Watch the Thor Deadlift that Shattered His Own World Record
Hafþór “Thor” Björnsson has officially claimed the deadlift crown, setting a jaw-dropping world record that silenced any debate over who dominates the platform.
The Icelandic powerhouse pulled an astonishing 505kg at the Eisenhart Black Deadlift Championships in Bavaria on July 26, smashing his personal best and rewriting the history books in the process.
The legendary lift didn’t just impress spectators — it also earned rare praise from Eddie Hall, once Thor’s fiercest rival both in Strongman and the boxing ring.
“Massive respect to Thor for making history and setting the official WR at 505kg,” Hall wrote on Instagram. “That’s one hell of a pull. Records are made to be broken.
“Big respect, big love,” he added, closing the message with his signature “The Beast” tagline.
Thor Deadlift: The Rivalry Behind the Record
Hall’s public support marks a surprising truce in an eight-year feud that saw the pair exchange everything from harsh words to actual punches.
Their animosity dates back to 2017, when Hall narrowly edged out Thor to win the World’s Strongest Man title. Thor — the runner-up and former Game of Thrones star — criticized the judging, suggesting the outcome was unfair.
At the time, Hall was riding high off a record-setting 500kg deadlift the year before — becoming the first man to hoist half a metric ton.
The lift, which left his nose bleeding mid-rep, stood unchallenged until May 2020.
That’s when Thor pulled 501kg during the World’s Ultimate Strongman Feats of Strength series — but the lift, done in his home gym, was quickly contested by Hall, who questioned its legitimacy due to the unofficial setting.
The back-and-forth led to an actual boxing showdown in March 2022, with Thor emerging victorious by unanimous decision.
Leading up to this most recent record, Thor still lobbed a few verbal shots Hall’s way — but this time, Hall refused to bite.
“Massive good luck to Thor this weekend as he goes for the 505kg deadlift,” Hall shared prior to the event.
“I truly hope he nails it — it would be an incredible achievement and something the whole strength world would celebrate.
“There’s been some bad things said from Thor’s side about me this week, but I just want to put all that aside and say this: Thor is one of the greatest strength athletes of all time.
“His contributions to the sport — from winning World’s Strongest Man to setting records — have inspired millions, myself included.
“I genuinely wish him nothing but success and happiness in his next chapter.”
Hall also reflected on his own place in the sport, saying he remains “proud” of his 500kg lift and is excited to see new lifters pushing boundaries.
Among those rising stars are Jamal Browner, who recently hit 500kg in training, and Colton Engelbrecht, who pulled the same weight sumo-style at a meet in South Africa — after already logging a 1,000lb total.
“The future of strength sports is brighter than ever,” Hall added. “One day, 500kg might just be a warm-up — and that’s a beautiful thing to witness.”
Thor Deadlift Evolution: A Legacy of Power
From standard bars to the specialized Elephant bar, Hafþór Björnsson has consistently dominated deadlifting in multiple formats.
The Thor deadlift legacy has spanned several years — and each record has only added to his unmatched reputation in strength sports.
Here’s how the Thor deadlift has evolved:
- 2018: 472kg / 1,041lbs — raw, with belt and straps, Elephant bar
- 2019: 474kg / 1,045lbs — raw, with belt and straps, Elephant bar
- 2020: 501kg / 1,105lbs — suited, with belt and straps, Deadlift bar
- 2024: 456kg / 1,006lbs — raw, with belt and straps, Elephant bar (comeback to Strongman)
- 2025: 465kg / 1,026lbs — raw, with belt and straps, Elephant bar
- 2025: 505kg / 1,113lbs — suited, with belt and straps, Deadlift bar
What makes the most recent Thor deadlift so impressive isn’t just the number — it’s how smoothly the bar moved off the floor.
There was little grind or hesitation — just raw, terrifying strength. And if this performance is anything to go by, Thor’s not done yet.
Thor Enters God Mode
The Thor deadlift has gone from a heated rivalry flashpoint to a moment of shared respect between two legends.
In hitting 505kg, Hafþór Björnsson didn’t just break a world record — he solidified his status as one of the greatest strength athletes in history.
And with newcomers like Browner and Engelbrecht hot on his heels, the era of record-breaking deadlifts is only just beginning.
