Mitchell Hooper Wins the 2026 Arnold Strongman Classic for the 4th Year in a Row
Canadian strongman Mitchell Hooper, 30, cannot be stopped. Also known as "The Moose," dominating the biggest competitions in the world has become a bit of a habit for him. Unsurprisingly, this year at the 2026 Arnold Strongman Classic was no exception, where he secured his fourth title in a row.
The Arnold Sports Festival takes over Columbus, Ohio, every year, drawing fans to watch athletes compete across a range of sports. The strongman competition is certainly a highlight of the festival, with nine athletes tackling six events over two days. Hooper came out on top with 36 points, just one point over Austin Andrade.
This year’s event lineup included the elephant bar max deadlift, dumbbell press, stone to shoulder, carry and drag, Austrian oak, and ramp rage. Hooper shined in the elephant bar deadlift, pulling 981 pounds for nine points, and shared the top spot in the dumbbell press with Lucas Hatton, both pressing 300 pounds.
Hooper is known for his impressive combination of static strength and endurance. He won the World’s Strongest Man in 2023, followed by podium finishes the following two years. His career highlights include a world-record axle press at 481 pounds and elite deadlifting of 1,047 pounds. He's known for dominating overhead pressing events, like the log press, and moving events like the Super Yoke.
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Who Won the 2026 Arnold Strongman Classic?
- Mitchell Hooper: Winner
- Austin Andrade: 2nd
- Martins Licis: 3rd
- Trey Mitchell: 4th
- Lucas Hatton: 5th
- Bryce Johnson: 6th
- Nick Guardione: 7th
- Thomas Evans: 8th
- Andrew Burton: 9th
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