Rookie Mitchell Hooper VS Prime Brian Shaw - Who Was Stronger???

Continuing the series, let's see how I'd stack up against Brain Shaw.
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Chapters
00:00 Brian Shaw's strongman career
00:50 Events for the mock contest
01:08 Brian Shaw's max deadlift
01:41 Austrian Oak for reps
02:12 Brian Shaw 1500+ lbs Bale Tote Yoke
02:59 Who had better grip?
03:22 Who's DB press was stronger?
04:23 Who was the faster strongman?
04:52 Is Brain the GOAT of stones?
05:20 Conclusion and final thoughts

[@Tomm5997]

Also worth mentioning, Brian did a 1014 lb stiff bar deadlift without a suit on the 2nd to last event at the 2017 WSM and a relatively easy 1031 lb longbar deadlift without a suit in training.

[@jlim9411]

What’s crazy is that Brian has said when he did the 300 lb dumbbell at the Arnold that year, it felt easy when he picked it up. He could have done more reps if needed. That’s when his pressing power was at it’s all time best.

[@alexfrye6]

I guess the thing with prime Brian was that his era was a bit heavier than the current one. A 600+kg yoke was just what they used for a while at the Arnolds. Similarly I think loading races were a bit heavier. With that in mind I think prime Shaw beats rookie Hooper 9 times out of 10 in his own era. In this era it's probably 50-50.

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

Well, in this comparison Prime Brian did indeed beat Rookie Hooper 😉

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

So I’d have to agree 😉

[@xaviermitchell578]

It was a very short period of time it was that heavy.

[@alexfrye6]

@@xaviermitchell578 The bale tote was used from 2014 to 2017. I wouldn't call 4 years a very short period of time, it's probably more than half of Brian's prime.

[@SliPsHoTiFc]

I think Brian has the edge in his prime. The weights were heavier the competition was steeper. I just don't think you can compare yourself right now. You are just a baby in the sport and have years to improve. Get stronger refine your progress. Regardless, your talent and intelligence is clearly paving the way to something we might recognize as the best of all time.

[@trevtkd]

I agree. I love Moose, but him giving himself the win on yoke because he’s faster on a lighter yoke is absurd. You’re slower when it’s heavier. That means Shaw is stronger than Moose at yoke. It’s all fun and games but that’s the only issue I had with this fun hypothetical. Love Moose no matter what. Epic dude with freakish strength.

[@mathieumintz1694]

@@trevtkd The yoke was my only qualm as well. While I understand the reasoning comparing times on a 500 kg yoke, prime Brian was likely doing heavier yokes.

[@mrbigdick3731]

Not even close. Brian smashes Hooper to pieces at 80%. But Brian is the GOAT

[@sebastianbergstl4423]

bit aluf to tell the lad to get stronger when he is reigning.

[@SliPsHoTiFc]

@@sebastianbergstl4423 Its a bit concerning to suggest im aloof when you can't spell nor understand that Mitchell Hooper suggests a hypothetical about strength. The point of my comment, the point of this video is comparing hooper now, to Brian's prime. My earlier comment i think is rightfully suggesting that in order to beat brian he would need to get stronger. ESPECIALLY when you consider the absolute beasts competing at his time. Times have changed i get that. BUT this is comparison about primes.

[@frankyyn2357]

I love that after the fact check he doesn't even acknowledge that it was in fact 136kg and just moves on lmao

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

I feel like my reaction beforehand was enough, 136kg for 3 is insane 💪

[@LCDRformat]

@@mitchellhooperstrongman That was the joke he was pointing out, Hoop

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

😉😉

[@binladen34444]

33344444444444444444444444444

[@santiagosteven6105]

I feel the yoke is a draw. Can't give that point to you if for max Brian can lift more but you're much mobile. Insane though the body weight you're at. I assume the fast twitch fibers from running has made you endurancly explosive? Curious 🤔

[@josephfox869]

It just depends on the type of show. If it was as heavy as 2016/2017 I think Brian has it easy but with the modern mix of strength and movement, I think you can compete with ANYONE!

[@MadMathMike]

I think you did a fair comparison. This is all in fun any way. And you're right about Brian's longevity. He may not have grabbed a 5th WSM title like he wanted, but the number of podium finishes over such a long career is insane. You're off to such an amazing start in your own career, and I wish you the best. 👍😊

[@michaels.2331]

The bag throw. He kills you now.

[@jaket2274]

Any throwing, for speed, for height, for weight, doesn’t matter 😂 B wins

[@jimvesper2031]

Brian‘s legacy in strongman is very impressive, and I believe that Mitch has the mindset and the talent to challenge Brian‘s record if Mitch wants it bad enough. Congratulations on the great start to your career, I am rooting for you just as I did for Brian 💪🏻🙏🏻

[@spoonhead1308]

The only one I disagree with is the oak, 195 for 3 is not better than 200 for 2. Apart from that it was a pretty good comparison. I really hope in 2024 you continue to improve and we get to see a fully healed Oleksii Novikov and Mateusz Kieliszkowski

[@bruuhhhh]

I agree with you

[@martinshoosterman]

Yeah, While i do understand the logic there. 195kg and 200kg is a fairly small difference. And I dont even know for sure how accurately wsm measures their weights. (so long as its the same weight for everhone, it doesnt matter too much if its 193 vs 197kg and they just call it 195. But in a real competition, 1 rep of a heavier weight usually beets any number of reps with a lighter weight. I could see an argument for it being a draw, but disagree with it being a win for mitch.

[@smokey_mk2]

if you put the numbers into a 1rpm calculator brian has 205.6 1rpm and mitchell has 206.5 1rpm so mitchell is right he did deserve the win

[@adking18]

​​@martinshoosterman 195 to 200 kg is a small difference, but when the rep ranges are so small (the weights are so tough that guys are doing 2 or 3 rather than double figures) the difference between 2 reps and 3 is pretty big. If guys are telling you their best ever and one guy has got 195 for 3 and the other 200 for 2, there's no doubt who is making the stronger case. I also don't think I've ever seen a context where they'd do reps at a lower weight and then move onto a higher weight. They either do reps or they go up in weight, so I'm not sure where your argument is coming from that any at a higher weight would be considered the winner. Overall its close, but I think you've got to give the win to 195 for 3 reps.

[@rehaan6428]

Nice video, and congrats to the win at the Rouge! I would love to see you versus Mateuz, who’s probably the best who’s never won.

[@tomz6594]

Brian had like 4-5 bankers (at the time). Stones, throwing, pulling, dumbbell, fingers. He was also top 3 in deadlift and yoke. Only person that was on his level was Big Z.

[@adking18]

Brian marked the evolution of the sport in bringing in these 6'8'' 450 lbs types so yeah back then he was dominant in any event that favoured a taller and heavier guy. These days there's a few of them about and he wouldn't dominate things like stones and fingers quite so much anymore. Yokes and pulls are lighter these days so favour the smaller guys a bit as well.

[@bigslimdog1350]

Very good. Humble as usual, wishing you a long, victorious career.

[@MC-ep8cu]

I feel the second was a tie. 3 reps vs 2 reps at higher weight. Also when did you first hit 1000lbs deadlift

[@mulyantowiryadinata4465]

Very good content mitch. Thx for making video regularly 👍

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

Glad you enjoyed 💪💪💪

[@HoundStuff]

Very cool video series! How about one with Big Z? Mariusz Pudzianowski? Might as well compare against all the other winners with the most WSM titles at this point. :) Keep up the great work!

[@mathieumintz1694]

Mariusz I think would be a great one to compare

[@adamlogan2292]

I love this series it’s so much fun!

[@calebgodard4554]

Love the shirt! And great video

[@victorfp23]

It's good to be here haha. Man is a content machine

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

Fabian is a content machine, I’m just the beautiful face 😉💪

[@JokerandDr.Q]

Love these series, makes for new fresh content no others are doing on their channels. Me and my wife watched the Rogue and decided Mitch is probs the new version of Brian now in all aspects. Athletics, showmanship, and an up and coming ambassador for the sport. Hope he stays injury free for a while.

[@a-a-rondavis9438]

It's Tom 100%. He has now actually committed to more than WSM, so those titles are his to lose now. Mitch has been more like Novikov and trying to win everything, while Tom really doesn't peak for anything properly except WSM. Now he's going to actually go for all the titles, that's scary. I said Tom would be the next Brian Shaw back in 2019 WSM.

[@Ptrck]

​@@a-a-rondavis9438I personally don't think Tom can beat Mitch by strength as many times as Mitch can beat him by wits. I really like both but I think Mitchell is the next great

[@silverice1143]

very fair list, i enjoy your humbleness as well as confidence with the comparisons. perhaps big z or mariusz next?

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

Maybe big Z is in the cue for tomorrow 👀

[@jonsmith9728]

cool, firstly congrats on the rogue win (was honestly hoping to see more of a 1-on-1 between you and trey, hope he's recovering alright)..... i think it comes down to competition type, if its an event more focused on weight/strength it's likely going toward Brian, if speed/distance is a factor then that'd be more in your favor (also previously doing marathons your body has that built-in muscle memory over most other strongmen competitors)

[@jaket2274]

Yoke at Arnold’s was actually 710 kg. Also I’d have liked to see a throwing event somewhere in there as you’ve both done them (and Brian is arguably the greatest thrower ever)

[@mrRunist]

Hafthor is, hands down.

[@CWPWWRESTLING]

@@mrRunist no it’s Brian

[@mrRunist]

@@CWPWWRESTLING Then how come Hafthor always won against Brian in throwing events?

[@abdullahyusof4739]

​@@mrRunist For heaviest throw? Yes, Hafthor was better as the 2017 and 2018 Arnolds have shown. For throwing a series of weights, depends. WSM 2014 Hafthor narrowly won against Brian by 0.24 seconds in the keg toss and 2016 Brian had the luxury of cruising through the kettlebell toss since Hafthor fucked up on the sixth kettlebell

[@mrRunist]

@@abdullahyusof4739 So you can see that Hafthor has the upper hand in throwing.

[@harrydennis6854]

Love this series. Cant wait to see you go up against legends like Big Z and Marius

[@bobbybobman3073]

Hooper out here claiming a 650kg yoke is extremely heavy meanwhile Brian has gone on to say he'd likely could do an 800kg yoke if the correct contest called for it and would pay enough to make it worth the risk.

[@jaket2274]

Brian always wanted to go heavier, that 710 kg yoke at Arnold’s 2017 looked fairly easy and he also said he wanted to do a 700 lb stone but was never given the opportunity

[@thurstonwhite5358]

Is that the year the stage broke on Brian ? @@jaket2274

[@michaelscott_aka_db_saf]

This was a fun one, gotta love the fun conversation #lhbk #teammoose

[@jameskey9601]

Great series, Mitch. On the deadlift, wasn't your max Elephant Bar pull 445 kg?

[@torringtonstonekeeper]

Great video champ 🏆. Brian is a beast

[@crazy10bears]

As a lifelong casual fan of strongman, seeing a fellow Canadian do so well has pulled me into the sport big time and I'm having a lot of fun with it. I hope you have a career as long as Brian's if that's what you so desire. Also, your breakdown video on the Rogue comp was awesome content and I hope you continue to do those kinds of insightful vids.

[@jylauril]

I am from Finland and we from old generation can give answer "Canada" to most questions about anything. It is kind f a hilarious answer due to one comedy TV series

[@peteholman1252]

Nice comparison. We were at myrtle beach for your win. Well deserved. Too bad Brian was off a little, would have been a good battle between you, Brian and Tom.

[@bennunyour4121]

No shame in losing to the four times world's strongest man, and arguably the greatest strong man to ever live

[@smuir6104]

it would be interesting to do this kind of thing comparing Trey with these guys. My hunch is that the sport in general has advanced so much. Not knocking you, you are on the podium for a reason! I love watching you all train and compete, it is interesting to say the least

[@IDiedForYou1776]

You're an insanely good strongman, you keep it up as long as Brian at the level you are now, you are for sure comparable.

[@mattitude3674]

Its.good fun and a.fair objective analysis, keep em coming champ. Big Z next

[@davidharap8277]

What a fun comparison

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

💪💪

[@cyclonesfan9169]

Interesting exercise. Thanks for running through it and being honest. When the weights in strongman are the heaviest of heavy, I don’t think anybody can match Brian in his prime. You can certainly beat him on speed and reps in a number of events. And your raw power is still increasing. I view you as the next man to take over the sport and wish you the best. You and Brian are very similar from what I see. Cool dudes, intelligent, always learning, very kind, good sportsmanship, and a great representative for the sport and being its champion.

[@lichin11]

Why are you only at 80k subs? Your content is golden.

[@mihaeltomasic924]

Its very close, but on event like fingals fingers, weight for height, arm over arm , dumbell peak brian was just on another level

[@johne.hilbert2046]

Being part of the conversation when the likes of Shaw are spoken says a lot for you. Not many can lay claim to the title you have. *imagine how many wins Shaw or BigZ would've had without competing against each other!?!?!?!

[@imccrae1]

Tom is like the new Brian 😄 So I'd say this simulation is a fairly accurate depiction. It's a shame you guys didn't get to compete in his earlier days.

[@Insane_Power]

The cool thing is you had the opportunity to go head to head with him a number of times in competition you at the start of your career and him at the end nether one of you anywhere near your peak. Always fun to think about the GOATs competing together at there peaks.

[@TotalStrength23]

Brian is the GOAT in my opinion in so many ways. I am hoping that he passed the torch to you at the Shaw Classic and you can continue to be an influence and innovator of the sport of strongman. Best of luck in the future and make a video training with Brian. His gym is the best there is.

[@2fatforU]

Great comparison!!

[@vidarye5859]

after this weekend you got the frame!...im still iffy on the log though

[@johnthornby7111]

I love these comparisons! Would an alternative approach (perhaps for this or a different video series) be to look at a specific show and rate your PBs against the field at those particular events to benchmark where you would have placed? That then takes more into account in terms of other athletes' placing etc.

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

Could do, but it can get very complicated 😂

[@johnthornby7111]

You could then look at some classic rivalries like Capes and JPS. Or maybe compare yourself to Kaz

[@johnthornby7111]

@@mitchellhooperstrongman just as an aside (and apologies if you've done a video on this that I've missed), how much impact does the selection or ordering of events have on performance in terms of muscles being fried from an earlier event, or possible injuries etc.? How much are you thinking about keeping something in the tank for a forthcoming event vs. giving it everything?

[@binladen34444]

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[@Callum_Lifts]

Brian is one of the GOATS of strongman and I think in his prime he just beats you at the moment but you still have time to get better which is just mind blowing. 👏

[@russellwalthall2437]

Good stuff. I would love to see Brian’s reaction to this video.

[@arielatomhc]

He would laugh.

[@modernway91]

Honestly I feel the legacy of Brian will grow over time, given the long time he competed at the top. Also since he is one of the few strongmen who is now trying to invest and to give back to the sport.

[@svmuscle7677]

there are so many implements and events in strongmen, literally everyone has a strength and some competitions might suit one strong man vs another

[@heythere3137]

comparison is the theif of joy!

[@scottwalls7560]

Yeah prime Shaw was pretty unbeatable, for me you need to add a throw (keg toss) some kind of pull but I think he wins both. Of course you are not in your prime yet so the story isn't finished

[@GoldenGayTime1]

I think the only spot you are wrong on is the yoke. Not based on your specific scenario, but if you are asking who is “stronger” then the heavy yoke should be the judge. You would definitely best him in speed with a lighter implement, however he moves his same steady speed regardless of weight. I would have put it at 5-2 Brian. Huge fan of both. Your 2023 run has been absolutely legendary and better than Halfthor 2018 in my opinion. Keep up the great work!

[@adking18]

I think the question is more who would win in a contest rather than who is stronger. And in contests these days they don't tend to do 600+ kg yokes.

[@GoldenGayTime1]

They hadnt done fingal fingers in a long time either. Events get changed or brought back all the time, but you are right as far as a lighter weight. Brian cant compete with the lighter faster guys in non-strenght prioritized events. If it is heavy Brian would certainly take the win over Mitch. @@adking18

[@Mick-HHH]

Your still a baby in the strong man world. Loads of room to grow

[@tyrrant1374]

Man you easily have the potential to be the best ever by far. What you did so far was probably thought impossible

[@nielsdorhout058]

You should make a podcast out of this serie with the guys at the table. Would love to see you discuss wih Eddie and Brian. That would be hilarious 😂

[@Jon-lv8dc]

When your done with this series, you should try to do a full break down of all the greatest competing, worth you included. See where you all stack up in a hypothetical competition. I have a feeling it would either be big z or prime thor

[@Thetepkai]

Really enjoying this series, big z next?

[@noahlewis2]

Nobody's legacy will compare against Brian shaws, because he is the goat of strongman

[@SvenTheShoeBuyer]

Legacy-wise, Brian wins. 4x WSM, 3x Arnolds, and 2x Shaw Classic wins, although he picked the events for his own show, and in 2020 the competition wasn’t as stiff, and this year he added the bench press and had the leg press. Nonetheless, he had the best guys available at his contests. He definitely was the strongest this year with the static events, that’s for sure. Z has 4x WSM, 8x Arnolds, 2x IFSA. Z is the GOAT in my opinion.

[@nealstaten5193]

I hope you go as long as Brain you are fun to watch and you look at the competitions like Brian does one of the time keep in the middle of the pack and just keep adding up points

[@GodFatherofTexas]

Next comparison, Big Z 🤘🏼

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

Stay tuned for tomorrows video 👀👀

[@aeis3007]

Should compare the Keg toss or any toss and pulling events too. Though unfortunately I don't recall Hooper having a good pulling event for comparison, Rogue was too heavy and WSM was too light. I think he'd do really well, but the shows just messed up.

[@stevelee3144]

I think the Shaw classic shows exactly how close you are

[@brucedavid4342]

What is this you're dropping out of the Finisher?

[@lazur1]

You 'll always be, by far, the a best marathoner of all the strongmen:^)

[@danielmerriman8118]

That Max dumbbell comparison is crazy, 137kg for 3 is outlandish

[@IusedtohaveausernameIliked]

Maybe we should design a strength contest?

[@thelionofgod]

The thing about the very best strongmen, guys like Z, Brian, Pudz, Maggie, is that they were not only brilliant on occasion, but insanely consistent. Between 2013 and 2018 Brian podiumed at WSM and ASC 12/12 times. Z had a 7-year streak at WSM and won ASC 6 times in a row. So far in his career, Mitch has shown incredible consistency. Let's see if he can keep it up year after year. MOOOOOOSSSSE!

[@adking18]

Main reason for that is all of them are incredibly well rounded to suit the events that commonly come up. I think the organisers also tweak the events schedules to suit the best guys as it makes for good entertainment value to have guys doing incredible performances as often as possible, so back in Brian's day you saw throwing and pulling events more regularly than you do nowadays, and now we've got guys like mitch and novikov at the top you see a lot more lighter loading races, yokes etc.

[@Coltrane45]

Let this be the last damn video with that 3rd place rogue belt on the shelf. The man from barrie is unstoppable

[@bbszabi]

Brian is well established as a strongman legend, it will be hard to surpass, but every record is beaten eventually. You're just getting warmed up, so it will be interesting to watch over the next years, how your strongman wins and records will evolve. I really like Martin Licis as well, he's a great athlete but he was unlucky with the damn pandemic and all.

[@SvenTheShoeBuyer]

How was Martins affected by the virus pandemic? He missed mid 2020 - late 2021 because he got injured.

[@madtrucker732]

the only thing I disagree is the yoke, but you did mention you'd lose if it was super heavy, so maybe you're right.

[@mathewrculbertson]

Love your videos

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

💪💪

[@libertynjustice4772]

Title: Who was stronger Mitch: if it's s heavy yoke Brian would win but I'll give it to me

[@jylauril]

Congrats for the 80K subscribers. Are you going to have party video when you hit 100K subscribers?

[@nair0lf]

Do the next comparison between you and Big Z!!!!

[@tresteg77]

loading race, brian as a younger dude was one of the better loaders, as in 2011-14.

[@barryadcock7332]

Shaw Classic 2023, Old Brian Shaw 1st Rookie (this might be your prime year) Mitch 2nd. You have had a great year !!

[@joemacleod-iredale2888]

Next: Mitchel v’s Hercules, who did better with the Nemian lion?

[@MrPAULONEAL]

You are the only Canadian to win the WSM so far.

[@iPimpster]

When did Will Sasso start competing in strongman?

[@lukaskonrad463]

We gotta see the moose vs big Z next!

[@shawnmichaud4484]

I dont think acknowledging Brian can win a heavier yoke run and then getting a point in the mitch category for a chosen lighter yoke makes much sense in a "who was stronger" lineup. Fun videos either way.

[@electricsheepdream]

I think you should do Loz next!!

[@deananderson2143]

Who can pick it up off of floor who can put it over head, not run and jump?

[@aaronbarlow4376]

I love your technique, it's effective, logical and locks out the dumbbell overhead. Strength sport fans have lots of double standards when it comes to Strongman. In strongman moving the weight from A to B is the name of the game, hitching is allowed in deadlift, push pressing, split jerks etc is allowed in Log and axle, but suddenly fans are making up rules about how leaning back is not, or should not be allowed. In axle or log, the head should come through as the body in upright alignment is the only way it can be fully locked out anatomically where there is vertical support all the way down the chain. However with a dumbbell it's uneven and standing upright is extremely difficult taxing stablising muscles hugely.

[@damianoledda5497]

It's a fair comparison, but i think it's more like a 5-2 in Brian favor because of the Yoke ambiguousness, nonetheless you have so much time to flip the table!

[@allylilith5605]

idk if you have seen mitch train with 600kg+, but that might change your mind because he is still seemingly really solid on that and may well still beat brian at those kinds of weight

[@jaket2274]

@@allylilith5605 The yoke at Arnold’s 2017 was 710 kg, I’ve never seen Mitch pick up that weight, much less move the ten meters for the course that it was on

[@allylilith5605]

@@jaket2274 I am pretty sure I have seen mitch move with something like 650kg on an older instagram post, and its fair to assume he improved over the last 1yr+

[@cameronhutchison4610]

I’d love to see who think is the best strongman ever. Maybe even a top 5.

[@tviv1]

You forgot the kettlebell toss

[@HenDiesel]

3 reps at 195 Mitch style or 2 reps locked out? Hmmm

[@elafzal5866]

Isn't there also not a significant weight difference between both athletes? Why i found hooper so interesting is his fast rise to the top, his background as a marathon runner which obviously benefits him in strongmen and not being the biggest but still being a top level strongman and world champion. He is just a well rounded smart calculated athlete.

[@miker20]

If Brian wins at the yoke once it gets too heavy doesn’t that one go to Brian ?

[@jaket2274]

One with Z would be cool, just don’t put too many moving events 😂 (fingals would be a good moving for Z, or a pull of some sort)

[@1000JackFoster]

спасибо!

[@brothatscrazy3418]

When it comes to who can just move they most weight, Brian has this by a large margin. However you have the advantage on speed and endurance. So it comes down to the lifts really. If they are static and based purely on max weight, I dont see you winning. If the weights are slightly lighter with speed/time being more important then I see you having a strong chance of winning.

[@bennunyour4121]

I would love to see your numbers vs Mariusz Pudzianowski

[@jeremyzentveld5672]

I'd love to see a comparison of you and Mariusz Pudzianowski

[@bdegrds]

Peak Brian? You good but no chance, he whooped you at the Shaw classic this year at 80%

[@Kamyen316]

Acorrding to eveyones rules. Heavier log for reps will always beat light log for reps 😉

[@roohaa8382]

Do Zydrunas next. Hooper vs the greatest strongman ever.

[@mitchellhooperstrongman]

Come back tomorrow 👀👀

[@kevinmendes575]

You should do with zydrunas

[@johnjackman7622]

I call the log even.