Bill Kazmaier

Strength Sports

In 1978, Kazmaier won the American powerlifting championship and the IPF world powerlifting championship. He won the IPF world championship again in 1983. In 1981, Kazmaier became the first person to bench press 300kg in competition. The 1981 event was the same competition in which he totaled 1,100 kg (2,425 lb). Best lifts= Squat-925lbs (done without a suit) 661Lbs bench press, and an 887Lbs. deadlift.

Kazmaier won the World’s Strongest Man title three times, in 1980, 1981, and 1982. After these victories, Kazmaier chose not to compete in the 1983 WSM due to it being held outside the USA, but after this was not invited back to compete in the WSM contest again until 1988, when he finished second to Jón Páll Sigmarsson. He finished fourth in his final WSM appearance in 1989.

Pro wrestling career

Kazmaier wrestled during the 1980s for promotions such as Stampede Wrestling and Continental Championship Wrestling. His biggest national exposure came when he debuted for World Championship Wrestling in 1991 at Halloween Havoc. He received several shots at Lex Luger’s WCW World Heavyweight Championship but failed to win the title. He also briefly teamed with Rick Steiner, only to lose to The Enforcers in a tournament final for the WCW World Tag Team Championship.

Life after competition

After his WCW days, Kazmaier opened a fitness club in Auburn, Alabama. The gym closed in 2005. After Kaz Fitness Center in Auburn, AL closed in 2005, Kazmaier opened, and continues to operate, S.W.A.T. gym in Opelika, Alabama. In recent years, he has appeared on ESPN as a commentator on World’s Strongest Man broadcasts.

Achievements

Professional Competitive Record – [1st (14),2nd (3) ,3rd (3) - Out of Total(21)]
Performance Metric – .967 [American - .970 International - .966]

COMPLETED CONTESTS

* United Kingdom Pure Strength 4 Team Challenge – winner (1990)
* United Kingdom World’s Strongest Man – 4th place (1989)
* Scotland Pure Strength 3 Team Challenge – 2nd place (1989)
* Scotland Scottish Power Challenge – winner (1989)
* Iceland World’s Strongest Man – 2nd place (1988)

World Strongman Challenge – 3rd place (1988)

* United Kingdom Pure Strength 2 Team Challenge – winner (1988)

World Muscle Power Championships – winner (1988)

* Scotland Scottish Power Challenge – winner (1988)
* Scotland Pure Strength – Ultimate Challenge – 2nd place (1987)
* Canada Le Defi Mark Ten Challenge – winner (1987)
* Scotland Scottish Power Challenge – winner (1987)
* Scotland Scottish Power Challenge – winner (1986)

World Muscle Power Championships – 3rd place (1985)

* Scotland Scottish Power Challenge – winner (1985)
* Scotland Scottish Power Challenge – winner (1984)
* United States World’s Strongest Man – winner (1982)
* United States World’s Strongest Man – winner (1981)
* United Kingdom Strongbow Strongman – winner (1980)
* United States World’s Strongest Man – winner (1980)
* United States World’s Strongest Man – 3rd place (1979)