Mitchell Hooper subscribes to one simple yet prevailing personal philosophy.
"Lift heavy. Be kind."
For the first World's Strongest Man champion from Canada, it's a fitting axiom. Hooper made that history Sunday at the 2023 WSM Finals in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as he finished with 53.5 total points over the six events.
"It’s not going to hit me for a while," Hooper told USA TODAY Sports. "It’s very hard for me to digest these things. It’s really hard to put into words how I feel. Really, shock is how I feel."
Hooper's win prevented a three-peat by Great Britain's Tom Stoltman, who finished second with 49 points.