[2] The roots of the competition goes back to the Nordic Strongman Championships which was continued until 2013 with participation of athletes from Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark.

In 2014, Giants Live upscaled it to global level, renaming the competition to 'World's Strongest Viking'.

[3] The competition was held every January in Vinstra, Norway under freezing weather conditions[2] and with vintage Viking events.

The competitions were noted for their heavily wood crafted implements and replicating historical feats of strength.

One of the most legendary moments of the competitions came in 2015 when Iceland's Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson surpassed the historical 1,000 years old Viking ship mast (Ormrinn langi) feat of strength by carrying a 650 kg (1,433 lb), 10 metres (33 ft) long, 1.41 metres (4 ft 8 in) circumference Viking ship mast on his back for 5 steps in −20 °C weather.