Mitchell Hooper Log Presses 195 Kilograms (430 Kilos) for Two Reps Throughout Arnold Strongman Traditional Prep
The Canadian sensation is setting PRs as his next competition nears.
On Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2023, Canadian strongman Mitchell Hooper posted a video to his Instagram page of himself pressing 195 kilograms (430 pounds) for two reps. The lift is 10 kilograms more than his competition record of 185 kilograms (408 pounds), according to Giants Live. The feat came seven months after Hooper trained for two reps with 184 kilograms (406 pounds).
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After Hooper got the log on his knees and cleaned up to his shoulders, he began the press, but paused briefly mid-rep. After getting it into a lockout position, he lowered the log to the mats and took a few deep breaths before beginning the next rep. The second rep took even longer to lockout, but successfully managed it.
“Things are heating up. Everything is on course.”
Hooper is preparing to compete in the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic, scheduled to be held March 2-5, 2023 in Columbus, OH. One event confirmed for the competition is the Austrian Oak – a timber press event named after the competition’s namesake, Arnold Schwarzenegger. As of this writing, it’s unclear if the event will be for max reps, max weight, or some other format.
At the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic, Luke Stoltman won Austria’s Oak Log Lift event by pressing 213.1 kilograms (470 pounds) over his head. Stoltman will be in this year’s competition, as will Bobby Thompson, the American Log Press record holder (217.5 kilograms/479.5 pounds).
When the same event took place during the 2019 Arnold Strongman Classic, contestants were asked to perform maximum repetitions within a 90-second time limit. In the Instagram post’s caption, Hooper reported that it took him 50 seconds to complete both reps. This could indicate that either Hooper expects a return to the timed reps format or that he is focused on building both strength and endurance as an elite strongman.
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Hooper goes into this Arnold Strongman Classic with momentum on his side. In January 2023 he won Australia’s top international competition. Two months earlier, he took first place at the 2022 Giants Live World Tour Finals in Glasgow, Scotland. Hooper was also the winner of Arnold Strongman UK 2022.
Hooper is considered by many strongman fans and pundits to be one of the sport’s fastest rising stars. This was emphasized after he placed first in Group 2 of the 2022 World’s Strongest Man and eventually finished eighth in the final. This will be his first Arnold Strongman Classic competition and he has already been confirmed as a competitor for the 2023 World’s Strongest Man, which will be held April 19-23 in Myrtle Beach, SC.
For ticket and pay-per-view information for the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic, visit www.arnoldsports.com.
Featured video: @mitchellhooper on Instagram
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