A Full History of one of the Most Prestigious Strongman Competitions
The Arnold Classic Strongman Competition is one of the most prestigious events in the strength world besides the World’s Strongest Man. Known for brutally heavy events and a focus on maximum strength, the contest has crowned only a small number of elite athletes since it began in 2002. Winning the Arnold Classic Strongman title is widely considered one of the greatest achievements in professional strongman.
Below our team at Generation Iron is going to provide a complete breakdown of every Arnold Classic Strongman winner, with each champion receiving their own dedicated section.
Every Winner of the Arnold Classic Strongman
Mark Henry (2002)
Titles: 1
Country: United States
Mark Henry was the first-ever Arnold Classic Strongman champion, setting the tone for what the contest would become. A former Olympic weightlifter and elite power athlete, Henry’s raw strength and explosiveness made him a perfect fit for the Arnold’s heavy implements. His victory helped legitimize the competition as a premier strongman event.
Žydrūnas Savickas (2003–2008, 2014, 2016)
Titles: 8 (Most All-Time)
Country: Lithuania
Žydrūnas “Big Z” Savickas is widely regarded as the greatest Arnold Classic Strongman competitor of all time. His dominance spanned more than a decade, with unmatched consistency in pressing events, deadlifts, and stone lifts. Savickas redefined what was possible in overhead strength and remains the benchmark by which all Arnold champions are measured.
Derek Poundstone (2009, 2010)
Titles: 2
Country: United States
Derek Poundstone brought a combination of speed, conditioning, and raw power that allowed him to break Savickas’ long winning streak. Known for his work ethic and durability, Poundstone excelled in moving events while still holding his own in maximal lifts. His back-to-back wins cemented him as one of America’s strongest athletes.
Brian Shaw (2011, 2015, 2017)
Titles: 3
Country: United States
Brian Shaw’s size, intelligence, and adaptability made him one of the most complete strongmen in history. At over 6’8” and 400 pounds, Shaw combined elite deadlifting ability with smart event management. His Arnold Classic wins showcased his ability to peak for the heaviest competitions on the calendar.
Michael Jenkins (2012)
Titles: 1
Country: United States
Michael Jenkins shocked the strongman world with his Arnold Classic victory, proving that relentless consistency can overcome sheer size. Jenkins was known for his toughness and refusal to quit, grinding out points across events rather than relying on single standout performances.
Vytautas Lalas (2013)
Titles: 1
Country: Lithuania
Vytautas Lalas brought explosive power and aggression to the Arnold stage. A former world record holder in pressing events, Lalas was especially dangerous in overhead lifts. His win continued Lithuania’s strong legacy at the Arnold Classic and highlighted the importance of pressing strength.
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (2018–2020)
Hathor Bjornsson Instagam
Titles: 3
Country: Iceland
Hafþór Björnsson, also known as “The Mountain,” dominated the Arnold Classic during his peak years. His reign coincided with some of the heaviest events ever contested, including massive elephant bar deadlifts. Björnsson’s blend of size, athleticism, and confidence made him nearly unbeatable during this era.
Martins Licis (2022)
Titles: 1
Country: United States
Martins Licis captured the Arnold Classic title through versatility and balance. Unlike specialists, Licis excelled across every event without glaring weaknesses. His win reflected a shift toward well-rounded strongmen who can handle both endurance-based events and maximal strength challenges.
Mitchell Hooper (2023–2025)
Mitchell Hooper Instagram
Titles: 3
Country: Canada
Mitchell Hooper represents the modern evolution of strongman. Known for his analytical approach, conditioning, and technical efficiency, Hooper has dominated recent Arnold Classic competitions, and also won the World’s Strongest Man and placed well since. His ability to remain calm under pressure and score consistently across all events has established him as the sport’s current standard-bearer.
Check out the full Generation Iron interview of Mitchell Hooper here:
Why the Arnold Classic Strongman Title Matters
Unlike many strongman contests, the Arnold Classic emphasizes extreme loads over speed, favoring athletes with true maximal strength. Events such as heavy deadlifts, stone lifts, and carries push competitors to absolute limits, making an Arnold victory one of the most respected accomplishments in the sport.
Winning even once places an athlete among strongman’s elite. Winning multiple times places them in history.
Final Thoughts
From Mark Henry’s inaugural victory to Mitchell Hooper’s modern dominance, the Arnold Classic Strongman competition has showcased the strongest humans on the planet. Each champion represents a different era, style, and approach to strength—but all share one thing in common: they conquered one of the toughest competitions in the sport.
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