Mitchell Hooper dominated World's Strongest Man 2026! Results and report

This year's competition for the strongest man is once again rewriting the Czech statistics. For the first time ever, two fighters took part in the competition. Namely, Ondra Fojtů and Matyáš Funiok, who after great performances at Europe's Strongest Man (Ondřej with the title of Europe's Strongest Man and Matyáš with a great fifth place) continued on the international scene, where they both ranked among the top 25 fighters in the world and competed in the fight for the title of World's Strongest Man.

The race was classically preceded by qualifying races on May 23 and 24. as in 2023 and 2024 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA, and the 25 fighters were divided into five qualifying groups of five competitors each. Only the top 2 from each group advanced to the final race. The Czech spectator was definitely interested in group 3, where Matyáš was competing. And although I would dare to say that none of the groups were easy, group 3 was one of the hardest. Along with Matyáš, Michtell Hooper, Eddie Wiliams, Lucas Hatton and Paddy Haynes were racing here. Matyas ended up in fourth place and unfortunately did not qualify for the main race, but what didn't work out this year may be completely different next year...

Another very interesting group was group 4. Here Ondrej Fojtů literally shone, he won three out of five disciplines and comfortably advanced from the first place to the final race. Ondrej defeated the second place winner and 2019 WSM title holder Martins Licis in the group, as well as James Jeffers, Bryce Johnson and Kevin Hazeleger. The latter withdrew from the race after the third discipline due to injury.

All groups had the same disciplines, same rules raced in:

• Carry & Climb
• Overhead Medley
• Squat Lift
• Truck Pull
• Stone Medley

The performances in the individual groups varied of course, but the last discipline Stone Medley was very important because it not only sealed the advancement to the finals from the group, but also gave points across the board to all those advancing to the finals. Ondra Fojtů took the fifth place for the fifth best time at the beginning. What was a big surprise was that a number of big names such as Luke Richardson, Jako Schoonwinkel, Lukas Hatton and Evan Signleton did not make the final. However, the biggest surprise was Tom Stoltman, who finished fourth in his group. Tom is a three-time WSM title holder from 2021, 2022, 2024.

Finals

Actually, the next race the very next days, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May, saw the final battles of the best of the best 10. These fights took place in:

• Flip & Carry
• Deadlift
• Titan's Toss
• Max Log Lift
• Atlas Stones

Flip & Carry

Hiding under a slightly odd name is a medley where you had to first flip a structure with metal boxes and then carry a very similar super yoke loaded with the same metal boxes. Third place in the event went to Ukraine's Pavlo Kordiyaka with a time of 33.80 seconds. Second place then went to Mitchell Hooper with a time of 27.44 and Rayno Nel won the discipline with a time of 27.30 seconds. Ondra Fojtů took fifth place and 6 points with a time of 36.13.

Deadlift

A classic deadlift spiced up with rules. There were 2 dumbbells on the stage. One weighing 360 kg and one 400 kg. The competitor had to lift 1x the heavier one and then could decide on the next repetition according to his choice, whether the bigger or lighter dumbbell. Each repetition with the heavier barbell then meant more than all the repetitions with the lighter weight. Third place went to Eddie Wiliams for 3 reps with 400kg and 1 rep with 360kg. Second place went to Mitchell Hooper and Mathew Ragg in a split after completing 4x 400 + 1x 360kg. Rayno Nel took the win with 5x 400 kg. Ondra Fojtů took valuable 4 points and 6th place for 2x 400 + 1x 360 kg.

Titan's Toss

Tossing sandbags in the air is well known, quite common and interesting. Various records are made for throwing as high as possible. Here, the organizers went a different route. The competitor had 10 bags in front of him and the throw was only about 3.5 meters high. Here, it was thrown from a distance. The bags were always lined up about a metre apart and thrown over the bar from a greater distance each time. In addition, the intermediate time was measured for safety. Third place went to Nick Guardione for 8 bags in a time of 43.09 seconds. He was beaten by Mitchell Hooper who also managed 8 bags in 35 seconds. The win was again taken by Rayno Nel who was the only one to manage 9 bags in a time of 39.23. Ondra managed 3 bags and took 2 points.

Max Log Lift

Loglift for maximum weight, started at 170 kg. There is probably not much to say here. Third place Rayno Nel for 200 kg. By the way, the first event in the finals that Rayno didn't win. The second place for 209 kg was taken by Ondra Fojtů, who certainly mended his mood for the failed previous discipline, together with him was Michtell Hooper. The victory was taken by the great pusher Trey Mitchell. The status before the last discipline is that Ondra Fojtů is third overall, which is a fantastic result that I wish Ondra to keep.

Atlas stones

5 stones, 5 identical bases. The lighter the stone (at the start), the further away from the pedestal. The only challenge was to stack the stones up. Third place for 4 stones in a time of 29.71 seconds went to Martins Licis, second place to Michtell Hooper for 4 stones in a time of 28.67 and the win went to Trey Mitchell who was the only one to carry all 5 stones. Ondra Fojtů took 5 points and 6th place for 4 stones in 42.7 seconds.

The last discipline brought a shock, totally losing the whole ranking. Ondra unfortunately dropped from third to fifth place. But still HUGE CONGRATULATIONS for a great 5th place, i.e. one position better. Ondra, next year it will be the box... Trey Mitchell took bronze in the last two events. The second place after a bad finish was left for Rayno Nel, who did not defend his title from last year. The victory and the second golden statuette in the collection will be taken to Canada by the great racing Mitchell Hooper.