Hafthor Björnsson is best known in the strength sports world for his stellar work with Atlas Stones, log lifts, and deadlifts. Such consistent commitment by the former 2018 World’s Strongest Man strength champion has earned him a well-deserved place among some of the greatest athletes in history.
On January 31, 2023, it was revealed that Björnsson will be part of the International Sports Hall of Fame (ISHOF) Class of 2023. Björnsson will enter the ISHOF with fellow luminaries such as two-time judo Olympic gold medalist (2012, 2016) Kayla Harrison and four-time Super Bowl champion (1981, 1984, 1988-1989) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott. . It was done by Dr. Robert Goldman the ISHOF in 2012.
Björnsson is third professional strongly recognized by ISHOF.
Mark Henry, the inaugural 2002 Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC) winner and former WWE World Heavyweight champion, was inducted into the ISHOF as part of the first class in 2012. Three-time WSM champion (1980-1982) Bill Kazmaier will join Henry in 2017. Today Björnsson counts himself among their exclusive company.
Here’s an overview of the entire 2023 ISHOF class:
2023 International Sports Hall of Fame Class
- Hafthor Björnsson: 2018 WSM champion, ASC champion (2018-2020), Iceland’s Strongest Man (2011-2020)
- Ronnie Lott: Pro Football Hall of Famer, four-time Super Bowl champion (1981, 1984, 1988-1989)
- Kayla Harrison: Two-time Olympic judo gold medalist (2012, 2016)
- Jackie Joyner-Kersee: Six-time Olympic track and field medalist (spanning between 1984 and 1996, including three gold medals)
- Richard Sorin: Founder of Sorinex Exercise Equipment, grip strength icon
In addition to Björnsson’s excellent competitive record – which also includes notable achievements such as five Europe’s Strongest Man titles (2014-2015, 2017-2019) and three WSM runner-up finishes (2014, 2016- 2017) – he has different strengths. records.
Most notable is probably Björnsson’s 501-kilogram (1,104.5 pounds) World Record deadlift from the 2020 World’s Ultimate Strongman “Feats of Strength” series. The other is the Weight Over Bar World Record from the 2022 Strongman Rogue Invitational. The athlete threw a 25.4-kilogram (56-pound) weight over a 20-foot, three-inch high bar to increase his previous record mark.
In terms of recent athletic exploits outside of the strong context, Björnsson defeated former strong rival and 2017 WSM winner Eddie Hall in a March 2022 boxing match. In a December 2022 return to professional powerlifting at the 2022 Thor’s Christmas Powerlifting Meet, the athlete lifted a 970-kilogram (2,138.5-pound) total in the 140-kilogram-plus weight class.
Björnsson’s ISHOF honor may be even more important, as he probably didn’t come off as a strong man or strong competitor. In October 2022, the Icelander talked about a potential future where he moonlights as an elite strongman and powerlifter while continuing to chase new World Records. In this case, the 34-year-old’s Hall of Fame honor and resume could shine even brighter in the years to come.
Featured image: @thorbjornsson on Instagram
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