REYKJAVIK: Game of Thrones actor Hafthor Bjornsson, who played Gregor ‘The Mountain’ Clegane in the hit series, set a deadlift world record by lifting 501 kilograms (1,104 pounds) of weight.
Bjornsson, the 2018 World’s Strongest Man, made the successful attempt at Thor’s Power Gym in his native Iceland. The previous record was set at 500 kilograms (about 1,102 pounds) by Eddie Hall at the World Deadlift Championships in 2016.
“I believe today I could’ve done more, but what’s the point?” the 31-year-old Bjornsson said in the event that as was also broadcast live on Youtube. “I’m happy with this,” he added.
The lifting event took place in Iceland, which with its small population of just 364,000, has been operating on lighter social distancing measures than other European countries.
The country has recorded only 10 COVID-19 deaths and has implemented mass testing and contact tracing early on. Before Björnsson took the stage, event commentators described the attempt as something to look forward to amid the coronavirus crisis.
Before hitting the record, Bjornsson warmed up by lifting 420 kilograms (roughly 926 pounds) and 465 kilograms (approximately 1,025 pounds).
After breaking the world record, Bjornsson said in an interview that he was thankful he had the opportunity to attempt this record despite everything that is going on in the world.
