The Cheating Scandal Behind the World’s Strongest Man Rivalry

Two titans of modern strength sport collided in 2017, sparking a feud that stretched from the strongest man competitions to the boxing ring. Their saga of sportsmanship, accusations, and redemption underscores how a single call can redefine a legacy.

Europe’s Strongest Man: A Historic Showdown

In April 2017, Leeds, England hosted one of the fiercest head-to-head battles in strongman history. Eddie and Thor each claimed two of the first four events—Thor won the truck pull and medley race, while Eddie dominated the axle press and deadlift. The title came down to the Atlas Stones, and in a breathtaking display, Hall hoisted all five stones in just 17.12 seconds to clinch the crown. Despite the narrow loss, Björnsson congratulated Hall onstage, though both men knew this moment would stoke a rivalry for years to come.

"It’s neck and neck," a commentator might have said, capturing the nail-biting finish as both athletes pushed beyond their limits.

Eddie Claims His Title

A few months later at the 2017 World’s Strongest Man final in Botswana, controversy struck during the Viking press. Thor appeared to complete 15 reps, but head referee Colin Bryce assessed a knee “double dip” on the final lift, docking one rep and leaving Björnsson with 14. Hall capitalized, finishing 15 perfect reps and seizing the event win. When the dust settled, Hall secured the overall title by a single point, becoming the first Brit to win since 1993.

"The integrity of my beloved sport is in question," Björnsson wrote on Instagram, later adding, "I completed 15 reps but the referee took the last rep away from me."

Official Scandals and Smear Campaigns

The fallout hardened when Hall announced his retirement from strongman competition, citing family priorities and the toll of carrying nearly 200 kilograms. Björnsson went on to win the 2018 World’s Strongest Man title, but whispers of referee bias persisted. Hall fired back publicly: “The one person I am disappointed in is Thor,” accusing Björnsson of smearing both his name and referee Colin Bryce’s reputation.

The Cheating Documentary Debate

Documentaries further inflamed tensions. The official Strongman YouTube channel released "Exposed: Thor Björnsson and Referee Cheating Scandal at World’s Strongest Man," which was mysteriously deleted three days later [verify]. Hall’s own video, "Exposed: Cheating Scandal at World’s Strongest Man," now boasts over 10 million views, dissecting unseen footage and questioning whether Thor’s athletic legacy rests on fair ground.

Breaking Records: Eddie vs. Thor

Beyond multi-event titles, the duo waged war in the deadlift arena. Hall’s historic 500 kg lift in 2016 stunned the world, nearly costing him his life in a dramatic post-lift blackout. Three years later, on May 2, 2020, Björnsson claimed 501 kg in his Iceland gym under the World’s Ultimate Strongman banner. Despite being outside a traditional competition platform, the lift set a new Guinness World Record and reignited debate over legitimacy and conditions of certification.

The Boxing Match: A Clash Beyond Strongman Competitions

The feud reached a new frontier on March 19, 2022 in Dubai, billed as the “heaviest boxing match in history.” Both cut weight aggressively—Hall from 163 kg to 142 kg, Björnsson from 208 kg to 144 kg—transforming into fighters rather than strongmen. Thor won by unanimous decision, but the prize purse saga overshadowed the result: neither athlete received the agreed seven-figure payment, prompting legal action that yielded little recovery.

Aftermath and New Endeavors

Post-boxing, Eddie transitioned to mixed martial arts, debuting in a two-on-one bout against the Nefati brothers and later defeating five-time World’s Strongest Man Marius Pünovski in April 2025. His aggressive grappling style earned praise across combat sports circles. Björnsson, meanwhile, returned to strongman roots at the 2024 Arnold Strongman Classic, placing fourth and attempting a 501 kg elephant bar deadlift. Both athletes continue to chase peaks in different arenas, underscoring that rivalry can evolve into new chapters rather than ending in resentment.

Conclusion

Key Takeaway: Moments of brilliance in any sport can be overshadowed by controversy, but revisiting full context helps preserve respect for both achievement and fair play.

• Boldly review complete footage and official rulings before forming opinions on athletic controversies.