Danny Grigsby - Image via @dmvpowerlifting
Instagram
The 2022 WRPF American Pro took place in Manassas, VA on July 29-30, 2022. It featured amazing performances from powerlifters like John Haack, Blake Lehew, Tamara Walcott, and more. However, one guy managed to outshine them all with arguably the greatest lift in powerlifting history. That was Danny Grigsby, who blew everyone’s mind with a 487.5-kilogram (1,074.8-pound) raw deadlift.
Not only did Danny Grigsby break the All-Time World Record in the 125-kilogram weight class, but he also scored the absolute heaviest official raw deadlift in history. At the moment, he is aiming for a 500-kilogram (1,102.3-pound) deadlift, and his recent lift was heavier than those of many Strongman competitors who use lifting straps and deadlift suits.
Both 2017 WSM Eddie Hall and 2018 WSM Hafthor Bjornsson have been successful in pulling 500 kilograms. It’s obvious that strongman standards are different from powerlifting, which is why Danny’s recent lift is so impressive.
Danny Grigsby also held the previous U125KG All-Time Deadlift World Record of 440 kilograms (970 pounds), which he set at the 2021 WRPF The Bucked Up Showdown. However, he has now further improved it by 47.5 kilograms (104.7 pounds).
Danny Grigsby posted an Instagram story following the competition about his satisfaction with his performance.
“The American Pro is over. I am definitely happy with my performance. I squatted 771, benched 457, and pulled a 1,074 on my third. I just cracked 2,300-lb (Total), which was my goal.”
For the 2022 WRPF American Pro, Danny Grigsby moved from 140-kilogram to the 125-kilogram weight class. He weighed in at 121.7 kilograms (268.3 pounds), so he could have added another 3 kilograms of bodyweight. Danny was successful in eight lifts, missing out on his final bench press that he didn’t even try to lift.
Squat
320 kilograms (705.5 pounds)
340 kilograms (749.6 pounds)
350 kilograms (771.6 pounds)
Bench Press
195 kilograms (429.9 pounds)
207.5 kilograms (457.5 pounds)
Did not attempt
Deadlift
445 kilograms (981.1 pounds)
467.5 kilograms (1,030.7 pounds)
487.5 kilograms (1,074.8 pounds) — U125KG All-Time World Record & Heaviest Official Raw Deadlift In History
In his nine-year career, this was Danny Grigsby’s 15th official appearance. Aside from 11 victories, he also finished on a few podiums. Danny also holds deadlift World Records in both 125 and 140-kilogram weight classes.
Danny Grigsby’s Competition History
Personal Bests
Equip
Squat
Bench
Deadlift
Total
Dots
Raw
771.6
457.5
771.6
2303.8
597.37
Single-ply
733
196.93
Wraps
650.4
325.2
650.4
1675.5
457.95
Competition Results
Place
Fed
Date
Competition
Division
Total
Dots
2
WRPF
2022-07-29
American Pro
Open
2303.8
597.37
Location
USA-VA
Competition
American Pro
Division
Open
Age
28
Equipment
Raw
Class
275.6
Weight
268.3
Squat
705.5
749.6
771.6
771.6
Bench
429.9
457.5
457.5
Deadlift
981.1
1030.7
1074.8
-1102.3
1074.8
GLP
120.74
1
USPA
2022-03-26
Virginia Beach Classic 2
Open
2072.3
531.55
Location
USA-VA
Competition
Virginia Beach Classic 2
Division
Open
Age
28
Equipment
Raw
Class
308.6
Weight
277.6
Squat
556.7
606.3
606.3
Bench
402.3
424.4
440.9
440.9
Deadlift
948
1003.1
1025.1
1025.1
GLP
107.04
4
WRPF
2021-09-25
The Bucked Up Showdown
Open
2116.4
548.63
Location
USA-MO
Competition
The Bucked Up Showdown
Division
Open
Age
27
Equipment
Raw
Class
275.6
Weight
268.5
Squat
688.9
733
733
Bench
-385.8
-413.4
413.4
413.4
Deadlift
920.4
970
-1003.1
970
GLP
110.88
1
USPA
2020-02-22
Iron Mongers Pro Day
Open
2102.1
551.83
Location
USA-CA
Competition
Iron Mongers Pro Day
Division
Open
Age
26
Equipment
Raw
Class
275.6
Weight
258.6
Squat
683.4
716.5
744.1
744.1
Bench
380.3
402.3
424.4
424.4
Deadlift
859.8
909.4
933.7
948
948
GLP
111.95
1
USPA
2019-03-16
California State Championships
Open
1853
499
Location
USA-CA
Competition
California State Championships
Division
Open
Age
25
Equipment
Raw
Class
242.5
Weight
241
Squat
650.4
Bench
380.3
Deadlift
843.3
GLP
101.87
DQ
USPA
2018-02-03
DCS Winter Open
Open
Location
USA-CA
Competition
DCS Winter Open
Division
Open
Age
24
Equipment
Wraps
Class
242.5
Weight
231.3
Squat
677.9
Bench
314.2
1
USPA
2018-02-03
DCS Winter Open
Open
314.2
85.97
Location
USA-CA
Competition
DCS Winter Open
Division
Open
Age
24
Equipment
Raw
Class
242.5
Weight
231.3
Bench
314.2
GLP
63.83
2
USPA
2017-02-11
DCS Winter Open
Open
1697.6
459.58
Location
USA-CA
Competition
DCS Winter Open
Division
Open
Age
23
Equipment
Raw
Class
242.5
Weight
237.7
Squat
661.4
Bench
330.7
Deadlift
705.5
GLP
93.92
1
WABDL
2015-03-14
North American
Juniors 20-25
733
196.93
Location
USA-OR
Competition
North American
Division
Juniors 20-25
Age
21
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
242.5
Weight
242.5
Deadlift
745.2
1
USPA
2014-12-13
West Coast Regional Powerlifting Championships
Juniors 20-23
1675.5
473.99
Location
USA-OR
Competition
West Coast Regional Powerlifting Championships
Division
Juniors 20-23
Age
20
Equipment
Raw
Class
220.5
Weight
214
Squat
639.3
Bench
303.1
Deadlift
733
GLP
97.38
1
USPA
2014-08-16
Washington State Summer Strength Wars
Juniors 20-23
688.9
188.94
Location
USA-WA
Competition
Washington State Summer Strength Wars
Division
Juniors 20-23
Age
20
Equipment
Raw
Class
242.5
Weight
230.1
Deadlift
688.9
1
USPA
2014-06-14
Oregon State Open
Juniors 20-23
1675.5
457.95
Location
USA-OR
Competition
Oregon State Open
Division
Juniors 20-23
Age
20
Equipment
Wraps
Class
242.5
Weight
232
Squat
650.4
Bench
297.6
Deadlift
727.5
1
USPA
2013-11-30
West Coast Open
Juniors 18-19
1576.3
442.26
Location
USA-OR
Competition
West Coast Open
Division
Juniors 18-19
Age
19
Equipment
Wraps
Class
220.5
Weight
218
Squat
606.3
Bench
325.2
Deadlift
644.9
1
USPA
2013-11-30
West Coast Open
Open
1576.3
442.26
Location
USA-OR
Competition
West Coast Open
Division
Open
Age
19
Equipment
Wraps
Class
220.5
Weight
218
Squat
606.3
Bench
325.2
Deadlift
644.9
1
USPA
2013-08-24
Downings Gym Classic
Juniors 18-19
1422
399.77
Location
USA-OR
Competition
Downings Gym Classic
Division
Juniors 18-19
Age
19
Equipment
Raw
Class
220.5
Weight
217
Squat
523.6
Bench
297.6
Deadlift
600.8
GLP
82.1
Data Source: Open Powerlifting. Last Updated: August 3, 2022
Powerlifter Danny Grigsby’s 487.5-kilogram (1,074.8-pound) deadlift is probably the greatest feat of strength of the modern era. Aside from his impressive lift, he also stands out for his grip strength. Some athletes like Jamal Browner and Krzysztof Wierzbicki have lifted heavier than Danny, but they did it in training and lifting straps which are not allowed in powerlifting. Danny Grigsby, on the other hand, only used a lifting belt to aid him in the lift.
Andrew is a professional writer and a workaholic. He studied sports for 4 years and trained soccer for almost 15 years. In addition, for the past three years Andrew has been implementing functional training, with a dream or a plan to enroll in the special forces.
