Hafthor Bjornsson is the undisputed ‘King of the Deadlift’, a nickname that he earned for setting a number of world records on multiple variations of the movement. However, the Icelandic Strongman recognizes that he is still capable of more, which is why he decided to join the 2026 Enhanced Games, hoping to advance his deadlift world record once again.
Hafthor Bjornsson will make his way to Las Vegas on May 24, as that is when the 2026 Enhanced Games are scheduled to take place. The principle of the competition is that the athletes are allowed to use any performance-enhancing drugs in an effort to find the true limits of what is humanly possible. Although Strongman is a sport that is not known for strict drug testing, Hafthor was still invited to break the Deadlift World Record.
In order to break the deadlift world record, Hafthor Bjornsson will have to exceed the mark he set in 2025, which stands at 510 kilograms (1,124.4 pounds). Many believed that Hafthor was capable of pulling even more weight and hoped to see him go for an even heavier lift. That will now become a reality, as Hafthor will aim to secure a $250,000 prize bonus by setting a new record.
“I’m coming to the 2026 Enhanced Games for one purpose: to break the deadlift record again.
Live in Las Vegas on May 24. I’m going to make history again and make the floor shake,” said Hafthor in his Instagram announcement.
Check out Hafthor Bjornsson’s announcement here:
The deadlift record has been one of the most coveted achievements in all of strength sports for years now. It all started with Eddie Hall, the former World’s Strongest Man champion who was also the first person to deadlift half a ton. The lift remained unparalleled for years, until Hafthor Bjornsson decided to break it by 1-kilogram (2.2 pounds). However, the record did not come without controversy, as Hafthor achieved it in his own gym due to the pandemic. Some considered the lift unofficial because of the circumstances, while others sided with ‘The Mountain’ since he had official judges present.
This caused a feud between Hafthor Bjornsson and Eddie Hall, with both men calling each other out. In the end, they decided to settle the matter in the ring, arranging a boxing match. It ended up being one of the heaviest and most interesting bouts ever, with Hafthor coming out on top with a unanimous decision from the judges. This hardly solved anything, as the men continued showing animosity toward each other.
However, as a few years passed, Hafthor Bjornsson decided to come out of his Strongman retirement. He first wanted to build some strength through powerlifting but ended up suffering a severe pec tear. This slowed down his journey, but Hafthor still managed to get back to the professional Strongman scene. He ended up being quite successful, especially when it came to the deadlift. In 2025 Hafthor first set a new deadlift world record of 505 kilograms (1,113.3 pounds) at the Eisenhart Black Competition but then locked out 510 kilograms (1,124.4 pounds) at the 2025 Giants Live Strongman Open & World Deadlift Championships.
Related: Hafthor Bjornsson Talks About Potential Return to World’s Strongest Man: “There is a Possibility”
Hafthor Bjornsson is arguably the strongest man to ever live, with the countless titles that he won being the perfect proof of it. He was crowned the World’s Strongest Man, Arnold Strongman Classic champion, and Europe’s Strongest Man champion, but won countless other prestigious shows. So, his appearance at the 2026 Enhanced Games promises to be one for the history books as well.
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