Strongman Rauno Heinla of Estonia is an absolute monster in the discipline of the deadlift. During his second appearance on the World’s Ultimate Strongman (WUS) “Feats of Strength” series, he set a deadlift for max reps world record when he pulled 400 kilograms (882 pounds) for six reps in a showdown with fellow strongman Konstantine Janashia.
Since then, there seems to be a race to be the first to best 2018 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) champion Hafthor Bjornsson’s 501-kilogram (1,104-pound) deadlift — the heaviest of all-time. On the shortlist of strongmen who could feasibly best “The Mountain’s” record is Heinla. On Christmas Eve, 2020, Heinla pulled his personal best ever deadlift of 470 kilograms (1,036 pounds). Check out the video of the lift below courtesy of his Instagram page:
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[Related: Strongman Rauno Heinla Deadlifts 450 Kilograms, Wins World’s Ultimate Deadlift Competition]
The All-Time Deadlift World Record
Currently, the race to set an all-time deadlift world record appears to be between three men — Heinla, Ivan Makarov, and Peiman Maheripourehir. With this latest lift by Heinla, all three of these strongmen have pulled weight within striking distance of the 500-kilogram (1,102-pound) milestone and the all-time world record deadlift.
[Related: Anthony Pernice Sets Silver Dollar Deadlift World Record of 550kg/1,212.5lb]
Ivan Makarov
Makarov’s best deadlift thus far was an absolutely titanic 490 kilograms (1,080.3 pounds). Following that lift, it was certainly fair game to speculate that he was going to be the guy to best Bjornsson. Both Makarov and Heinla were given the opportunity at the world record on the same stage that Bjornsson had — WUS “Feats of Strength” series.
Both men were scheduled to make a 502-kilogram (1,107-pound) deadlift attempt, but come showtime only Makarov took his shot. After successfully pulling 400 kilograms (882 pounds) and 450 kilograms (992 pounds) in his first two attempts with relative ease, the expectation was the world was about to witness a new world record. However, on the world record attempt, Makarov was unable to get the weight past his knees and Bjornsson’s record held.
Although Makarov was disappointed at the result, his commitment to reaching the world record was unshaken:
Clearly today is not my day. In the near future, I will do it. I will get this weight.
[Related: JF Caron Sets New Hummer Tire Deadlift World Record — 1,202 Pounds]
Peiman Maheripourehir
Maheripourehir of Iran is known for pulling some intensely heavy deadlifts. Most recently, he was recorded smashing a gigantic 435-kilogram (959-pound) deadlift double. If anyone successfully pulls that kind of weight for a single, they should garner some attention. Anyone who pulls that kind of weight for a double and they are easily in the conversation of contenders for the record.
Check out those lifts below — and see his coach smack him in the head with both hands to hype him up — courtesy of his Instagram page:
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[Related: The 6 Biggest Moments From The 2020 World’s Strongest Man]
Who Will Break The Record?
While Bjornsson’s focus has shifted to his boxing match against 2017 WSM champion Eddie Hall in September 2021, there are many strongmen with their sights set on the deadlift world record. The only questions now are, who will it be and when will they do it?
Feature image from Rauno Heinla’s Instagram page: @rauno_heinla
