Iruka praised Hiruzen as the strongest Hokage? Yes he was a strong Hokage, but Iruka wasn't alive to even witness Hashirama's strength or power, so we can't use that statement as a valid tool of juxtaposing Hiruzen and claiming him superior to Hashirama
hes a teacher. danzo and many others knew about mokuton and the fact that he beat ems madara, but the highest praise thats ever gotten is tobi saying hes the strongest of his time. why "his time" unless he was surpassed?
besides him being strongest hokage is backed up in the databook.
not onyl that but hiruzen defeated hashirama when hashi was an immortal zombie and hiruzen was an old man.
his wood techniques were said to suck opponents chakra(as it did when he fought Madara and 9 tails). Hiruzen would be killed off easily
hiruzen handled wood release with ease in their fight.
Hashirama is way stronger. Stopping the Kuuybi, defeating EMS Madara, which I don't believe Hiruzen could've pulled off,
just because you doubt it doesnt mean its impossible. hiruzen beat hashi handily with enma, tags and dead demon seal mixed with kage bunshin. and thats not even the extent of his power.
whos the god of shinobi? hiruzen. whos not? oh right then.
Hiruzen was ONE of the most powerful shinobi.
of course. wikia takes guys like nagato into account.