Mitchell Hooper claimed his 11th consecutive podium finish at the 2023 Shaw Classic, continuing his incredible competitive streak. However, Hooper always strives for victory, so his second-place finish at the aforementioned competition was perceived as a loss for him. Although he has expressed disappointment in the past after losing a game, this time it is different.
First of all, Mitchell Hooper injured his hamstring during the first day of the 2023 Shaw Classic, but did not use it as an excuse. This obviously hindered his abilities going into the final day, but he still managed to perform extremely well. Hooper ended up finishing only behind Brian Shaw, which made it easier for him to cope with the loss.
The 2023 Shaw Classic was Brian Shaw’s final professional appearance, which wrapped up an incredible career for one of the greatest Strongman athletes in history. So, like the majority of fans, Hooper appreciated the fact that Shaw got his perfect ending.
“Something about this loss sits just a little better with me than losses in the past. A proper send off to a legend of the sport can’t be a bad thing,” wrote Hooper on his Instagram story.
“An absolute honor to compete alongside Brian, join him for his last stone run and last ever event as a strongman. I was lucky enough to have the best seat in the house to cheer him on for the final event of his legendary career,” added Hooper in an additional post.
Level Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!
Additionally, Mitchell Hooper provided information about his hamstring injury, which was fortunately not too severe. Although Hooper did tear something in his hamstring, which resulted in a visible bruise, he stated that one week of rest is all he requires before he can resume training. So, his plans for the remainder of the season should not be in danger.
Check out Mitchell Hooper’s hamstring here:
Related: A Look into World’s Strongest Man Mitchell Hooper’s Day
Mitchell Hooper has had one of the greatest year’s in the history of Strongman, especially considering that he started competing in late May of 2022. He is always in contention for the title and has secured quite a few of them as well. Most notably, Hooper is the 2023 World’s Strongest Man & 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic champion. He will also look to claim another prestigious title at the 2023 Rogue Invitational later this year.
Mitchell Hooper has been very active on social media as well, revealing his go-to supplements, mental struggles, workout tips, and more. However, he has also become quite a sensation for crushing insane strength challenges, and inventing new ones.
Mitchell Hooper first took on Tom Platz’s 525-lb Squat AMRAP challenge, and beat it by performing one rep more than the goal of 23 repetitions. He then took on Eddie Hall’s “Death By Deadlifts” set, before ultimately coming up with his own 1,000-lb challenge.
Most recently, Mitchell Hooper announced that he would become a father, stating that it is the most important title anyone could wish for.
Related: ‘I Was in Serious Danger’: Mitchell Hooper Breaks Down 2023 World’s Strongest Man Win
Hooper showed his resilience at the 2023 Shaw Classic, as he didn’t show any signs of struggling despite his hamstring tear. So, it is very fortunate that his injury is not severe, which also brings relief to all fans of Strongman. Despite his defeat, Hooper was gracious, praising Brian Shaw and being grateful for the opportunity to share the stage with him.