Hafþór Björnsson breaks deadlift record, challenges other enormous dude to battle

On Saturday, May 2, Game of Thrones star Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (Gregor “the Mountain” Clegane) broke the world deadlift record by lifting 1,104 pounds. And he did it on camera:

Björnsson accomplished this herculean feat of strength in the gym at his home in Reykjavík, Iceland, with just a handful of friends and family to cheer him on. But boy did they do a great job: that’s a lot of screaming, all of it delivered from the appropriate distance of six feet or more.

In addition to being an actor, the 6’9”, 425-pound Bjornsson is a decorated strongmanhaving won the World’s Strongest Man compeition in 2018. This new feat is a great new feather in his cap. “I’m obviously speechless,” Björnsson told ESPN. “I’m just so happy and thankful that I got the opportunity to do this, even though the world is going through what it’s going through right now. I’m over the moon.”

“I believe today I could’ve done more, but what’s the point?” Bjornsson continued. “I’m happy with this. My family and friends, they were happy with this, and I’ve decided to call it.”

But not everyone was cheering him on. Eddie Hall, who held the world deadlift record before  Bjornsson broke it, wasn’t having it, and called the Game of Thrones veteran out on Instagram:

Hall questions the legitimacy of Björnsson breaking the record in his home gym, accuses him and his team of bullying and unsportsmanlike behavior, says Björnsson has spread “malicious rumors” about him…there’s a lot there. “Absolutely no legitimate sport would acknowledge World Records broken out of competition & you are undermining the very sport you are claiming to champion.” He even questions “the moral implications” of Björnsson gathering people to witness his feat when Björnsson has “a pregnant wife at home.” It gets pretty personal.

After that, Björnsson issued a challenge to fight Hall in a boxing match:

“Eddie, I know I just knocked out your record,” Björnsson said. “And now I’m ready to knock you out in the ring. Time to put your fists where your big mouth is. I’m ready. Are you ready, Eddie?”

Hall replied:

‼️ITS ON Thor Bjornsson‼️I’ve signed the papers and it’s “OFFICIALLY” on. Thanks to Core Sports for the opportunity!#BackUpYourBullBig LoveThe Beast

Posted by Eddie Hall – The Beast on Sunday, May 3, 2020

“I want to teach you a lesson,” Hall said in a message. “And that lesson is going to be me knocking you the f**k out. I don’t care if you’re 6 feet 9 inches. I don’t care if you’re an actual giant. I’m gonna train the hardest… do everything in my power to step in that ring and rip your f*****g head off.”

That is some pro wrestling stuff right there. Is this real? Is this for show? Who cares? I’m watching.

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h/t Washington Post