Strongman fans in Myrtle Beach, SC, on April 23-26 experienced the closest World’s Strongest Man competitions in recent memory. They also got a new champion who was crowned for the fourth year in a row. 2023 winner Mitchell Hooper defeated 2025 winner Rayno Nel in a tight contest to win his second WSM championship.
Hooper’s second win in the tournament comes after winning his fourth straight title at the Arnold Strongman Classic in March and the 2025 Rogue Invitational before that. This is considered his 10th major title in his short career, and if there was an argument about who is the best in the sport, “The Moose” feels the argument is over.
“I’m the best in the world. I’ve been four years now, going on five. And the reason for that is that I’m going into a system that’s ready to win.”
How Hooper Won With a Torn Meniscus: Injuries, Strategy and Mental Fortitude
Hooper’s preparation for this tournament was heavily influenced by his preparation for Arnold. He confirmed that he tore his meniscus while preparing for that competition, then tore it during the Austrian Oak Press event in the competition. Although he still won, his preparation for the World’s was still serious.
“I couldn’t run, I couldn’t walk properly. I was very worried about my knee. After that my back started to recover because of the compensation.”
Hooper made a phone call and told his coach that he will focus on strengthening the “gym” because he knows how to do events and he doesn’t want to compromise his training again.
“Maybe it was smart that way. I probably just came in; I probably stayed a long time,” Hooper said. As expected, he had no problem getting through his qualifying heat and advancing to the finals. He and defending champion Nel were the two finalists at the weekend. Surprisingly, three-time winner Tom Stoltman struggled early in the race and did not make it. That essentially made the weekend a two-man race.
Hooper said, “I looked at the list and thought I really have a chance to run away with this.”
That was easier said than done, it turned out. The first day of the finals included three events; the Flip and Carry, Deadlift for Reps, and Titan’s Toss. The first two events were about movement and static strength, both of which could take an extra toll on Hooper’s knees. The Titan’s Toss consisted of various weights that had to be thrown over a bar that got higher as the event progressed. Known as the ultimate expert, Hooper felt that these events were his strength. However, Nel won all three with Hooper taking or tied for second in all three.
Hooper went into the final day of the tournament in second, but he was too invested to stop now. That investment went beyond just training and food.
“I got my physio out, and I’ve had more physio in the last three days than I’ve had in the last three years.”
Hooper even took lidocaine injections in both knees this morning. That’s nothing new for him or others in this sport, which is not known for its longevity with a few rare exceptions.
“I feel like five years in this sport has made me almost 30 years, in terms of how I feel when I wake up in the morning.”
And it’s not like Hooper is lazy about preparation; quite the opposite. He pays attention to every detail from the food he eats to the way he trains and even what he uses during competition, such as his AIRWAAV mouthpiece which he feels helps him when he is at a competitive level.
“AIRWAAV is one of the few things I can’t train or compete without. It helps me breathe better, strengthen my feet, and stay locked in when it matters most,” Hooper said. “Defeating the World’s Strongest Man takes all the benefits you can get, and this is mine.”
The support of his family watching from the sidelines was stronger than the pain he was dealing with on the final day of the tournament. It started with the Max Log Lift, the same type of event that aggravated his injury at Arnold. Hooper tied for second with a lift of 209 kilograms (460 pounds). Trey Mitchell of the USA actually won the event by lifting four more kilos. Nel took fourth place in that event. That was the door Hooper needed to open on his way to the final event, the Atlas Stones.
Atlas Stones are a ritual for powerful people. The men must slowly lift the heavy stones until they reach the platforms in the fastest time possible, up to 60 seconds. These large round stones weigh 140 to 210 kilograms (308 to 462 pounds).
Mitchell also won the event, but he was so far behind Hooper and Nel that the best he could do overall was third place, which he won. Now, Nel and Hooper will go head-to-head in the title. Both men managed to complete only four of the five stones, but Hooper did it in under seven seconds. As soon as he confirmed he was done, his arms went up in triumph, and his family joined him on the competition floor to celebrate. He was probably still in pain after that, but what he felt at the time was very strong.
“Having my kids watching and my family here, it’s not hard to keep (the pain) out. You have to do it.”
What’s Next for Hooper After His Second WSM Title?
Despite what many casual fans may think, the sport of strongman is more than just a competition. There are many organizations and many competitions around the world, and the best in sports are constantly competing to be able to continue their careers and make a living.
Hooper is already committed to the upcoming tournaments but knows some of those plans may have to be put on hold due to further damage to his knee.
“I have to get this knee checked out because if I were a betting man, I’m pretty sure I need surgery.”
Injury and recovery are the nature of a powerful beast, and Hooper has invested a lot physically and mentally in this journey. Whether he’ll be able to compete in events like the Strongman Classic at London’s Royal Albert Hall or the Rogue Invitational later this year remains to be seen, but the only Canadian to win the World’s Strongest Man now has two of those trophies in hand. He is focused on that at the moment because he knows that when he returns to the competition, his biggest rivals in this game will be waiting for him.
“It’s hard not to see me, he and Tom have a lot of fights for a long time to come.”
Follow Hooper on Instagram @mitchellhooper and subscribe to his YouTube channel to see more of his Myrtle Beach experiences.
