On September 11, 2022, Canadian strongman Mitchell Hooper shared an Instagram clip where he squatted 315 kilograms (695 kilos), raw, for five reps. In response to the caption of the athlete’s post, the feat is a recent five-rep personal record (PR) for Hooper, who wore a lifting belt and knee sleeves in the course of the set. 

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Hooper’s demonstration of leg power is a component of ongoing preparation for his debut on the upcoming 2022 Rogue Invitational. That contest is scheduled to happen on Oct. 28-30, 2022, on the Dell Diamond Stadium in Austin, TX.

In anticipation of the competition, Hooper recently began filming a series on his YouTube channel entitled “Road to the Rogue Invitational.” The primary video — shared on Sept. 7, 2022 — features the athlete practicing various traditional events featured in strongman contests. (Note: On the time of this writing, the organizers of the 2022 Rogue Invitational haven’t announced the events for the competition.)

Hooper finally ends up lifting Atlas Stones, working through a respective Farmer’s and Sandbag Carry, and even throws in a one-kilometer run on a treadmill for good measure. All in all, Hooper calls his diligent training in the primary episode “a superb place to start out.”

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Here’s the present roster of athletes slated to compete in Austin at the top of October:

2022 Rogue Invitational Roster 

Notably, while defending champion Martin Licis returns to defend his title, two-time reigning World’s Strongest Man (WSM) Tom Stoltman, 2021 Europe’s Strongest Man (ESM) Luke Stoltman, and four-time WSM champ Brian Shaw each declined their invitations after competing in last yr’s edition. Tom Stoltman finished second behind Licis in 2021.

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Three such noteworthy absences mean the 2022 Rogue Invitational field could possibly be wide open for an up-and-comer like Hooper. After a 2022 WSM Qualifying Round blitz and three consecutive podium finishes on this yr’s Giants Live Strongman Classic, Giants Live World Open, and Shaw Classic — Hooper may thoroughly be in line to capture his first major international strongman victory. 

The 2022 Rogue Invitational is about to occur on Oct. 28-30 in Austin, TX. 

Featured image: @mitchellhooper on Instagram