Game of Thrones actor Hafthor Bjornsson has set a world deadlifting record by lifting 501 kg (1,104 lbs).

Bjornsson, a powerlifter who portrayed Ser Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane in the HBO series, broke the record at his gym in his native Iceland.

He lifted the barbell for two seconds, before dropping the weights and roaring in delight.

The event was streamed by sports broadcaster ESPN and filmed for Bjornsson's YouTube channel.

Bjornsson, who is 2.05m tall (6ft 9in), previously won the World's Strongest Man competition in 2018.


Speaking in a "behind-the-scenes" video posted on YouTube, Bjornsson said: "I'm extremely proud, you know. I'm extremely happy.

"It's great - there's nothing better than proving people wrong. So many people didn't believe in me, so many people that said, '501 kg is never going to go up'... But I also had a lot of support."

He added: "I feel healthy, I feel good. I'm just absolutely speechless, even though I'm talking a lot now. But I'm excited, super excited - this is huge for me."

The record was previously held by Eddie Hall, a British man who in 2016 became the first man to lift 500 kg.

"the mountain" your death for g.o.t no sweet me at all

Enoch07:
"the mountain" your death for g.o.t no sweet me at all

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I love how the human body keeps getting stronger as the years pass. It’s a one kilogram addition to Eddie’s record and held for a shorter time, but this shows humans can add more strength than previously imagined. If I could lift half of that for a fraction of a second I will hold my head high.