In early December 2023, practically 400 athletes gathered in Charleston, WV to compete within the 2023 Official Strongman Video games, the one greatest strongman occasion on this planet. 11 of the 12 divisions had been world championship occasions, with the winners incomes the title of “World’s Strongest.” The Males’s Open division was a qualifier the place the highest three finishers had been provided alternatives to compete in greater contests in 2024 which will make them the World’s Strongest Man contest.
As entertaining and inspirational because the athletes competing had been, the followers had been additionally watching the groups organising and altering weights for these occasions with simply as a lot curiosity. That’s as a result of a kind of volunteers was completely different than the remaining. Amongst these assistants was the 2023 World’s Strongest Man, Mitchell Hooper. Whereas followers and athletes alike had been pleasantly shocked to see him serving to out, he felt he ought to have been.
“I believe it’s simply what we must be doing as human beings. If I’m an individual sitting there with no position, no accountability, I’m the strongest individual within the place and I’m watching folks transfer gear, I don’t see why I shouldn’t be doing that.”
Hooper didn’t really feel that he deserved all the eye he was getting. Aa a matter of truth, he needed the highlight to be on others who had been serving to as a result of they had been simply as dedicated to rising the game as he was.
“I believe it’s been over celebrated a bit, I don’t see why it shouldn’t be the usual within the sport,” stated Hooper. “There was a man who was serving to me transfer (gear), and we had been doing it as a group. The man who was serving to with me was from Africa, and he’s trying to develop the game there. He’s right here to learn to run a strongman competitors. That man must be simply as celebrated as me.”
Mitchell Hooper has had a memorable 2023 to say the least. He received the 2023 Arnold Strongman Traditional, the 2023 World’s Strongest Man contest, and the 2023 Rogue Invitational strongman contest. He additionally completed second to Brian Shaw within the 2023 Shaw Traditional. Within the eyes or many, Hooper is the primary man in his sport proper now, and he takes nice delight in being part of the game. The previous soccer participant, marathon runner, golfer, and CrossFit athlete feels that his present sport matches him so properly as a result of he matches so properly in the neighborhood that makes up the game. Figuring out many individuals will see him as a consultant of that group, he needs to deliver a constructive highlight to it, whether or not it’s by means of his actions as a volunteer, his efforts in competitors, or by means of his Elevate Heavy, Be Type model.
“I need to attempt to make it as welcoming as potential. The overwhelming majority of individuals right here need to higher themselves. They’re right here to assist different folks.”
Hooper is properly conscious that being in his place is about greater than choosing issues up and placing them down. He considers himself an advocate for health and desires to assist not solely improve consciousness of his sport however showcase the advantages that specializing in power can have on one’s total well being. As famend powerlifter Mark Bell as soon as stated, “power isn’t a weak point.” The bodily therapist has helped folks enhance themselves professionally for a very long time, however now he has a much bigger platform to unfold that message.
Mitchell Hooper suggested, “This sport is goal, and it’s about objectively bettering your self. If you are able to do that, then that’s what we must be actually enthusiastic about.”
It may be overwhelming to see an athlete deadlift weights within the rnage of 500 to 700 kilos in a matter of seconds and really feel intimidated, however the beauty of power is that everybody can get higher and stronger. That’s what Hooper hopes newcomers to his sport concentrate on as a result of it could result in so many different advantages.
“We’re not solely making a constructive group across the sport, however we’re additionally fixing one of many greatest issues in North America and the world over,” he acknowledged. “The actual fact of the matter is that if you may get robust, that forestalls each single persistent illness identical to getting match. You’ll be able to have a good time your power moderately than your HPA1C ranges or your common blood strain. Additionally, you’re a badass as a result of you may raise a 200-pound log over your head. Good!”
Because the calendar turns to 2024, the Canadian strongman now has one other yr of competitions to look ahead to. As of this writing, he’s getting ready to defend his Arnold Strongman Traditional title in Columbus, OH on the 2024 Arnold Sports activities Competition. He can be going through a number of of the world’s greatest strongmen as challengers, together with the returning legend, Hafthor Bjornsson.
Hooper may even be defending his World’s Strongest Man crown later within the yr. Most significantly for him, he’ll add a brand new identify to his listing of credentials – father. He and his spouse expect their first baby in February, and as one can think about, he’s enthusiastic about every little thing that comes with fatherhood. Finally, he hopes that his daughter can be happy with her dad for what he did for his sport and the world and never the trophies on his mantle.
“In the long run, when my daughter appears to be like again at me and my competitors days, if her first thought is about how I received these titles, I in all probability didn’t do the job I needed. I hope she appears to be like again and sees the modifications we attempt to make, the donations we give again to the group, and she or he sees me making an attempt to do one thing good on this planet. That must be what conjures up her.”
Comply with Mitchell Hooper on Instagram @mitchellhooper and subscribe to his YouTube channel to see extra of his coaching as he prepares to compete within the 2024 season.