There is a form the history that is made every year in the “World’s Strongest Man” competition. Maybe someone will get it for the first time, or a new world record can be set suddenly. The 2026 edition of this competition also saw history. Mitchell Hooper won the title again and is now on a small list of men who have won it multiple times. This is the highlight of the competition, but it was a first for the newbie WSM.
Levi Who is stronger? Meet Mississippi’s first World’s Strongest Man competitor
Levi Strong (yes, that’s his real name) was the first man from the state of Mississippi to compete in a world championship. He is also the first person to be a pro in his state. At 6’8” and over 370 pounds, the professional lineman has the perfect build to compete in a tournament of this size.
Strong initially got into training thanks to a bodybuilder he worked with in New Orleans, but he discovered Documentary by Eddie Hall and decided that strong was a better option for him.
“I thought it looked good. So I found a contest, entered it, and did well. So I kept at it.”
How Levi Strong qualified to be the World’s Strongest Man in 2026
After joining the sport, Strong took it all in and became a professional. As the first pro in his state, Strong wanted to help grow the sport. So he started coaching and wasted no time helping the second athlete in his state, his wife, turn pro.
“Rebecca Strong is my wife and I trained her to be a professional. So she is the first strong woman.”
In addition to being Rebecca’s coach, Strong has a huge advantage as an athlete, thanks to having a partner who knows the sport and the commitment to succeed. He doesn’t take it for granted.
“He definitely knows about it, including setting up and taking down events for training, which is sometimes the hardest part,” Strong said. “She’s a strong asset to that, and she takes our two kids when I’m training.”
Strong admitted that he still earns most of his income from writing, but recently he has spent more time focusing on sports. When he does work, it’s primarily with hurricane recovery efforts. Traveling and finding ways to train for a specific sport, such as a strokeman, is not as easy as a bodybuilder or a powerlifter, as many gyms do not have equipment such as barbells, weights and yokes to carry. Strong was actually preparing for America’s Strongest Man 2024 when he had to travel to Florida for more than two weeks to help the area recover from back-to-back hurricanes.
“I flew from there to Las Vegas for the competition and lost 25 pounds.”
The force struggled there, but gave itself up 2025 by winning both Magnus Ver Magnusson Classic Gimli competitions in Canada and the Magnus Classic in Iceland. This is what brought him to the WSM event in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in April 2026.
Unfortunately for Strong, he was placed in a qualifying group that included three-time champion Tom Stoltman as well as past finalists Austin Andrade and Matthew Rugg. Strong didn’t advance to the finals, but his first taste of the big competition was enough to leave him wanting more. So, he is already preparing to compete in hopes of qualifying for 2027.
Top 3 Levi Strong Training Tips for Beginners
Strongman is a growing sport and many athletes are preparing for their first competitions or at least considering entering them. Strong is built for the sport, but he has advice for those who are new to this form of training and are considering jumping into a local competition.
Be able to make adjustments
As Strong’s career proves, life can and does get in the way of preparing for a race or serious training phase. In addition to having a set plan, being able to make adjustments with training, nutrition, and recovery is imperative so that you can get the most out of what you have planned for the goal or competition. He shared an example of when he had to do this earlier this year.
“I got invited to a competition in Siberia late and it was five weeks away. I was supposed to lift weights and train for the deadlift, but our visa didn’t get approved. Two days later I found out I was invited to Worlds. So I just went to train for it.”
Free yourself from pain physically and mentally
Strong’s line of work and ability to push was one of his best strengths. He advised that strength is not for the weak in body or mind. You have to be able to take pain and if you want to prevail.
“There are things that are tough and make you want to give up, but you have to push those thoughts away. The only way is to keep doing it and push yourself.”
Include heavy lifting in your routine
Many gyms may not have strength equipment, but weighted sleds are more accessible than ever, and Strong says that focusing on pushing very heavy sleds builds endurance and helps with events like truck pulls.
“Besides the strength it takes to pull it off, it teaches you the footwork needed for that pull and helps with that mental strength.”
You can follow Strong on Instagram @levistrong and subscribe his YouTube channel.
