‘The Mountain’ is 2018 ‘World’s Strongest Man’
Hafthor Julius “Thor” Bjornnson, who plays the role Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane in the HBO hit series “Game of Thrones,” is this year’s World’s Strongest Man.
The 29-year-old Icelandic, who has been competing in the annual event since 2011, bested a field of 30 strongmen, including four-time winner Brian Shaw of the United States.
Mateusz Koelszokwski of Poland finished second while Shaw settled for third place in the nine-day event that ended yesterday at the University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman in Quezon City.
It was Bjornnson’s first victory after finishing second in 2016
and 2017. He also placed third in 2012, 2013, and 2015.
Ricky Alegre, assistant secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT), confirmed Bjornnson’s victory.
The championship involved a course of 16 events that included pulling a truck, carrying a refrigerator, lifting an Atlas stone weighing over 1,000 pounds and lifting huge logs.
The event started with a four-day qualifying from April 28.
The top 10 advanced to the two-day finals that started Saturday.
Aside from the UP campus, host Philippines also held the event at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Intramuros, Bonifacio Global City and Taguig.
Among those who competed were Adam Derks, Martin Forsma Martin Forsmark, Konstantine Janashia, Dennis Kholruss, Marius Lalas, Zydrunas Savickas, Vytautas Lalas, Martins Licis, Krysztof Radzikowski, Robert Oberst, Rongo Keene and Kimberly Derks, the lone woman in the field.
Aside from being an actor and strongman, Bjornnson was a former professional basketball player. He played for the national junior basketball team between 2004 and 2006.
Before making his world debut in 2011, Bjornnson won several strongman contests in Iceland. (Rey Bancod)