Ever since he came out of retirement, Hafthor Bjornsson has been one of the biggest Strongman stars in the world. He took part in some high-profile competitions but gathered most attention with his mind-blowing deadlifts. Well, Hafthor is getting ready for another World Record attempt, which resulted in his “greatest ever deadlift session”. Specifically, the ‘Mountain’ shared a video on May 14th, showcasing a massive 485-kilogram (1,069.2-pound) deadlift from training.
Hafthor Bjornsson is currently preparing for the 2026 Enhanced Games, which will take place on May 24th in Las Vegas. The contest revolves around the idea of seeing what a person can achieve with the use of some substances that might usually be prohibited. So, Hafthor accepted the invite in hopes of making history once again.
When it comes to his 485-kilogram (1,069.2-pound) deadlift from training, Hafthor pointed out that it is the heaviest he ever managed to pull in the gym. Consequently, it is definitely a good indicator that Hafthor could peak at the Enhanced Games stage and set a new World Record.
Hafthor Bjornsson’s 485-kilogram (1,069.2-pound) deadlift was in-line with the Strongman regulations, as he used a deadlift suit and lifting straps. Moreover, it looked very smooth and moved with consistent pace, showing that Hafthor has plenty more left in the tank.
Watch Hafthor Bjornsson’s deadlift here:
Related: Hafthor Bjornsson Believes He Can Deadlift 550-kg (1,212.5-lb): “I am Capable of That”
Hafthor Bjornsson’s main goal for the 2026 Enhanced Games will be to deadlift 515 kilograms (1,135.4 pounds). That would exceed his own current standing World Record of 510 kilograms (1,124.4 pounds), which he set at the 2025 World Deadlift Championships. If he is successful in setting a new record, Hafthor will walk away with $250,000 of prize money, which is very likely considering how great his preparation is going.
On the other hand, Hafthor Bjornsson will have to go against the reigning World’s Strongest Man champion, Mitchell Hooper. ‘The Moose’ has also set his sights on the Deadlift World Record, but it remains to be seen how well he will do just one month after a very intense battle at the 2026 WSM.
Hafthor Bjornsson has cleared out his entire schedule up to the 2026 Enhanced Games, making sure to be in the best shape for what might be the greatest feat of strength ever achieved. Consequently, he did not appear at the Arnold Strongman Classic or other high-profile competitions. On the other hand, many are hoping to see him compete in the second part of the season, as he would be a great addition to an already stacked group of athletes, including Mitchell Hooper, Rayno Nel, and Tom Stoltman.
The Icelandic Strongman has claimed many accolades over the course of his career, including gold medals at the World’s Strongest Man, Arnold Strongman Classic, Europe’s Strongest Man, and more. This made him one of the greatest Strongmen in history, but he continues to add to his legacy with incredible deadlift achievements.
Check out Hafthor’s full training session here:
Related: Hafthor Bjornsson Crushes a Single-Arm Weight Over Bar Unofficial World Record
With less than two weeks remaining until the 2026 Enhanced Games, Hafthor Bjornsson is making sure to make some final tweaks to perfect his form and increase his chances of breaking the record. There is no doubt that the recent 485-kilogram (1,069.2-pound) deadlift in training served as a massive confidence boost for Bjornsson, as he is clearly stronger than he has ever been.
