Who Is The Strongest Man In History? Top 10 Athletes Ranked

World’s Strongest Man… What a title! Every little boy’s dream, right? 

But when you think about the strongest man, you probably see images of grueling competitions and incredible displays of strength. These men aren’t just strong, though – they’ve mastered a whole lot more than just strength.

So, what does it take to earn this impressive title? It’s simple – you need to be able to push the limits of human strength? How? Well, that’s the tricky part. Apart from just raw strength, you’ll need technique, mental resilience, and the will to work extremely hard.

Competitions like the World’s Strongest Man and the Arnold Strongman Classic show people do things that are just mind-blowing. Honestly, they’re things most of us can barely imagine. 

Should you decide to get into this, prepare for the events that will test the limits of what your body can do. 

It seems almost impossible, but it can be done, and we’ll prove it. We’ll tell you all about the criteria for earning this title, and we’ll also introduce you to some legends who have managed to do it. 
Let’s see how strong is the strongest man in the world and how you can be, too!

4 Criteria for Evaluating the World’s Strongest Man

There are a few factors that come into play when we talk about crowning the strongest person in the world. It looks like it’s just lifting the heaviest weights or pulling the biggest trucks, but the evaluation criteria are more complicated than that. 

Let’s see what are the key aspects. 

1. Physical Attributes

This is a big deal, but you have probably guessed that already. Have you ever seen a tiny, scrawny strongest man on Earth?

The athletes usually have exceptional body mass and height, and when you think about it, it makes sense that this is a part of what it takes. A larger frame often means more muscle mass, which is important if you want to lift the heaviest of weights and other kinds of tasks. 

For example, a lot of strongmen are well over 6 feet tall and weigh 300 pounds or more. Their measurements, like the chest, arm, and leg girth, are indicators of their muscle mass and physical ability that’s needed to compete at such a high level. 

2. Competition Results

Strongman competitions are the ultimate proving ground for these athletes and results from events like the World’s Strongest Man and Arnold Strongman Classic are critical. 

If you succeed in these competitions, you’re not just showing your strength, but also the ability to perform under pressure and against top-tier competition. If you keep winning or if you’re constantly placed in the top ranks, it means that you can handle all kinds of challenges and keep your performance at its highest all the time. 

3. Records and Achievements

You can’t be the World’s Strongest Man if you don’t break some records and achieve some truly remarkable feats. This means setting new benchmarks in lifts like the deadlift, log press, or stone lift. You’ll also need achievements in unique events, like pulling trucks or lifting Atlas stones.

The more records and achievements you get under your belt, the more you’ll stand out in the strongman community. The accomplishments will show your incredible strength and impressive dedication to what you’re doing. 

4. Endurance and Willpower

It wouldn’t be easy if all you needed was strength but it would certainly be easier. Endurance and willpower are just as important as strength, and this doesn’t refer to just your training.

Strongman events often need more than just a single show of strength because the events can last for days and you’ll need to show exceptional, sustained performance throughout. This means you’ll need outstanding stamina and mental toughness.

You’ll have to push through the pain, fatigue, and intense pressure because that’s what true greatness is about. Endurance and willpower is what will keep you going when others give up.

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Notable Strongest Men of Our Century

Strongman competitions have seen some truly incredible athletes that have pushed boundaries of human strength and inspired countless people. They’ve shown the world that nothing is impossible and you can do whatever you set your mind to as long as you don’t give up.

Here are some of the strongest men in history that you might already be familiar with if you’ve toyed with the idea of becoming the World’s Strongest Man. 

1. Brian Shaw

Brian Shaw is a towing figure, literally and figuratively. He’s 6 feet 8 inches tall and he weighs over 400 pounds. If you were to call his presence imposing, that would be an understatement.

His strength and dedication are impressive to say the least, and he’s earned the title of World’s Strongest Man four times – in 2011, 2013, 2015, and then again in 2016. His consistency in competitions is out of this world and he was placed in the top 3 of the World’s Strongest Man multiple times. 

As you can imagine, his training routine is super intense and focuses on both strength and technique, but he also puts a lot of emphasis on his diet. He’s famous for impressive performances in events like the Atlas stones, where you lift and place large stones onto platforms. He stands out in the strongman community because of his ability to lift and move insanely heavy weights with a lot of precision. 

But there’s more to him than just physical prowess, his mental toughness is another one of his impressive features. He understands how important endurance and technique are and he knows there’s more to the title than just brute strength, which is why his mindset is so strategic.

When you get to know something about his detailed training routines and constant effort to improve and adapt, it becomes more than obvious how dedicated he is. 

Shaw also has a significant social media presence where he happily shares his training and experiences from competitions with his global audience and inspires future generations of strongmen. 

2. Eddie Hall

Eddie Hall is known as “The Beast”, so… Let’s just say he’s a super prominent figure in strongman history.  One of the most prominent, in fact. He won the Strongest Man title in 2017, which was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. 

But one of his most notable achievements was actually setting the deadlift world record when he lifted a staggering 500 kilograms (1,102 pounds) in 2016, which left people all over the world dropping their jaws to the floor.

If you want inspiration, this is where you come to get it because Hall’s journey to getting the title is just that. He started as a competitive swimmer before he went on to strength sports. His training is intense and often pushes the limits of what the human body is able to handle.

He’s faced a lot of challenges, including injuries, but has always managed to come back even stronger than before. 

One of Hall’s defining characteristics is that he’s able to channel his immense physical power through sheer willpower and focus, and his record-breaking deadlift shows it. It’s a demonstration of what can be done if you put in the effort and don’t give up when things get tough. 

Hall has retired from competitions, but he’s still active in the fitness community and shares his knowledge and experiences through social media. In 2023, he announced that he will be exploring bodybuilding. 

3. Hafthor Bjornsson

You don’t need to be interested in strongman competitions to know of Hafthor Bjornsson, you just need to watch Game of Thrones, where he played “The Mountain”. 

He’s 6 feet 9 inches tall and weighs around 400 pounds, so his physical presence is… shall we say, impressive? He plays a character named “The Mountain”, after all. Hafthor has revealed that his impressive presence took 10,000 calories a day to achieve. Wowza!

He won the World’s Strongest Man title in 2018 and he’s known for setting the deadlift record at 501 kilograms (1,104 pounds) in 2020, which broke Eddie Hall’s previous record. 

As far as his athletic background, he played basketball professionally before going over to the strongman competitions. His training focuses on strength and agility, which is why he’s had so much success in different events. Apart from just being strong, he’s also very versatile, which is obvious from his exceptional performance in the Atlas stones, vehicle pulls, and other classics.

As if all of this wasn’t enough to make him famous, he also had a role in Game of Thrones, which made him internationally famous. Still, his training and competition were always priorities and he’s always found a way to balance the entertainment career with what it took to be a top-level strongman. Talk about work ethic and discipline! 

4. Zydrunas Savickas

The Big Z is one of the most decorated strongmen in history – he’s won the World’s Strongest Man title four times (2009, 2010, 2012, 2014) and has had multiple victories in the Arnold Strongman Classic, which is known for being very demanding. His status is legendary and his dominance and consistency over the years is unmatched. 

His training is known for its intensity and focus on all aspects of strength. He excels in static lifts, like the log press and deadlift, where his incredible power is so obvious it’s almost like it punches you in the face. He’s able to lift extremely heavy weights with precision and technique. 

One of his most well-known achievements is his performance in the log press, where he set the world record when he lifted 228 kilograms (502 pounds). He has had a huge impact on this sport and he has competed at the highest level for over two decades. Now, that’s dedication! 

5. Tom Stoltman

Tom Stoltman is known as the “Albatross” because of his impressive wingspan and he quickly became prominent in the strongman world. He has won the World’s Strongest Man record twice, in 2021 and 2022. He’s 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighs over 380 pounds, so as far as physical features go, he’s perfect for strongman competitions. 

Stoltman is autistic, which makes his achievements even more impressive, and his journey is very inspiring. He has used his platform to raise awareness and inspire others with similar challenges, which speaks about what kind of person he is. Although we’re really mostly focusing on the athletes’ achievements, we can’t skip mentioning something like this. 

His training focuses on maxing out his strengths, especially in events like the atlas stones, where he holds the world record for the fastest five-stone run. 

His success is built on the commitment to training and continuous improvement, and his story shows just how powerful resilience and determination are. 

6. Martins Licis

Martins Licis is a Latvian-born American strongman and he’s made big impacts on the sport because of his impressive performances and unique approach to training. 

He won the World’s Strongest Man title in 2019, which was a big milestone in his career. Not that that wouldn’t be a big milestone in anyone’s career. His training philosophy blends traditional strongman training techniques with functional fitness and focuses on athleticism in general, as well as mobility. 

He’s famous for his insanely strong grip and he does extremely well in events that need strength and endurance, like Farmer’s Walk and Hercules Hold, in which he did great and has shown an ability to maintain strength under fatigue. His versatility and adaptability in different events set him apart from his competitors. 

Apart from just being incredibly strong, Licis is also known for his positive attitude and sportsmanship. He’s very active in the strongman community and on social media and he loves sharing insights into his training and lifestyle.

He’s one of the best possible role models for aspiring strongmen because he always emphasizes how important the balance in physical training and mental well-being is. 

7. Magnús Ver Magnússon

Magnús Ver Magnússon is another legend whose career spans over multiple decades.  He won the World’s Strongest Man title four times (1991, 1994, 1995, 1996) and he’s had a lot of victories in other international competitions. His success comes from incredible strength, technique, and being strategic in competitions. 

His training focuses on building foundational strength through compound lifts like the squat, deadlift, and bench press. He was able to perform consistently across a wide range of events which, as you can imagine, has made him one of the most successful strongmen in history. His dominance in the sport during the 1990s set a high standard for future competitors. 

In addition to being a successful strongman, he’s done an excellent job at promoting strongman events all over the world. He’s been involved in organizing competitions and he’s mentored young athletes so he’s contributed a lot to developing the sport.

Although his titles and records are beyond impressive, his legacy goes beyond that because he continues to influence and inspire the entire strongman community. 

8. Mariusz Pudzianowski

He’s known as “The Dominator”, so that should tell you something right away. A lot of people consider Mariusz Pudzianowski the greatest strongman of all time. He won the World’s Strongest Man title five times (2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2008), which is more than any other person in history. 

His training is a mix of heavy lifting and high-intensity conditioning. He’s able to excel in events that focus on strength, as well as those that focus on endurance. He was particularly good in events like the Fingal Fingers and the Car Walk, where you could really see his explosive power and agility. 

He has also been successful in MMA because of how dedicated he was to training and how well he was able to adapt his strength to different disciplines. He is very versatile as an athlete, which is not something you see every day. He’s a true icon, so it’s no wonder he’s a role model for many. 

9. Bill Kazmaier

Bill Kazmaier, or Kaz, is one of the most influential and strongest athletes in the history of strongman competitions. He won the World’s Strongest Man title three consecutive times (1980, 1981, 1982) and has set numerous world records during his career. His strength is incredible, but so is his charisma, which is what made him stand out from the crowd. 

His training was focused on compound movements like the bench press, deadlift, and squat, to build maximal strength. He was famous for his insane pressing power and he set a world record in the bench press with a lift of a whopping 661 pounds. Along with raw power, he was also technically proficient, which was very obvious in events like the log press and the power stairs. 

He’s been very vocal about strength sports and has promoted the importance of strength training and healthy living. Kazmaier has made many contributions to the growth of strongman competitions and he was a mentor to future generations of athletes. 

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10. Geoff Capes

Geoff Capes is a British strongman and a former Olympic athlete. He’s known for his impressive career in both strongman competitions and shot put. Capes won the World’s Strongest Man title twice (1983, 1985) and his background in athletics has given him a solid foundation for the success he had in strongman events. 

He combined traditional strength training with explosive movements, which made him successful in events that required power and speed. He was very versatile and adaptable, which was obvious in his performances in the Highland Games and different strongman events.

He was especially well-known for being successful in the stone and lift and the weight-for-height events, where you could really tell how much explosive power he had. 

He also had a successful career as a shot putter and has competed in both the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. As far as contributions go, he mentored young athletes and promoted the sport through coaching and public appearances. 

Conclusion

If you thought becoming the strongest man of all time just about lifting heavy weights, now you know better. It’s about pushing the boundaries of what the human body can do, and the journey there will need a lot of dedication, intense training, and a mindset that just refuses to quit. 

Training to be the strongest person ever will build your strength, of course, but it will also work miracles on your mental resilience. It teaches discipline, commitment, and shows you how important it is to set goals for yourself. Achieving those goals is incredibly fulfilling and you’ll get an amazing sense of accomplishment. 

If you ever lack motivation, just glance over some of these success stories from famous strongmen and it will get you right back on the path. 

We’d love to hear from you! Which of these strongman stories inspired you most and why? Do you have a role model? What do you think is the hardest aspect of becoming a strongman? 

Share your thoughts, join the discussion, offer some tips… You know how it goes. Basically, leave a comment so we can chat some more!

References:

1. Daniel Davies “Eddie Hall Shows off Ripped Physique Ahead of Bodybuilding Cut,” Men’s Health, https://www.menshealth.com/uk/weight-loss/a44313657/eddie-hall-shows-off-shredded-physique/ (accessed July 8th, 2024)
2. Edward Cooper “Brian Shaw Reveals His 9,700-calorie Strongman Diet for Rogue Invitational,” Men’s Health, https://www.menshealth.com/uk/nutrition/a37880433/brian-shaw-strongman-diet/ (accessed July 8th, 2024)
3. Joshua Mbu “Game of Thrones star’s transformation from basketball to ‘World’s Strongest Man’,” Daily Express US, https://www.the-express.com/sport/basketball/120677/Game-of-Thrones-basketball-world-s-strongest-man (accessed July 8th, 2024)
4. “Mariusz Pudzianowski,” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariusz_Pudzianowski (accessed July 8th, 2024)
5. William Kraemer, Lydia Caldwell, Emily Post, William DuPont, Emily Martini, Nicholas Ratamess, Tunde Szivak, Jason Shurley, Matthew Beeler, Jeff Volek, Carl Maresh, Jan Todd, Bryant Walrod, Parker Hyde, Ciaran Fairman, Thomas Best, “Body Composition in Elite Strongman Competitors,” Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 34 (2020): 3326-3330.
6. Photos by Torokhtiy Media Team.