Mountain from ‘Game of Thrones’ breaks 1,000-year-old strength record

If you haven’t read and/or watched Game of Thrones, you are missing out on what could be the cultural interest of the decade. I kid you not, I have not been so addicted to a book series since “Harry Potter” or the “Foundation Series” by Asimov.

All have in common the fact that those authors created entire new universes filled with mountains of realistic and believable characters — and scenes with such vivid details that make us believe these worlds and characters really exist somewhere, in a far-off galaxy.

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Sometimes the roles actors play intercept with their lives as real people. Hafthór Björnsson, known as the Mountain to Game of Thrones fans, recently conquered the World’s Strongest Viking competition by carrying a 1,433-pound, 30-foot log for 5 steps. The feat was good enough to beat the previous mark, which was rooted in myth and reportedly set by the legendary Orm Storulfsson.

“The legend of the Icelander Orm Storulfsson says that he walked three steps with this monster wooden log which weighs over 600kg’s (1320lbs)!,” Björnsson proclaimed on Instagram. “It took 50 mere mortals to help him placing it on his back! After he took his third step his back broke under the enormous pressure and he was never the same after that!”

Just in case you’re wondering how a man could be capable of such a feat, here’s the video.

But don’t worry, Björnsson’s back is just fine, which is fortunate considering he is preparing to compete in the World’s Strongest Man competition.

The 26-year-old Icelander has once again proven that his real-life physicality is even more impressive than the fearsome warrior he plays on Game of Thrones.

Depending on his level of training, Björnsson consumes anywhere from 8,000-10,000 calories per day, revealing in an interview last year that he mostly sticks to a healthy diet.

“My diet is rather high in carbohydrates, but I try staying away from junk-carbs and try eating more of sweet potatoes, brown rice and lots of healthier protein sources,” he said. “If I get a craving for hamburgers or something like that, I will have it. The diet is not as much a hassle for strongmen as in some other sports, but I like to stay in good overall shape, and as far as acting goes, I believe that has to be a good thing.”

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According to the Mother Nature Network, the 25-year-old had never acted before receiving a call from HBO last year.

“HBO contacted me and called me in for an audition,” Bjornsson said in a recent Reddit AMA. “During the audition I lifted a guy up (well he asked me to), and they were really impressed. They said they were also impressed by the way I move, because I am very quick and powerful.”