Orm Storolfsson

Orm Stórolfsson, also known as Orm Stórolfsson the Strong[1] (fl. 1000 CE), was an Icelandic strongman who gained considerable attention during his lifetime for extraordinary feats of strength. He is documented in the Icelandic saga book[2] to have walked three steps with the mast of Ormrinn Langi, weighing 650 kilograms (1,433 lb) and 10 metres (33 ft) in length, on his shoulders before breaking his back.[3][4] According to legend, it took some 50 men to place the ship's mast on his shoulders due to its extreme weight[5] and it was a nightmare to keep the log in balance because of its immense length.

In 2015, the record which had stood for over 1,000 years, was beaten by fellow Icelander Hafthór Júlíus Björnsson at the Strongman Champions League World's Strongest Viking competition in Vinstra, Norway. Hafthór carried a 33-foot (10 m), 1,433-pound (650 kg) log for five steps in freezing cold weather and famously yelled "History!" after being elated with his record breaking performance.[4] In 2019, as a part of the History Channel television series The Strongest Man in History, Brian Shaw, Eddie Hall, Robert Oberst and Nick Best attempted to lift a 1,450-pound (660 kg) log. Neither Shaw, Hall nor Oberst managed to budge it while Nick Best managed to momentarily hold it for half a second but failed to move the log even for a single step.[6]

The name of Vormsi island (Swedish: Ormsö – "Orm's Island") in Estonia possibly refers to Orm Storolfsson.[7]

References
  1. Cook, Robert (2001). Njal's Saga. Penguin Books Limited. p. 657. ISBN 978-0-14-044769-9.
  2. Smilely, Jane; Kellogg, Robert (2001). The Sagas of the Icelanders. Penguin Books Limited. p. 1291. ISBN 978-0-14-100003-9.
  3. "Watch the Mountain From 'Game of Thrones' Break a 1,000 Year-Old Record". Men's Journal. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  4. "Jan. 31 "World's Strongest Viking" competition in Norway". International Business Times. 4 February 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  5. "The Mountain from 'Game of Thrones' smashes Viking weightlifting record". The Daily Dot. 4 February 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  6. "NICK BEST'S BIGGEST LIFTS: The Strongest Man in History (Season 1)". YouTube.com. 7 July 2019. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  7. Ajalugu - Vormsi Talumuuseum


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