Top 5 Icelandic Strongest Men
“On the (fishing) boats in the old days, you had to lift the stone, if you lift a small stone, you get half a share, if you lift a full stone you get a full share, so your physical power was your way to success” – FULLSTERKUR Documentary by Rogue 2018
The land of fire and ice has a deep rooted history with strength throughout history aging back to the original viking settlers.
Being a tough and enduring place to live in early days, only the strong survived. This over many centuries makes a lot of the men of Iceland genetically gifted when it comes to feats of strength, this need only be proved in their history as a small island against the world, holding their own with the sport of strongman for years.
Jón Páll Sigmarsson
“There is no reason to be alive if you cant do deadlift” – Jón Páll Sigmarsson (while lifting 1000lbs)
Born 28th of April 1960, Sigmarsson was well known by all. He was a common sight for families who would watch World’s Strongest Man during the festive season. Jón Páll Sigmarsson is regarded as one of the best strongman ever to grace the sport.
His titles include:
- 4 X World’s Strongest Man
- 2 X Europe’s Strongest Man
- 5 X World Muscle Power Championships Winner
Jón Páll was introduced to weight lifting in 1976, and began training at Jakaból gym in Reykjavik in 1978.
He competed from 1979 – 1993 when his untimely death occurred while suffering from an aortic rupture deadlifting in his gym. Sigmarsson is known all over the world as one of the all time greatest exports of athleticism from Iceland.
He had a fierce competition with USA’s Bill Kazmaier during his active years. Sigmarsson was as much an entertainer as an athelete. Known for his exuberant outbursts as well as quoted “the man with the inbuilt megaphone”
An inspiration to the next generation of strongmen who’s legacy will never be forgotten.
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson
Hafthor has been active in the sport of strongman since 2010. He is considered the third most decorated strongman in history. Hafthor is also well known to many as “The Mountain” from Game of Thrones.
Born on 26th November 1988 in Reykjavik Iceland, in his youth was active helping his family farm. His early development started from lifting natural stones from a young age.
Standing at 6ft 9in he started his sporting journey with basketball. This a common trend among budding strongmen such as Brian Shaw who also played basketball professionally. Hafthor used his height to an advantage before finding his footing in the world of strength training.
Interestingly, Hafthor was discovered by Magnús Ver Magnússon at Jakaból at his gym. Notably, the same gym used by Jón Páll Sigmarsson in his training a generation before.
He has been winner of Iceland’s Strongest Man for almost a decade, his wins span from 2011 – 2020 fist place, after placing 3rd in 2010.
His other achievements include placing no less than 3rd place since 2012 – 2019 in World’s Strongest Man (winning the world title in 2018), 3 first place titles of the Arnold Strongman Classic, 5 first place wins of Europe’s Strongest Man, 4 wins in Giants live along with countless other first place achievements world wide spanning since 2010.
He also broke a deadlift world record in 2020 by pulling 501kg during the pandemic at his own gym in Iceland with referee’s set up by video link.
Magnús Ver Magnússon
The transition of dominance for World’s Strongest Man went almost seamlessly from that of Jón Páll Sigmarsson to his fellow Icelandic Magnusson who won first place in 1991, with 4 total first place trophies and two second place finishes spanning to 1997.
He is also winner of multiple Europe’s Strongest Man as well as first place in Iceland’s Strongest Man 8 times.
He competed in a one-off event at the Giants Live Strongman Championship 2019 held in Wembley against fellow strongman rival Bill Kazmaier in the Hercules Hold.
Despite having not competed in a strongman event since 2005, Magnusson stunned the capacity crowd with a time of 101.2 seconds (1m 41.2s), holding weight only 40kg less in total than their competitive counterparts for the year, whilst Kazmaier could only manage just over 18 seconds.
He now works as an official for the sport and world record lifting attempts as a judge, being known as a firm but fair referee, with his expertise, knowledge and experience this position is never questioned and highly respected among the strength community.
He now is the current owner the previously mentioned Jakaból (Nest of Giants) gym with its ever growing history.
Kristinn “Boris” Óskar Haraldsson
Born 16 March 1980, Haraldsson is 4 times winner of Iceland’s Strongest Man with a career from 2001 – 2009.
He also qualified for World’s Strongest Man from 2005 – 2007 however in 2008 encountered difficulty with his knee requiring surgery, unfortunately on that same year qualifying he also had severe food poisoning.
Some facts about Haraldsson:
- He has a height of 6 foot exactly
- In competition he had a weight of 140kg
- His PR in Axle press was an impressive 166kg during the 2009 Giants Live Mohegan Sun competition.
- He placed first for Rock Press, Keg Toss, Atlas Stones and Viking Press in various heats in World’s Strongest Man.
He now works as a personal trainer along side living as a family man.
Benedikt Magnússon
Born June 4, 1983, Magnusson held the record for heaviest strongman deadlift of his time at 461kg (which was second only to Eddie Hall’s 500kg lift a year later). He also still holds the raw deadlift world record at 460.4kg
He has won Iceland’s strongest man three times, in 2003 (X2) and 2004, as well as placing second in 2004 and 2010 (note – Iceland’s Strongest Man was hosted by IFSA in his wins during 2003 and 2004 in the same year, giving the same title twice for two separate competitions under the same name)
Benedikt then went on to compete in the World Deadlift Championships at Europe’s Strongest Man 2016, lifting 465 kg.
Magnusson has also competed in the Arnold Strongman Classic twice placing 5th as well as competing and placing 7th in the IFSA Strongman World Championship. He didn’t see much success in the World’s Strongest Man, but managed to qualify in 2015.
His personal records include:
- Squat – 420 kg
- Bench press – 220 kg raw
- Deadlift – 461 kg
He has had many injuries during his career however has shown true determination and grit in recovery.
