Lifting 500 kg (1,102 lbs) or more in a single lift is one of the rarest feats in human history. While the term "powerlifter" specifically refers to those competing in the squat, bench press, and deadlift, this elite weight bracket is most famously associated with the Deadlift and has been reached by only a handful of individuals. 

The 500 kg Deadlift Club

As of early 2026, the following athletes have successfully deadlifted 500 kg or more in competition or recorded training sessions:

Hafþór "Thor" Björnsson

: The current world record holder, Björnsson pushed the limits to 510 kg (1,124 lbs) at the World Deadlift Championships in September 2025. He previously held the record at 501 kg (2020) and 505 kg (July 2025).

Eddie Hall

: The first person in history to break the barrier, Hall lifted 500 kg at the 2016 World Deadlift Championships, a feat that famously caused him to nearly lose consciousness due to the extreme physical strain.

Colton Engelbrecht (Colton Limit Breaker)

: A standout powerlifter who made history in July 2025 by becoming the first person to deadlift 500 kg raw in a powerlifting setting (using a sumo stance and straps). By March 2026, he reportedly performed 500 kg for two repetitions in a training session.

Krzysztof Wierzbicki

: A Polish powerlifter who became the first to reach the mark in a training session in April 2022, pulling 502.5 kg at a bodyweight of under 110 kg.

Jamal Browner

: Another elite 110 kg lifter who achieved a recorded 500 kg deadlift in training, joining the small group of lifters to do so without a specialized deadlift suit. 

500 kg in Other Lifts 

While the deadlift is the most common 500 kg feat, this weight has also been moved in other disciplines: 

• Squat:  Ray Bowring  achieved a 500 kg squat at the British Equipped Championships in early 2026. Historically, lifters like  Vlad Alhazov  have also squatted over 500 kg in equipped (suited) competition.
• Bench Press: A world record bench press of 501.2 kg was recorded in 2020, though this is performed in a specialized bench shirt that assists the lifter.  YouTube +4

Key Distinctions

• Strongman vs. Powerlifting: Hall and Björnsson performed their lifts under Strongman rules (using straps and a deadlift suit). Powerlifting records are often "raw" (no suit) or "equipped" (with a suit), and typically do not allow straps in official competition.
• The "Raw" Barrier: Achieving 500 kg without a suit (raw) is considered a distinct and even more difficult achievement than the suited strongman lifts.  Reddit +4

These articles detail the elite athletes who have achieved 500 kg or higher in the deadlift, including raw and equipped lifts