Mike Hall (powerlifter)

Last updated
Mike Hall
Michael Hall.jpg
Born
Mike Hall

(1956-10-03) October 3, 1956 (age 67)
StatusRetired 1991
Occupation(s) Powerlifter, Motivational Speaker
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
SpouseToni Hall
ChildrenRenata, Briana and Brittany
Competition record
Powerlifting
Representing Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
IPF World Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1986 The Hague +125kg
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1987 Fredrikstad +125kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1989 Sydney +125kg
Pan American Weightlifting Championships [1]
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1987 Hamilton+125kg
World Corporate Games [1]
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg1988 +125kg
ADFPA National Championships [2]
2nd1983+125kg
1st1984+125kg
1st1985+125kg
1st1986+125kg
1st1989+125kg
USPF National Championships [1]
3rd1985+125kg
1st1986+125kg
1st1987+125kg
2nd1988+125kg
1st1989+125kg
Lifetime Drug Free Nationals [1]
1st1989+125kg
WDFPF World Championships [3]
1st1990+125kg

Michael Hall (born October 3, 1956) is a retired American powerlifter, who is perhaps best known for being a pioneer of the drug-free movement in powerlifting. Hall is considered the first African American Super Heavyweight powerlifter to win a World Powerlifting Championship. [4] [5]

Contents

Hall succeeded in setting numerous American Drug Free Powerlifting Association (ADFPA), American and National records in all three lifts, as well as the total. [1] [2] In addition, he won both the ADFPA and United States Powerlifting Federation (USPF) nationals several times during the same year. [1] [6] He was also the first superheavyweight lifter to win both the IPF and the WDFPF World Championships. [1] [3] At the 1987 IPF World Championships, Hall officially became the first American lifter to squat 900 lb (409 kg) and break the 2200 lb (1000 kg) total under drug tested conditions. [1]

He became the first ADFPA drug-free lifter in powerlifting history under drug tested conditions to [1] bench press over 600 pounds, squat over 900 pounds and break the 2000, 2100, 2200 and 2300 pounds total without the use of anabolic steroids”. [1] [2] [5] [7] Hall, who claims God as his coach, is known as the "World’s Strongest Drug-Free Man". [5] [7] [8] [9] He has been highly decorated as one of the leading anti-drug role models in the United States. [9] In 1992, he appeared on a poster titled Natural Power, which is part of a campaign by the National Federation of High Schools to combat steroid and drug use. The posters were sent to 20,000 schools in the United States, reaching 11 million students. [5] [10]

Early life

Hall was born in Lewes, Delaware to Mary Magdalene Hall and John Westley. As a child, Mike Hall was picked on a lot while growing up in Dagsboro, Delaware. [7] At age 12, Hall started lifting using a tree branch and old car rims. [7] Hall could bench press 400 lb when he was 16. [11]

Accolades

In 1990, then-Delaware Senator Joe Biden proposed key legislation to address steroid use among athletes and student-athletes. Biden authorized legislation to make steroids a Schedule II substance drug. Biden stated Hall was an example of how an athlete does not have to use steroids to be a champion. He said, “Mike Hall holds the current record of the most weight lifted by a drug-free lifter, a record he is proud to share with young athletes who think they need steroids to become a champion. I am proud of Mike Hall who is a native of Delaware.” [12]

In 1996, Hall was inducted into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame. [13]

In 2019, Hall was referenced in TieBreaker's Homegrown Talent: Every State's Greatest Athlete [14] for Delaware

Personal records

Equipped

Measurements

Mike's Measurements [10] [7]
Height: 6’2
Weight: 370-400 lbs
Upper Arm: 24”
Chest: 64”
Neck: 23”
Calves: 22”
Forearms: 18”
Thighs: 35”
Waist: 51”
Only a Texas Tee XXXXXXL was comfortable for Hall.

Competition results

-Squat: 683lbs (310.4kg), Bench 485lbs (220.4kg), Deadlift: 722lbs (328.1kg) Total: 1862lbs (846kg)
-Squat: 782lbs (355.4kg), Bench: 529lbs (240.1kg), Deadlift: 722lbs (328.1kg), Total: 2033lbs (846kg)
-Squat: 865lbs (393.3kg), Bench: 578lbs (263kg), Deadlift: 716.5lbs (325.6kg), Total: 2160lbs (981kg)
-Squat: 925lbs (420.4kg), Bench: 584lbs (265.4kg), Deadlift: 793lbs (360.4kg), Total: 2303lbs (1046.8kg)
-Squat: 832lbs (378.2kg), Bench: 573.2lbs (260.5kg), Deadlift: 766.1lbs (348.2kg), Total: 2171.5lbs (987kg)
-Squat: 903.9lbs (410.8kg), Bench: 617.2lbs (280.4kg), Deadlift: 711lbs (323.1kg), Total: 2232.1lbs (1014.5kg)
-Squat: 905lbs (411kg), Bench: 600lbs (272.7kg), Deadlift: 745lbs (338.6kg), Total: 2250lbs (1022.7kg)
-Squat: 876.3lbs (398.3kg), Bench: 600lbs (272.7kg), Deadlift: 722lbs (328.1kg), Total: 2160.5lbs (981kg)
-Squat: 909.4lbs (413.3kg), Bench: 600.7lbs (273kg), Deadlift: 755lbs (343.1kg) Total: 2265lbs (1029kg)
-Squat: 903.9lbs,(410kg), Bench: 567.6lbs, (258kg), Deadlift:749.5lbs (340.6kg), Total: 2221lbs (1009.5kg)
-Squat: 903lbs,(410kg), Bench: 562lbs, (255kg), Deadlift,744lbs (338kg), Total: 2210lbs (1004.5)
-Squat: 903lbs,(410kg), Bench: 562lbs, (255kg), Deadlift,744lbs (338kg), Total: 2210lbs (1004.5)
-Squat: 881lbs, (400.4kg), Bench: 622.8lbs (282.7kg), Deadlift: 766.1 (348kg), Total: 2270.7lbs (1032.1)
-Squat: 925.9lbs,(420.8kg), Bench:562.1lbs (255kg), Deadlift: 738lbs (335kg), Total 2226.6lbs ( 1012kg)
-Squat: 837.7lbs, (380.7kg), Bench: 567.6lbs (258kg), Deadlift: 755lbs (343kg) Total: 2160.5lbs (982kg)
-Squat: 931lbs 423kg), Bench: 633lbs (287kg), Deadlift: 771 pounds (350.4kg), Total: 2336.9lbs (1062kg)
-Squat: 903.9lbs (410.8kg), Bench: 573.2lbs (260.5kg), Deadlift: 755lbs (343kg), Total: 2232lbs (1014.5kg)
-Squat 909.4lbs (413.3kg), Bench: 622.8lbs (282.7kg), Deadlift: 749.5lbs (340.6kg), Total: 2281lbs (1037.1kg)
-Squat: 870.8lbs (395kg), Bench: 523.6lbs (238kg), Deadlift: 705lbs (320kg), Total: 2099.9 (954.5kg)
-Squat: 804lbs(365kg), Bench: 529lbs (240kg), Deadlift: 550lbs (250kg), Total: 1883lbs (855kg)

Personal life

Hall is married to his wife Toni and they have three daughters, Renata, Briana, and Brittany. He is employed at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, in Princess Anne Md., as the Director and Fitness Specialist of the Health and Wellness Department. [5] [30]

In 2013, Hall suffered a heart attack and was admitted to Nanticoke Hospital. [5] [4] [8]

Powerlifting career

During the mid-1970s, Hall became the all-marine Heavyweight-Powerlifting Champion several times. He was considered as one of the strongest marines in his time. [31]

Hall arrived on the National scene with the American Drug-Free Powerlifting Association (ADFPA) in 1983. He won the 2nd place in his first Nationals at the ADFPA Nationals in Allentown, Pa. with 1862 lbs (846 kg) total while setting a National and American record in the deadlift. [2] The following year, he took 1ST place at the 1984 ADFPA Nationals setting an American and National record in the deadlift 722 lbs (328 kg) and total 2033 lbs (924 kg). [2] Hall officially became the first ADFPA drug-free lifter to break the 2000 lbs total barrier at a National competition. [2]

On July 6, 1985, Hall participated in his first United States Powerlifting Federation's National Powerlifting Championships in Chicago, Illinois and took 3rd place in the Superheavyweight (SHW) division behind the great Doyle Kenady and George Hector. Hall posted a 2171.5 lbs (987 kg) total. [1] Two weeks later, on July 20 Hall took 1st place at the 1985 ADFPA Nationals in Wilkes Barre, PA. His winning 2160 lbs (981 kg) total became the first 2100 lb total in ADFPA history. [1] [2] Powerlifting USA Magazine stated, "Lifting this often and doing well is quite a challenge for a big man". Hall attempted the first 600 lbs bench in ADFPA history on a fourth attempt and was good for 2300 lbs total. [32] In November 1985, Hall competed at the ADFPA Longhorn Open/Collegiate Powerlifting competition held by Dr. Terry and Jan Todd in Austin, Texas and shocked the powerlifting world by posting the highest total in history lifted by a drug-tested lifter. A record-breaking 2303 lbs (1046.8 kg). His lifts consisted of 925 lbs (420 kg) squat w/wraps, 584 lbs (265 kg) raw bench press and a 793 lbs (360 kg) raw deadlift. He officially became the first lifter in ADFPA history and the first man to break the 2200 and 2300-pound barrier without the aid of Anabolic steroids. [16]

In April 1986, Hall won the super heavyweight division in the ADFPA North American Powerlifting competition in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He squatted 905 lbs missing 940 lbs twice. He totaled 2250 lbs and became the first ADFPA lifter in history to officially bench press 600 lbs (272.7 kg) drug-free. [18] In the 1988 Boys Life Magazine, Dennis Brady, the president of the American Drug-free Powerlifting Association at that time quoted, "Mike Hall is an unusual drug-free lifter, and He’s able to compete with anyone”. [7] Hall continued his lifting journey by winning first place at the United States Powerlifting Federation National Powerlifting (USPF) in 1986, 1987, 1989 and the American Drug Free Powerlifting Association (ADFPA) in 1986, and 1989. [1] [2]

In November 1986, Hall entered his first International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Championships in the Netherlands, the Hague. He won his first gold with a 2160 lb (981.8 kg) total. [1] [21] At the 1986 IPF World Championships, Hall registered the highest SHW total since IPF began drug testing in 1982. [21]

At the 1987 IPF World Championship in Oslo, Norway, Hall took second place behind Sweden’s Lars Noren, with a 2210 lbs (1004.5) total. [1] In addition, Hall became the first American lifter to officially squat 900 lbs (409 kg) and total 2200 lbs at a drug tested IPF World Powerlifting competition. [1] [21] On October 25, 1988, in San Diego California, Hall made history by competing at the first World Corporate Games and winning the Gold with a 2160 lbs (982 kg) total. [1] [24] In 1989, at the ADFPA Lifetime Drug-Free Nationals in Tempe, Arizona, Hall spoke to 8000 kids during a “Say No to Drugs” seminar and lifting exhibition. While squatting at the exhibition, Hall injured his hand returning the bar back in the rack. Hall placed first while posting the highest drug tested total 2336.9 lbs (1062 kg) ever lifted by an American Superheavyweight lifter during that time. [25] [33] At the 1989 IPF World Championships in Canada, despite serious injuries Hall won the 1989 IPF World Championships with a 2099 lbs total. [1] [34] Mike Lambert, editor of Powerlifting USA Magazine quoted, "Few people realized the intensity of Mike's effort to win the super heavy title at the fantastic IPF Worlds in Canada. Hall prayed, and he felt no pain until after the 705 lbs deadlift he needed was successfully completed. [10] At the 1990 World Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation World Championships in Meaux, France, Hall took first place and set a new WDFPF world bench press of 529 lbs (240.4 kg). [3] In 1991, Hall known as the World’s Strongest Drug-free Man retired from the lifting platform.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Powerlifting</span> Sport

Powerlifting is a competitive strength sport that consists of three attempts at maximal weight on three lifts: squat, bench press, and deadlift. As in the sport of Olympic weightlifting, it involves the athlete attempting a maximal weight single-lift effort of a barbell loaded with weight plates. Powerlifting evolved from a sport known as "odd lifts", which followed the same three-attempt format but used a wider variety of events, akin to strongman competition. Eventually, odd lifts became standardized to the current three.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Henry</span> American professional wrestler, weightlifter and radio personality (born 1972)

Mark Jerrold Henry is an American former powerlifter, Olympic weightlifter, strongman, and retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his 25-year career in WWE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Kazmaier</span> American strongman

William Kazmaier is an American former world champion powerlifter, world champion strongman and professional wrestler. During the 1970s and 1980s, he set numerous powerlifting and strongman world records, and won two International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Championships and three World's Strongest Man titles. In the 1980s, Kazmaier became famous for his claim to be "the strongest man who ever lived" by equaling and surpassing spectacular and versatile feats of strength of famous strongmen of the 20th century. He is widely considered to be one of the all-time greatest competitors in strength competitions and was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.

Donald C. Reinhoudt was an American powerlifter and strongman. He won the IPF World Powerlifting Superheavyweight Championship four consecutive times (1973–1976), and won the World's Strongest Man in 1979.

Johnnie Otis Jackson is an American IFBB professional bodybuilder and powerlifter. Jackson has been said to have one of the best developed upper bodies in professional bodybuilding in the world. He is known for training in Arlington, Texas, with fellow American IFBB pro competitor Branch Warren. Due to his strength, he has sometimes been referred to as the world's strongest bodybuilder.

James Gregory Henderson, also known as Big James Henderson and James "Hollywood" Henderson, is a former American powerlifter who specialized in the bench press. He competed in the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) and was five times Super Heavyweight World Bench Press Champion. He was the second man to bench press over 700 pounds [lb] (317.5 kg) and the second man to bench press over 700 lbs raw. James set numerous world records throughout his career, including the all-time world record in the raw (unassisted) bench press with 711 lb (323 kg).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Clark (powerlifter)</span> Filipino-American power lifter

Anthony Wayne Clark was an American powerlifter, holder of the world record for the reverse-grip bench press and member of the York Barbell Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ed Coan</span> American powerlifter (born 1963)

Edward Coan is an American powerlifter. He is widely regarded throughout the powerlifting world as the greatest powerlifter of all time. Coan has set over 71 world records in powerlifting.

Stan "The White Rhino" Efferding is an American IFBB professional bodybuilder and a powerlifter competing in the Southern Powerlifting Federation (SPF). He held the all-time raw world powerlifting records in the 275-pound-class in the Total without knee wraps and in the Squat without knee wraps (854 lbs). Due to his enormous physical strength, regularly competing in professional powerlifting contests along his career in professional competitive bodybuilding, Efferding is often referred to as the "world's strongest bodybuilder".

Truman Hugh Cassidy, better known as Hugh Cassidy, is an American metal sculptor, jazz musician, and former powerlifter who competed in powerlifting just prior to the formation of the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF). In 1971, he became U.S. National Powerlifting Champion as well as World Powerlifting Champion at the inaugural Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) World Championships, defeating the young soon-to-be all-time greats Jim Williams and John Kuc in the super heavyweight division.

Blaine Sumner is an American world champion powerlifter from Conifer, Colorado, currently residing in Gillette, Wyoming, United States.

Jon Frederic Cole was a discus thrower,powerlifter, Olympic weightlifter and strongman from the United States. He competed in powerlifting just prior to the formation of the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF). Having set world records in the squat, deadlift and Total during his career, he was multiple times AAU US National Powerlifting Champion as well as an outstanding Olympic weightlifter, discus thrower and shot-putter. Being the "premier strongman" of the early 1970s for his overall excellence in powerlifting, Olympic lifting and strength-based track and field, Cole was at one time known as the "strongest man in the world" for holding the greatest combined powerlifting/weightlifting super total of all time. Jon Cole was not only officially the first man in history to total 2200 lbs, he also became the first man to squat over 900 lbs as well as the first to total 2300 lbs in competition on October 28, 1972. Today, he is enjoying legendary status in the powerlifting scene and is widely considered to be one of the all-time greatest powerlifters in the history of the sport. His lifts, which are considered as raw by today's standards, are still mostly unequaled in his weight class: He still holds the all-time greatest raw (unequipped) powerlifting totals in the 242 and the 308-pound division. While past his prime as a lifter, he competed in the first annual World's Strongest Man competition in 1977, where he finished in 6th place.

James Talbot Williams was a record holder professional competitive powerlifter from the United States of America. He competed in powerlifting just prior to the formation of the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF). During the early 1970s he set bench press national and world records in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). On November 9, 1972, he performed bench press of 675 lbs. Jim Williams was the first man to bench press 300 kg (661.41 bs) in competition the international governing body for the sport of powerlifting.

Brady Anthony Stewart is an American weightlifter. He was born on July 21, 1982, in St. Louis Missouri. Stewart is an 8-time US National Bench Press Team member for USA Powerlifting(Luxembourg 2009, Lithuania 2013, Sweden 2015, Denmark 2016, Lithuania 2017, South Africa 2018, Japan 2019, Czech Republic 2020[canceled due to Covid-19]). Stewart is the current American Record holder in the 120 kg / 264 lbs weight class with a press of 356.5 kg or 785.9 lbs. Stewart is the only lifter in US history to have medaled in IPF OPEN World Equipped Bench Press Championship competition in the 264 lbs weight class. He is also a member of the historic 2009 World Champion US National Bench Press Team.

Jesus Olivares is an American powerlifter. He is the reigning world champion at the IPF Classic Powerlifting Championships in the 120+ kilogram weight class, winning four competitions.

Agata Sitko is a Polish heavyweight powerlifter, competing in the IPF. Despite being a junior, she has won the World Games in 2022 as a Heavyweight, the 2024 SBD Sheffield Powerlifting Championships, and has won the IPF World Equipped Championships in 2021, as well as the World Classic Championships in 2024.

Heather Connor is an American powerlifter, competing in the 47 kilogram weight class. She is a 2-time IPF world champion and 6-time national champion.

Russel Orhii is an American powerlifter, competing in the 83 kilogram weight class. He is a 2-time IPF World Champion and 6-time National champion.

Taylor Atwood is an American powerlifter. He is a 3-time IPF World Champion and has held multiple world records in the 74 kilogram weight class.

Bonica Brown is an American powerlifter competing in the IPF. She is a World Games champion, a 4-time Equipped World Champion, a 2-time Sub-Junior Equipped World Champion, and a 7-time Classic World Champion, and she has held multiple world records in each division.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 "User:Mike Hall". OpenPowerlifting. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Google Drive: Sign-in". accounts.google.com.
  3. 1 2 3 1990 WDFPF World Championships
  4. 1 2 "Sean talks with the World's Strongest Drug-Free Man, Mike Hall". WBOC. 13 February 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Legendary Mike Hall Recovering From Heart Attack" . Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  6. Lambert, Mike (14 July 1989). "USPF Seniors July 1989" (PDF). Powerlifting USA. 13 (2): 9. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 CSATARI, JEFF (1 September 1988). "Strongest in the World, Naturally". Boys' Life. 78 (9): 18–19. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  8. 1 2 Hitch, Lauren. "Learning All About the World's Strongest Drug-Free Man, Mike Hall" . Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  9. 1 2 Larimer, Terry. "Powerlifter Proves He's A Hero Without Steroids". The Morning Call. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  10. 1 2 3 Lambert, Mike (1 April 1990). "Power Profile: Mike Hall as told by Mike Lambert, PlusA" (PDF). PowerliftingUSA. 13 (9): 4. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  11. Bailes, Julian; McCloskey, John (10 March 2005). When Winning Costs Too Much: Steroids, Supplements and Scandal in Today's Sports (2005 ed.). Lanham, MD 20706: Taylor Trade Publishing. ISBN   1-58979-179-7 . Retrieved 9 October 2018.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  12. "CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE October 24-, 1990" (PDF). Government Publishing Office. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  13. "Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame in Wilmington, Delaware - 1996". www.desports.org.
  14. Lawrence, Eli (14 January 2019). "Homegrown Talent: Every State's Greatest Athlete". TieBreaker. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  15. 1 2 3 4 "ADFPA Lifetime Drug Free Nationals". Open Powerlifting. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  16. 1 2 "Some tremendous lifting" (PDF). Powerlifting USA. 9 (7): 5. 1 February 1986. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  17. "USPF Senior National Championship". Open Powerlifting. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  18. 1 2 "ADFPA April 1986" (PDF). Powerlifting USA. 9 (12): 19. 1 July 1986. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  19. "Pan-Am Championships/18 April 1987/Hamilton, Ontario, Canada" (PDF). NAPF North American Powerlifting Federation. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  20. "USPF Men's Senior Nationals 1987". Allpowerlifint.com. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  21. 1 2 3 4 "World Men's Powerlifting 1974 - 1987". International Powerlifting Federation. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  22. "USPF Budweiser World Record Breakers". Open Powerlifting. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  23. "USPF Senior Nationals, 1988-07-09, USA-NV, Las Vegas". Open Powerlifting. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  24. 1 2 "USPF World Corporate Games". Open Powerlifting. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  25. 1 2 "ADFPA Lifetime Drug Free Nationals 1989-02-25, USA-AZ, Tempe". Open Powerlifting. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  26. "USPF Senior Nationals 1989-07-14, USA-NV, Las Vegas". Open Powerlifting. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  27. "ADFPA Nationals". Open Powerlifting. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  28. "IPF M&W World Powerlifting Championships". Allpowerlifting.com. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  29. Petroff, John (1 Sep 1990). "WDFPF World Championship" (PDF). PowerliftingUSA. 14 (2): 4. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  30. Joseph, Anthony (4 October 2018). "WORLD OF SPORTS-DRUG FREE CHAMPION". WRDE Coast TV. Delmarva's Own NBC Station. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  31. "1996 Inductees". Delaware Sports Museum and Hall Of Fame. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  32. "Mike Hall: the giant Superheavyweight at the "Top" of his deadlift pull" (PDF). PowerliftingUSA. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  33. "Lifetime Drug Frees - 410 pound Mike Hall" (PDF). Powerlifting USA. 12 (10). 1 May 1989. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  34. "An American Hero" (PDF). Powerlifting USA. 13 (6): 5. 1 Jan 1990. Retrieved 20 December 2018.