World's Strongest Man 2018 Results Day 1: 'The Mountain' Hafthor Bjornsson Leads

Hafthor Julius Bjornsson leads the way after the first day of the 2018 World's Strongest Man finals at Rizal Park in Manila, Philippines, on Saturday. 

"The Mountain" finished fourth in the frame carry event but rebounded to manage the joint-most reps in the car deadlift. Bjornsson and four-time champion Brian Shaw each managed 12 reps.

Shaw, competing in a record 10th final, was edged out by Poland's Mateusz Kieliszkowski in the frame carry. He also couldn't match Bjornsson in the Max Overhead, as the Game of Thrones star lifted more than 200 kilograms over his head.

The day ended with Shaw trailing The Mountain by just 2.5 points.

Here are the results from each event, per Kalle Beck of StartingStrongman.com:

Frame Carry (825 Ilbs)

1. Mateusz Kieliszkowski (POL): 10 points

2. Brian Shaw (USA): 9 points

3. Konstantine Janashia (GEO): 8 points

4. Hafthor Julius Bjornsson (ISL): 7 points

5. Martins Licis (USA): 6 points

6. Jean-Francois Caron (CAN): 5 points

7. Robert Oberst (USA): 4 points

8. Johan Els (RSA): 3 points

9. Matjaz Belsak (SLO): 2 points

10. Zydrunas Savickas (LTU): 1 point

Vehicle Deadlift

1. Hafthor Julius Bjornsson (ISL): 12, 9.5 points 16.5 points in total

2. Brian Shaw (USA): 12, 9.5 points 18.5 points in total

3. Jean-Francois Caron (CAN): 11, 8 points 13 points in total

4. Martins Licis (USA): 10, 7 points 13 points in total

5. Konstantine Janashia (GEO): 7, 6 points 14 points in total

6. Matjaz Belsak (SLO:) 6, 5 points, 7 points in total

7. Johan Els (RSA): 5, 4 points, 7 points in toal

8. Zydrunas Savickas (LTU): 3, 2.5 points, 3.5 points in total

9. Mateusz Kieliszkowski (POL): 3, 2.5 points, 12.5 points in total

10. Robert Oberst (USA): 0, 4 points in total

Max Overhead

1. Hafthor Julius Bjornsson, (ISL): 205 kilograms, 10 points 26.5 points in total

2. Martins Licis (USA): 200 kgs, 8.5 points 21.5 points in total

3. Mateusz Kieliszkowski (POL): 200 kgs, 8.5 points 21 in total

4. Brian Shaw (USA): 190 kgs, 5.5 points 24 points in total

4. Matjaz Belsak (SLO): 190 kgs, 5.5 points 12.5 points in total

5. Robert Oberst (USA): 190 kgs, 5.5 points 9.5 points in total

6. Zydrunas Savickas (LTU): 190 kgs, 5.5 points 9 points in total

8. Jean-Francois Caron (CAN): 175 kgs, 3 points 16 points in total

9. Konstantinos Janashia (GEO): 0, 14 points in total

10. Johan Els (RSA): 0, 7 points in total

Visit Philippines showed how the day got under way with the frame carry:

As has often been the case throughout his career, this kind of moving event favoured Shaw, who kept pace with Kieliszkowski most of the way. Even though the Pole managed to cross the line a fraction quicker, Shaw was still left pleased with his efforts.

The American's solid start continued in the vehicle deadlift. Raw power was the order of the day here, so the event favoured Bjornsson, but Shaw managed to match The Mountain for number of lifts.

Visit Philippines showed both Shaw and Bjornsson in action:

It was an inspired effort, one good enough to leave Shaw in command of the points table ahead of the max overhead. Yet this event would belong to Bjornsson.

The Icelandic strongman lifted 205 kilograms over his head to add 10 points to his tally. By contrast, Shaw could only manage to lift 15 kgs less than his nearest rival.

Shaw's fellow American Martins Licis, along with Kieliszkowski, also impressed in this event. Both men lifted 200 kg over their heads.

Bjornsson has put himself in a commanding position ahead of Sunday. The last day of the finals will be defined by the intense battle for the title between The Mountain and Shaw, as athletes grapple with the anvil, the loading race and the traditional Atlas Stone.