Mitchell Hooper Awarded Wildcard Slot to 2022 Giants Live Strongman Classic

The 2022 Giants Live Strongman Classic scheduled for July 9, 2022, at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England, officially confirmed the 12th strongman on the roster. The single-day contest will feature the following athletes battle it out across five events for a chance to dethrone reigning champion Oleksii Novikov of Ukraine:

2022 Strongman Classic Roster

• Chieck "Iron Biby" Sanou
• Evan Singleton
• Paul Smith
• Andy Black
• Mark Felix
• Ken McClelland
• Oleksii Novikov — Reigning Champion
• Rob Kearney
• Adam Bishop
• Konstantine Janashia
• Spenser Remick
• Mitchell Hooper

Hooper’s rise to the competitive strongman scene comes after an extremely impressive international contest debut at the 2022 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) contest in Sacramento, CA. The Canadian strongman won three events in the Qualifying Stage and the KNAACK Giant’s Medley in the Final en route to an eighth-place finish overall.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by GIANTS LIVE: WSM Arena Tour (@giantslivestrongman)

[Related: Rauno Heinla Pulls World Record 580-Kilogram (1,278.7-Pound) Silver Dollar Deadlift]

2022 Strongman Classic Events

The five events set for the Royal Albert Hall on July 9, 2022, are:

• Dumbbell Medley
• The Pillars of Hercules
• Farmer’s Carry for Distance
• Axle Deadlift
• Castle Stones

Several of the above events are excellent for Hooper on paper. At the 2022 WSM contest, he proved that he is exceptional in medleys, loading races, and anything that requires speed. While his overhead dumbbell pressing strength has not yet been tested on a world stage, Hooper is a safe bet to lock in a fast time in any event where he can handle the weight.

Likewise, the Farmer’s Carry will certainly see Hooper’s fast feet traverse the implements down the course. While Hooper struggled with the 440-pound Atlas Stone during the 2022 WSM contest after five days of intense competition, he loaded the first four relatively fast despite some hiccups along the way.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Mitchell Hooper (@mitchellhooper)

The only comparable event we’ve seen Hooper in for the Pillars of Hercules was the Wrecking Ball Hold in the 2022 WSM Qualifying Stage, which did not truly showcase his grip strength as he was already clinched to win his group and did not need to make a legitimate attempt.

The Axle Deadlift is different from other deadlifts as the barbell is thicker, but Hooper did pull the 360-kilogram (795-pound) Jeep at the 2022 WSM for 12 reps. He’s undoubtedly got a robust hip hinge. Although Hooper is the Wildcard entry, his strength is known, and the rest of the field is unlikely to take him lightly. Will he step onto the podium when all is said and done in London? If Hooper brings his A-game, his chances seem pretty good.

Featured image: @mitchellhooper on Instagram