Strongman Legends Shine at Prestigious 2024 Shaw Classic
The 2024 Shaw Classic, a prestigious pro-Strongman event, has cemented its status as one of the most highly anticipated competitions in the sport. This grueling two-day contest, held annually, challenges the world’s top strongman athletes to deliver awe-inspiring performances through a series of inventive events, such as the car leg press in 2023 and the max squat in 2024.
At the 2024 edition, it was Mitchell Hooper who emerged victorious, solidifying his position as one of the rising stars in the strongman world. However, the spotlight was also stolen by the silver medalist, 2018 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) champion Hafthor Björnsson, who made a remarkable comeback to the sport.
Björnsson, competing in his third pro strongman contest since his return, put on a dominant display. He won five out of the eight events and set two new world records – one in the Keg Toss and the other in the Manhood Stones.
In the Keg Toss event, Björnsson launched the 15-kilogram (33-pound) keg to a colossal height of 7.77 meters, surpassing the previous world record of 7.76 meters, which was jointly held by Hooper, Wesley Derwinsky, and Tom Stoltman. The former record holders settled for a second-place tie with three other contestants – Evan Singleton, Thomas Evans, and Mathew Ragg, all of whom reached 7.32 meters.
Björnsson’s dominance continued in the Manhood Stones event, where he etched his name in the record books by lifting the 249-kilogram (549-pound) stone for a double, a feat unmatched in a full competition. Austin Andrade, Trey Mitchell, and Hooper shared second-place points for scoring a single rep with the 249-kilogram stone each.
“The reigning three-time WSM champion, Tom Stoltman, renowned for his prowess with the stones, unfortunately bombed out at this event. Additionally, no other athlete in the lineup could hoist the 272-kilogram stone.”
Björnsson’s impressive performance at the 2024 Shaw Classic has set the stage for his next challenge – the 2024 Rogue Strongman Invitational, scheduled for November 8-10 in Aberdeen, Scotland. This will be the first time the contest is held outside the US, further showcasing the global reach and significance of the sport.
🔗 Source
