(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Pitting 12 of the world's biggest muscle men to the post, Hafthor Bjornsson (aka The Mountain from Game of Thrones) was crowned the World's Ultimate Strongman (WUS) in Dubai on Friday; a feat which saw him take home a tidy $75,000 cheque for his efforts.
As 13 of the world's strongest men showcased their ultimate strength in six gruelling events at the Bab Al Shams arena, Bjornsson (who won The World's Strongest Man title earlier this year), came out on top again, making light work of weights as heavy as 500kg.
Speaking to Khaleej Times just after being crowned the winner, Bjornsson said: "I'm very happy to win the first ever title for World's Ultimate Strongman. It means a lot to me to be here in Dubai to take this title and it means I can go home now very happy."
From the 30 tonne Truck Pull to the Press Medley, Bjornsson outsmarted and out played his fellow competitors throughout the 7-hour competition.
And Bjornsson was one of only three competitors to deadlift 520kg clean on the night; making it a first to be seen in the Middle East.
Earlier on in the evening, Canadian strongman JF Caron and Polish competitor Matteusz Kieliszkowski both took the winners podium during the 'Arm Over Arm Truck Pull' at WUS; each managing to pull a 15 tonne truck a total distance of 13.2 metres in just 60 seconds.
But Bjornsson pulled it back during the final four (of six) events; remaining in the top three spot at the end of each heat. Following the Truck Pull and the Arm Over Arm Truck Pull, the real competition set in from around 8pm.
Starting with the Silver Dollar Deadlift, Bjornsson, along with American Brian Shaw and Konstantine Janashia (aka the Georgian Bull), managed to come out on top, being the only competitors to deadlift 520kg.
But it was the Press Medley when Bjornsson showed his true strength, clearing four mega obstacles over his head (weighing upwards of 250kg), in less than 90 seconds.
During the final event, the Atlas Stones, Shaw and Bjornsson went head to head with just half a point between them. With each stone weighing between 170kg to 225kg - the heaviest Atlas Stone event to date - Shaw managed to get all five stones up on the stand, with Bjornsson clearing just four. However, after a judges deliberation of the six events, it was 'The Mountain' who came out on top, taking home the World's Ultimate Strongman Title and $75,000.
1st - Hafthor Bjornsson - $75,000
2nd - Brian Shaw - $35,000
3rd - Matteusz Kieliszkowski - $15,000
All other competitors shared $25,000 winnings
Some event highlights
The Atlas Stones - five giant stones weighing between 170kg to 225kg
520kg - heaviest deadlift on the night
15 tonne truck pulled Arm Over Arm across 13.2 metres in 60 seconds
Kelly Clarke Originally from the UK, Kelly Clarke joined Khaleej Times in November 2012. She has a keen interest in humanitarian issues and took over as the dedicated Education Reporter in August 2016. In her spare time she loves to travel off the beaten track, and often write about her quirky experiences of pastures new. Kelly received her BA Honours in Journalism from Middlesex University, UK in 2008. Before joining Khaleej Times she worked as a Supervising Editor for three Healthcare titles in London. @KellyAnn_Clarke
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