Maybe I’m NOT the Strongest Man in the World…

[@luckosteve12]

Very cool to shout out Strength Unknown. Martins is doing a great job exploring the history and traditions of strength culture around the world.

[@fleshboundtobone]

For anyone who likes this kind of thing check out Tran World Sport, it's a TV show which covers all kinds of esoteric sports around the world. Like they'll do donkey racing in the Yukon then strength sports in Mongolia in the same episode, it's great.

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

Couldn’t agree more 💪

[@MovieMuscle]

It's nice to see how Mitch is promoting strongman culture in so many ways. It is not just about him. I watched some of Martin's show. It was great.

[@eleeeanora]

@@mitchellhooperstrongmanthis year you are the best, next one, i dont know

[@Hermanubis1]

@@mitchellhooperstrongman Furthermore, you leave out the fact that lots of weightlifters out-squat powerlifting squat records in their training while doing a proper squat very very deep. Not one of these low bar monstrosities masquerading as squats. What can you deadlift without a belt on a stiff bar? A belt adds 30-40kg. Klokov deadlifted 340kg beltless at 100kg and it isn't even his lift. He squatted 335kg ATG no knee sleeves no belt. I doubt you could squat that with his form and high bar and you weigh two of him.

[@Jorian1107]

Also: how refreshing to see someone who can officially call himself the WSM admit that he is not the strongest on any day in any discipline, but rather he "just" won a competition! Nice to see you're still down to earth and I hope you bring your A game again next year!

[@dazjackson1972]

Jeff Capes said much the same thing many years ago. 2X WSM, 6X World Highland Games Champion, 2X European Indoor Shot Put gold. These champs have too much respect for fellow strength athletes to big themselves up - for the most part anyway.

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

What can I say, I stick to the facts 💪

[@Asiansxsymbol]

Because it's true. The WSM is a title of a comprehensive competition, not to mean the winner is the absolute strongest in the world. Mitch is very strong comprehensively but he's not the strongest in specific disciplines.

[@Asiansxsymbol]

To be truly the strongest in the world, one would have to be the strongest in pretty much all disciplines and that's almost impossible (unless a real Sampson or Superman exists).

[@elliottengstrand5988]

I was going to say the same thing. I'm not going to point any fingers or name names but there are definitely *some* former 1 time WSM winners who still refer to themselves as **THE** World's Strongest Man at every available opportunity. At the end of the day it is just a title earned from one competition and an athlete's overall career stats speak far more than the number of times they specifically placed first at WSM.

[@tylerboyd5469]

Badminton is clearly the only true test of strength

[@cisrael468]

Novikov's insane performance on the flinstone press at 2022 WSM is a great example of how weightlifting technique carries over to strongman. That split jerk was beautiful

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

Very true!

[@Brett733]

Was Novikov actually an Olympic lifter? I didn't know that. I know Mikhail Kokylaev is probably the most accomplished all around strength athlete in history and he did a 270 kg behind the neck jerk similar to Novikov's flintstone which is tied (afaik) with Lasha at 270 for most weight lifted overhead (although it's quite possible Lasha has done more in training)

[@PacmanLickThisGuysAs]

A fair amount of the earliest WSM competitors (1977 was the 1st one) were weightlifters and some were even Olympians at one point. Weightlifters and powerlifters made up probably 50% of all the competitors in classic WSM. It was very common to see a weightlifter participating in WSM before it became it's own sport. Jon Pall Sigmarsson was a weightlifter in his youth and only quit because of the dumbass lockout rule. Weightlifting was a lot more popular back then and anybody in strength sports had at least some sort of experience in it. Even bodybuilders like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Franco Colombo (whom competed in WSM 1977) had a background in weightlifting before they found careers in bodybuilding.

[@PacmanLickThisGuysAs]

A good amount of the earliest WSM competitors were weightlifters, some were even Olympians at one point before Strongman became it's own specific sport. Jon Pall was a weightlifter but quit because of the silly elbow lockout rule and turned to other strength sports. Even bodybuilders like Arnold and Franco Colombo were weightlifters in their youths before finding a career in bodybuilding.

[@Lee-ic2yn]

That just goes for any overhead work, jerking is just easier than pressing when it comes to weight

[@jeroenconinx6121]

Koklyaev went from elite olympic lifting over to strongman. He came in third at the 2010 World's strongest man and also finished well in multiple Arnold classics

[@petershortland478]

Didn't he get high placing at IFSA as well

[@danb2083]

He would have won WSM guaranteed if he had stayed with them instead of going to IFSA.

[@davidklausen1316]

He competed at a world class level in weightlifting, strongman AND powerlifting!

[@e.c.9468]

Kkoklyaev was against a prime Big Z in overhead pressing and Big Z matched Misha's olympic ability using only strengh.

[@Zahed9327]

I came here to comment this 👏

[@danzoeee]

I want to see Lasha in strongman so bad, doubt it would ever happen but that man is built for strength.

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

He would be a beast 👀

[@frazerobrien548]

@@mitchellhooperstrongman try and get him to do stones with you - might need a translator

[@petershortland478]

​@frazerobrien548 The only person who would probably could help him is Janashia

[@frazerobrien548]

@@petershortland478 and how awesome would that be?!

[@jorgevillarreal502]

Lasha and Levan both coming over to strongman as the big Georgian Badasses next to Janashia would be amazing

[@aaronvenable6165]

Mitchell, you are an ethical and honest man for being this thorough in your assessment of your achievements. Very helpful for us looking to get stronger!

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

💪💪

[@Hermanubis1]

He is fake as hell. He is posing as an honest man but actually isnt

[@mediumsizedgrape]

​@@Hermanubis1elaborate

[@M1389-v2o]

​@@Hermanubis1Elaborate?

[@chaddrusso8850]

@@Hermanubis1do you have any proof or this just your feelings😂😂🤡🤡

[@CarnifaxMachine]

Cool to see a clip of Clarence. It'd be awesome to see a collab between him and Mitchell. Maybe he could teach Mitchell some Oly lifting.

[@Organon1980]

Mikhail Koklyaev was an elite olympic weightlifter who went on to be an elite strongman and powerlifter.

[@AlejandroSanchez-pl6jw]

I believe he has the highest total in strength beating mark Henry.

[@Organon1980]

@@AlejandroSanchez-pl6jw you're probably right. He's done so many amazing lifts throughout his career. And still lifts fairly heavy.

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

There seems to be a couple I missed!

[@trancenikola]

and that guys is still in shape

[@Youtubeisranbypussies]

​@AlejandroSanchez-pl6jw No because Koklyaev competed while on gear and Mark always competed drug free. Mark still holds the all time raw record combining Bench/Squat/Deadlift/Snatch/Clean and Jerk.

[@fromlasttofirst22]

There's a Kenyan strongman called tiger power who could do some pretty crazy ass things, he could get smashed by a truck and take it, he could pull nails in wood with his teeth, and so much more. Underrated!

[@jackwilson5869]

There was a video of Lasha doing a 270kg clean and jerk in training, 100% worth looking at

[@Agnes135]

My best squat is 240kg, I couldn't even imagine what god given strength it takes to throw 270kg over head

[@Negoxexa]

​@@Agnes135your squat is strong as fuck too

[@billybobjoeftw]

6:58 I think as an overall event strongman is a fantastic indicator for total body strength, large variety of lifts and the overall demand on the body means if you have significant weaknesses you're going to expose them. However if you want one singular lift to judge someone's strength, olympic weightlifting is great barring the technique demands, so maybe a power clean and press which is easier would be better. Still great to see people at high levels throw insane weight around or over their head as a warmup, actual superhero territory

[@jtramel7827]

Mark Henry comes to mind from coming from the Olympics to strong man.... won the Arnold's on not a whole lot of prep time

[@jameschantler4292]

Mark Henry did powerlifting before Olympic lifting. He had a raw 900 deadlift in the mid 1990s when that was extremely rare

[@s137846]

Mark Henry was exactly who came to mind when Mitch brought crossover athletes up

[@pedrobraga3654]

Dear Mitch, thanks a lot for this video. The humble way you argued about strenght shows us that you are very honest and open to the discussion. Stay healthy, stay strong! ❤💪

[@THIBARMY]

Besides Kokleyev and Henry that have already been mentioned. Gary Taylor won the WSM and was also a silver medalist at the 1984 Olympic games, Ken Patera finished 3rd in WSM and got a Silver at the World Weightlifting champs and Raimonds Bergmanis finished 3rd in WSM and won and a silver at. the European weightlifting champs.

[@alemail]

Trying to find "the strongest" is cloud chasing, the reality is you cannot separate the measure from the measurement. It's an interesting question but it's more a philosophical one. I think that's why they are so many hot debates, trying to find the "purest" from, but I think in that chase you can lost the real goal, having fun and not to worry about how and why. Specificity is king and queen and the measure affects that we like that or not.

[@elafzal5866]

Strongman covers all aspects/areas of strenght( functional, explosive and static) whereas the other disciplines are one aspect specific. Therefor I believe the strongman sport is the best way to measure general strenght of an athlete.

[@MaxiFlanagan]

I love your videos plus the fact that your so humble, kind and your not just strong you seem like a amart well educated person is awesome.

[@neelanchalgahalot9989]

Mark Henry was an Olympic Weightlifter, top 10 in the world when competitive. He also won Arnold's. And also did powerlifting at a world-class level.

[@Agnes135]

I always thought Mark Henry was a fake when I was younger, then I realised he was the real deal. his squat and deadlift record stood for 15 YEARS. He could've pushed those numbers up big time if he didn't go to WWE. I also read by the time he was 13 he weighed 200lbs. Freak

[@TheOutdoorKings]

Came here to say Mark Henry had entered the chat

[@lucubrator4283]

Mikhail Koklyaev and Mark Henry had impressive results in Strongman, Weightlifting as well as Powerlifting

[@dylandaybell7151]

I reckon natural stone to shoulder/press is probably the most impressive lift and test of strength out there! There’s a reason the tradition transcends borders and cultures. It would be awesome to see you tackle some someday!

[@jessehall9420]

its going to be the last event in next years arnolds strongman classic -- pressing a stone - loading a stone then shouldering a stone --- i say only - 4 guys get all three --- not sure if the last stone to shoulder will be for reps or its just quickest time for all 3

[@Minotona]

I would say the Super Yoke is the ultimate test of strength. You drop the biggest weight on a person and those with insufficient frames, bones and mass will just crumble with injury, leaving the largest guys standing. So the mass monsters are truly the strongest

[@dylandaybell7151]

@@jessehall9420 oh that’s awesome, natural stone lifting always separates the best from the rest 😂

[@dylandaybell7151]

@@Minotona Brian Shaw always loved a monster super yoke. Problem is you’ve got people like Mitch being so flawless with it that it almost looks to light! 😂

[@henrycooper4213]

Absolutely not such a stupid comment. This only benefits athletes whom are tall with long wing spans. Stick to your gaming kid. A true Strength test should an equal playing field in the implement itself to the movement expected to be executed. Let’s just have an event stepping up onto a 4 feet box or ducking under a 3 feet pole. 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@callumbridges6624]

Mark henry qualifying for the olympics in weightlifting and winning the Arnold strongman comp may be the best overall display of strength ability

[@buckybryan550]

I lean toward Strongman as the overall indicator of the strongest person overall. There are some truly amazing athletes in other sports, however they are almost without fail much more specialized in their technique and/or movement. Strongman does a very good job in combining aspects from most strength sports. This is especially true when you look at the event variations from the different promotions. That said, it is always a pleasure to see someone who has reached the pinnacle of their craft/sport.

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

So, what you’re saying is - I am the strongest man in the world 😎

[@buckybryan550]

@@mitchellhooperstrongman Indeed I am sir.

[@yoroshikuonegaishimasu8649]

I agree, hooper is just trying to be humble, hes the strongest man overrall

[@Hamzasrsu]

Perfect and true comment

[@signs80]

I agree, they're not the most explosive, have the most endurance or have the most 1RM strength on static movements but they're a damn good blend of the 3 compared to people in each discipline at the top for sure

[@MiUnited]

You need to visit Georgia, eat khinkali and make a video with Lasha titled "Trying olympic weightlifting with greatest ever"

[@jculbert2221]

Natural stone to shoulder, or like Mike Isreatel says, Continental Clean and Press, are the two most fundamental measurements of strength. They combine pull,hinge, squat, push into one movement, regardless of technique or implement shape. The stone lift in particular, is understood no matter where in the world you are. Which makes Big Z the strongest ever.

[@ChampChamp2024]

Yeah Big Z is a beast.

[@oscarovegren]

Anatoly Pisarenko did 265kg clean and jerk (2kg less but 61kg lighter then Lasha), 280kg clean and 270kg jerk. Deserves a mention if Lasha does for sure

[@maxedoutmotivation8430]

Love what you do Mitch. For a gym rat like myself, you're the perfect blend of science and raw blood/guts. Appreciate the knowledge and the genuine curiosity you represent.

[@MALI700]

this video is basically convincing me to buy your merch man, the self awareness and the humility with which you approach everything while still being elite is inspiring

[@elliottengstrand5988]

I definitely consider strongman to be the best overall gauge of strength. As you mentioned, it's frequently everyday movements/ events taken to the extreme, it has the greatest variety of events compared to things like powerlifting, and it has the unpredictability element both in and out of events, whether it be the events themselves changing last minute, or a specific event like natural stone lifting. You can't train for those things. You just need to be naturally, brutally powerful and able to adapt on the fly.

[@BBMorti]

474kg DL is extremely impressive. Nothing to scuff at. Awesome to see you applaud other mens feats of strength, you clearly love strength sports!

[@TheSLK66]

What amazes me of Lasha is his elbow strength, capable of holding that much weight overhead.

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

Yeah, wild 🤯

[@MOED.weightlifting]

In weightlifting we hold weights by locking out our arms and squeezing our shoulder blades. So instead of supporting it with muscles the weight sits on bone, if that makes sense.

[@alienlife9832]

What a bloody nice bloke and humble too......and a phenomenal strongman

[@Asiansxsymbol]

What if I could do the most in the world in EVERY lift mentioned? Then I'd truly be the world's strongest man?

[@shanebuechner1429]

Unbelievable humility and true humbleness. Thanks for speaking the truth. In a world full of ego and attitude, you, Mr. Hooper, are a breathe of fresh air. Now a subscriber.

[@vadillo1]

If strong is just moving the heaviest weight, period, we would have to give it to the power lifters. Strongman competitors are the most well rounded and it is incredibly entertaining to watch. But when I see Lasha yanking 500 pounds from the floor, flicking it over his head, and standing up in one fluid motion like the weight is not even there, I know I am watching athletic greatness in its purest form that goes beyond strength.

[@IsaacMorgan98]

Why stop at powerlifters? Why not give it to the ego lifters leg pressing 600kg for sets of 10 with 1 or 2 cm of ROM? The weight is heavier than everyone else and it was moved ya know

[@vincentmcgettigan7948]

I love the big 3 strength sports. Powerlifting, Weightlifting, and Strongman all have something amazing to offer. However, I do feel that strongman is still the best way to determine who is overall the strongest.

[@1vootman]

Lasha would be my #1 as far as explosive strength. It can of course be debated on how stringent drug testing is in Oly lifting, but he does tested, so perhaps as well as we can test, he's the strongest tested lifter in the SHW class as well...definitely more than the Soviet lifters as least

[@jamesbecker9573]

Why does being drug free matter in this conversation..

[@tyr5119]

He is obviously on drugs...

[@durrantmiller8810]

I mean worlds strongest man doesn't even test for drugs... So it really doesn't matter if Lasha is on drugs (he is) for comparison's sake

[@strammerdetlef]

lol my thoughts, wtf this guy thinking @@jamesbecker9573

[@D9Wx]

​@@durrantmiller8810lol yes it does. Because it means he could have even more potensial when he got on gear and started strongman. How did all 3 of you not get this?!

[@8LIFT]

I have always wanted this question answered, so recently I launched a brand and competition concept that incorporates the three power lifts, the two Olympic lifts, farmer’s walk, 18” deadlift, and log press. The goal is to start having competitions within the next year. I actually think you (Mr. Hooper) would dominate such an event.

[@quinnmckinney3153]

Super excited for the sport this year! 2024 looks like one of the strongest years yet!

[@TheImmenseFence]

I'm in agreement about strongman being probably the best measure for what everyday people call strength. It mainly comes down to 'can you pick that up, can you move that, how long can you hold onto that?'. Also I'd love to see you get into olympic lifting some, I feel strongmen tend to underutilise dynamic movement like olympic lifters do. So when you see someone use it well (Novikov at arnold 2022 with the dumbbell press) it's a gamechanger. If Eddie's talk to RNR got to you; really look at how some of those olympic guys are able to move weight and I think you'll easily be able to get 10% more on the more dynamic lifts. Maybe pop over to ireland see if Clarence or Sika strength want to team up?

[@fabiobonetta5454]

Giving his peers respect. What a legend

[@RelativeRelativiness]

The one with the biggest weight from the floor to overhead. Deadlifters can't bench and vice versa, but you need to pull, squat and push to get a big weight from the floor over your head.

[@1vootman]

Misha kokliev made a successful switch from oly lifting to SM.. The dude was a beast.

[@jukoliste82]

He was great

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

He’s a prime example of what I was talking about!

[@jukoliste82]

He really is 👍

[@DadGetsFit]

Love seeing strength unknown mentioned. It's an amazing series and I'm glad martins is doing it

[@sagebauer1077]

Jesus Olivares seems to be possibly interested in trying strongman someday, that's a collab I would love to see. He's still so young, I'm curious what he will accomplish in the next 5 years

[@mariusastier8138]

He is too short and fat with no athletics background but could become static strongest of all time

[@sagebauer1077]

@mariusastier8138 he's taller than Oleksii, lol... and he played football throughout high school and a bit in college. But yeah, he'd definitely have to slim down for strongman

[@marcellocalza8041]

​@@mariusastier8138 he is already the strongest static man on the planet while being drug tested and competing with a stiff bar under the strictest rules

[@mariusastier8138]

@@marcellocalza8041 On squats I agree but as far as benching and deadlifting there is wayyy stronger than him. Eddie Hall was doing his 1RM bench for sets of 8 lol , but if he gets on PED he has the potential to be greatest I agree (depending on his shoulder strength never Seen him OHP)

[@mariusastier8138]

@@sagebauer1077 oleksii is all based on efficiency and speed/athleticism rather than raw power tho, but I didnt know jesus played football let's see then !

[@johnelgandy]

Eddie deadlift where he passed out I remembered my college professor showing us this in our exercise science class. I’m Super excited for you this year Mitchell! The Moose is going for it all!

[@AndrewJones-tb7te]

1993 Worlds Strongest Man Gary Taylor had been an elite level Olympic weight lifter before going into strongman. Would love to see what Lasha could do.

[@RyanJacksonElectrical]

Beat me to it.

[@jameschantler4292]

Mikhail Koklyaev was an even better Olympic lifter than Gary Taylor with a 250kg clean and jerk. He did very well at WSM for several years. Lasha would need to lose 50lbs which may affect his strength

[@Adam-cs3ld]

​@@jameschantler4292Let's not forget Gary put up 267.5kg behind the neck too. Mikhael was unbelievable, loved him on the log in WSM 2010.

[@IusedtohaveausernameIliked]

Specialists can put up some pretty huge numbers, and their technique, built up through years of dedicated practice, is impressive, but in the end I'm even more impressed by how strongmen have to be strong in so many different ways, and not only lift weight but move with weight. Strongmen have to be well rounded athletes and yet perform to extremes. P.S. - Congrats on winning the WSM Mitchell, from a fellow Canadian who has an interest in Kinesiology and has been watching the contest since its inception.

[@TokyoSwan.]

Lasha is the strongest man to ever live. No doubt in my mind. He would be the best of all time in any strength sport he dedicated his life to.

[@ojmay...]

Ive gotta say Lasha because hes done numbers no one has ever done before over and kver again

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

Lasha is a beast 💪💪

[@ezradanger]

It's obviously not absolute, but as a whole, I do agree that strongman is the sport that best tests overall strength.

[@Hermanubis1]

It doesn't strongman is based on height a lot.

[@ezradanger]

@@Hermanubis1 it does, but that's more like it really just gives those taller guys an even bigger advantage at those specific events, but it doesn't mean that they're not still the strongest. A taller person has the potential to be a larger person, which gives them the potential to be a stronger person. A powerlifter who out totals Brian Shaw or Thor still isn't stronger than them in my opinion.

[@Hermanubis1]

@@ezradanger at least 50% of the events have a huge height advantage. I don't rate powerlifters. They sumo, they have good mornings as squats. They are useless for any functional movement. Weightlifters squat and press more than them and deadlift similar while being athletes and powerful. Strongman and weightlifting are much more respectable as sports. But strongman should make the events not have a height advantage or at least equalise them.

[@ezradanger]

@@Hermanubis1 so as I said, It's obviously not absolute, but as a whole, I do think that strongman is the sport that best tests overall strength.

[@Hermanubis1]

@@ezradanger In the strict sense of the word, no. It is strength endurance with a height advantage. You could argue gymnasts are the strongest in the world functionally. The assumption with strongman is: all humans are farmers. It's basically farmer strength endurance with a height advantage. The height of the stones are arbitrary. Short men must shoulder press 200kg stone to get it up and Brian Shaw has to lift it to knee height.

[@sambsialia]

Why not mention Mark Henry or Kolakeyev? What about Patera, Redding, Alekxeyev Oly press +500 lbs? Kolakeyev pushe big Z on the log with his jerk press, like Peacock does on the axle press. Would you ever do a Litvinov with Juji?

[@NasiCampur.]

The strength, speed and coordination required for Olympic weightlifting carries over better than anything else to pretty much everything strength related

[@Alexandre1990zhao]

Olympic weightlifting is more likely strength based but power distinguished sport. The genetic is highly dominating in Oly lifting.

[@Hamzasrsu]

Olympic weightlifters is not so much stronger.They are perfect 3-4 moves.Clean and Jerk,Snatch,Power Jerk.And their Squat,Deadlift,Bench are not high level.A little bit more their cj and snatch.Weightlifting is not about strength.It is about Power and technique.Lasha is not stronger half of Hooper.

[@thorthewolf8801]

@Hamzasrsu With all due respect to Hooper, he could never snatch 225kg. Lasha if he trained for maximal strength in powerlifting/strongman static lifts could achieve similar numbers like Thor.

[@dsc_dsc]

​@@thorthewolf8801no you don't, that's not true. There aren't any proof that lasha would be good in the other lifts.

[@karpatheon]

Hi Mitchell. This was a good original topic, and video. You brought a lot of categories into perspective for me, but in the end, I agree, "Strong Man" competitions, to me, determine the strongest man in the world.

[@BIGNESHO]

It’s a very hard to say…

[@jeffmcloud2685]

One golden rule of strength… however much you can lift, there will always be a Georgian who can lift more.

[@biggiezboi]

They took over arm wrestling, Olympic lifting, and next it’s power lifting

[@FoxGuyGames]

World's Strongest Man everyone! Grats on an amazing career start in strongman, i remember when you had like 8K subs like a year and a half ago! Even if you dropped off the face of the earth right now, your career would still be a conversation piece. I cant wait to see where you take things. You have, in my opinion, already helped changed so many things about Strongman, the transparency and the way we look at athletes is vastly improved in no small part to you and your efforts. The sport does not get the proper recognition it deserves but I believe athletes like you, Brian Shaw, Big Loz, The Stoltmans, Martins, and even Eddie with all his hilarious antics, each help bring it to the masses in the correct manner. Thank you, as a fan of the sport.

[@barkpeterbark]

Kyriakos Grizzly is the strongest man in the world.

[@espenstoro]

Well duh! Competitions are obviously to determine who the second strongest in the world is.

[@bourneslippy8039]

Badminton is the truest test of strength. It’s right there in the name, this isn’t goodminton.

[@colinhundt4088]

Mark Henry needs a mention. A world class raw powerlifter and competed in the olympics in weightlifting. And with his powerlifting and weightlifting total combined has the world record total between those five lifts.

[@kizzmitten1]

Really excellent video Mitch. I love the comparisons. Also, I agree that Strongman is the best gauge for strongest person. The other clubs are too specialized. Good luck at Arnolds!

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

Glad you enjoyed it! 💪💪

[@spiritfingers98]

Mark Henry still has a combined record for power lifting and Olympic lifting

[@greggoode3450]

This is a brilliant presentation, honest and candid. Strongman as "the fundamental movement patterns of life." Thanks, even as a strongman fan, I learned a lot.

[@SwampsideStrength]

Tom Haviland is the strongest human

[@alephnull8377]

He squats less

[@cjmacaroni-cheese6155]

Not even close.

[@tonybarfridge4369]

Good to hear some honest and interesting insights into strength competitions. I followed your performance in the Arnold's; among others and was impressed not only by your strength but also your attention to detail in maximising event performance. Also the fact that when interviewed you focussed on analysing performance level rather than self praise and celebration. Modesty is refreshing in strongman. Also that when thousands are claiming to be the strongest in the world, you acknowledge it is a competition title for a year, and you may not necessarily be that in reality. Keep up the interesting content 😄

[@lkerygma]

To me olympic weightlifting is the absolute true test. Sure Lasha might jot have a good bench. But he can for reps do front squat and back squat what loads of powerlifters are doing for one. He could closely do it. His deadlift would be tremendous. He is snatching over 200kg, and jerking over 200kg. That's a max rep. But maxing on deadlift his numbers would be huge. His push and strict press would be up there as well. It'd be amazing to see. But yes to me. Oly limping takes the cake.

[@bunglebee1790]

Great discussion on who is truly strongest. One other important consideration however is what events WSM choose in any given year as that alone can sometimes, not always, decide the overall winner .

[@alanbaskaev3907]

Well, Mikhail Koklyayev was an open weight Olympic weightlifter who did really well in Strong Man. Another example would be Mark Henry.

[@nileshmistry7149]

You're very modest. Watched the finals on TV today, impressive. Always been impressed with strongman in many disciplines, who could walk past you on the street, as a normal looking guy. Was big fan of jouko ahola back in the 90s.

[@pinkyellowblue007]

I think strongman should get rid of speed events and things like medleys which just require too much cardio and every competition should include at least one of the 3 lifts squat, bench or deadlift and not just the deadlift which has now been common for years.They should also have more variation in the events, come up with new ones and bring back some of the old ones like the crucifix.

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

The deadlift has been in every competition I’ve competed in, but I’d love for them to bring back the squat!

[@Please_allow_me]

This makes for an interesting conversation. If you were to ask someone who doesn't pay attention to strength sports who can benchpress more, the current worlds strongest man or Julius Maddox? Assuming they don't jump to the conclusion that its a trick question, the most logical answer would surely be the world's strongest man, when infact it isn't correct. Winning the world strongest man competition definitely makes you worthy of the title nonetheless, even if its not as literal as it sounds. The fact that you would post this video highlights the kind of champion you, humble and real, and it's honestly refreshing. Nice one my man

[@RandyMass]

Your work and technique on the apolon wheel was a prime example of weightlifting technique with strongman strength. Even licis missing his push press on his first attempt the following it immediately with a split jerk and getting it was symbolic of the techniques superiority in getting heavy ass weight over head. That being said, it’s my opinion that Olympic lifting is the truest test of power, powerlifting is the truest test of strength, and strongman depends on the event. Winning a strongman meet is symbolic of being the best at the sport, but a meet could be comprised of varying degrees of strength or endurance qualities in each Individual event.

[@tb7125]

I think the arguments here are usually kind of silly. For one, there is no answer. Secondly, anyone who claims that their sport is “the true test of strength” is obviously just speaking from ego. The important thing? LIFT HEAVY STUFF. Literally everyone on the planet should be doing this. It’s soooo good for you.

[@geozeo710]

I love the respect you show to others, whilst still having absolute confidence in yourself.

[@Nowted]

The truest form of strength IMO is Strongman..but...in the 70s/80s. The competitors had no prior knowledge of the events. No chance to practice, or hone their skill. No technique, just literally brute strength. Therefore for me Bill Kaz, Don Reindhout, Geoff Capes, Jon Pall, OD Wilson were next level.

[@anthonyproffitt5341]

Hell of an ambassador of strength and eternal movement. Thank you hoss.

[@pricerowland]

I think Lasha would be the best crossover athlete but I don't see him trying strongman at least until he retires. It would be highly entertaining though.

[@tedj432]

Probably what you do is a true test of versatility as the worlds strongest man. I set a national record BP but only that one lift.

[@Nick-cp8wf]

Congrats brother.

[@evanmichaelhardin]

I love this! What other strongman would make a video like this? I get in these debates with friends all the time. In fact, I’m going to send this video to them. Even Hopper can admit it. Anyone who knows anything about strength will tell you that the Worlds Strongest Man completion doesn't necessarily crown the actual strongest person in the world. The Worlds Strongest Man requires speed and endurance as well, along with everything else he describes, not just raw strength. It is an extraordinary accomplishment in athletics in general. Very rarely, if ever, does someone come along who can lift more than anyone else in every lift. That would truly be the worlds strongest man.

[@BallisticBen247]

I absolutely respect the humility, brother. This is my first video of yours. Won't be the last. And congratulations on your victory!!

[@travisgbarr]

Best example I can think of for a truly elite strength athlete is Mark Henry. Truly world class at powerlifting, weightlifting, and won the first Arnold Classic. I believe he still holds the highest combined PL/WL 5 lift total.

[@Rogi134]

Love the content my friend, coming up on a year of consistent training thanks to guys like you, Brian Shaw and Eddie Hall. Here’s to a successful 2024!

[@DutchDread]

For me strongman determines the strongest man, simply because that one feels like you could ask them to do any task that requires raw strength that is not something they specifically train for, and they'd be the best.

[@KevinWarner-x8c]

Great video!! I 100% agree with you. Strongman is the best test of pure strength across a range of human motion. Weightlifting is the best test of explosive power and powerlifting is the best indicator of harnessing maximum muscular force.

[@jaket2274]

I would say the greatest test of just pure raw strength would be powerlifting simply because they have the highest numbers for the 3 big lifts and there are so many categories you can go into. Strongman is my second pick because it’s all about functional strength (taken to an absurd level of course) but they don’t go as heavy as powerlifting (or even as heavy as they used to in prior years)

[@skrimshanker1]

WSM covers all basis, great video, your right all levers and movements covered without prior knowledge sometimes. Congrats to you Mr Hooper, you were awesome🫡

[@Giloball-w1f]

Mark Henry went from power lifting to strong man to Olympic and back to strong man/wrestling and was world class at all of them

[@ClimateLockdowns]

6:11 Geoff Capes did just that back in the 80s and Raimonds Bergmanis in the late 90s early 00s

[@cyclonesfan9169]

Great video. I have often wondered about all the things you discussed. Thanks for sharing your numbers. I would love to see somebody crossover from elite power lifting to strongman or the other way around to see how they do. Both sports are incredibly impressive, but I prefer the unique events in strongman. Congrats on WSM.

[@JC-yt1pm]

There are some crazy strong people in the world. I am always impressed at what you and others are able to do.

[@g3dwards]

The names confuse things. Powerlifting is about strength, Olympic weightlifting is about power, Stongman is strength, power and muscular endurance.

[@arthurguillaume5977]

In my humble opinion, when it comes to the strongest person, you have to look at static weight lifted. So I believe the strongest people are those who compete in the world of raw dead lifting. At any given time whoever holds the 3 lift total record in their weight class are the strongest people in the world. What you folks do in strongman is more fun to watch because of the combined strength and athleticism you have to display in various events. It's great and I subscribe to Shaw and Official Strongman. Olympic lifting is a whole different world, full of technique... face it a huge person pulling almost 500 lbs so hard, while leaving his feet and crouching down in mid air to catch that bar at the right instant to complete a snatch lift is an incredible thing to see. You've had a great year Moose, and thanks for your effort, I've enjoyed it a lot, but the way Mateus moved that Iron Bull last month... if he were totally healthy... he would be the one to beat in your sport.

[@him050]

This is such a cool video to make. Many people do need to understand that World’s Strongest Man is just the name of a strongman competition and tv show. There is no way definitively accepted way to quantify who the strongest person on the planet is!

[@luckylanno]

As far as exhibitions of real-practical-traditional-old-school-warrior-farmer strength goes, I think Strongman takes the cake. Sure there's no bench press, but I think the log or axle press is the more impressive feat of strength even if the weight is lower.

[@jtf2dan]

While, yes....there are individuals that have one lift strength over moose...Mitch has the total package......if you place 2nd in all ten events but 10 different people earn one 1st place score and then others lower in the field....the second places add up to a 1st place overall....so I still think Hooper has the best overall strength package that makes him the winner.

[@vredneckv]

In Strongman, sure. In other strength sports, not so much even if Mitch does have the total package and is currently the best in Strongman. I wish there was something like a Supertotal (SBD+Oly) + Strongman (a few most popular events), the winner of this would indeed be the strongest man on the planet.

[@TheJeffislegend]

For me I think no one can do what Lasha does and no one is even close. Where as I think lasha could do very well in other sports

[@m4g153]

I have no idea what the event is called, but i would LOVE to see one of the people who compete in the powerlifting competitions where they do squat deadlift and bench-press, and see how strong they are compared to people who compete in the strongest man competitions.

[@willo283]

Amazing insight to the individual factors required to do what you do! and also good that your humble enough to recognise that your not the complete package in regards to individual achievements and accolades... just a shame the cross fitters don't... as a former member of the forces there is plenty of fitter men than them who stay as humble as you.

[@ElReyGarcia11]

Number 1 test of raw strength probably powerlifting total. Number 1 test of functional and varied strength, strongman. Probably the Shaw Classic or Arnold Classic

[@official.landry]

you made an excellent case for unknown events for each comp.

[@alcole1k178]

Funny burn towards Eddie that has every single one of his YT video prefaced by 'World's Strongest Man tries/does'