Hafthor Bjornsson’s Deadlift World Record attempt at the 2026 Enhanced Games was one of the most anticipated events of the year, with fans from all around the globe tuning in on May 24th to follow the action in Las Vegas. The Mountain tried to pull 515 kilograms (1,135.4 pounds) but failed to reach lockout despite a very impressive effort. Shortly after the competition, Bjornsson published a YouTube video where he and his coach dissected the performance.
Hafthor Bjornsson had three attempts at the 2026 Enhanced Games. He first made easy work of 425 kilograms (937 pounds) and 475 kilograms (1,047.2 pounds) before moving on to the World Record attempt. Impressively, Hafthor managed to get 515 kilograms (1,135.4 pounds) up to his knees but just couldn’t get the bar all the way up.
Hafthor Bjornsson and His Coach React to Failed Deadlift World Record Attempt
While backstage at the venue in Las Vegas, Hafthor Bjornsson decided to immediately talk about his failed 515-kilogram (1,135.4-pound) attempt, giving the fans a raw and honest reaction to the lift. He revealed that the main emotion he felt was disappointment, as he had been highly confident prior to the lift based on how his preparation went.
“Damn, that was really disappointing guys to be honest with you. Especially coming so close. I was so close. Came above the knees. Worked so hard for so long. Spent so much time and effort and energy and I really wanted this. But sometimes you come short. It is what it is. Nothing to do more now. I’m just going to figure out what’s next. It’s been a fun journey. This was a fun journey, with fun training weeks leading up to this. It’s a hard pill to swallow when it comes this close and I fought so hard for so long. I trained so hard. I stayed so disciplined for so many weeks and months, and yeah, I mean, I really thought I had it in me, and I did. It’s just small details.”
When thinking about what might have gone wrong, Hafthor Bjornsson pointed out that he was lighter than usual. He was following his diet with almost no cheat meals, which ironically may have contributed to the missed attempt. For reference, when he previously broke the World Record, he weighed around 200 kilograms (440.9 pounds), but this time he was 5 kilograms (11 pounds) lighter. However, he pointed out that there is the potential for him to get the chance to go for the Deadlift World Record at a future edition of the Enhanced Games.
“Maybe the fact I’m slightly lighter than usual. I am slightly lighter. My diet has been slightly more on point. What I mean by that is I haven’t been cheating much. I’m just eating really clean foods and I’ve been really good at maintaining results. So maybe that has an impact on my body weight, but obviously I’m only allowed to use FDA-approved substances. So maybe it’s the enhancement protocol I’m using. I don’t know guys, it’s just so many questions about this now. I’m just going to go back home and figure out what’s next. There is a potential of me doing this again at the enhanced games. I would love to get the opportunity again.”
“Like, I don’t know, I feel like I stayed 100% disciplined, maybe too disciplined to my nutrition. I was so disciplined with my nutrition. Stayed on it like 99.9% of the time. Sometimes I had cheat days, one meal here or there, but a lot less than usual maybe that’s why I’m a bit lighter. Because I mean, I had broken the records like three times now around that weight, either heavier or like on the dot, around like 200 kg (440.9 lb). Now I’m like 5 kg (11 lb) off.”
When it comes to Hafthor’s coach, Sebastian Oreb, he opened up with an objective line, stating that no one is able to maintain a perfect streak of continuous improvement. So, although this is not the outcome they hoped for, Sebastian believes that Bjornsson will break the record on a different occasion.
“Thor’s a professional and no professionals, none of the best in the world, have a perfect run. No one just linearly keeps on going forward, forward, forward. But it doesn’t mean it’s over. I know Thor, we’ve already had a little bit of a discussion on some of the things that were different in this prep. One of the biggest ones was he was at least 5 kg (11 lb) lighter. His body weight was under 200 kg (440.9 lb), which was always a little bit of a concern for me because he’s done it at 200 kg (440.9 lb) every time: 501, 505, and 510 kilograms. He was always between 200 and 205 kg. So today, well, his weigh-in was 194 kg (427.7 lb).
Oreb recognized that Hafthor Bjornsson’s body weight is something that probably needed to be a bit higher. Consequently, for their next prep, they will make sure to focus on getting the additional calories in. On the other hand, he also pointed out that it is not easy for Hafthor to weigh 200 kilograms (440.9 pounds), as it is uncomfortable and can be done only weeks at a time.
“Maybe that’s it. Nutrition perfect means no burgers, no ice cream, and no cakes. I think a little bit of that might help a little bit, you know, and I think next time that’s going to be the strategy. There’s a lot of big eaters in Iceland, and there’s a lot of people that help him and sit with him and eat big with him, but it’s a full-time job to get those calories in. And it’s also, not that I know, but it’s a commitment for him to be weighing over 200 kilograms (440.9 pounds). I’m certain that he’s not comfortable at that body weight. He doesn’t complain so much because he’s a professional. He knows what needs to be done. And usually when he does it, he gets the 200 kg (440.9 lb) for a couple of weeks only.”
When it comes to other aspects of Hafthor Bjornsson’s preparation for the 2026 Enhanced Games, Sebastian believes that it was perfect and credits the Icelandic Strongman for being committed and dedicated to his craft. As such, he reiterated that Bjornsson is capable of breaking the record once again.
“His prep was perfect. Everything was perfect. He’s dedicated. He’s the most dedicated, hardest-working guy that I know. No one has a perfect career. And that’s that. And I think that it’s a shame because we’re so proud of Thor. We always are. But I know how much he must feel the pressure and I’m not disappointed with Hafthor, not one bit. The guy puts himself through a lot to perform for a crowd, and right now he’s got a brave face. He’s got a big smile. But I’m sure it would be an even bigger smile if he had that 515. But I know that there was talk of him coming back to enhanced games and I hope that it comes soon. Because I know that he’s going to be thinking about this 515, and he’s going to want it so bad. So, I know he can get it.”
Watch the video here:
Related: Hafthor Bjornsson Believes He Can Deadlift 550-kg (1,212.5-lb): “I am Capable of That”
It is unclear what Hafthor Bjornsson’s plans for the future are, but there are some rumors going around that he wants to compete at the 2026 Rogue Invitational. Seeing that he has been fully focused on the deadlift throughout the first half of the season, there is no doubt that his return to full Strongman competitions would be welcomed by the community.
