Bobby Thompson Announces Retirement From Strongman

The former America’s Strongest Man is moving on from professional Strongman.

Vedad Tabakovic
By
Vedad Tabakovic
Vedad is a journalist specializing in strength sports, with three years of experience covering powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, strongman, armwrestling and bodybuilding. He is a lifelong fitness...
4 Min Read
Bobby Thompson Announces Retirement From Strongman
Bobby Thompson Announces Retirement From Strongman

Bobby Thompson has held a spot in the professional Strongman scene for years, achieving multiple incredible results and even more remarkable feats of strength. So, he was one of the men who had the honor to compete at the 2025 Strongest Man On Earth on August 16-17 in Loveland, Colorado. However, just one day after the competition finished, Bobby Thompson turned to Instagram and announced his retirement.

Bobby Thompson’s final professional Strongman appearance did not go as he hoped, having withdrawn from the 2025 Strongest Man On Earth after the first day. The reason for his withdrawal remained unclear, but Bobby was visibly unwell during a couple of events. He even seemed to pass out at one moment but got back to his feet seconds later.

However, on August 18th, Bobby Thompson shared a post that surprised many, announcing that he is stepping away from the competitive scene.

“I’ve given this sport more than most but less than some as an athlete. And I can say I’m proud of all that I’ve done and I’m leaving with more than I came with. I came in behind some of the greatest and have gotten to watch the next class of athletes earn their spots. I regret none of the time, tendons, and skin lost on this ride. To the fans, I will always hear your chants in the back of my mind, some days it’s the only thing louder than the ringing in my ears. Much Love.” wrote Bobby Thompson on Instagram

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Check out Bobby Thompson’s post here:

Related: Brian Shaw Trains With America’s Greatest Log Presser Bobby Thompson In Prep For 2022 Shaw Classic

Bobby Thompson has had an absolutely incredible Strongman career, which spanned for a total of seven years. He first entered the scene back in 2018, when he took part in the Official Strongman Games, immediately proving that he was a huge prospect with a third-place finish.

It did not take long for Bobby Thompson to take his first gold medal, doing so at the 2019 Arnold Amateur Strongman Championships. His next victory came at the 2021 Mammoth Strength Challenge, where Bobby also managed to set a 217.5-kilogram (479.5-pound) American Log Lift Record. He remained in possession of the record up until the 2025 Strongest Man On Earth, where Lucas Hatton managed to exceed it.

One of Bobby Thompson’s biggest achievements was winning the 2022 America’s Strongest Man competition. Apart from that, Bobby Thompson also had two podium finishes at the Arnold Strongman Classic, beating the likes of Tom Stoltman, Trey Mitchell, and a number of other high-profile athletes.

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Bobby Thompson made five appearances at the World’s Strongest Man competition, making it through to the finals on one occasion. So, his best result at the WSM was a ninth-place finish in 2021.

Bobby Thompson competed in 30 international, national, and regional events throughout his career. He claimed four victories but made his mark with impressive lifts, especially in the Log Lift and deadlift disciplines.

Related: Former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall Responds to YouTuber’s Request With a Slap That Causes Burst Eardrum and Black Eye

Bobby Thompson had an incredible career, but that also brought a lot of injuries, which definitely had an impact on his ability to perform at the highest level as the years progressed. However, he remained one of the fan favorites until the end, with his legacy serving as inspiration for generations to come.

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If you have questions or need clarifications, please leave a comment below, and Vedad will respond promptly.

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Vedad is a journalist specializing in strength sports, with three years of experience covering powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, strongman, armwrestling and bodybuilding. He is a lifelong fitness enthusiast, passionate about all aspects of strength training. Vedad's in-depth knowledge of training methodologies and dedication to constant research fuel his insightful and engaging reporting. He works hard to deliver accurate content while continuously seeking to improve his craft.
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