When you think of the most brutish, strong and fearsome people that ever lived, your mind may wander back to the days of the Vikings.
But the days of looking back are over, because Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, a.k.a. the Mountain on Game of Thrones, just won the World's Strongest Viking Contest (yes, this is a real thing) and is now on his way to become the World's Strongest Man.
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The record, which stood untouched for more than 1,000 years, was documented in the Icelandic Saga book, describing events that occurred in the 10th and 11th centuries in Iceland. As the legend goes, Icelnder Orm Storulfsson walked three steps with a 30-foot, 1320-pound wooden log after 50 "mere mortals" helped him place it on his back. But, as fate would have it, his back gave out after the third step and he became the strongest Viking to have ever lived -- until now.
A photo posted by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (@thorbjornsson) on Jan 31, 2015 at 10:38am PST
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson carried the 13-foot, 1320-pound wooden log a record-breaking five steps, and the rest was history.
Needless to say, the 6'9" Icelander was pleased with this accomplishment. On his Instagram account, he wrote: "Well, today my friends, I made history! As well as winning the title of The World’s Strongest Viking for the second time in a row, I carried this MONSTER LOG FIVE steps! My back held up fine! I’m on my way to my ultimate goal, to win The World’s Strongest Man!"
That all sounds innocent enough, until he goes on to exclaim, "NOTHING CAN STOP ME!! NOTHING CAN BREAK ME!” It looks like the Mountain is just playing himself on Game of Thrones, because let's not forget that he can "crush a man’s head like an overripe melon." Here's some proof:
Crushing skulls in one of the things i do best..
A photo posted by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (@thorbjornsson) on Jan 24, 2015 at 10:31am PST
For good measure, here he is training in Texas to the Game of Thrones theme.
You're welcome, Internet.
BONUS: The 'Game of Thrones' show will probably end before the books, and here's why