Powerlifting is a 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.
Mark Jerrold Henry is an American former powerlifter, Olympic weightlifter, strongman, and professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as a commentator/analyst, coach, and talent scout. He is best known for his 25-year career in WWE.
Scot Mendelson is an American armwrestler and powerlifter, who specializes in the bench press. He has broken multiple world records and was the raw (unassisted) world record holder in the 308-pound weight class with a 701 lb (318 kg) bench press from 2002 to 2020 and the equipped world record holder in the 275-pound class with a 1,031 lb (468 kg) bench press from 2009 to 2021. He also held the all-time world record in the raw bench press, regardless of weight class with 715 lb (324 kg) for 8 years. Working as a self-employed personal trainer, he runs his own gym called F.I.T.
Jouko Ahola is a Finnish former strongman, powerlifter and actor. He is a two time World's Strongest Man winner, a two time Europe's Strongest Man winner, and is regarded as one of the best pound for pound strongmen in history.
Theodore Arcidi is an American former professional wrestler, actor and powerlifter. He is known to be the first man in history to bench press over 700 pounds in competition, establishing an official world record.
Andrew Bolton is an English powerlifter and strongman who was born in Dewsbury, Yorkshire. He is the first man to deadlift 1,000 pounds, doing so in 2006.
Bench press world records are the international records in bench press across the years, regardless of weight class or governing organization, for bench pressing on the back without using a bridge technique.
Mikhail Viktorovich Koklyaev is a Russian weightlifter, powerlifter, strongman and boxer.
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).
Konstantīns Konstantinovs was a Latvian powerlifter of Russian descent. His raw deadlift of 426 kg (939.2 lb), set in 2009, was formerly the heaviest raw deadlift, and was the world record for the 140 kg (308 lb) weight class until 2022.
Kirk Karwoski is an American world champion powerlifter. Kirk is a 7 time USPF National Powerlifting Champion, a 6 time IPF World Powerlifting Champion and an IPF Junior World Powerlifting Champion.
Mehrab Fatemi is an Iranian strongman and powerlifter.
USA Powerlifting (USAPL) is a national powerlifting organization in the United States The USAPL sanctions local, regional and national meets in the country. The current president of the USAPL is Larry Maile.
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.
Erni Gregorčič is the most decorated and successful Slovenian powerlifter and record holder. He is a professional personal trainer and specialized strength coach. He is also the coach of Mariša Golob, the most successful female in Slovenian powerlifting history.
The IBSA World Games or World Blind Games are an international multi-sport event, occurring every four years, organized by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA). The events enable blind and partially sighted athletes to compete in a number of sports. The first event took place at Madrid, Spain in 1998.
Zaur Aliaga ogly Jafarov is an Azerbaijani powerlifter, Honored Master of Sports of Azerbaijan, eight-time champion of Azerbaijan, four-time world and four-time European champion.
Páll Ingvi Logason, also known as 'Fermeter', is an Icelandic powerlifter and a strongman from Garðabær.
Mark Robinson is a South African martial artist and powerlifter. He is considered one of South Africa's most accomplished athletes with his most notable accomplishments being world champion in submission wrestling, sumo and powerlifting.
Bakhtiyor Rahimov is an Tajik powerlifter. Master of Sports of Tajikistan in powerlifting. Powerlifting World Champion. He is a Vice-President of the Federation of Powerlifting, Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation of Tajikistan.
