There is some form of history made every year at the World’s Strongest Man competition. Someone may win it for the first time, or a new world record could be set out of nowhere. 2026’s edition of this contest saw history as well. Mitchell Hooper reclaimed the title and is now among a small list of men that have won it multiple times. This is the most obvious highlight of the contest, but there was a first for a WSM rookie.
Rich Storry/WSM
Who Is Levi Strong? Meet Mississippi’s First World’s Strongest Man Competitor
Levi Strong (yes, that is his real name) was the first man from the state of Mississippi to compete in the world championship contest. He is also the first pro strongman in his state. At 6’8” and over 370 pounds, the career lineman has the perfect build to compete in a contest of this magnitude.
Strong initially got into training thanks to a bodybuilder he worked with on a job in New Orleans, but he discovered Eddie Hall’s documentary and decided that strongman was a better option for him.
“I thought that looked cool. So, I found a competition, entered it, and I did well. So, I just kept doing it.”
How Levi Strong Qualified for the 2026 World’s Strongest Man
After connecting to the sport, Strong went all in and ended up turning professional. As the first pro in his home state, Strong wanted to help grow the sport. So, he started coaching and wasted no time helping the second athlete in his state go pro, his wife.
“Rebecca Strong is my wife, and I coached her to turning pro. So, she’s the first pro strongwoman.”
Aside from being Rebecca’s coach, Strong has a great advantage as an athlete thanks to having a partner that is familiar with the sport and knows the commitment it takes to succeed. He doesn’t take that for granted.
“She definitely knows about it, including the time to set up and take down the events for training, which is sometimes the hardest part,” Strong said. “She is a strong asset for that, and she takes of our two kids when I work out.”
Strong acknowledged he still makes the majority of his income from line work, but he recently started to take more time to focus on the sport. When he is working, it is primarily with storm recovery efforts. Traveling and finding ways to train for a specific sport like strongman isn’t as easy as it is for a bodybuilder or powerlifter because many gyms don’t have equipment like log press bars, stones, and yokes for carries. Strong was actually preparing for the 2024 America’s Strongest Man contest when he had to travel to Florida for over two weeks to help that area recover from back-to-back hurricanes.
“I flew from there to Las Vegas for the contest and lost 25 pounds.”
Strong struggled there but redeemed himself in 2025 by winning both the Magnus Ver Magnusson Classic Gimli contest in Canada and the Magnus Classic in Iceland. That was what led 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 Ragg. Strong didn’t move on to the finals, but having his first taste of the big contest was enough to make him want more. So, he is already preparing to compete again with hopes of qualifying for 2027.
Rich Storry/WSM
Levi Strong’s Top 3 Strongman Training Tips for Beginners
Strongman is a growing sport, and many athletes are preparing for their first contests or at least considering entering one. Strong is built for the sport, but he offers tips for those that are new to this form of training and are thinking of jumping in a local contest.
Be Able To Make Adjustments
As Strong’s career proves, life can and will get in the way of a prep for a competition or serious training phase. Aside from having an established plan, being able to make adjustments with training, nutrition, and recovery is a must so you can make the most out of the work you put in for the goal or competition you plan to enter. He shared an example of when he had to do that himself earlier this year.
“I got a late callup for a contest in Siberia, and it was five weeks out. I had to put on weight and build up for a max deadlift, but our visas didn’t get approved. Two days later, I found out I was going to be invited to Worlds. So, I just rolled over into training for that.”
Push Yourself Physically and Mentally Past the Pain
Strong’s line of work and ability to push himself has been one of his best strengths. He advised that strongman is not for the weak physically or mentally. You need to be able to take pain and keep going if you want to excel.
“There are events that are grueling and make you want to give up, but you must shut those thoughts out. The only way to do that is to keep doing it and pushing yourself.”
Incorporate Heavy Sled Pushes To Your Routine
Many gyms may not have strongman equipment, but weighted sleds are more accessible than ever, and Strong says that focusing on very heavy sled pushes will build stamina and help with events such as the truck pull.
“Aside from the strength it takes to move it, it will teach you the footwork you need for a pull like that and help with that mental fortitude.”
You can follow Strong on Instagram @levistrong and subscribe to his YouTube channel.
