Mitchell Hooper Secures Third Consecutive Title at the 2025 Arnold Strongman Classic
Columbus, OH – March 1, 2025 – The 2025 Arnold Strongman Classic delivered yet another unforgettable display of power and endurance, with Mitchell Hooper clinching his third consecutive title at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The highly anticipated competition featured record attempts, breakout performances, and a thrilling battle among the world’s strongest men.
In a weekend filled with historic moments, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson made headlines with a bold attempt to break the Elephant Bar Deadlift world record, while American strongman Lucas Hatton emerged as a legitimate title contender. However, it was Hooper’s consistency and strategic execution across all events that ultimately secured his place at the top.
Björnsson’s Record Attempt and Hatton’s Breakout Performance
The competition opened with the Elephant Bar Deadlift, setting the stage for one of the weekend’s most anticipated moments. Hafþór Björnsson, a former World’s Strongest Man champion, stepped up to the bar with a staggering 1,102-pound (500 kg) record attempt. As the crowd fell silent, the Icelandic giant pulled with everything he had. The bar bent under the immense weight, but despite a valiant effort, the lift fell just short of lockout.
While Björnsson dominated the deadlift event, Mitchell Hooper and Lucas Hatton stayed close behind, ensuring that the title race remained wide open.
Hatton quickly made his presence known in the Overhead Medley, showcasing world-class pressing strength by completing the event in 1:45.02 minutes, the fastest time of the competition. His performance signaled that the American strongman was not just a rising star—he was a serious contender for the title.
Hooper’s Control and Björnsson’s Comeback
As the competition progressed, Hooper took command with a dominant performance in the Timber Carry, completing the course in a blazing 10.77 seconds to take first place. His combination of grip strength, endurance, and strategy positioned him as the man to beat.
Björnsson, looking to rebound from his near-record deadlift attempt, found redemption in the Timber Trial, where he secured a crucial event win with a time of 31.21 seconds. Meanwhile, Austin Andrade shocked the field in the Stone to Shoulder, racking up 40 points and solidifying his place among the weekend’s top competitors.
With only one event remaining, the leaderboard reflected an intense battle for the championship, with Mitchell Hooper and Lucas Hatton separated by only a few points.
Final Standings and Hooper’s Three-Peat Victory
As the competition came to a close, Hooper’s methodical approach proved unbeatable. His consistency across all events secured his place in strongman history, making him only the third athlete to win three consecutive Arnold Strongman Classic titles.
When the final scores were tallied, Mitchell Hooper emerged victorious once again, becoming just the third man in history to win three consecutive Arnold Strongman Classic titles.
Final Standings:
1. Mitchell Hooper (Canada) – 51.5 points
2. Lucas Hatton (USA) – 49 points
3. Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (Iceland) – 42.5 points
4. Austin Andrade (USA) – 38.5 points
5. Trey Mitchell (USA) – 37.5 points
Hatton’s second-place finish confirmed his status as a future strongman great, while Björnsson’s return to competitionreaffirmed his ability to compete at the highest level.
A Defining Moment for the Sport
The 2025 Arnold Strongman Classic was a defining moment for the sport, showcasing both emerging talent and legendary strength. Hooper’s historic victory, Björnsson’s near-record deadlift, and Hatton’s breakout performance cemented the competition as one of the most memorable in recent history.
With the world’s strongest men continuing to push the limits of human performance, the strongman community now looks ahead to the rest of the 2025 season. The question remains—who will rise to challenge Mitchell Hooper in 2026?
By Steve Dee