Professional srongman fans and deadlift lovers, get ready. Things are starting to heat up as athletes prepare for this year’s Giant’s Live World Deadlift Championships taking place in Wembley, England on July 6th.
In a recent video published on the Official Strongman YouTube channel, Benedikt Magnusson and Darren Sadler are followed through their latest deadlift training session. Currently, Magnusson is in prep for the 2019 World Deadlift Championships and answered multiple fan questions over the course of the filmed training session.
One of the fan questions was focused around the idea of attempting and breaking Eddie Hall’s elusive 500kg/1,102 lb deadlift world record that he set in 2016 — and this where things get interesting. Instead of proposing an attempt of 1kg over the current world record, Magnusson said something no one was ready for.
“How many times have I said 528kg? No one listens to me.” — Benedikt Magnusson
Yes, you read that correctly, Magnusson isn’t planning to barely edge out Hall’s current world record, he’s planning on topping it by a whole 28kg/61 lbs. If you want to hear it for yourself and get the full context of the question, check out the video below and skip to about 17:45!
Now the question on everyone’s mind: can he actually do it? Let’s give a little background on Magnusson’s deadlift past.
For multiple years, Magnusson held the record of the biggest deadlift ever completed in competition. In fact, Magnusson still holds the highest all-time deadlift world record in a raw powerlifting setting for the super heavyweight (SHW) class — the heaviest of any bodyweight, for that matter.
In 2011, Magnusson competed at the MHP Clash of the Titans IV powerlifting meet and deadlifted an incredible 460kg/1,015 lbs. Some athletes still regard this as one of the most impressive deadlift feats to ever be completed in a sanctioned powerlifting and strength sports setting.
Then, fast forward a couple of years to 2014, and Magnusson went on to break his previous 460kg/1,015 lb deadlift world record at Europe’s Strongest Man and World Deadlift Championships. Here, he completed a deadlift of 461kg/1,017 lbs, which edged out his previous best by a small margin.
However, Magnusson’s 461kg world record fell two years later at the 2016 Europe’s Strongest Man and the World Deadlift Championships. At this competition, Magnusson and Hall battled back and forth for the deadlift world record accolade. Hall completed a successful 465kg/1,025 lb deadlift, which Magnusson matched soon after.
Then, Hall went on to attempt and complete his famed 500kg/1,102 lb deadlift, which Magnusson attempted, but was unable to move past his mid-shin.
And speaking of 500kg deadlifts, Bjornsson most recently attempted to deadlift 501kg/1,017 lbs on the Rogue Elephant Bar at the 2019 Arnold Strongman Classic, but fell just shy. The Elephant Bar is significantly different compared to deadlifting on a deadlift bar (which is the bar used at the World Deadlift Championships), and Magnusson has proven time and time again he can perform very well with this type of bar.
Objectively speaking based on previous performances, Magnusson may be one of the best bets for taking down Hall’s current 500kg/1,102 lb deadlift world record.
Deadlifts are one of Magnusson’s greatest strengths and with a few more months to prep — he might be positioned to make a real run at the record. Something to note — this year, the World Deadlift Championships are taking place separately from Europe’s Strongest Man, so that could change the entire dynamic of the competition.
Do you think Magnusson can do it? Share in the comments section below!
Feature image from Official Strongman YouTube channel.
