Hooper vs. Haviland: a fantasy strongman matchup for the 2024 WSM title.
Final up to date on February sixth, 2024
Australian social media sensation Tom Haviland stands at a colossal 6’8″ and is working towards a physique weight of 400 kilos whereas sustaining a seen six-pack. In contrast to his contemporaries, Haviland avoids the limelight, coaching at his house health club and open air with out placing his face on digicam.
Haviland’s coaching movies acquired the eye of podcaster Joe Rogan, who argued that Haviland is likely to be the strongest man on the planet. Haviland has educated with the 12-time Australia’s Strongest Man champion Derek Boyer however has by no means competed in a professional strongman contest.
On Jan. 30, 2024, the reigning World’s Strongest Man (WSM) champion Mitchell Hooper revealed a video on his YouTube channel whereby he in contrast Haviland’s greatest lifts to his personal to find out if Haviland might outperform him if Haviland competed on the 2024 WSM contest, scheduled for Might 1-5, 2024 in Myrtle Seashore, SC. Test it out under:
“Haviland is not only a terrific deadlifter and bench presser; I’ve seen him do every thing,” Hooper stated. “I can’t pick one factor he can’t do very well.”
7 Lifts Evaluating Haviland vs. Hooper
Beneath is how Haviland and Hooper stack up throughout seven lifts:
1. Yoke Stroll
In one among Haviland’s Instagram posts, he carried a 1,200-pound home made yoke on his shoulders. Hooper has lifted as much as 1,350 kilos on the yoke, surpassing Haviland’s greatest.
Hooper highlighted that Haviland’s gear was not as steady, implying that Haviland might probably obtain greater numbers with a greater equipment. Nonetheless, Hooper concluded that he would probably outperform Haviland in a yoke occasion in a strongman contest.
2. Bicep Curls
Haviland has a 235-pound barbell biceps curl private greatest. Hooper admitted he can not curl wherever near Havliand’s PR, conceding this raise to tie the comparability one to 1.
3. Zercher Carry
Haviland carried out a 626-pound Zercher carry for 2 units of 30 seconds of steady strolling.
“That is mainly Conan’s wheel. For context, the WSM weight of the Conan’s Wheel is 440 kilos (200 kilograms),” stated Hooper. “I’ve gone as much as 500 kilos on the Zercher [carry], and that is one other 100 kilos and a few off kilos on prime of that.”
Hooper known as it a “large 50/50” likelihood on whether or not he might match Haviland’s private greatest on the Zercher carry. Hooper assessed raise three as a draw.
4. Stone to Shoulder
Haviland has lifted a 275-pound stone-to-shoulder, walked 5 steps, carried out a set of squats, moved it to the opposite shoulder, and repeated for an additional set.
“I discover it exhausting simply to stabilize whereas standing [with a stone on the shoulder], by no means thoughts squatting,” Hooper stated. “However at 120 to 125 kilograms, I believe it might be manageable for me.”
Hooper ended this comparability in a draw as nicely. Predicted report after 4 lifts: 1-1-2.
5. Deadlift
Haviland pulled a 926-pound deadlift and not using a swimsuit or a specialised deadlift bar. Hooper hoisted a 981-pound deadlift on the 2023 Arnold Strongman Basic, which Hooper received, suggesting a detailed comparability however leaning in direction of a draw as a result of circumstances of Haviland’s raise. Predicted report after 5 lifts: 1-1-3.
6. Squats
Haviland carried out a 692-pound squat for a number of reps. Hooper’s greatest squat is about 810-815 kilos for a double in knee sleeves, making this one other shut comparability that Hooper suggests one more draw. Predicted report after 5 lifts: 1-1-4.
7. Clear to Zercher Catch and Squat
Haviland has efficiently accomplished a Zercher catch and squat with weights as much as 485 kilos. Hooper accepted he couldn’t clear 485 kilos, indicating Haviland would outperform him on this raise.
“Haviland has acquired head-to-toe strengths,” Hooper stated. “I can’t pick a factor the place I am going like, ‘he’s not even shut.’” Hooper’s predicted report in opposition to Haviland after seven occasions: 1-2-4.
Hooper concluded that if Haviland had been to completely decide to coaching for the World’s Strongest Man competitors, Haviland wouldn’t solely Haviland contend for the Finals, however doubtlessly win the coveted title.
Hooper’s subsequent strongman contest would be the 2024 Arnold Strongman Basic, slated for March 1-2 in Columbus, OH, the place he’ll defend his title in opposition to former ASC and WSM champs Martins Licis and Hafthor Björnsson. Two-time WSM winner Tom Stoltman and 2020 WSM Oleksii Novikov are the opposite prime contenders within the lineup.
Featured picture: @tom_haviland on Instagram