Mitchell Hooper Wins World’s Strongest Man Title for Second Time

Mitchell Hooper Wins 2026 World’s Strongest ManRich Storry / World's Strongest Man

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

MITCHELL HOOPER, ONE of the most successful strength athletes in recent memory, has regained the title of World’s Strongest Man. The 30-year-old Canadian won the 2026 SBD World’s Strongest Man competition over the weekend in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, holding off defending champion Rayno Nel of South Africa by just two points. Trey Mitchell of the United States rounded off the podium in third place.

The victory comes after Hooper had won the 2026 Arnold Strongman Classic earlier in March (his fourth straight victory at that event). Hooper had previously held the WSM title in 2023 when he was the first Canadian to top the podium at the venerable competition, then finished second and third in 2024 and 2025.

The contest was a close run up to the last event. After Hooper and Nel entered the Finals in the top two positions, respectively, Nel established a strong lead with three event wins in the Flip and Carry, Deadlift, and Titan’s Toss— but Hooper stayed close with his own strong showings in second place.

On Day 2, Hooper gained some ground after tying for second place in the Max Log Lift, an event Mitchell won outright and Nel finished third. Entering the final event, the Atlas Stones, Mitchell was behind Nel by just two points. While Mitchell again took first in the event as the only athlete to place all five stones, Hooper remained consistent with a second place finish and Nel dropped to fifth.