Hafþór “The Mountain” Björnsson, at 2.06m and over 200kg, broke multiple deadlift and deadweight deadweight and deadlift records, including 501 kg, 505 kgincluding 501 kg, 505 kg and recently 510 kg. Here his biography, track record, comparison with Eddie Hall and the most important milestones of his career.
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, known worldwide as “The Mountain” (for his role in Game of Thrones), is one of the most dominant strongman in history.
Beyond his television fame, his track record in strength sports has been historic. In September 2025, Björnsson set a new world deadweight record by deadlifting 510 kg, surpassing his own previous marks. But this achievement only makes sense if we frame it in the context of his biography, his physique, his early career, and the historic rivalry with Eddie Hall.
Personal data: height, weight, origins
- Born November 26, 1988 in Reykjavík, Iceland.
- It measures 2.05 m (≈ 6 ft 9 in.).
- His weight varies depending on the discipline: in strongman he is around 180-210 kg, in boxing he dropped to around 140-152 kg when he competed.
Early years of sports: basketball and transition to strongman
- Prior to his strength competitions, Hafþór was a basketball player. He played center, in several teams in the Icelandic league: Breiðablik, FSu Selfoss, KR Basket Reykjavík, etc.
- He was about 18-20 years old when he suffered an ankle injury that cut short that career.
- He later met Icelandic strongman Magnús Ver Magnússon, who introduced him to the world of strongman. He started competing around 2010 in Icelandic competitions.
Hafþór Björnsson’s main achievements prior to the 510 kg record
- Winner of the World’s Strongest Man title in 2018.
- Several times champion of Europe’s Strongest Man (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019).
- Champion of the Arnold Strongman Classic in recent years.
- He was very consistent in the early years: he participated in World’s Strongest Man since 2011, placing well even before winning.
Deadweight records: Eddie Hall vs. Hafþór
To understand why 510 kg is so significant, you have to look at how he and Eddie Hall took turns holding and breaking that record.
| Athlete | Lift | Date and place | Comments |
| Eddie Hall | 500 kg | July 9, 2016, Leeds, United Kingdom, at the World Deadlift Championships. | First man in history to lift half a ton under strongman rules; suffer immediate physical problems (nosebleeds, etc.). |
| Hafþór Björnsson | 501 kg | May 2, 2020, in Kópavogur, Iceland, under strongman rules. | He officially broke Hall’s record. |
| Hafþór Björnsson | 505 kg | July 27, 2025, Eisenhart Black Deadlift Championships, Germany | Improved his own record. |
| Hafþór Björnsson | 510 kg | September 6, 2025, World Deadlift Championships, Birmingham, England | Most recent record (and current record at least until that date). Â |
Time out, boxing, and a return to strongman
- In between his activities outside of competitive strongman, he transitioned to boxing. In 2022, Björnsson and Eddie Hall met in a boxing match known as The Heaviest Boxing Match in History, which Björnsson won by unanimous decision.
- After a period of reduced activity or partial retirement (especially after 2020-2021), Björnsson returned to strongman in early 2024. Since then, he has continued to break records and appears in top events such as Rogue Invitational or Strongest Man on Earth.
The 510 kg record: date, place and context
- Date: September 6, 2025.
- Venue: Birmingham, England, during the 2025 World Deadlift Championships.
- That 510 kg deadlift marks a new absolute ceiling in deadlift under strongman rules, using standard bar, lifting suit, figure-8 type straps, etc. It thus surpassed the 505 kg of July 2025 and the 501 kg of 2020.
Comparison: what a difference to 510 kg
- It means that Björnsson has already occupied the podium of the highest living deadweight records. He has been climbing: first 501, then 505, then 510 kg. Each improvement requires physical adaptation, training, recovery, nutrition and technique.
- These jumps separate him further from Eddie Hall, whose 500 kg record he held for four years until Björnsson broke it.
Other outstanding achievements
- He has accumulated more than 32 international strongman victories.
- He is known for breaking many records (more than 120 in various strength tests).
- As an actor, his role as Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane in Game of Thrones gave him enormous worldwide visibility.
What can we learn from Hafþór Björnsson and his records?
Hafþór Björnsson’s achievement of lifting 510 kg in September 2025 is more than just a number: it is the sum of a life dedicated to the sport, from his youth basketball days to becoming strongman world champion, surpassing historic rivals such as Eddie Hall. His height (2.05-2.06 m), his enormous competitive weight, his preparation, his return to the sport after periods of injury or retirement, all contribute to making each new record not only surprising, but also highly valued by those of us who follow these sports.
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