At the SD24 computing conference, Icelandic strongman Hafþór Björnsson, famed for his role as The Mountain in Game of Thrones, achieved a record-breaking feat of strength and innovation. Björnsson lifted a jaw-dropping 996 pounds of cutting-edge SSDs, valued at an eye-watering $32 million, in what is being dubbed the most expensive deadlift in history.
The event was orchestrated by tech companies VDURA and Phison to showcase their next-generation 128TB SSDs, designed for enterprise-level storage. These drives, each estimated to cost $14,000, made up a total of 283 petabytes of data—or 283,000 terabytes—during the lift.
Björnsson performed what is known as a “silver dollar” deadlift, a classic strength competition lift where weights are housed in large crates attached to a barbell. Traditionally, these crates are filled with silver dollars, but in this instance, they were packed with 2,303 Phison SSDs. The staggering price tag on the hardware ensured this lift would stand out in both the strength and tech worlds.
While the physical weight of the SSDs was immense, it was the innovation and marketing brilliance behind the event that drew global attention. Phison’s 128TB SSDs represent a leap forward in next-gen storage technology, designed to meet the needs of massive data centers. The high-profile stunt highlighted both the durability of the drives and their position as leaders in the enterprise storage market.
Björnsson, a 2019 World’s Strongest Man winner, is no stranger to record-breaking lifts. His performance at SD24 adds another milestone to his illustrious career and showcases the growing overlap between technology and strength sports. The lift also sparked speculation about whether other strongmen, such as Björnsson’s long-time rival Eddie Hall, might attempt to outdo this incredible display.
This unique feat has set a new standard for creativity in strength sports promotions. While traditional deadlift records focus purely on physical weight, Björnsson’s SSD deadlift added a new dimension—value. With $32 million SSDs in play, it’s hard to imagine a more expensive barbell ever being lifted.
The event not only captivated fans of strength sports but also brought significant attention to advancements in storage technology. As tech companies explore innovative ways to market their products, partnerships like this one are likely to become more common.
Hafþór Björnsson has once again proven his strength and adaptability, this time bridging the gap between two vastly different worlds. With his SSD deadlift, he has created a moment that is as memorable in the tech industry as it is in the world of competitive lifting.
