GOT star's touch of class after Strongest Man dethroning
The man who famously plays ‘The Mountain’ on Game of Thrones has showed off his softer side with a classy gesture after losing his World's Strongest Man crown.
Hafthor Julius Bjornsson has terrorised viewers as Gregor Clegane, the imposing brother of ‘The Hound’ in the cult HBO television series.
However, the Icelandic beast demonstrated a gentle side rarely captured on film after being dethroned as the World's Strongest Man.
Bjornsson was hoping to defend the title he famously won in 2018 but had to settle for third place, with his former training partner Martins Licis taking the title, ahead of Poland's Mateusz Kieliszkowski.
Licis, who just missed the podium with back-to-back fourth place showings in 2018 and 2017, emerged as the winner after finishing first in two of the five Finals events.
The Mountain was clearly happy for his old training buddy, with behind-the-scenes footage capturing a wonderful embrace between the pair.
Wrapping his monstrous arms around the American, Bjornsson hugged and danced with the new champion before hoisting his arm in the air in triumph.
The former champ also took to Instagram to congratulate the new WSM and celebrate his eighth straight podium appearance.
Licis took the Squat Lift, in which competitors had to gut through as many reps of possible of 750 pounds in 75 seconds, by finishing with 9 reps.
Brian Shaw and Bjornsson were close behind in the contest, with 8 and 7 reps, respectively.
Licis also won the competition's signature event, the Atlas Stones, in which competitors lift increasingly heavier spheres up and place them on high platforms.
Bjornsson, who was widely expected to repeat his victory after sweeping through other competitions like the Arnold Classic earlier in the year, was hobbled by a foot injury sustained in the earlier rounds.
The gutsy performance keeps Bjornsson's streak of podium appearances alive, as he's finished in the top 3 of each contest since 2012.
The now-former champ is expected to be back in the running for at least one more year, if what he told Sports Illustrated holds true, so there's already a strong narrative for the 2020 contest.
With agencies