Mitchell Hooper Talks About His Painful Street To Successful 2026 World’s Strongest Man

Power sports activities followers in Myrtle Seaside, SC, on Apr. 23-26 bought handled to one of many closest World’s Strongest Man competitions in latest reminiscence. In addition they bought to see a brand new champion topped for the fourth consecutive yr. 2023 winner Mitchell Hooper overcame 2025 winner Rayno Nel in a good contest to win his second profession WSM championship.

Hooper’s second win on this contest comes after profitable his fourth consecutive Arnold Strongman Traditional title in March and the 2025 Rogue Invitational earlier than that. That is thought of his tenth main title in his quick profession, and if there was any argument about who the very best within the sport is, “The Moose” feels that debate is over.

“I’m the very best on the earth. I’ve been for 4 years now, occurring 5. And the explanation for that’s I flip as much as a present able to win.”

How Hooper Received With a Torn Meniscus: Damage, Technique & Psychological Toughness

Hooper’s prep for this competitors was closely affected throughout his prep for the Arnold. He confirmed that he tore his meniscus throughout his preparation for that contest, then aggravated it in the course of the Austrian Oak Press occasion on the contest. Regardless that he nonetheless gained, his prep for World’s was nonetheless compromised.

“I couldn’t run; I couldn’t stroll correctly. I used to be very, very involved about my knee. Then my again began to behave up due to compensation.”

Hooper referred to as an audible and informed his coach that he would concentrate on getting “health club robust” as a result of he knew the way to do the occasions and didn’t wish to compromise his coaching any additional.

“It was in all probability smarter that approach. I used to be in all probability more energizing coming in; I in all probability lasted longer,” Hooper mentioned. As anticipated, he had no hassle going by way of his qualifying warmth and advancing to the finals. He and defending champion Nel have been the highest two finalists going into the weekend. Surprisingly, three-time winner Tom Stoltman struggled early within the competitors and didn’t make it by way of. That primarily made the weekend a two-man race.

Hooper said, “I appeared on the roster and I assumed I actually have the possibility to run away with this.”

That was simpler mentioned than carried out, it turned out. The primary day of the finals included three occasions; the Flip and Carry, Deadlift for Reps, and Titan’s Toss. The primary two occasions have been about motion and static energy, each of which may take additional tolls on Hooper’s knees. The Titan’s Toss featured numerous weights having to be tossed over a bar that bought greater because the occasion went on. Generally known as a grasp technician, Hooper felt these occasions have been strengths for him. Nevertheless, Nel gained all three with Hooper taking or tying for second in all three.

Hooper went into the ultimate day of competitors in second, however he had invested an excessive amount of to surrender at this level. That funding went past the coaching and diet alone.

“I introduced out my physio, and I bought extra physio remedy within the final three days than I’ve gotten within the final three years.”

Hooper even took lidocaine injections into each knees earlier within the morning. That’s nothing new to him or others on this sport that isn’t identified for its longevity with just a few uncommon exceptions.

“I really feel like 5 years on this sport has aged me in all probability 30, by way of how I really feel after I get up within the morning.”

And it’s not like Hooper is lazy about preparation; fairly the other. He pays consideration to each single element from the meals he eats to how he trains and even what he makes use of in the course of the competitors, equivalent to his AIRWAAV mouthpiece that he feels helps him when he’s on the competitors flooring.

“AIRWAAV is without doubt one of the few issues I gained’t prepare or compete with out. It helps me breathe higher, brace tougher, and keep locked in when it issues most,” Hooper shared. “Successful World’s Strongest Man takes each benefit yow will discover, and that is one among mine.”

The assist of his household that was watching from the sidelines was stronger than the ache he was having to dam out on this ultimate day of competitors. It started with the Max Log Carry, the identical kind of occasion that aggravated his damage on the Arnold. Hooper tied for second with a carry of 209 kilograms (460 kilos). Trey Mitchell of the USA really gained the occasion by lifting 4 kilos extra. Nel took fourth in that occasion. That was the door that Hooper wanted opened going into the ultimate occasion, the Atlas Stones.

The Atlas Stones is a strongman custom. The lads should carry step by step heavier stones as much as their podiums within the quickest time potential, as much as 60 seconds. These large spherical stones weighed in a spread of 140 to 210 kilograms (308 to 462 kilos).

Mitchell gained this occasion as properly, however he was up to now behind Hooper and Nel that the very best he may do total was third place, which he clinched. Now, Nel and Hooper are going head-to-head for the title. Each males may solely full 4 of the 5 stones, however Hooper did it in seven much less seconds. As quickly as he confirmed his end, his arms went up in victory, and his household joined him on the competitors flooring to rejoice. He was seemingly nonetheless feeling ache within the aftermath, however what he felt within the second was a lot stronger.

“Having my little ones watching and my household right here, it’s not exhausting to dam (the ache) out. You gotta do it.”

What’s Subsequent for Hooper After His Second WSM Title?

Regardless of what many informal followers might imagine, the game of strongman is far multiple contest. There are a number of organizations and lots of competitions all through the world, and the elite of the game compete typically to allow them to proceed their careers and make a dwelling.

Hooper already has sights set on future competitions however is conscious that a few of these plans might must be placed on pause due to the additional harm he did to his knee.

“I undoubtedly need to get this knee scanned as a result of if I used to be a betting man, I’m fairly certain I want surgical procedure.”

The accidents and restoration are the character of the beast that’s strongman, and Hooper has already invested rather a lot each bodily and mentally into this journey. Whether or not he’ll be capable of compete in occasions such because the Strongman Traditional on the iconic Royal Albert Corridor in London or the Rogue Invitational later this yr stays to be seen, however the one Canadian to win World’s Strongest Man now has two of these trophies in his possession. He’s specializing in that for now as a result of he is aware of that when he does return to competitors, his largest rivals within the sport will likely be ready.

“It’s exhausting to not see me, him, and Tom having a bunch of battles for a very long time to come back.”

Comply with Hooper on Instagram @mitchellhooper and subscribe to his YouTube channel to see extra from his expertise in Myrtle Seaside.