Born in Donetsk, Ukraine, Makarov suffered from kidney issues during his childhood but managed to defy doctor's predictions and started lifting heavy weights by the age of sixteen.[2] After powerlifting[3] and performing as a circus strongman, Makarov entered 2016 Strongman Team Open Challenge.
In 2017 Makarov was invited to the Strongman Champions League and rose to prominence through more international competitions such as Siberian Power Show, Giants Live, Marijampolė International and Central European Strongman Cup.[1]
Makarov is a two time Giants Live World Deadlift Champion winning outright in 2021 and sharing it in 2024, as well as Eisenhart Deadlift Champion in 2022. He is also the only person to have held three national deadlift records having represented three countries. He broke the Russian record with 470 kg (1,036 lb) at 2019 Geraklion Record Breakers, Ukrainian record with 475 kg (1,047 lb) at 2021 World Deadlift Championships and Georgian record with 454 kg (1,001 lb) at 2022 World Deadlift Championships.
Makarov has deadlifted 1,000 lb or more the second highest number of times only behind Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson. He attempted to break the all-time deadlift world record multiple times (once when it was held by former record holder Eddie Hall in 2019 and four more times when it was held by the current record holder Björnsson between 2020 and 2024) but was not successful in any of the attempts.[2]
Makarov's best deadlift of 483 kg (1,065 lb) achieved at 2022 Eisenhart Black Deadlift Championships was the third heaviest lift at its time after Björnsson and Hall, and to this date remains the sixth heaviest after Björnsson (3 times), Hall, and Peiman Maheripour.[4]
