Jón Páll Sigmarsson was born on a farm in Iceland. He worked here for most of his youth where he would regularly hunt seals and help in their preparation. He was also quite fond of books, and could nearly always be found reading in his leisure time. From this Jón Páll came to appreciate especially strong men in books. He was fascinated by the viking warriors and Tarzan in particular. Jón Páll at one time considered becoming a carpenter, since he had a hard work ethic focused on getting the job done quickly. But he decided against this and would soon become obsessed with training. While most other boys would spend their leisure on other activities as soon as Jón Páll could drive at 17 he was visiting the gym on a regular basis.
He began in Olympic lifting, but due to a problem he had in straightening his arm, he would soon move on to powerlifting. It was here that he became known for his outgoing and over-the-top personality, which contrasted to his rather quiet personal demeanor. Jón Páll never drank alcohol and stuck to a a very demanding diet of 20000 calories a day. He soon met his love and had a son Sigmar, who he had a strong bond with. Jón Páll is often credited with bringing bodybuilding to Iceland because of his massive popularity. He did these bodybuilding tournaments alongside his strongman championships. He is also credited by his organizers of the highland games as being responsible for the introduction of the Farmer's Walk and the McGlashen Stones, which would later be called the Atlas Stones.
He soon began to dominate strongman competitions, including wins over Geoff Capes in the World's Strongest Man competitions. He was always noted for his good spirits and sportsmanship. There seemed to be only one exception: the great Bill Kazmaier. With the 1988 contest marking the return of Bill, Sigmarsson and Bill quickly formed a strong rivalry that began in the 1987 Pure Strength competition. This act would soon become just for the competition, even 'mean' Kaz could not resist the charm and strength of Jón Páll.
But the Viking's reign was coming to its end. The contest in 1990 would be an emotional one for Jón Páll. A new competitor was making his chances of winning very slim. After an emotional finish, Jón Páll had finished his final competition. Despite this, he would still show up to World's Strongest Man to cheer on new competitors like the other great Icelander Magnús Ver Magnússon and brighten the mood.
This however would be tragically cut short. On January 16th, 1993 Jón Páll Sigmarsson was deadlifting in a gym in Iceland when he suddenly experienced a heart attack caused by a traumatic aortic rupture that was likely related to a heart condition known to be present in his family. On this day Iceland, strongman and the world lost one of the greatest athletes and sportsman of all time.
He began in Olympic lifting, but due to a problem he had in straightening his arm, he would soon move on to powerlifting. It was here that he became known for his outgoing and over-the-top personality, which contrasted to his rather quiet personal demeanor. Jón Páll never drank alcohol and stuck to a a very demanding diet of 20000 calories a day. He soon met his love and had a son Sigmar, who he had a strong bond with. Jón Páll is often credited with bringing bodybuilding to Iceland because of his massive popularity. He did these bodybuilding tournaments alongside his strongman championships. He is also credited by his organizers of the highland games as being responsible for the introduction of the Farmer's Walk and the McGlashen Stones, which would later be called the Atlas Stones.
He soon began to dominate strongman competitions, including wins over Geoff Capes in the World's Strongest Man competitions. He was always noted for his good spirits and sportsmanship. There seemed to be only one exception: the great Bill Kazmaier. With the 1988 contest marking the return of Bill, Sigmarsson and Bill quickly formed a strong rivalry that began in the 1987 Pure Strength competition. This act would soon become just for the competition, even 'mean' Kaz could not resist the charm and strength of Jón Páll.
But the Viking's reign was coming to its end. The contest in 1990 would be an emotional one for Jón Páll. A new competitor was making his chances of winning very slim. After an emotional finish, Jón Páll had finished his final competition. Despite this, he would still show up to World's Strongest Man to cheer on new competitors like the other great Icelander Magnús Ver Magnússon and brighten the mood.
This however would be tragically cut short. On January 16th, 1993 Jón Páll Sigmarsson was deadlifting in a gym in Iceland when he suddenly experienced a heart attack caused by a traumatic aortic rupture that was likely related to a heart condition known to be present in his family. On this day Iceland, strongman and the world lost one of the greatest athletes and sportsman of all time.