The 2024 Strongest Man on Earth unfolded on August 17-18 in Loveland, Colorado and Mitchell Hooper emerged as the victor, but his triumph has been clouded by controversy. Critics, including some fans, have questioned the fairness of his win and the competition’s overall integrity.
Hooper’s performance was particularly scrutinized in certain events, notably the squat. Despite besting 15 elite Strongmen, including Hafthor Bjornsson and Tom Stoltman, doubts about his achievements lingered. This has fueled ongoing debate among fans and commentators alike.
In response to the backlash, Hooper took to YouTube to address the concerns directly. He provided insights into both his competition experiences and the backstage dynamics. By sharing his perspective, Hooper aimed to clarify any misconceptions about his path to victory.
Through his detailed explanation, Hooper sought to resolve the controversy and set the record straight. His efforts reflect a broader effort to maintain transparency and trust within the sport.
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Mitchell Hooper Explains 2024 Strongest Man On Earth Victory Controversy
Mitchell Hooper produced a thirty-minute video addressing the controversy surrounding his win. In the video, he not only tackled the issues but also recapped his performance across all eight events.
“I am the Strongest Man On Earth, but, as is the case with many of my other wins, it is not without controversy.
That show, there is no question, is the heaviest show of the year. It is as much about staying in one piece mentally and physically as anything else.”
Event 1 — Max Deadlift
Mitchell Hooper performed strongly in the first event, securing second place. He anticipated Hafthor Bjornsson would win but aimed to keep other competitors at bay.
Despite his success, Hooper experienced a minor back strain after the 431-kilogram (950-pound) pull. This injury required careful attention throughout the competition.
“Thor was always going to run away with this one… My back cracked a couple of times and I was very worried because it was quite sensitive after that… I came second in that event to Thor.”
Event 2 — Overhead Medley
The second event stirred controversy, though not due to Mitchell Hooper. Initially, the implements were misordered for the first few athletes. As a result, the event had to be reset, requiring those athletes to lift again after the rest.
Hooper views this as an unfortunate but necessary decision. He ultimately won the event, surpassing Hafthor Bjornsson, who finished lower due to a pec tear.
“He (Brian Shaw) genuinely cares about the integrity of the competition… He asked us to take the vote, and twelve people voted to get the implements right (in the correct order).
It is not fair to those four guys, because they already went out and they gave it their all and then have to go out and do it again. But, in that situation, it was the closest thing to fair to be done.”
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Event 3 — Keg Toss
The third event went smoothly for Mitchell Hooper, as he tied for second place with several others. His main rival, Hafthor Bjornsson, set a new World Record and won the event. Fortunately for Hooper, the point gap was not significant, allowing him to maintain his overall lead.
“Thor, hats off, set a new World Record. Another event where he is setting the standard and we just have to train harder… I was a bit disappointed because the way that I missed was that I knocked the bottom of the bar all three times… Those are points that I left on the table and I knew that.”
Event 4 — Manhood Stones
The Manhood Stones event stirred controversy, with 10 out of 16 athletes failing to secure a single rep. However, Hooper views the situation differently. He believes the issue arose because athletes overestimated their capabilities. Consequently, they attempted to lift stones that were too heavy.
“I think there were a couple of reasons why the guys failed to lift the stones. I think new stones can be a little bit slippery. But, I think more to the point, you are performing a Max Deadlift, Axle Clean and Press and Log Medley, and Keg Toss. I think some guys just overestimated what they were capable of.”
Event 5 — Squat For Reps
The Squat event proved to be the most contentious for Mitchell Hooper. The depth of his squat appeared notably higher compared to other athletes. Consequently, some Strongman fans accused him of attempting to manipulate the event in his favor.
Hooper addressed these allegations by clarifying that the machine’s depth was set based on measurements taken before the competition began. However, once 810 pounds was loaded on the bar, his technique naturally adjusted. As a result, he reached the required depth without excessive hip drop. Hooper modified his technique to leverage his back strength. He argued that this adaptation should not be seen as an unfair advantage.
“This is the event of most controversy.
When we went and set up the lift, we had the apparatus, the day before the first day of competition. We had to get under it, place our feet in a particular spot, then we put the bar in whatever position we were going to squat with. Pictures were taken of our feet with our foot placement and the bar placement on our back.
We were testing it on somewhere around 120-kg, so I am staying much more upright because I don’t have to use my posterior chain as it is really light… Compared to others, my hips were definitely higher, but there is a reason for that.
When I squat heavy, I tend to lean forward much more… If my hips stay higher and my shoulders are coming down, the shoulders are still coming down the same amount which is why the squat bottomed out. So the vertical motion of it was what was required, but the hip element did not look as deep.
With 800 pounds, there is no way at all that I am strong enough to try to game my way in the movement. It is 800 pounds, you are just trying to move it as best as possible.
I ended up with 10 reps, the next closest was five. I think if I stayed more upright, I am very confident that I could have gotten more than five reps.”
Event 6 — Power Medley
The Power Medley was another event that went smoothly for both Mitchell Hooper and the competition. Although it was exceptionally challenging, all 16 athletes faced the same difficulty. Observing the struggles of his competitors, particularly during the Tractor Pull, Hooper quickly adjusted his strategy to enhance his performance. Despite his efforts, he finished second to the remarkable Hafthor Bjornsson.
Event 7 — Dumbbell Medley
The seventh event saw a single point of contention, involving Hafthor Bjornsson. Hafthor managed to lift the third dumbbell but dropped it before his referee gave the down call. Consequently, his third rep was deemed invalid. Many, including Mitchell Hooper, felt the lift could have been counted as valid. However, the rules had been clearly outlined in the athletes’ meeting before the competition.
“His third dumbbell was very close, it could have been given, but in this show the judging was very strict. I would have given him the rep.”
Event 8 — Fingal Fingers x Power Stairs
When it came to the final event of the 2024 Strongest Man On Earth, there was no controversy to speak of. By that point, Mitchell Hooper had an easy task ahead of him. With an enormous lead coming into the event, he secured the overall victory without any real challenge.
“Very proud of that, over the entire contest I lost just 11 points… This show proved that Thor and I were just on a different level.
The judging at this contest was very stringent, but it was very clear. The fans don’t know how clear it is.”
View the full video of Mitchell Hooper Controversy Victory:
Mitchell Hooper has now accomplished what no other Strongman in history has managed, winning all four of the sport’s biggest competitions. Specifically, this includes victories at the World’s Strongest Man, Arnold Strongman Classic, Rogue Invitational, and, most recently, the Strongest Man On Earth. As a result, he stands as one of the most successful athletes the Strongman world has ever seen. Even so, Hooper continues to seek out even more accolades to further solidify his impressive resume.
Overview
The 2024 Strongest Man on Earth competition, held in Loveland, Colorado, saw Mitchell Hooper claim victory but controversy overshadowed his win. However, his win sparked controversy, with critics questioning the fairness of certain events, particularly the squat. In response, Hooper addressed these concerns in a YouTube video, aiming to clarify misunderstandings and maintain transparency within the sport. Despite the debate, Hooper’s triumph solidifies his position as one of the most successful Strongmen in history.
Featured Image – Mitchell Hooper Adresses 2024 SMOE Controversy – credit: @theshawclassic (Instagram), @Mitchell Hooper (YouTube)
