Gerrit Bradhurst, RSA, Strongman
Gerrit Badenhorst (born 10 October 1962) is a former WPC world champion powerlifter and professional strongman competitor from South Africa.
Powerlifting
Badenhorst was born on 10 October 1962 in De Aar, Orange Free State, South Africa. As a sportsman he played rugby union, but excelled in the sports of weightlifting and powerlifting.
Before Badenhorst competed for South Africa internationally on the strongman stage, he first represented his country as a powerlifter. Between 1988 and 1990, Badenhorst won three world titles in the World Powerlifting Congress organization. In so doing, he broke world records in the squat at 450 kilograms (990 lb), and the deadlift at 402.5 kg (887.4 lb) He also broke the world record in the total (squat+bench press+deadlift) of 1102.5 kg (2431 lb).
His world titles and world records led to him being acclaimed the greatest ever powerlifter at the time, with his totals having beaten the likes of Lars Noren, Don Reinhoudt and Bill Kazmaier. Having reached the pinnacle of the sport of powerlifting, a lack of financial incentive led him to strongman competitions.
Strongman
Badenhorst was eight times South Africa’s Strongest Man. Badenhorst was also a seven time World’s Strongest Man finalist, coming second at the 1995 World’s Strongest Man and third at the 1996 World’s Strongest Man contests.
In strength athletics Badenhorst had already made an impact in South Africa having been crowned South Africa’s Strongest Man in 1989, 1990 and 1992. At the 1992 World’s Strongest Man as a newcomer he placed fourth. In 1993 he won the highly regarded World Strongman Challenge and entered the 1993 World’s Strongest Man contest as one of the favourites but had to retire due to an injury in the Pole Push
At the 1994 World’s Strongest Man he again came fourth. Determined to improve, and having won South Africa’s Strongest Man once again, he entered the 1995 World’s Strongest Man as one of the favourites. Despite an injury sustained in the Bavarian stone lift during the qualifying heats, he came second overall to Magnus Ver Magnusson in the finals.[1] He competed in a further five World’s Strongest Man contests, coming third in 1996, and 7th in 2000. Badenhorst won his heat at the 1998 World’s Strongest Man and qualified for the final, but sustained an injury and was unable to compete.
Personal Records
Bench Press – 255 kg (561 lb) raw
Squat – 450 kg (990 lb) raw with knee wraps and belt
Deadlift – 402.5 kg (887.4 lb) raw, no wrist straps
Deadlift – 410 kg (905 lb) with wrist straps
Log Press – 185 kg (407 lb)
Standing Overhead Press – 200 kg (440 lb)
Honors
8 times South Africa’s Strongest Man (1989, 1990, 1992–1995, 1998 and 2001)
4th place 1992 World’s Strongest Man
8th place (withdrew due to injury) 1993 World’s Strongest Man
4th place 1994 World’s Strongest Man
2nd place 1995 World’s Strongest Man
3rd place 1996 World’s Strongest Man
7th place 2000 World’s Strongest Man
DNP (qualified for finals, injured during heats) 1998 World’s Strongest Man
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