Progression of the deadlift world record

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Listed below is the all-time deadlift world record progression across all strength sports and the progressions of 7 individual deadlift world records across powerlifting, strongman and armlifting (sport of grip strength).[1]

Key
Measured weight

Listed below is the all-time deadlift world record progression across powerlifting (raw), powerlifting (equipped), and strongman.

Notes: Despite historical claims about Hermann Görner, Bob Peoples and Benoit Cote having lifted heavier numbers, it is Terry Todd and Wilbur Miller who are generally considered the first two individuals to break the 317.5 kg (700 lb) barrier in a documented and official setting with irrefutable evidence, hence initiating the inaugural official world record deadlift in 1964.[2][better source needed]

From 1964 to July 2014, powerlifting record stood as the all-time world record. In August 2014, strongman record surpassed it and to-date stands as the all-time world record.

Weight Holder Date Event Location Sport Ref.
322.1 kg (710 lb) United States Terry ToddSep 1964AAU Powerlifting TournamentYork, Pennsylvania, USAPowerlifting (R)[3][4]
324.4 kg (715 lb) United States Wilbur Miller
328.9 kg (725 lb) United States Wilbur MillerSep 1965AAU Senior NationalsYork, Pennsylvania, USAPowerlifting (R)[3][4]
335.6 kg (740 lb) United States Terry Todd
355.6 kg (784 lb) United States Don CundySep 1967AAU Senior NationalsYork, Pennsylvania, USAPowerlifting (R)[5]
357.5 kg (788.2 lb) Norway Torkel RavndalJun 1969NBA Norwegian Powerlifting ChampionshipsOslo, NorwayPowerlifting (R)[6][7]
362.9 kg (800 lb) United States Don CundyAug 1969AAU Senior NationalsYork, Pennsylvania, USAPowerlifting (R)[5]
365 kg (804.7 lb) United States Don CundyMay 1970NBA Powerlifting DuelOslo, NorwayPowerlifting (R)[8]
367.5 kg (810.2 lb) Norway Torkel Ravndal
375 kg (826.7 lb) Norway Torkel RavndalNov 1970NPA World Record BreakersTromsø, NorwayPowerlifting (R)[9][10]
400.3 kg (882.5 lb) United States Jon ColeOct 1972AAU ChampionshipsPhoenix, Arizona, USAPowerlifting (Eq)[11]
401.6 kg (885.5 lb) United States Don ReinhoudtMay 1975AAU/IPF ChampionshipsChattanooga, Tennessee, USAPowerlifting (Eq)[11][12]
401.9 kg (886 lb) United States Bill KazmaierNov 1981AAU/IPF ChampionshipsTexas, USAPowerlifting (Eq)[12]
410.0 kg (904 lb) United States Dan WohleberDec 1982 USPF Lake Erie OpenSandusky, Ohio, USAPowerlifting (Eq)[13][14][15]
United States Doyle KenadyApr 1986USPF Budweiser World Record BreakersHonolulu, Hawaii, USAPowerlifting (Eq)[13][16][17]
417.5 kg (920.4 lb) United States Gary HeiseyJul 1990APF Senior NationalsPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USAPowerlifting (Eq)[18][19]
419.6 kg (925 lb) United States Gary HeiseyMar 1992WPA World Submasters/MastersLancaster, Pennsylvania, USAPowerlifting (Eq)[13][19]
422.5 kg (931.5 lb) United States Garry FrankNov 2002WPO semifinalsNew Orleans, Louisiana, USAPowerlifting (Eq)[20][21][22]
423 kg (932.6 lb) United Kingdom Andy BoltonMar 2003WPO finalsColumbus, Ohio, USAPowerlifting (Eq)[23][24][25]
425 kg (937 lb) United Kingdom Andy BoltonJun 2005GPC-GB British ChampionshipsPort Talbot, WalesPowerlifting (Eq)[24][26]
426 kg (939.2 lb) Iceland Benedikt MagnússonNov 2005WPC - WPO European Semi FinalsHelsinki, FinlandPowerlifting (R)[27][28]
427.5 kg (942.5 lb) United Kingdom Andy BoltonPowerlifting (Eq)
440 kg (970.0 lb) Iceland Benedikt MagnússonPowerlifting (R)
440.5 kg (971.1 lb) United Kingdom Andy BoltonMar 2006WPO finals - Arnold ClassicColumbus, Ohio, USAPowerlifting (Eq)[29][30][24]
455 kg (1,003.1 lb) United Kingdom Andy BoltonNov 2006WPO semifinalsLake George, New York, USAPowerlifting (Eq)[31][32][33]
457.5 kg (1,008.6 lb) United Kingdom Andy BoltonApr 2009BPC South East ChampionshipsEton, Berkshire, EnglandPowerlifting (Eq)[34][35][36]
460.4 kg (1,015 lb) Iceland Benedikt MagnússonApr 2011MHP's Clash of the Titan's IVDallas, Texas, USAPowerlifting (R)[37][38][39]
461 kg (1,016.3 lb) Iceland Benedikt MagnússonAug 2014World Deadlift ChampionshipsLeeds, EnglandStrongman[40][41]
462 kg (1,018.5 lb)United Kingdom Eddie HallMar 2015Arnold ExpoMelbourne, AustraliaStrongman[42]
463 kg (1,020.7 lb)United Kingdom Eddie HallJul 2015World Deadlift ChampionshipsLeeds, EnglandStrongman[43][44]
465 kg (1,025.1 lb)United Kingdom Eddie HallJul 2016World Deadlift ChampionshipsLeeds, EnglandStrongman[45]
United States Jerry PritchettStrongman
Iceland Benedikt MagnússonStrongman
500 kg (1,102.3 lb)United Kingdom Eddie HallStrongman
501 kg (1,104.5 lb)Iceland Hafþór Júlíus BjörnssonMay 2020World's Ultimate StrongmanReykjavík, IcelandStrongman[46][47][48]
505 kg (1,113.3 lb) Iceland Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson Jul 2025 Eisenhart Deadlift Championships Bavaria, Germany Strongman [49][50]
510 kg (1,124.4 lb) Iceland Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson Sep 2025 World Deadlift Championships Birmingham, England Strongman [51]

Progressions across individual strength sports

Powerlifting

In powerlifting, raw lifting allows only the use of a lifting belt, while equipped lifting allows the use of a deadlift suit, which is an elastic clothing made from very tight material (the suit tightens on the squat on the way down, storing energy, that gives an extra boost with the stored tension to break the floor).

Raw

Weight Holder Date Event Location Ref.
322.1 kg (710 lb) United States Terry ToddSep 1964AAU Powerlifting TournamentYork, Pennsylvania, USA[3][4]
324.4 kg (715 lb) United States Wilbur Miller
328.9 kg (725 lb) United States Wilbur MillerSep 1965AAU Senior NationalsYork, Pennsylvania, USA[3][4]
335.6 kg (740 lb) United States Terry Todd
355.6 kg (784 lb) United States Don CundySep 1967AAU Senior NationalsYork, Pennsylvania, USA[5]
357.5 kg (788.2 lb) Norway Torkel RavndalJun 1969NBA Norwegian Powerlifting ChampionshipsOslo, Norway[6][7]
362.9 kg (800 lb) United States Don CundyAug 1969AAU Senior NationalsYork, Pennsylvania, USA[5]
365 kg (804.7 lb) United States Don CundyMay 1970NBA Powerlifting DuelOslo, Norway[8]
367.5 kg (810.2 lb) Norway Torkel Ravndal
375 kg (826.7 lb) Norway Torkel RavndalNov 1970NPA World Record BreakersTromsø, Norway[9][10]
383.3 kg (845 lb) United States John KucNov 1972AAU Men's World ChampionshipsHarrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA[52]
385 kg (848.8 lb) United States John KucNov 1974IPF Men's World ChampionshipsYork, Pennsylvania, USA[52]
387.8 kg (855 lb) United States Paul WrennAug 1976AAU Senior NationalsArlington, Texas, USA[53][54]
390.1 kg (860 lb) United States Don Reinhoudt
402.5 kg (887.4 lb) South Africa Gerrit Badenhorst Oct 1990 WPC World Championships Pescara, Italy [55][56]
409.6 kg (903 lb) United States Mark HenryJul 1995USAPL (ADFPA)York, Pennsylvania, USA[57]
426 kg (939.2 lb) Iceland Benedikt MagnússonNov 2005WPC - WPO European Semi FinalsHelsinki, Finland[27][28]
440 kg (970.0 lb) Iceland Benedikt Magnússon
442.5 kg (975.5 lb) Iceland Benedikt MagnússonOct 2010FPO Bullfarm ChampionshipsHelsinki, Finland[27]
460.4 kg (1,015 lb) Iceland Benedikt MagnússonApr 2011MHP's Clash of the Titan's IVDallas, Texas, USA[37][38][39]
465 kg (1,025.2 lb)
(Sumo)
United States Danny GrigsbyMar 2022USPA Virginia Beach ClassicVirginia, USA[58][59]
467.5 kg (1,030.7 lb)
(Sumo)
United States Danny GrigsbyJul 2022WRPF American ProManassas, Virginia, USA[60][59]
487.5 kg (1,074.8 lb)
(Sumo)
United States Danny Grigsby

Equipped

Weight Holder Date Event Location Ref.
400.3 kg (882.5 lb) United States Jon Cole[nb 1]Oct 1972AAU ChampionshipsPhoenix, Arizona, USA[11]
401.6 kg (885.5 lb) United States Don Reinhoudt[nb 2]May 1975AAU/IPF ChampionshipsChattanooga, Tennessee, USA[11][12]
401.9 kg (886 lb) United States Bill KazmaierNov 1981AAU/IPF ChampionshipsTexas, USA[12]
410.0 kg (904 lb) United States Dan Wohleber[nb 3]Dec 1982 USPF Lake Erie OpenSandusky, Ohio, USA[13][14][15]
United States Doyle KenadyApr 1986USPF Budweiser World Record BreakersHonolulu, Hawaii, USA[13][16][17]
417.5 kg (920.4 lb) United States Gary HeiseyJul 1990APF Senior NationalsPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA[18][19]
419.6 kg (925 lb) United States Gary HeiseyMar 1992WPA World Submasters/MastersLancaster, Pennsylvania, USA[13][19]
422.5 kg (931.5 lb) United States Garry FrankNov 2002WPO semifinalsNew Orleans, Louisiana, USA[20][21][22]
423 kg (932.6 lb) United Kingdom Andy BoltonMar 2003WPO finalsColumbus, Ohio, USA[23][24][25]
425 kg (937 lb) United Kingdom Andy BoltonJun 2005GPC-GB British ChampionshipsPort Talbot, Wales[24][26]
427.5 kg (942.5 lb) United Kingdom Andy BoltonNov 2005WPC - WPO European Semi FinalsHelsinki, Finland[61][62]
440.5 kg (971.1 lb) United Kingdom Andy BoltonMar 2006WPO finals - Arnold ClassicColumbus, Ohio, USA[29][30][24]
455 kg (1,003.1 lb) United Kingdom Andy BoltonNov 2006WPO semifinalsLake George, New York, USA[31][32][33]
457.5 kg (1,008.6 lb) United Kingdom Andy BoltonApr 2009BPC South East ChampionshipsEton, Berkshire, England[34][35][36]

IPF (International Powerlifting Federation)

Raw
Weight Holder Date Event Location Ref.
383.3 kg (845 lb) United States John KucNov 1972AAU Men's World ChampionshipsHarrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA[52][63]
385 kg (848.8 lb) United States John KucNov 1974IPF Men's World ChampionshipsYork, Pennsylvania, USA[52]
390 kg (859.8 lb) United States John KucNov 1979IPF Men's World ChampionshipsDayton, Ohio, USA[63]
392.5 kg (865.3 lb) United States Ray WilliamsMar 2017IPF/NAPF Arnold Slingshot Pro AmericanOhio, USA[64]
398.5 kg (878.5 lb) United States Ray WilliamsJun 2018IPF World Classic ChampionshipsCalgary, Canada[65]
399 kg (879.6 lb) United States Jesus OlivaresMar 2023IPF Sheffield ChampionshipsSheffield, England[66]
410 kg (903.9 lb) United States Jesus Olivares
410.5 kg (905.0 lb) Georgia (country) Temur SamkharadzeJul 2024IPF Euro Muscle ShowAmsterdam, Netherlands[67]
411 kg (906.1 lb) Georgia (country) Temur SamkharadzeSep 2024IPF Sub-Junior and Junior ChampionshipsValletta, Malta[68]
Equipped
Weight Holder Date Event Location Ref.
401.6 kg (885.5 lb) United States Don ReinhoudtMay 1975AAU/IPF ChampionshipsChattanooga, Tennessee, USA[11][12]
401.9 kg (886 lb) United States Bill KazmaierNov 1981AAU/IPF ChampionshipsTexas, USA[12]
405 kg (892.9 lb) Sweden Lars NorénNov 1987IPF Men's World ChampionshipsFredrikstad, Norway[69][56][70]
406 kg (895.1 lb) Sweden Lars NorénApr 1988IPF World ChampionshipsGothenburg, Sweden[12]
406.5 kg (896.2 lb) Hungary Tibor MészárosNov 2001IPF World Open ChampionshipsSotkamo, Finland[71][72][73]
407.5 kg (898.4 lb) Hungary Tibor MészárosNov 2002IPF World Open ChampionshipsTrenčín, Slovakia[74][75][73]
408 kg (899.5 lb) Hungary Tibor MészárosMay 2004EPF Men's European ChampionshipsNymburk, Czech Republic[76][73]
408.5 kg (900.6 lb) (Sumo)Poland Krzysztof WierzbickiJul 2017World GamesWrocław, Poland[77][78]
420 kg (925.9 lb)
(Sumo)
Poland Krzysztof Wierzbicki

Strongman

In strongman, raw lifting means lifting without a deadlift suit (which allows the use of a lifting belt & straps), while equipped lifting allows the use of a deadlift suit in addition to lifting belt & straps.

Includes: a.) Standard Deadlift bar, Power bar, Ironmind S-cubed Stiff bar and Flintstone bar depending on the evolution of the sport, b.) lifts from standard 9 inch height only (except for 2011-2013 when a 1 inch deficit was introduced), c.) both figure 6 and figure 8 (F8) straps, and d.) both single-ply (S) and multi-ply (M) deadlift suits.

All-time

Weight [nb 4] Holder Date Event Location Equipment Ref.
410 kg (903.9 lb)South Africa Gerrit BadenhorstOct 1996World's Strongest ManPort Louis, MauritiusBelt & Straps on Flintstone stiff bar[79]
Ukraine Oleksandr PekanovJan 2005Pojedynek GigantówŁódź, PolandBelt & Straps on Power bar[80]
United States Kevin NeeJul 2008Viking Power ChallengeGol, NorwaySuit(M), Belt & Straps on Power bar[81]
412.5 kg (909.4 lb)United Kingdom Mark FelixMar 2011Giants LiveLondon, EnglandSuit(M), Belt & Straps on Deadlift bar[82][83]
United Kingdom Laurence ShahlaeiBelt & Straps on Deadlift bar
United Kingdom Terry HollandsBelt & Straps on Deadlift bar
United States Brian ShawBelt & Straps on Deadlift bar
420 kg (925.9 lb)United Kingdom Mark FelixSuit(M), Belt & Straps on Deadlift bar
United Kingdom Laurence ShahlaeiBelt & Straps on Deadlift bar
United States Brian ShawBelt & Straps on Deadlift bar
430 kg (948.0 lb)United Kingdom Laurence ShahlaeiBelt & Straps on Deadlift bar
United States Brian ShawBelt & Straps on Deadlift bar
435 kg (959.0 lb)United Kingdom Terry HollandsSep 2011World's Strongest ManNorth Carolina, USABelt & Straps on Stiff bar at a 1" deficit[84][85]
Lithuania Žydrūnas SavickasBelt & Straps on Stiff bar at a 1" deficit
United States Brian ShawBelt & Straps on Stiff bar at a 1" deficit
440 kg (970.0 lb)Lithuania Žydrūnas SavickasBelt & Straps on Stiff bar at a 1" deficit
442.5 kg (975.5 lb)United States Brian ShawAug 2013World's Strongest ManSanya, ChinaBelt & Straps on Stiff bar at a 1" deficit[86][87]
445 kg (981.1 lb)Iceland Benedikt MagnússonMar 2014Giants LiveMelbourne, AustraliaBelt & Straps on Deadlift bar[88]
446 kg (983.2 lb)Iceland Benedikt MagnússonAug 2014World Deadlift ChampionshipsLeeds, EnglandSuit(S), Belt & Straps(F8) on Deadlift bar[40][41]
United Kingdom Eddie HallSuit(M), Belt & Straps on Deadlift bar
461 kg (1,016.3 lb)Iceland Benedikt MagnússonSuit(M), Belt & Straps(F8) on Deadlift bar
462 kg (1,018.5 lb)United Kingdom Eddie HallMar 2015Arnold ExpoMelbourne, AustraliaBrief, Belt & Straps(F8) on Deadlift bar[42]
463 kg (1,020.7 lb)United Kingdom Eddie HallJul 2015World Deadlift ChampionshipsLeeds, EnglandBrief, Belt & Straps(F8) on Deadlift bar[43][44]
465 kg (1,025.1 lb)United Kingdom Eddie HallJul 2016World Deadlift ChampionshipsLeeds, EnglandSuit(M), Belt & Straps(F8) on Deadlift bar[45]
United States Jerry PritchettBelt & Straps on Deadlift bar
Iceland Benedikt MagnússonSuit(S), Belt & Straps(F8) on Deadlift bar
500 kg (1,102.3 lb)United Kingdom Eddie HallSuit(M), Belt & Straps(F8) on Deadlift bar
501 kg (1,104.5 lb)Iceland Hafþór Júlíus BjörnssonMay 2020World's Ultimate StrongmanReykjavík, IcelandSuit(S), Belt & Straps(F8) on Deadlift bar[46][47][48]
505 kg (1,113.3 lb) Iceland Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson Jul 2025 Eisenhart Deadlift Championships Bavaria, Germany Suit(M), Belt & Straps(F8) on Deadlift bar [49][50]
510 kg (1,124.4 lb) Iceland Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson Sep 2025 World Deadlift Championships Birmingham, England Suit(M), Belt & Straps(F8) on Deadlift bar [51]

Elephant bar (Raw)

Weight Holder Date Event Location Equipment Ref.
464.9 kg (1,025 lb)United Kingdom Eddie HallMar 2016Arnold Strongman ClassicColumbus, Ohio, USABelt & Straps(F8) on Elephant bar[89]
467.7 kg (1,031 lb)United States Jerry PritchettMar 2017Arnold Strongman ClassicColumbus, Ohio, USABelt & Straps on Elephant bar[90]
472.2 kg (1,041 lb)Iceland Hafþór Júlíus BjörnssonMar 2018Arnold Strongman ClassicColumbus, Ohio, USABelt & Straps on Elephant bar[91]
474.5 kg (1,046 lb)Iceland Hafþór Júlíus BjörnssonMar 2019Arnold Strongman ClassicColumbus, Ohio, USABelt & Straps on Elephant bar[92]

Armlifting

Double overhand Apollon's Axle

The Apollon's Axle is a challenging feat for its three notable features that made it hard to lift: the thick, nearly 2-inch diameter of the bar, its smooth surface and because the wheels are not revolving.

Note: The original Apollon's Axle was 1.93 inches thick. However, the IronMind Axle which was used for all of the records below has a thickness of 2 inches.

Weight Holder Date Event Location Equipment Ref.
228 kg (502.7 lb)United States Rich WilliamsJun 2010IronMind Grip contestUSABelt[93]
230 kg (507.1 lb)United States Mike BurkeJan 2013Visegrip Viking - LA FitExpoLos Angeles, California, USABelt[93][94]
235 kg (518.1 lb)United States Mike Burke
236.1 kg (520.5 lb)Ukraine Igor KupinskyDec 2019Elite Grip Challenge - MelitopolMelitopol, UkraineBelt[93][95]
237.5 kg (523.6 lb)United Kingdom Carl MyerscoughDec 2022Armlifting World ChampionshipsLas Vegas, Nevada, USABelt[93][96]
240 kg (529.1 lb)Russia Kirill SarychevDec 2025WRPF World Championship XIMoscow, RussiaBelt[97]

See also

Notes

References

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