On May 2nd of this year, Hafthor Bjornsson made history by breaking Eddie Hall’s world record in the deadlift by lifting 501 kg (1,104 pounds). Hall’s record had lasted four years prior to Bjornsson breaking it. On October 18th, Ivan Makarov and Rauno Heinla were hoping to take the record for themselves after only five and a half months.
However, the record still belongs to the Icelandic strongman legend, as Makarov was unable to pull the incredible 502 kg (1,107 pounds). Heinla won the matchup for most weight successfully lifted, but he didn’t even attempt to break the record.
The matchup and Makarov’s attempt were the feature of the latest episode of the World Ultimate Strongman “Feats of Strength” series, which was live streamed on CoreSports and the Rogue Fitness YouTube channel. Bjornsson was on commentary with announcers Mark Boyd and Laurence Shahlaei.
Makarov had performed a top lift of 490 kg in training recently to prepare for this attempt. His first warm-up on camera was with 400 kg (881 pounds), which he performed like a speed rep. Heinla’s first warm-up was with 375 kg (827 pounds), which he also completed easily. He had recently set the world record in the 400 kg for reps, by completing six.
Makarov’s second deadlift attempt was with 450 kg (992 pounds), and aside from a slight decrease in speed at the top, he lifted it with no problem. Heinla would move up to 425 kg (937 pounds) for attempt number 2. The livestream suffered connection issues while he was performing this lift so the completion wasn’t shown.
WUS judge and four-time World’s Strongest Man Zydrunas Savickas verified the weights for Makarov’s world record attempt before he took to the podium. The 502 kg (1,107 pounds) reached his knees quickly, but he was unable to lock it out. He expressed disappointment as well as a renewed commitment to the record in his post-attempt interview.
“Clearly today is not my day. In the near future, I will do it. I will get this weight.”
Heinla made a strategic move and opted to try 455 kg (1,003 pounds) to take the head-to-head victory as well as his second win in the Feats of Strength series. That attempt was successful. He declined to move on to the 502 attempt and called it a day. He explained that not going for it was a strategic move because he was concerned for injury. He did say that he would eventually make the attempt at claiming the world record.
Featured Image: Instagram/worldsultimatestrongman
