Who Deadlifted 501 kg in pounds??
The deadlift is one of the most iconic lifts in strength sports, testing both raw power and mental fortitude. Achieving monumental feats in this exercise has pushed athletes to their limits. One such historic milestone was the deadlift of 500 kg (1,102 lbs), a weight so immense that it seemed impossible for years. However, on May 2, 2020, Hafthor Bjornsson—also known as "The Mountain" from Game of Thrones—made history by successfully lifting 500 kg, breaking the previous world record.
Hafthor Bjornsson's 501 kg Deadlift
 |
Hafthor Bjornsson's 501 kg Deadlift |
Hafthor Julius Bjornsson, an Icelandic professional
strongman, actor, and former basketball player, became a household name due to
his role in Game ofThrones, but he had already gained fame in the world of strength
sports long before his acting career. With numerous strongman titles under his
belt, including Europe’s Strongest Man and the World's Strongest Man (2018),
Bjornsson is one of the most dominant figures in the sport.
In early
2020, Bjornsson set his sights on the seemingly insurmountable challenge of
deadlifting 500 kg, which had never been achieved in an official capacity. The
previous world record of 500 kg was held by British strongman Eddie Hall, who
deadlifted 500 kg in 2016 under strict conditions at the World Deadlift Championships.
Hall’s lift was regarded as one of the most legendary feats in the history of
the sport, and it remained the pinnacle for years.
Bjornsson’s
attempt, however, came with a bit of controversy. The event took place in his
own gym in Iceland due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and not in a sanctioned
competition environment. Despite the setting, the lift was officiated by
strongman authorities and was broadcast live to millions of viewers worldwide.
To know more
On the day of the attempt, Bjornsson strapped himself to the bar loaded with 501 kg, performed a flawless pull, and stood up with the weight, becoming the first person to officially deadlift 501 kg. The lift was performed with a conventional barbell, with the assistance of lifting straps, a standard practice in strongman competitions..
Eddie Hall vs. Hafthor Bjornsson: Rivalry
 |
Eddie Hall vs. Hafthor Bjornsson |
WhileHafthor Bjornsson’s 501 kg lift
set a new standard, it reignited a long-standing rivalry with Eddie Hall, who
had previously held the record. Hall’s 500 kg deadlift in 2016 took place at an
official competition under strict conditions, and Hall believes that
Bjornsson’s lift, done outside a competition, doesn’t hold the same weight.
The rivalry between these two giants eventually led to a highly publicized boxing match in 2021, dubbed “The Heaviest Boxing Match in History.” The fight attracted widespread attention from the strength sports community, as it was the culmination of years of competitive tension between Hall and Bjornsson. While the boxing match was a way to settle their differences, the debate over whose 500 kg deadlift holds more prestige continues to divide fans.
The Significance of the 500 kg Deadlift
Deadlifting501 kg represents the absolute pinnacle of human strength. To put it into
perspective, most elite powerlifters and strongmen struggle to even approach
400 kg, let alone 501 kg. Lifting such a massive amount of weight places an
extraordinary amount of stress on the body, from the muscles and joints to the
cardiovascular system.
Beyond the
physical challenges, lifting 501 kg also demands a tremendous amount of mental
resilience. Many athletes, including Hall, have described the mental battle
that comes with attempting such a lift. The risk of injury is high, and the
sheer pressure of lifting such weight can be overwhelming.
Future of the 500 kg Deadlift
With
Bjornsson’s record-breaking lift, the question now is: What’s next for the
deadlift? Will we see someone lift even more? While Hafthor has since retired
from competitive strongman events, the door is open for other athletes to rise
to the challenge. Strongmen like Tom Stoltman and other emerging athletes could
push the boundaries even further, potentially breaking through the 501 kg
barrier in competition settings.
Conclusion
The 501 kgdeadlift remains one of the greatest achievements in strength sports. Hafthor Bjornsson’s historic lift in 2020 showcased not only his immense strength but
also the potential of the human body when pushed to its absolute limits. While
controversy surrounds the conditions of the lift, the accomplishment itself
stands as a testament to years of hard work, dedication, and mental toughness.
Whether or not this feat will be surpassed in the near future remains to be
seen, but it continues to inspire athletes around the world.