Icelandic actor and strongman Hafthor Bjornsson set a deadlifting world record on Saturday when he lifted 1,104 pounds (501 kg) at Thor's Power Gym in Iceland.

Bjornsson, best known for his portrayal of Ser Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane on the popular HBO series "Game of Thrones," broke the world mark held by Briton Eddie Hall who in 2016 became the first man to lift 500 kg.

The event was streamed live on ESPN and Bjornsson, 31, lifted the barbell that was bending and straining under the weights, holding it for two seconds before letting go and roaring in delight.

He later said on YouTube: "It's great – there's nothing better than proving people wrong. So many people didn't believe in me, so many people that said, '501 kilograms is never going to go up'... But I also had a lot of support."

Bjornsson, who is six feet, nine inches tall, won the World's Strongest Man competition in 2018.

(With input from Reuters and AP)