The sport of powerlifting lost one of its most iconic founding fathers on Thursday. Legendary athlete Ernie Frantz has sadly passed away at the age of 86 years old.
There are a lot of positive things to say about the powerlifting career of Frantz. Not only was he a multiple-time world champion, with records that he set, but he competed all the way until he was 74 years old.
In addition to that, he was just as impactful outside of competition. He started the WPC in 1986, which would eventually open the door to the likes of the IPF and other organizations later on.
Unfortunately news broke on Thursday, January 14th, 2021, that the Korean War veteran Ernie Frantz has passed away. This is news that rocked the community to its core, and left many fans of the sport in a somber mood.
“By far, one of the very best people in powerlifting history. Rest In Peace, buddy!🙏❤️” powerlifter Ed Coan wrote.
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Remembering Ernie Frantz
Born in 1934, Ernie Frantz found powerlifting after his time in the military, where he was a part of the Korean War. However he quickly found deep passion for the sport, as an athlete and ambassador.
Over the course of his long athletic career, Ernie never ceased to push the boundaries of what many thought was possible. He finally decided it was time to hang it up at the age of 74, finally competing for the last time in 2008.
Here is a video of Ernie, at 50 years old, squatting a mind bending 375kg (826.7lb), while weighing 97.7 (215lb).
Not only did Frantz have some of the best performances in the sport, he was around when things first began getting organized. That is why he is referred to as The Godfather of powerlifting.
The longevity he had was unlike any other, still being in fairly good physical condition as he pushed his 80’s. He is the epitome of what every athlete hopes to achieve in the later stages of life.
“Ernie Franz died. He was 86 years old. 05/21/1934 – 01/14/2021 During his long career, he became the world champion more than once. He set many world records, some are still standing. It was Ernie who became the founder of the WPC in 1986, and as a result, an alternative appeared.”
Competition Highlights
Over the years, Ernie Frantz competed in and won an insane amount of contests. Below are some of his most notable performances.
- 1974 IPF Men’s World Powerlifting Championships — 1st Place
- 1980 USPF World Series of Powerlifting — 3rd Place
- 1980 USPF Senior Nationals — 3rd Place
- 1981 USPF Senior Nationals — 2nd Place
- 1981 USPF World & National Masters Championships — 1st Place (Masters 45-49 Division)
- 1982 USPF National Cup — 2nd Place
- 1982 USPF World & National Masters Championships — 1st Place (Masters 45-49 Division)
- 1982 USPF American Cup PL Championships — 1st Place
- 1983 USPF Senior National Championships — 2nd Place
- 1984 USPF Senior National Championships — 4th Place
- 1987 APF Masters Nationals — 1st Place (Masters 50-54 Division)
- 1987 WPC World Masters — 1st Place (Masters 50-54 Division)
- 1987 APF Senior Nationals — 4th Place
- 1987 APF World Championships — 4th Place
- 1991 WPC Worlds — 1st Place (Masters 4)
- 1991 APF Masters National Championships — 1st Place (Masters 55-59 Division)
- 1994 WPC World Championships — 1st Place (Masters 5)
- 1995 APF Masters & Teen Nationals — 1st Place (Masters 60-64 Division)
- 1995 WPC World Championships — 1st Place (M5 Division)
- 1997 WPC World Championships — 1st Place (Masters 60-64 Division)
- 1998 APF Nationals — 1st Place (Masters 60-64 Division)
- 1999 APF Masters Nationals — 1st Place (Masters 65-69 Division)
- 1999 WPC World Championships — 1st Place (Masters 6 Division)
- 2008 ANPPC World Cup — 1st Place (Masters 70-74 Division)
- 2008 ANPPC National Championships — 1st Place (Masters 70-74 Division)
Ernie Frantz World Record Accomplishments
Single-Ply World Records
Masters 45-49 Division
- 1980 USPF Quad City Open — 352.5kg deadlift, (90kg weight class)
- 1981 USPF Men’s & Women’s Meet — 345kg deadlift (100kg weight class)
Masters 50-54 Division
- 1985 USPF Hawaii Invitational — 375kg squat (100kg weight class)
- 1984 USPF Senior National Championships — 337.5kg deadlift (90kg weight class)
- 1985 USPF Senior National Championships — 350kg deadlift (100kg weight class)
Multi-Ply World Records
Masters 60-64 Division
- 1995 WPC World Championships — 370kg squat (100kg weight class)
- 1995 WPC World Championships — 817.5kg total (100kg weight class)
Masters 65-69 Division
- 1999 APF Masters Nationals — 697.5kg total (100kg weight class)
Masters 70-74 Division
- 2007 APF Chicago Summer Bash 4 — 277.5kg squat (90kg weight class)
Fitness Volt would like to offer our sincerest condolences to the friends and family of Ernie Frantz. It is impossible to overstate his impact on the sport, and he will be sorely missed.
Read also: Powerlifter And IPF Referee Robb Grisham Dies, Age 81
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Ernie was a great man outside of his gym in Aurora,Illinois . I started lifting weights there many years ago and the gym was as old school as they get . Chalk was acceptable and the equipment was old but plenty of free weights and work out stations.
I was a member of Frantz Gym for several years ,not on the powerlifting team but new a few guys who were. Loved this place it was my first gym experience and i was ripped back in my 20’s and 30’s best shape of my life.
Ernie was always helping the homeless and cutting people breaks on their gym memberships etc. just a real stand up guy from my experience . Loved the old pictures of Ernie on the walls in Aurora and of Arnold real good memories he was as tough as they get.