You know him as The Mountain on Game of Thrones, but his real name is Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, and he's one of the strongest men in the world. No CGI necessary. The Icelandic giant stands 6'9" tall and weighs 397 pounds. He actually began his athletic career as a basketball player, but after a nasty ankle injury, he became a strongman. Now he performs amazing feats of strength in professional contests, and takes even more amazing photos on Instagram with his tiny 5'2" girlfriend.

Last weekend Björnsson won the 2018 Arnold Strongman Classic, an international competition named after - you guessed it - Arnold Schwarzenegger. It includes events such as the The Timber Carry, Atlas Stones and The Circus Dumbell. (But unfortunately no Ah-nold Impression-Off.) The 29-year-old titan set a new world record by deadlifting an incredible 1,041 pounds. (He also may have a set a world record for how red a face can get.) This is the biggest achievement of the strongman's career - at least, until he finally takes on The Hound. You can watch his stunning deadlift in the video below.

The previous Elephant Bar world record was set at last year's event, when Jerry Pritchett deadlifted 1,030 pounds. On Instagram, Björnsson shared videos of himself training, and said he was working on breaking the record. Now he smashed it just like Prince Oberyn's face.

Earlier in the weekend, Björnsson competed in the Bag Over Bar competition, where the strongmen chuck a 95 pound sandbag over a bar. Björnsson won that event in another daunting display of power, throwing the bag over the fifteen foot mark. It's five feet short of what he threw last year, but still more than enough to take first place.

While this was The Mountain's year, one of the most memorable moments belonged to 37-year-old Russian strongman Mikhail Shivlyakov. He attempted to lift 939 pounds, and he struggled in strain, his nose erupted with blood. But incredibly, Shivlyakov persevered, and completed the lift of nearly half a ton, with blood gushing down his face. Björnsson took first place, but if there was a "Most Badass Award," Shivlyakov would surely be in the running. "I admire Mikhail so much," wrote one fan in the YouTube comments. "His determination, strength, and love for his country!" (Also, his beret was on point.)

For the past seven years, Björnsson has competed in The World's Strongest Man contests. He placed sixth place once, third place three times, and runner-up three times. But he's never taken first place. The 2018 event is this May, so we'll see that if that changes, now that he's in his prime. But one thing's for sure. When Game of Thrones finally returns in 2019 - yes, 2019 - The Hound doesn't stand a chance.

Congratulations, Hafþór. Now you can celebrate in Reykjavík with some hákarl, svið and Brennivín.

In a related story, this man went from fat-shamed child to world's strongest man contender...

You know him as The Mountain on Game of Thrones, but his real name is Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, and he's one of the strongest men in the world. No CGI necessary. The Icelandic giant stands 6'9" tall and weighs 397 pounds. He actually began his athletic career as a basketball player, but after a nasty ankle injury, he became a strongman. Now he performs amazing feats of strength in professional contests, and takes even more amazing photos on Instagram with his tiny 5'2" girlfriend.

Last weekend Björnsson won the 2018 Arnold Strongman Classic, an international competition named after - you guessed it - Arnold Schwarzenegger. It includes events such as the The Timber Carry, Atlas Stones and The Circus Dumbell. (But unfortunately no Ah-nold Impression-Off.) The 29-year-old titan set a new world record by deadlifting an incredible 1,041 pounds. (He also may have a set a world record for how red a face can get.) This is the biggest achievement of the strongman's career - at least, until he finally takes on The Hound. You can watch his stunning deadlift in the video below.

The previous Elephant Bar world record was set at last year's event, when Jerry Pritchett deadlifted 1,030 pounds. On Instagram, Björnsson shared videos of himself training, and said he was working on breaking the record. Now he smashed it just like Prince Oberyn's face.

Earlier in the weekend, Björnsson competed in the Bag Over Bar competition, where the strongmen chuck a 95 pound sandbag over a bar. Björnsson won that event in another daunting display of power, throwing the bag over the fifteen foot mark. It's five feet short of what he threw last year, but still more than enough to take first place.

While this was The Mountain's year, one of the most memorable moments belonged to 37-year-old Russian strongman Mikhail Shivlyakov. He attempted to lift 939 pounds, and he struggled in strain, his nose erupted with blood. But incredibly, Shivlyakov persevered, and completed the lift of nearly half a ton, with blood gushing down his face. Björnsson took first place, but if there was a "Most Badass Award," Shivlyakov would surely be in the running. "I admire Mikhail so much," wrote one fan in the YouTube comments. "His determination, strength, and love for his country!" (Also, his beret was on point.)

For the past seven years, Björnsson has competed in The World's Strongest Man contests. He placed sixth place once, third place three times, and runner-up three times. But he's never taken first place. The 2018 event is this May, so we'll see that if that changes, now that he's in his prime. But one thing's for sure. When Game of Thrones finally returns in 2019 - yes, 2019 - The Hound doesn't stand a chance.

Congratulations, Hafþór. Now you can celebrate in Reykjavík with some hákarl, svið and Brennivín.

In a related story, this man went from fat-shamed child to world's strongest man contender...