The Mountain That Lifts: Björnsson wins Strongest Viking competition
He may be the third Mountain in four years, but he’s also the one racking up the most impressive array of titles. Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, who was cast in Season 4 deliberately for his ability to perform the title scene in “The Viper and The Mountain”, hasn’t quit his day job. He was a Strongman competitor before he was cast, and he’s kept up with both his training and his competition between his time filming the show. Back in August, he took the title in the European Strongest Man competition. Now he’s added the title of “World’s Strongest Viking” to his ever growing collection.
In the process he’s broken a world record that legend claims is a thousand years old….
According to Björnsson’s Instagram:
The legend of the Icelander Orm Storulfsson says that he walked three steps with this MONSTER WOODEN LOG which weighs over 600kg’s/1320lbs! It took 50 mere mortals to help him placing it on his back! After he took his third step his back broke under the enormous pressure and he was never the same after that! Well today my friends I made history!! As well as winning the title of The World’s Strongest Viking for the second time in a row I carried this MONSTER LOG 5 steps! My back held up fine!! As I’m on my way to my ultimate goal to win The World’s Strongest Man! NOTHING CAN STOP ME!! NOTHING CAN BREAK ME!!
Meanwhile Björnsson, a former professional Icelandic Division 1 basketball player (Who do they play against? Asgard AC?) spends time deadlifting 1000 pounds in a blow. One of my favorite factoids–a lot of his workout equipment is just rebar and concrete, like he’s training to demolish a Soviet monument park. He also shows up at birthday parties for children as The Hulk.
If he’s not careful, he’ll have as many titles behind his name as Daenarys Targaryen once the show returns to the airwaves. Gregor Clegane, The Mountain The Rides, Westerosi Strongest Man, Strongest Man North of the Wall, Viper Killer. But will he be strong enough to also survive whatever Cersei agreed to allow Qyburn to do to him?
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