Colton Engelbrecht: The Strongest Human to Ever Live
I just wanted to take a moment to talk about someone who is redefining what we thought was possible in strength sports, Colton Engelbrecht. He’s become a force to be reckoned with, and honestly, I don’t think there’s any debate anymore. Colton has solidified his place as the strongest man in the world, and after watching his recent feats at a powerlifting meet in South Africa, I think it’s safe to say that we’re witnessing history in the making.
This past weekend, Colton weighed in at 265 pounds in the 275-pound class, and he absolutely smashed a ton of records. His 500-kilo deadlift is already getting a ton of well-deserved attention, and it’s not hard to see why. He pulled it off as a sort of afterthought following a powerlifting competition, and that’s just wild. The fact that he hit a 500-kilo deadlift after already lifting over 1,000 pounds in multiple other lifts is insane. And the best part? He made it look easy.
I don’t care what method he used, whether sumo or straps, just watching someone shift that amount of weight is awe-inspiring. No one else is pulling off anything remotely close to that, and I think it’s safe to say that Colton has the potential to go even higher, maybe 510 or 515 kilos, if his grip holds up. His 265-pound frame is moving insane amounts of weight, and he’s doing it with a level of consistency and ease that no one else can replicate.
What really blows my mind is his total. Colton became one of only five men to ever deadlift 1,000 pounds raw, joining the ranks of legends like Danny Grigsby, Benedict Magnussen and Jamal Browner. But Colton doesn’t stop there. He squatted over 1,000 pounds (1036 to be exact), deadlifted over 1,000 pounds, and benched 573 pounds, all in one meet. And I have to mention his total of 2,645 pounds at 265 pounds of bodyweight. That’s 40 pounds heavier than Dan Bell, who’s considered one of the strongest humans on the planet. That makes Colton the strongest pound-for-pound human of all time.
His progression is remarkable. His first recorded powerlifting meet was just six years ago, in 2019, and since then, he’s been on an absolute tear. He’s consistently improved, adding almost 1,000 pounds to his total in just a few years. His most recent performance saw him increase his total by 320 pounds in just 12 months. If he continues this kind of growth, I can only imagine where his numbers will be a year from now. And honestly, it’s frightening to think about how much more he could accomplish if his grip and technique continue to evolve.
So, Colton, keep pushing the limits of what’s possible. You’re rewriting the record books, and we’re all just lucky to witness it. You’ve proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that you’re the strongest person to ever live. The rest of us have a lot of catching up to do.
Stay strong, lift heavy, and be kind.
- MItchell Hooper