Mitchell Hooper is the strongest man in the world, again. The 31-year-old Canadian won World’s Strongest Man for the second time this year, two points ahead of South Africa’s Rayno Nel, and has won every Rogue Invitational strongman title since 2023. On 23 October he goes for a fourth straight in Aberdeen, against a field that includes four World’s Strongest Man champions, him among them.
He’s also not your typical strongman: a former marathon runner with a master’s degree in exercise physiology, earned in Sydney. Here’s who “The Moose” is, how big he is, and what he’s won.
- Born: 29 September 1995, Midhurst, Ontario, Canada (31)
- Nickname: “The Moose”
- Height: 6ft 3in (190cm)
- Weight: 320 to 340lb (145 to 154kg), per Wikipedia
- Education: human kinetics degree (University of Guelph); master’s in clinical exercise physiology (University of Sydney)
- World’s Strongest Man: 2023, 2026
- Rogue Invitational: 2023, 2024, 2025
- Arnold Strongman Classic: 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
Who is Mitchell Hooper?
Hooper was born on 29 September 1995 in Midhurst, Ontario. Before strongman he ran marathons and competed in bodybuilding and powerlifting, according to his Wikipedia profile. He studied human kinetics at the University of Guelph, then did a master’s in clinical exercise physiology at the University of Sydney, so he has an Australian connection.
Away from competition he runs a kinesiology clinic in Barrie, Ontario, and has a big YouTube following: 460,000 subscribers and more than 237 million views as of July 2026. He’s married to Ashley and they have two daughters.
Mitchell Hooper’s height and weight
Height: 6ft 3in (190cm).
Weight: Wikipedia lists 320 to 340lb (145 to 154kg).
Age: 31. He was born on 29 September 1995.
What he’s won
- World’s Strongest Man: 2023 and 2026. He was the first Canadian to win it.
- Arnold Strongman Classic: four in a row, 2023 to 2026.
- Rogue Invitational: three in a row, 2023 to 2025.
- Strongest Man on Earth: 2024.
His records include a 218kg axle press, a 500kg super yoke carried 10 metres in 5.70 seconds, and a replica of the Dinnie Stones (333kg) carried 12.60 metres (Wikipedia).
The 2026 Rogue Invitational
The Rogue strongman field is 10 men deep, and it includes three other World’s Strongest Man winners: Rayno Nel (2025), who finished just two points behind Hooper this year, Martins Licis (2019) and Scotland’s Tom Stoltman (2021 and 2022), who’ll have the home crowd behind him. Hafthor Björnsson (2018) withdrew in October and was replaced by Ukraine’s Pavlo Kordiyaka, the 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man (Fitness Volt; Rogue Fitness).
The six events: a deadlift ladder, Viking press, Conan’s wheel, a yoke carry and log lift medley, a grip medley, and the Mons Meg stones (Fitness Volt). See the full Rogue Invitational 2026 guide for every athlete.
Train like a strongman
- Grip decides strongman shows: test yours with our grip strength test and build it with the dead hang.
- Carries and sleds: HYROX stations explained.
- Size and strength: how to bulk and build muscle.
- More on extreme strength: how is Anatoly so strong?
Mitchell Hooper FAQ
Who is the World’s Strongest Man in 2026?
Mitchell Hooper of Canada, who beat Rayno Nel by two points. It was his second title after 2023.
How tall is Mitchell Hooper?
6ft 3in (190cm).
How much does Mitchell Hooper weigh?
About 320 to 340lb (145 to 154kg), according to Wikipedia.
How old is Mitchell Hooper?
31. He was born on 29 September 1995.
Did Mitchell Hooper study in Australia?
Yes. He has a master’s in clinical exercise physiology from the University of Sydney.
Is Mitchell Hooper competing at the Rogue Invitational?
Yes, as the three-time defending strongman champion, in Aberdeen on 23 to 25 October 2026.
