Strength athletics in Iceland
 Iceland | |
|---|---|
| Capital | Reykjavík 64°08′N 21°56′W / 64.133°N 21.933°W |
| Area | |
• Total | 103,125 km2 (39,817 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• 2024 census | 377,320[1] (world rank: 180th) |
• Density | 3.66/km2 (9.5/sq mi) |
| ISO 3166 code | IS |
Strength athletics in Iceland refers to the participation of Icelandic competitors and holding national strongman competitions. The sport's roots have a long and ancient history going back to c. 874 – 1056,[2] with sagas about Orm Storolfsson, Finnbogi and Grettir Ásmundarson[3] to the 18th and 19th century traditional strongmen including Snorri Björnsson, Brynjólfur Eggertsson and Gunnar Salómonsson; all the way up to the televisation of modern strongman competitions in the late 1970s.
Iceland has held a preeminent position as a nation due to the enormous success of its competitors at international strength platforms, who between them have won myriad international strongman competitions across all governing bodies including nine World's Strongest Man titles and for holding more strongman world records than any other country[4] hence is often regarded as 'the strongest nation of the world'.[5][6][7][8][9]
History
[edit]Icelanders testing each other through tests of strength predates the introduction of Strength athletics. There had also been a number of noted powerlifters and weightlifters including Skúli Óskarsson, Óskar Sigurpálsson, Guðmundur Sigurðsson, Birgir Borgþórsson, Guðmundur Helgason and Þorsteinn Leifsson during the twentieth century. However, in the era of Strongman, Iceland has a record that belies the size of the nation's population, having won everything there is to win in the sport.
Before Iceland had its own national competition, it already had men competing on the international circuit. In 1983, the young powerlifter and bodybuilder, Jón Páll Sigmarsson entered the 1983 World's Strongest Man competition where he emerged runner-up. Sigmarsson went on to win the competition the following year and in total won the World's Strongest Man four times, and became the first man to win the title 4 times. Sigmarsson was also a 5 times World Muscle Power Classic champion, 2 times Europe's Strongest Man and winner of the Pure Strength title.
His contemporary, and good friend Hjalti Árnason, was also competing parallel to him and he won Le Defi Mark Ten International and podiumed in several competitions including World Muscle Power Classic and World Strongman Challenge.
Magnús Ver Magnússon followed in their footsteps and emulated Sigmarsson's four World's Strongest Man titles, becoming the second man to win the title 4 times. He also won World Strongman Challenge, Europe's Strongest Man and European Hercules competitions. Ver Magnússon and Árnason also won the 1989 Pure Strength team competition.
There have also been several highly acclaimed Icelandic competitors, competing across top tier international competitions including Andrés Guðmundsson, Torfi Ólafsson, Kristinn Óskar Haraldsson, Benedikt Magnússon and most notably Stefán Sölvi Pétursson who achieved fourth-place in the 2010 World's Strongest Man competition.
The next entire decade of Icelandic Strongman competitions was dominated by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson who won the main National title 12 times in addition to winning several other national competitions multiple times and also winning 10 Giants Live tours including the Europe's Strongest Man 5 times, 9 Strongman Champions League titles, the Arnold Strongman Classic 3 consecutive times, the World's Strongest Viking 2 consecutive times, the World's Strongest Man and the World's Ultimate Strongman becoming the most decorated Icelandic Strongman of all-time.[10]
National Competitions
[edit]Since 1985, Iceland has had its own national strongman competition: Iceland's Strongest Man, which remains the main national title. Then, there has also been other major titles contested in Iceland, including Strongest Man in Iceland, Iceland's Strongest Viking, Iceland's Strongest Man (IFSA) and Icelandic Power Trial Championships; in addition to several smaller competitions such as Westfjord's Viking, Grundarfjord Viking, Highland Viking, East Coast Giant/ Eastfjord Strongman Championships and Northern Giant. Iceland also holds national Highland Games competitions such as Icelandic Highland Games, Powerlifting competitions such as Thor's Powerlifting Challenge, Magnus Classic Raw Powerlifting, and deadlift + loglift competitions such as Thor's Power Challenge.
Iceland's Strongest Man
[edit]| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Iceland |
| Established | 1985 |
Number of tournaments | 42 |
| Format | Multi-event Strongman competition with 6-10 athletes |
| Venue(s) | Reykjavík, Kópavogur, Mosfellsbær, Selfoss, Húsafell |
| Current champion | |
| Kristján Jón Haraldsson (2026) | |
Iceland's Strongest Man is Iceland's main national title. In 1985, the inaugural edition of the competition was held[11] and it was not for the faint-hearted. Three of the six competitors ended up in hospital.[12] Jón Páll won the competition while Hjalti Árnason emerged second and Magnús Ver third. Thus, in the very first contest the podium finishers would between them go on to win the World's Strongest Man eight times, the World Muscle Power Classic seven times, the World Strongman Challenge, Le Defi Mark Ten International and numerous powerlifting titles including the super-heavyweight IPF World Powerlifting Championships. The contest's profile was immediately internationally renowned and it eventually became an open competition in some years, although if a non-Icelander wins, the title of Iceland's Strongest Man defers to the highest placed Icelander. This has only happened on 2 occasions when the legendary Bill Kazmaier of the United States and Regin Vagadal of the Faroe Islands won in 1988 and 1998 respectively.
Iceland's Strongest Man remains the most prestigious and the highest ranking strongman title of the country. Each year, the champion is bestowed with an iconic 28 kg (62 lb) trophy handcrafted from stone, which depicts a man lifting a heavy stone.
Results
[edit]Being held for 41 consecutive years since its inception in 1985, Iceland's Strongest Man is the oldest 'continuously held' strongman competition in the world. It has been won by 11 Icelanders and 7 of them progressed on to become multiple winners. With 12 titles, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson holds the record for the most number of wins while Magnús Ver Magnússon and Jón Páll Sigmarsson have 8 and 5 wins respectively. The competition is annually organized and hosted by Hjalti Árnason.
Champions breakdown
[edit]| Champion | Times | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson | 12 (10 consecutive) | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2024, 2025 |
| Magnús Ver Magnússon | 8 (4 consecutive) | 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2001, 2004 |
| Jón Páll Sigmarsson | 5 (3 consecutive) | 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1992 |
| Kristinn Óskar 'Boris' Haraldsson | 4 (consecutive) | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 |
| Kristján Jón Haraldsson | 3 (2 consecutive) | 2022, 2023, 2026 |
| Gunnar Þór Guðjónsson | 2 (consecutive) | 1999, 2000 |
| Stefán Sölvi Pétursson | 2 (consecutive) | 2009, 2010 |
| Torfi Ólafsson | 1 | 1997 |
| Magnús Magnússon | 1 | 2002 |
| Benedikt Magnússon | 1 | 2003 |
| Stefán Karel Torfason | 1 | 2021 |
 Bill Kazmaier | 1 | 1988 |
 Regin Vágadal | 1 | 1998 |
Most podium finishes without winning the title
[edit]| Athlete | Times (breakdown) |
|---|---|
| Hjalti Árnason | 9 (6x 2nd, 3x 3rd) |
| Ari Gunnarsson | 7 (4x 2nd, 3x 3rd) |
| Páll Logason | 6 (2x 2nd, 4x 3rd) |
| Andrés Guðmundsson | 5 (4x 2nd, 1x 3rd) |
| Audunn Jónsson | 5 (3x 2nd, 2x 3rd) |
| Eyþór Ingólfsson Melsteð | 3 (3x 2nd) |
| Pétur Guðmundsson | 2 (2x 3rd) |
| Vilhjálmur Hauksson | 2 (2x 3rd) |
| Grétar Guðmundsson | 2 (2x 3rd) |
| Sigfús Fossdal | 2 (2x 3rd) |
Following men have reached either 4th or 5th place in the competition: Guðni Sigurjónsson, Flósi Jónsson, Jón Gunnarsson, Kjartan Guðbransson, Guðmundur Sigurðsson, Arnar Már Jónsson, Unnar Garðarsson, Sæmundur Sæmundsson, Svavar Einarsson, Jón Valgeir Williams, Ólafur Eyjólfsson, Ingvar Ingvarsson, Jón Björn Björnsson, Georg Rúnar Ögmundsson, Þorvaldur Kristbergsson, Sturla Ólafsson, Jón Þór Ásgrímsson, Skúli Ármannsson, Tómas Darri Þorsteinsson, Kristján Páll Árnason and Kári Elíasson.
Strongest Man in Iceland
[edit]The second major title of Iceland, this contest is organized by Magnús Ver Magnússon and is also held in different locations throughout Iceland. In the past, it has been held in Grindavík, Sudureyri, Grafarvogur and Hafnarfjördur. Unlike in Iceland's Strongest Man, if a non-Icelander wins this competition, he will be conferred with the title 'Strongest Man in Iceland'.
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010[22] | Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson | Benedikt Magnússon | Ólafur Valur Guðjónsson |
| 2011[23] | Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson | Ari Gunnarsson | Georg Ögmundsson |
| 2012[24] | Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson | Ari Gunnarsson | Páll Logason |
| 2013 | Ari Gunnarsson | Páll Logason | Andri Björnsson |
| 2014 | Georg Ögmundsson | Páll Logason | Úlfur Orri Pétursson |
| 2016[25] | Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson | Ari Gunnarsson | Stefán Sölvi Pétursson |
| 2017[26] | Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson | Òskar Pétur Hafstein | Eyþór Ingólfsson Melsteð |
| 2018 | Ari Gunnarsson | Eyþór Ingólfsson Melsteð | André Bachmann |
| 2019 | Ari Gunnarsson | Eyþór Ingólfsson Melsteð | Kristján Jón Haraldsson |
| 2020 | Eyþór Ingólfsson Melsteð | Stefán Karel Torfason | Òskar Pétur Hafstein |
| 2021 | Eyþór Ingólfsson Melsteð | Kristján Jón Haraldsson | Tómas Darri Þorsteinsson |
| 2022 | Kristján Jón Haraldsson | Vilius Jokužys | Theodór Már Guðmundsson |
| 2023 | Kristján Jón Haraldsson | Vilius Jokužys | Pálmi Guðfinnsson |
| 2024 | Vilius Jokužys | Kristján Sindri Níelsson | Hilmar Örn Jónsson |
| 2025 | Vilius Jokužys | Andrew Clayton | Pálmi Guðfinnsson |
| 2026 | Vilius Jokužys |  Anton Wasser | Kristján Sindri Níelsson |
Iceland's Strongest Viking
[edit]The third major title of Iceland, this contest dates back to 1992[27] however, in some years the results of this contest have been combined with that of Iceland's Strongest Man in order to ascertain who qualifies for the World's Strongest Man. The winner of the competition is crowned with a horned viking helmet as the trophy.
Iceland's Strongest Man (IFSA)
[edit]The IFSA organised the Iceland's Strongest Man competition for a number of years before 2005. However, when the IFSA disassociated from the World's Strongest Man competition, Iceland's Strongest Man remained the official qualifier with no IFSA involvement. The IFSA did continue to promote their own version until their financial demise at the end of 2008.
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Andrés Guðmundsson | (To be confirmed) | (To be confirmed) |
| 2005[30] | Benedikt Magnússon | (To be confirmed) | (To be confirmed) |
| 2006 | Benedikt Magnússon | Stefán Sölvi Pétursson | Georg Ögmundsson |
| 2007 | Benedikt Magnússon | Georg Ögmundsson | Pétur Bruno Þorsteinsson |
| 2008 | Stefán Sölvi Pétursson | Páll Logason | Grétar Guðmundsson |
Icelandic Power Trial Championships
[edit]This tournament was also known by the name Aflraunameistari Islands.[31] It was held for 9 years between 1986 and 2011.
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Guðni Sveinsson | Víkingur Traustason | Flósi Jónsson |
| 1989 | Jón Páll Sigmarsson |  Jamie Reeves | Magnús Ver Magnússon |
| 1991 | Andrés Guðmundsson | Björgvin Filippusson | Jón Gunnarsson |
| 1992 | Magnús Ver Magnússon | Andrés Guðmundsson | Guðni Sigurjónsson |
| 1993 | Andrés Guðmundsson | Kjartan Guðbransson | Magnús Bess |
| 1995 | Hjalti Árnason | Torfi Ólafsson | Unnar Garðarsson |
| 2008 | Sigfús Fossdal | Páll Logason | Orri Geirsson |
| 2009 | Sigfús Fossdal | Úlfur Orri Pétursson | Jón Þór Ásgrímsson |
| 2011 | Sigfús Fossdal | Árni Freyr Stefánsson | Jón Þór Ásgrímsson |
Other competitions
[edit]- Westfjord's Viking (Vestfjarðarvíkingin)
- Grundarfjord Viking (Grundarfjarðartröllið)
- Highland Viking (Upsveitarvíkingin)
- East Coast Giant/ Eastfjord Strongman Championships (Austfjarðartröllið)
- Northern Giant (Norðurlandsjakinn)
- Icelandic Highland Games
- Thor's Powerlifting Challenge
- Magnus Classic Raw Powerlifting
- Thor's Power Challenge
Iceland's Strongest Woman
[edit]Iceland's Strongest Woman has been held since 1995 through different organizers, but from 2019 onwards Sigfús Fossdal took over and held the competition in Akureyri. In 2025, it was held in Kópavogur.
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Bryndís Ólafsdóttir | (To be confirmed) | (To be confirmed) |
| 1996 | Bryndís Ólafsdóttir | (To be confirmed) | (To be confirmed) |
| 1997 | Bryndís Ólafsdóttir | (To be confirmed) | (To be confirmed) |
| 1998 | Bryndís Ólafsdóttir | (To be confirmed) | (To be confirmed) |
| 2009 | Jóhanna Eivinsdóttir | (To be confirmed) | (To be confirmed) |
| 2010 | Thora Thorsteinsdóttir | (To be confirmed) | (To be confirmed) |
| 2011 | Bryndís Ólafsdóttir | Thora Thorsteinsdóttir | Jóhanna Eivinsdóttir |
| 2012 | Bryndís Ólafsdóttir | (To be confirmed) | (To be confirmed) |
| 2013 | Thora Thorsteinsdóttir | (To be confirmed) | (To be confirmed) |
| 2014 | Ingibjörg Lilja | (To be confirmed) | (To be confirmed) |
| 2015 | Jóhanna Eivinsdóttir | (To be confirmed) | (To be confirmed) |
| 2016 | Ingibjörg Óladóttir | Anna Björg Hjaltadóttir | Ragnheiður Jónasdóttir Hún Zane Kauzena |
| 2017 | Hún Zane Kauzena | Ragnheiður Jónasdóttir | Berglind Rós Bergsdóttir |
| 2018 | Ragnheiður Jónasdóttir | Ellen Lind Ísaksdóttir | (To be confirmed) |
| 2019 | Ellen Lind Ísaksdóttir | Ragnheiður Jónasdóttir | Lilja B Jónsdóttir |
| 2020 | Ellen Lind Ísaksdóttir | Ragnheiður Jónasdóttir | Lilja B Jónsdóttir |
| 2021 | Ellen Lind Ísaksdóttir | Ragnheiður Jónasdóttir | Lilja B Jónsdóttir |
| 2022 | Ragnheiður Jónasdóttir | Ellen Lind Ísaksdóttir | Erika Mjöll Jónsdóttir |
| 2023 | Ragnheiður Jónasdóttir | Erika Mjöll Jónsdóttir | Lilja B Jónsdóttir |
| 2024 | Ragnheiður Jónasdóttir | Erika Mjöll Jónsdóttir | Berglind Rós Bergsdóttir |
| 2025 | Berglind Rós Bergsdóttir | Svala Björgvinsdóttir | Elín Birna Hallgrímsdóttir |
Regional Competitions
[edit]Nordic Strongman Championships
[edit]Nordic Strongman Championships consists of athletes from Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark.[32]
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 |  Svend Karlsen | Magnus Samuelsson |  Juha-Matti Räsänen |
| 2012[32] | Johannes Årsjö | Lars Rorbakken |  Mikkel Leicht |
| 2013 | Johannes Årsjö | Ole Martin Hansen | Juha-Matti Järvi |
- In 2005, the competition was held under IFSA in Kristiansand, and in 2012 and 2013 in Harstad, Norway under Giants Live.
- From 2014 onwards, the competition was promoted to global level, re-titled as the World's Strongest Viking and was held consecutively for 8 years under Strongman Champions League.
International Competitions
[edit]Jón Páll Sigmarsson Classic
[edit]The competition was organized by Hjalti Árnason to commemorate Jón Páll Sigmarsson, and 3 tournaments were held from 2010 to 2012 with the participation of the top athletes of the world.
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Brian Shaw | Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson | Mark Felix |
| 2011 | Brian Shaw | Laurence Shahlaei | Páll Logason |
| 2012 | Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson | Mark Felix | Páll Logason |
Magnús Ver Magnússon Strongman Classic
[edit]The competition is noted for its vintage events and is held annually outdoors during winter season.
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 |  Maxime Boudreault | Eyþór Ingólfsson Melsteð | Sami Ahola |
| 2022 |  Rongo Keene | Maxime Boudreault | Eyþór Ingólfsson Melsteð |
| 2023 | Tristain Hoath | Rongo Keene | Shane Flowers |
| 2024 |  Mateusz Kieliszkowski | Tristain Hoath | Andrew Burton |
| 2025 | Levi Strong | Jordan Osborne | Lucas Hatton |
Giants Live
[edit]Iceland was also the venue for one of Giants Live grand prix competitions with the participation of top athletes of the world. The competition was named Giants Live Viking Challenge/ Giants Live Iceland.
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson | Mark Felix | Martins Licis |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Iceland Population (LIVE)". www.worldometers.info. United Nations. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ↑ "The Sagas and Tales of Icelanders". www.fjorntheskald.com. Steven T. Dunn ("Fjörn"). Retrieved 4 May 2025.
- ↑ GOGOSZ, REMIGIUSZ (2016). "Hver er sterkastr? The sports and games of the Northmen in the middle ages. Role, rules and aspects: study with the special focus on saga-age Iceland". Faculty of Sociology and History, University of Rzeszów. 1 (1): 161–167.
- ↑ "STRENGTH RECORD, Strongman World Records". www.strengthrecord.com. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
- ↑ "The Giants of Iceland: Strength Beyond Measure". Richard Chapman for 'Guide to Iceland'. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ↑ Merritt, Greg (August 13, 2024). "Jamaica makes sprinters, Kenya makes marathoners, and Iceland makes Strongmen: Why Tiny Iceland Creates So Many Giant Strongmen". www.thebarbell.com.
- ↑ Strossen, Randall J. (May 9, 2007). "The Brotherhood of Stone - "Basically, there are lots of very powerful Icelanders, whom I feel are 'the strongest people in the world' - Dr. Bill Crawford". IronMind Enterprises, Inc.
- ↑ "Inside the Nest of Giants with Iceland's Strongest Men". Sammi Caramela. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ↑ "Nest of Giants: The History of Icelandic Strongmen, how Iceland has come to dominate the sport of strongman". Gabriel Whiteman. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ↑ "Strongman Archives - Athletes". Strongman Archives. 5 April 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
- ↑ Wednesday, June 17, 2009, Stefán Sölvi Pétursson Wins Iceland's Strongest Man by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D., IronMind
- ↑ Friday, June 19, 2015, Hafthor: 5X Iceland’s Strongest Man by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D., IronMind
- ↑ 2 september 1991, Sterkasti maður íslands 1991: Magnús Ver sigraði
- ↑ In 1991 Jón Páll Sigmarsson was unable to compete due to injury sustained in Denmark. Andrés Guðmundsson took fourth place
- ↑ Iceland's Strongest Man 1999, archived from the original on 2021-12-21, retrieved 2021-03-27
- ↑ Sunday, June 18, 2000, Gunnar Thor Wins Icelandic Strongest Man... by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. IronMind[permanent dead link]
- ↑ Monday, June 17, 2002, Magnus Magnussson Wins Iceland's Strongest Man by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. IronMind
- ↑ Saturday, June 18, 2005, Boris Wins Iceland's Strongest Man, Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. IronMind
- ↑ Tuesday, June 20, 2006, Iceland's Strongest Man Contest: Boris Wins, Qualifies for WSMSS, by Randall J. Strossen, IronMind
- ↑ Boris Repeats as Iceland’s Strongest Man by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D.
- ↑ "Hafthor Julius Bjornsson Wins Iceland's Strongest Man". Archived from the original on 2011-06-23. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
- ↑ "Hafthor Julius Bjornsson Wins 2010 Strongest Man in Iceland". Archived from the original on 2011-12-10. Retrieved 2011-06-06.
- ↑ "Hafthor Julius Bjornsson Wins the Strongest Man in Iceland". Archived from the original on 2011-06-12. Retrieved 2011-06-06.
- ↑ "Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson Wins Strongest Man in Iceland". Archived from the original on 2013-03-16. Retrieved 2012-06-04.
- ↑ "Hafthor Wins Strongest Man in Iceland".
- ↑ "Hafthor Wins Strongest Man in Iceland Viking Challenge 2017".
- 1 2 Monday, July 12, 2010, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson Wins Iceland’s Strongest Viking: Magnús Ver Magnússon Praises His Progress by Randall J. Strossen, IronMind
- ↑ Ironmind report, 2005 Iceland's Strongest Viking
- ↑ "Ironmind report, 2006 Iceland's Strongest Viking". Archived from the original on 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2010-10-03.
- ↑ David Horne (7 March 2005). "Iceland's Strongest Man (IFSA)". www.davidhorne-gripmaster.com. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ↑ "ICELANDIC POWER TRIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, Aflraunameistari Islands". www.strengthresults.com. 19 November 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
- 1 2 "Nordic Strongman Championships: Viking Loses His Title!". Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2012-06-21.