An Abrupt Halt: The Injury’s Impact
Earlier in the year, Bjornsson’s trajectory met an obstacle. A 556.7-pound bench press attempt resulted in a significant pec muscle tear. This physical setback was a prelude to a crucial career reevaluation.
Recovery: When Modern Medicine Meets Determination
Addressing his injury, Bjornsson harnessed the best of medical science. A month post-injury, he was in surgery, aiming squarely at strength restoration. Augmented by stem cell therapies and PRP injections, his approach to recovery mirrored his larger-than-life commitment.
A Deeper Dive: Bjornsson’s Revealing Words
It was during this time of recovery and reflection that Bjornsson offered a profound statement, emphasizing his future direction:
“I’m not going to be chasing a man, chasing a record, chasing something right away because I need my body to get used to all the heavy lifting. I need my tendons and everything to get stronger and that just takes time overall,” shared Hafthor Bjornsson.
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These words not only spoke to his immediate career decisions but also highlighted his deeper understanding of the symbiosis between the body and the sport.
Hafthor Bjornsson Temporarily Sets Aside Powerlifting Dreams in Favor of Strongman Return
While many supporters eagerly anticipated Hafthor Bjornsson’s pursuit of the illustrious all-time poly world record raw with wraps in powerlifting, they will need to exercise patience. The giant from Iceland is shifting his focus back to the realm of strongman, pausing his powerlifting endeavors for the time being.
“Am I going to go for the all-time poly world record raw with wraps still? I get that question all the time… so I decided to put that on hold. And I’ll tell you guys why: well, obviously there’s the factor that I’m a little bit insecure going heavy on the pec. I feel like I need more time in building up static strength. So, I’ve decided to put polying a little bit on hold, I’m not going to completely forget about that mission, that goal of mine.”
Hafthor Bjornsson’s Insight: Balancing Ambition with Passion
Bjornsson himself reflects on his recent setback, attributing his pec injury to his own fervent nature and a propensity for “setting goals so high” that the pursuit became perilous. Looking ahead, he acknowledges his enduring “love for the sport” and an unwavering desire “to be the best at something” as the driving forces compelling his return to strongman competitions.
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“As of now, because of the injury I feel like it’s the smartest decision for me step away for a little bit, keep training, keep building up the static strength, then at some point later on in my journey, maybe a year from now, two years from now, three years from now, I might pick it back up.
The reason why, is because I feel like when I decided to do powerlifting in the first place after being in boxing for two years, was I set myself – I set my goals so high, and I was getting strong so fast —my body wans’t ready for it. And that’s why I got injured in my opinion.”
“I need to be smarter in training. I need to give myself more time to build up that static strength. That’s why I have another goal in mind,” added Bjornsson. I‘ve decided to come back to strongman. The main reason is just because I have so much love for the sport.”
Navigating the Strongman Terrain: Bjornsson’s Personal Approach
In the rigorous world of strongman, the relentless pursuit of surpassing fellow athletes and breaking world records is commonplace. Yet, Bjornsson is carving out a distinct path. He seeks to compete at a rhythm that suits him, with his primary emphasis on achieving personal excellence. He candidly expressed how he “misses the feeling of being strong” and has grappled with distancing himself from his sporting ambitions.
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“I just love to be strong obviously, and to compete in strongman. I believe that I’m able to do that and still be very good, a very good contender in the sport of strongman. This time around, I’m going to allow myself to go at my own pace. I’m going to set obviously big goals for myself. But when I’m going to go into a competition, I’m going to do MY best.
“So super exciting news. I’m actually pumped about this. Super thrilled, excited about the opportunity to compete against the best in the world again in my sport. The sport that I loved for how long, I started competing back in 2009 and fell in love with the sport, competed all the way up to 2020. My last competition was actually, my last competition in strongman was Arnold Classic 2020.”
“The thing I’ve missed the most is just the feeling of being strong, the feeling of being the best at something might sound weird to some people… but it’s a feeling that I can’t describe. It’s a very good feeling that I have a hard time letting go.”
Bjornsson’s Decision: Passion Over Profit
Diving deeper into his motivations, Bjornsson clarified his renewed commitment to strongman competitions. He envisions participating actively for several more years, emphasizing that his decision isn’t financially motivated. For him, the pull of the sport and the personal fulfillment it brings take precedence over monetary gains.
“I feel I’m still capable of competing for a few more years. I thought about this a lot. If I’ll retire completely and just focus on my businesses and focus on some other things, I might regret it for the rest of my life. Am I willing to do that? No. I rather compete and do the things I love.”
“It’s not that I’m doing it for the money. I’ve earned good money and I’ve done okay in my life. But it’s the passion and the love I have for the sport that’s just keeping me in the sport, ” Bjornsson added.
Bjornsson’s Illustrious Legacy in Strongman: A Journey Beyond Records
Hafthor Bjornsson’s accolades are the stuff of legends. From his dominating presence, clinching titles in the World’s Strongest Man, Europe’s Strongest Man, and the Arnold Strongman Classic all within a single calendar year, to setting a staggering all-time world record with a 1,104-pound deadlift, his accomplishments are unparalleled. The sheer magnitude of these achievements stands testament to his prowess, underscoring the fact that he truly has nothing left to establish in terms of his capabilities.
Regarded as one of the mightiest titans in the annals of strongman history, the anticipation surrounding Bjornsson’s future endeavors is palpable. Devotees of the sport and of Bjornsson himself are on tenterhooks, speculating about his upcoming ventures. During this recovery phase, Bjornsson isn’t resting on his laurels. He’s intently working on honing his static strength and refining his lifting techniques, ensuring that his comeback will be as awe-inspiring as his previous feats.
For a deeper dive into his reflections and plans, one can view the comprehensive video on Bjornsson’s official YouTube channel. The link is provided below for a firsthand account from the strongman himself:
Overview
In a candid YouTube video, Hafthor Bjornsson shared his journey from an unfortunate injury to revisiting his career choices. Amidst healing and self-reflection, Bjornsson revealed the reasons for shelving his powerlifting ambitions and returning to his first love, strongman competitions. With profound passion and previous accolades supporting his move, the strength sports community remains on the edge, awaiting his next steps in the arena he once dominated.
Featured Image @thorbjornsson (Instagram) & (Youtube)
