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 retired professional wrestler. 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 1000 lbs/453.6 kg, 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.
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.
To whom it may concern: USAPL is no longer affiliated with the IPF. 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.
Listed below are the progressions of 7 deadlift world records across powerlifting, strongman and armlifting.
Zaur Aliaga ogly Jafarov is an Azerbaijani powerlifter, Honored master of sports of Azerbaijan, elite athlete, six-time world champion, six-time European champion, absolute World champion and absolute European champion, World Cup winner, international class judge, international class master of Sports, world and European record holder in the AWPC, nine-time Champion of the Republic, three-time winner international powerlifting tournament dedicated to the birthday anniversary of Heydar Aliyev, national lider of Azerbaijan and two-time absolute champion. The only elite athlete in the history of Azerbaijani powerlifting who has fulfilled the requirements of the highest degree two times. In 2022, at the World Cup in Russia, won the title of “Elite athlete” for the first time in the history of powerlifting of Azerbaijan, fulfilling the requirements of the highest rank. In 2023, at the European Championships in Kyrgyzstan, he won second time the title of “Elite athlete”. For his high results, he was awarded the highest award in powerlifting “Elite Ring” by the leadership of the World Sports Organization of Powerlifting, at the 2023 Grand Prix tournament in Russia.
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 to be one of South Africa's most accomplished athletes due to his accomplishments in several wrestling styles and powerlifting.
