The 2025 Arnold Strongman Classic (ASM) is one of the biggest Strongman competitions of the year, and it will take place on February 28 – March 01 in Columbus, Ohio. In turn, the competitors are meticulously training in hopes of reaching the highest level of physical readiness possible. Most recently, both Mitchell Hooper and Hafthor Bjornsson shared impressive event-specific training lifts, adding to the excitement. Namely, Hooper and Bjornsson shared extremely heavy overhead presses.
Mitchell Hooper’s Overhead Press
Mitchell Hooper’s overhead pressing strength has always been impressive, but he is set to face quite an unusual event at the 2025 Arnold Strongman Classic. Specifically, one of the events will be the ‘Big Jerk’, where athletes will attempt a max weight jerk from the blocks.
In an effort to perfect his technique, Mitchell Hooper practiced the lift in training. Consequently, he managed to build up to an impressive 240-kilogram (529.1-pound) press. He used a behind-the-neck press technique combined with a split jerk stance. Hooper showed control of the bar, proving that he locked it out successfully.
Watch the lift here:
Hafthor Bjornsson’s Overhead Press
Hafthor Bjornsson’s overhead press was slightly lighter than Mitchell Hooper’s, but it was arguably more significant and personal for the Icelandic Strongman. To be specific, Hafthor Bjornsson has been struggling with his upper body strength since he returned to competitive Strongman last year. The reason for that was a severe pec tear that Hafthor suffered in 2023.
So, having managed to overhead press 210 kilograms (463 pounds), Hafthor Bjornsson has shown impressive improvements and given himself a confidence boost. Unlike Hooper, Hafthor used a standard behind-the-neck press. Moreover, he didn’t seem to use much leg drive, meaning that the majority of his lift was completed with sheer upper body power.
“Pressing strength is coming back – it’s a marathon not a sprint!” wrote Hafthor Bjornsson.
Watch the lift here:
Related: Mitchell Hooper Makes His Predictions for 2025 Arnold Strongman Classic
Mitchell Hooper has been putting in a lot of effort to learn as much as possible about the block jerk. He even trained with Joe Kovacs, a 2x Shot Put World Champion who has also unofficially locked out one of the heaviest behind-the-neck presses ever. This worked well in Mitchell Hooper’s favor, as he is clearly one of the favorites to take the win in this event at the 2025 Arnold Strongman Classic.
Many people believe that the biggest rivalry at the 2025 Arnold Strongman Classic will be between Mitchell Hooper and Hafthor Bjornsson. Hooper has won the competition for the past two years. On the other hand, Hafthor has three ASM titles to his name and is hoping to add another one. So, just a few weeks separate us from a true clash of the titans.
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