Mitchell Hooper had an incredible year of competition last year but is looking to make 2025 even more successful. So, he is currently preparing for the 2025 Arnold Strongman Classic, which will take place on February 28 – March 1 in Columbus, Ohio. In turn, while going over the events that were recently announced, Hooper decided to make his predictions for the competition.
Mitchell Hooper has won the past two Arnold Strongman Classic competitions and is one of the biggest favorites for the gold once again. However, this year he will be facing a number of elite athletes in arguably the most stacked lineup in the past few years. The roster will feature three World’s Strongest Man champions, alongside other decorated athletes.
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Mitchell Hooper’s Predictions for the 2025 Arnold Strongman Classic
Day One
The first event of the 2025 Arnold Strongman Classic will be the Max Elephant Bar Deadlift, and Mitchell Hooper has big expectations from everyone, including himself. Firstly, he believes that the World Record will fall. Moreover, he will also be going for a personal PR that exceeds 1,000 pounds (453.6 kilograms).
“The Max Elephant Bar Deadlift… The record stands at 472 kilograms (1,040.5 pounds), and I believe that this record is going to fall. I believe that Hafthor Bjornsson will be capable of lifting more than that, and I believe that Trey Mitchell is strong enough to push him.
The top three in this event I have are Hafthor Bjornsson at 475-kg (1,047.2-lb), Trey Mitchell with 470-kg (1,036.2-lb), and I believe that I will hit a PB on this and go for 460-kg (1,014.1-lb).
This (event) is always a struggle for Mateusz Kieliszkowski.”
Event One Prediction
- Hafthor Bjornsson
- Trey Mitchell
- Mitchell Hooper
Moving over to the second event, the athletes will have to overhead press a series of implements. In Hooper’s opinion, Mateusz Kieliszkowski is the biggest favorite to take the win, but both he and Lucas Hatton are capable of taking the top spot as well.
“Event number two is an overhead gauntlet… Mateusz, in good form, with his overhead strength, should be really good and rapid in this event… I think Mateusz wins this event. Second and third, I believe, will be me and Lucas (Hatton). I don’t know in what order, but Lucas’ overhead strength is absolutely absurd.”
Event Two Prediction
- Mateusz Kieliszkowski
- Mitchell Hooper
- Lucas Hatton
The Frame Carry will wrap up the first day of the 2025 Arnold Strongman Classic, bringing in multiple athletes capable of winning the event. As Mitchell Hooper revealed, only fractions of a second separate the men’s PBs on this event, making it very hard to predict the winner.
“The Frame Carry… We have myself; I was 0.1 off the record last year. Mateusz (Kieliszkowski) is the current World Record holder. Maxime Boudreaut, the winner of the frame carry in 2022… I don’t know, maybe they make this heavier to spread guys out.”
Event Three Prediction
Mitchell Hooper did not give a specific prediction for the Frame Carry.
Day Two
The start of day two will feature a brand-new event called the Big Jerk. In this event the athletes will attempt to overhead press the heaviest weight possible, using any technique they desire. Mitchell Hooper believes that he will be the second-best in this event behind Lucas Hatton, mostly because they are the only two athletes who use the split jerk technique.
“This is called a Big Jerk… I think a number somewhere around the 255-kg (562.2-lb) is probably going to win this, and this is going to be the first event win for Lucas Hatton. I think he will take this one. His split jerk technique is really, really good. I think I am going to come second… I think Tom (Stoltman) is going to join us in that pack because his max overhead strength is so good.”
Event Four Prediction
- Lucas Hatton
- Mitchell Hooper
- Tom Stoltman
The penultimate event of the 2025 Arnold Strongman Classic will feature a task of loading and pulling a sled. As Mitchell Hooper points out, these types of events suit taller guys, making Tom Stoltman and Hafthor Bjornsson the biggest favorites to take the max points. Hooper also has high expectations for himself, as he is known for his endurance and speed.
“Event number five is called the Timber Trial… Tall guys are usually really good at this. Tom (Stoltman) and Hafthor (Bjornsson), I expect to be really good. I expect a lot from myself in this event, and I expect Mateusz (Kieliszkowski) to do really well.”
Event Five Prediction
- 1st and 2nd place: Tom Stoltman or Hafthor Bjornson
- 3rd place: Mitchell Hooper or Mateusz Kieliszkowski
The final event of the competition will challenge the athletes to pick up an Atlas Stone from the ground up to their shoulder and repeat the feat for as many reps as possible. Mitchell Hooper points out Mateusz Kieliszkowski as the likely winner, having excelled in similar events in the past.
“This is going to be an Atlas Stone to Shoulder… You can’t really look past Tom (Stoltman)… Mateusz (Kieliszkowski) putting anything to his shoulder, this is likely to be an event win for him. I have a knack for round stones to shoulder.”
Event Six Prediction
- Mateusz Kieliszkowski
- Tom Stoltman
- Mitchell Hooper
Taking everything into account, Mitchell Hooper believes that the events suit him, Tom Stoltman, and Mateusz Kieliszkowski the best. Hafthor Bjornsson has a few good events but could be hindered by the two overhead pressing challenges due to his pec tear. Moreover, Hooper mentioned Lucas Hatton as someone who could surprise everyone, being exceptionally good in some of the events.
“That rounds up the events… Poor Thor (Bjornsson), the overhead gauntlet and the big jerk, it is going to be hard for him to get big points in that… I think these are good events for a handful of guys. I think these are great events for me; I think these are good events for Tom (Stoltman).
I think this is really strong for Mateusz (Kieliszkowski)… If he comes in shape, I see him being a real threat to cause some problems towards the top. The ‘Dark Horse’ of the competitions, I think, will be Lucas Hatton.”
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Related: 2025 World’s Strongest Man Location and Dates Revealed
Only a handful of Strongmen have won three titles at the Arnold Strongman Classic, including Hafthor Bjornsson and Brian Shaw. Mitchell Hooper currently has two to his name but has expressed the desire to join the elite club by taking the title again in two months time. This would certainly help solidify his legacy in the sport as one of the strongest men to have ever lived.
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