Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson

Hafþór took part in World's Strongest Man after earning a wild card invitation to the 2011 contest.[23] He came in sixth overall. Taking part again in ensuing years, he placed third in 2012, 2013 and 2015. He finished runner-up in 2014 event[24] to Žydrūnas Savickas and again in the 2016 event to Brian Shaw.[25] In 2017, Hafþór once again was runner up, this time to Eddie Hall.[26] Hafþór won the 2018 World's Strongest Man,[1][2] thus becoming the first Icelander to win the title since Magnús Ver Magnússon in 1996.[27]

In May 2020, Hafþór stated that he would never return to a Giants Live event or a World's Strongest Man competition, thus statedly ending Hafþór's participation in World's Strongest Man.[28]

On 3 March 2018, Hafþór broke the Elephant Bar deadlift world record with his successful 472 kg (1,041 lb) third attempt, as well as being champion of the Arnold Strongman Classic 2018. The previous Elephant Bar deadlift world record of 468 kg (1,032 lb) was set by Jerry Pritchett at the Arnold Strongman Classic 2017.[29][30]

Hafþór defended his title at the Arnold Strongman Classic 2019; he finished on 45 points, 4.5 points ahead of runner-up Martins Licis. He also improved on his elephant bar world record, increasing it to 474 kg (1,045 lb) with his second attempt. He tried for 501 kg (1,105 lb) in his third attempt but was unsuccessful.[31][32]

After successfully defending his crown, Hafþór became only the second person to win three Arnold Strongman Classics in a row (2018, 2019 and 2020) after Zydrunas Savickas.

In a 2017 interview, when asked if he had ever used steroids, Hafþór answered: "'Yes, I have'". He added, "'When you want to be the best, you do whatever it takes'". Hafþór declined to say when he had used steroids or whether his use of the substances was ongoing.[33][34][35]

Hafþór was born in Reykjavík.[39] His father, Björn, stands at 203 cm (6 ft 8 in),[17] and his mother, Ragnheiður, is also of very tall stature.[39] Hafþór's grandfather, Reynir, is 207 cm (6 ft 9 ¹⁄₂ in)[17] and "just as broad across the chest". Reynir recalled in 2014 that Hafþór worked on the family farm outside Reykjavík as a child and "was always big, even when he wasn't tall".[39] Hafþór has a daughter with his former girlfriend Thelma Björk Steimann.[40][41][42][43][44] Until early 2017, he was in a relationship with Andrea Sif Jónsdóttir whom he met at a gym. They lived together in Reykjavik. In an online video interview by Mulligan Brothers published 21 December 2019, Hafþór lamented not having seen his daughter in three years.[45]

Since late 2017, Hafþór had been dating Kelsey Henson, a Canadian waitress. The two met when Hafþór was in Alberta, Canada for a strongman competition and visited the bar where Henson worked. The couple garnered attention for the difference in their respective heights, as Henson is 157 cm (5 ft 2 in).[44][46][47] On 21 October 2018, Hafþór announced that he and Henson had married.[48][49] On 26 September 2020, Hafþór and Henson welcomed their first child together, a baby boy.[50]

Hafþór has several tattoos including those in relation to Norse deities and the Viking culture. He also has a tattoo of Jón Páll Sigmarsson on his calf.[51][52]

Hafþór and his former girlfriend Andrea have spoken about his occasional sleep troubles after a heavy meal due to his body weight.[51][52]

In March 2017, he was diagnosed with Bell's palsy.[53][47]

In 2016, Hafþór co-founded the spirits brand Icelandic Mountain Vodka. The main focus of the company is a seven-time distilled Icelandic vodka, as well as having a gin production.[57][58]

In competition:

• Deadlift – 501 kg (1,105 lb) Strongman rules[22] World Record.
• Deadlift – 474 kg (1,045 lb) Elephant bar, strongman raw with wrist straps (Arnold Strongman Classic 2019, World Record)[59]
• Log press – 213 kg (470 lb) (Europe's Strongest Man 2018)[60]
• Tire deadlift – 460 kg (1,014 lb) raw with wrist straps (Arnold Strongman Classic 2014)[61]
• Log carry – [5 steps] 650 kg (1,433 lb) (World's Strongest Viking 2015)[21][62]
• Keg toss – 7.15 m (23 ft) (World's Strongest Man 2016)[63]
• Keg toss – 8 kegs in 16.35 seconds (World's Strongest Man 2014). Strongman record.[64]

Set in the gym (unofficial):'

• Deadlift – 480 kg (1,058 lb) Replica Elephant bar, raw with wrist straps[65]

In competition:

• Squat (with wraps) – 440 kg (970 lb) (Thor's Powerlifting Challenge 2018)[66]
• Bench press – 250 kg (551 lb) (Thor's Powerlifting Challenge 2018)[66]
• Deadlift – 410 kg (904 lb) (Thor's Powerlifting Challenge 2018)[66]
• Total – 1,100 kg (2,425 lb) (Thor's Powerlifting Challenge 2018)[66]

Set in the gym:

• Squat – 445 kg (981 lb) raw[67]
• Bench press – 245 kg (540 lb) raw[68]
• Deadlift - 501 kg (1,104.5 lb)