‘Game of Thrones” “Mountain” Sets Deadlift Record
They didn’t call him “The Mountain” for nothin’.
If you’ve watched Game of Thrones, you may be familiar with the character of Ser Gregor Clegane, though you may know him better by his nickname, “The Mountain that Rides,” or simply “The Mountain.” Clegane was a retainer to House Lannister known for his incredible combat skill, as well as his foul temper and cruel demeanor. Thankfully, the actor who played him, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, is actually a very sweet guy who loves to post pictures of himself with his dog. Though Clegane’s personality was an act, however, his strength was quite real; Björnsson is a professional strongman, and just recently, he made that strength all too clear.
Last week, Björnsson set a new world record for deadlifting, and what a record it was. From a standing position, Björnsson lifted weights with a combined weight of 501 kilograms, or 1,104.52 pounds. That’s almost three times his own body weight. Not only is this an impressive world record on its own, it’s also a human achievement, as no bodybuilder has ever previously lifted more than 500 kilograms. This isn’t even the first time Björnsson has set a deadlift record; back in 2018, he beat the record at the time with a lift of 1,041 pounds, and more than likely, he’ll beat this current record at some point as well.
When asked about his feelings on the successful lift by ESPN, Björnsson was fairly reserved in his response. “I believe today I could’ve done more, but what’s the point?” he said. “I’m happy with this.”
On his Instagram, on the other hand, Björnsson was pretty excited. “I have no words,” he wrote. “What an amazing day, one I will remember for the rest of my life. I said I was coming for it and once I set my mind on something I’m a dog with a bone.”