first time he's made history, as back in 2022 he competed in the same challenge and became the champion of lifting a whopping 500kg. Taking to social media on Sunday, the GoT star wrote: '505kg WORLD RECORD! History made again' alongside the video. Celebs including Terry Crews and Arnold Schwarzenegger commented on the video, celebrating his win. Hafthor barely even flinched as he squatted down to lift the mind-boggling amount of weight. He could be seen straining as he completed the exercise in perfect form - beating World's Strongest Man Eddie Hall to the crown. The former World's Strongest Man who played a bone-crushing character in the hit show consumes three meals and three snacks daily, all adding up to 8,000 calories. The Icelandic native said they are vital to maintain his Herculean frame — with the 6-foot 9-inch strongman weighing in at 423lbs. Revealing his daily meal plan in a YouTube video, Bjornsson said every morning begins with three eggs, 1lb of cooked rice, half a cup of strawberries and two cups of milk. He also has a shake that consists of one cup of orange juice, nearly one cup of Skyr yogurt and half a cup of blueberries. He then returns to the kitchen for a 'snack' of a 4oz steak, nearly two more cups of rice, half a cup of vegetables and an avocado. He has the same for lunch, skipping the avocado, before washing everything down with another shake without the blueberries. The amazing win comes not long after the actor and his wife Kelsey shared an emotional post on the anniversary of the devastating day they lost their daughter. Back in November, the Icelandic strongman and his wife expressed their grief as they mourned their baby girl Grace with a poignant, joint Instagram post. Björnsson and his wife lost their second baby after suffering from a miscarriage. In a lengthy post, the couple addressed their daughter: 'One year. 365 days have passed since your day of birth. 366 days have passed since we learned of your death in my womb. One year, 365 days, without you here, with us.' The pair included photos of the brief time they had with their baby daughter. 'You didn't get to feel the comfort of my arms or breast. You didn't get to look up and see my face or your daddy's face. 'We didn't get to see your first smile, your first tooth, your first giggle. We didn't get to clap and cheer when you first sat up or pulled yourself to stand,' they wrote. 'So many firsts that we will be missing for the entirety of our lives.' The pair explained that they were sharing their post to bring awareness and reduce the stigma of miscarriages and pregnancy loss.
Scotsman
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Floki's Valhalla launches on mainnet
FLOKI launched Valhalla on mainnet today (30) | Valhalla, the highly anticipated metaverse game by Floki, has officially launched its mainnet today (30) - and players can earn MILLIONS. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The game, which has been in development for over three years, marks a major shift for the company from its origins as a meme token to a blockchain-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). Inspired by norse mythology, Valhalla offers players a unique experience. With elements such as character progression, combat, resource management, and guild cooperation, the game has attracted the attention of millions. One in particular includes Hafthor Bjornsson, best known for his role as The Mountain in Game of Thrones who streamed the MMORPG on his twitch: . The game features turn-based tactical combat in hexagonal battle arenas, NFT creatures called Veras, and an expansive open world that players can explore and conquer together. It also offers real ownership of in-game assets, giving players multiple ways to earn for their time and skill through its play-to-earn structure. This sees FLOKI tokens earned through battles, quests, and trading - unlike most traditional games - and are a meme-inspired crypto token with real value. "This is not just about putting a game on-chain - it's about making blockchain gaming better and delivering on the promise made to our community that we will fix many of the problems found within the blockchain P2E gaming space," said Pedro Vidal, Community Relations Officer at FLOKI. "We're not building for hype. 'We're building something gamers actually want to play - and pushing the boundaries of what can be accomplished in the play-to-earn and blockchain gaming world. 'This is only the beginning." Alongside the launch, millions from the treasury will fund In Game Rewards and also further game development, marketing, and the formation of industry partnerships aimed at expanding user reach and engagement. Which comes at a good time following FLOKI's new partnership with Method, an esports organisation , and with the forecasted growth of the blockchain gaming industry to exceed $25 billion by 2030. Method, who has deep ties to the World of Warcraft community, will support Valhalla through dedicated content - including guides, tips, and updates across its platforms. The collaboration aims to introduce Valhalla to Method's large MMO-focused audience ahead of the game's mainnet launch on June 30, marking a significant step for Floki's efforts to expand Web3 gaming into the mainstream. Valhalla is a blockchain-based MMORPG inspired by Norse mythology, offering players the chance to discover, tame, and battle with creatures called Veras. The game features a player-driven economy and a hexagonal battlefield designed for dynamic combat. You can play the game now and it will be officially launched on Mainnet on June 30, 2025. Valhalla was developed by FLOKI. Learn more at
Scotsman
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Floki's Valhalla launches on mainnet
FLOKI launched Valhalla on mainnet today (30) | Valhalla, the highly anticipated metaverse game by Floki, has officially launched its mainnet today (30) - and players can earn MILLIONS. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The game, which has been in development for over three years, marks a major shift for the company from its origins as a meme token to a blockchain-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). Inspired by norse mythology, Valhalla offers players a unique experience. With elements such as character progression, combat, resource management, and guild cooperation, the game has attracted the attention of millions. One in particular includes Hafthor Bjornsson, best known for his role as The Mountain in Game of Thrones who streamed the MMORPG on his twitch: . The game features turn-based tactical combat in hexagonal battle arenas, NFT creatures called Veras, and an expansive open world that players can explore and conquer together. It also offers real ownership of in-game assets, giving players multiple ways to earn for their time and skill through its play-to-earn structure. This sees FLOKI tokens earned through battles, quests, and trading - unlike most traditional games - and are a meme-inspired crypto token with real value. "This is not just about putting a game on-chain - it's about making blockchain gaming better and delivering on the promise made to our community that we will fix many of the problems found within the blockchain P2E gaming space," said Pedro Vidal, Community Relations Officer at FLOKI. "We're not building for hype. 'We're building something gamers actually want to play - and pushing the boundaries of what can be accomplished in the play-to-earn and blockchain gaming world. 'This is only the beginning." Alongside the launch, millions from the treasury will fund In Game Rewards and also further game development, marketing, and the formation of industry partnerships aimed at expanding user reach and engagement. Which comes at a good time following FLOKI's new partnership with Method, an esports organisation , and with the forecasted growth of the blockchain gaming industry to exceed $25 billion by 2030. Method, who has deep ties to the World of Warcraft community, will support Valhalla through dedicated content - including guides, tips, and updates across its platforms. The collaboration aims to introduce Valhalla to Method's large MMO-focused audience ahead of the game's mainnet launch on June 30, marking a significant step for Floki's efforts to expand Web3 gaming into the mainstream. Valhalla is a blockchain-based MMORPG inspired by Norse mythology, offering players the chance to discover, tame, and battle with creatures called Veras. The game features a player-driven economy and a hexagonal battlefield designed for dynamic combat. You can play the game now and it will be officially launched on Mainnet on June 30, 2025. Valhalla was developed by FLOKI.
Daily Mail
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
British athlete shares incredible throwback picture of himself with a pierced nipple at the age of 13 - but can YOU work out who he is?
What were you like at the age of 13? We all mature at different rates, but it's safe to say some hit the semblance of adulthood much sooner than others. You get some superhuman teens who can cut it with the very best - think Ethan Nwaneri making his Premier League debut aged 15 years and 181 days. Meanwhile, there are others who look beyond their years. People joked that Luke Littler looked 35 when he made his entrance on the World Darts Championship stage aged 16 in 2023. And fans are in disbelief over a rare photo which has been posted by a British sporting favourite, allegedly from when he was 13. The image shows the youngster stood shirtless near a beach wearing nothing but shorts, trainers, and a ring piercing on his left nipple. Can you guess who it is? If you need a clue, think plane-pulling and keg tossing. That doesn't ring a bell? He's a former World's Strongest man winner, having claimed the gong in 2017 when he edged out Hafthor Bjornsson and Brian Shaw, and now plies his trade as an MMA fighter. Still not sure? Well, it's none other than Eddie Hall, AKA 'The Beast,' who now towers six foot, three inches tall over most other men. He's the former holder of the world's heaviest deadlift at 500kg, before Bjornsson came along and broke it by a kilogram. Hall claimed he drank 20 bottles of Lucozade the night before that record attempt and that he 'put on two stone overnight' Muhdo, an English Health consultant company, analysed his DNA and epigenetics and found a variant in the gene MSTN. Fans could scarcely believe that Hall was just 13 at the time of his photographs That anomaly allows for a greater muscle mass and size, partially explaining how he went on to be one of the world's brawniest brutes. Fans on Facebook were in disbelief that we was '13' at the time of the post. He also claimed that he was 'on the doors' at the time - perhaps a jest, but likely a reference to the security work he picked up in his teenage years. 'Thirteen my left foot... that's a 19/20 year old man,' wrote one fan. 'Good muscles for 13,' said another. 'You must be kidding me, bro looks like me at 29 years old,' one commented. 'Thirteenth birthday bash at working men's club after 30 pints,' another quipped. 'Thirteen years old grown man,' one said. Hall has done this shtick before, and it is hard to know whether he is being serious. Last year he shared a photo of himself, apparently at 16, looking like a fully-fledged movie villain, packing muscles most men could only dream of.
