Best Powerlifters of All Time: Legends Who Defined the Sport
A look at the greatest powerlifters in history, ranked by their dominance, world records, and lasting impact on the sport of powerlifting.
The greatest powerlifters of all time are defined by their world records, consistency across weight classes, and the eras they dominated. Names like Ed Coan, Lamar Gant, Wrabel, and Ray Williams stand above the rest — athletes who pushed human strength to its absolute limits and redefined what the squat, bench press, and deadlift could look like.
What Makes a Powerlifter “All-Time Great”?
Determining the best powerlifters ever requires looking at more than raw numbers. The sport spans different federations, equipment rules (raw vs. equipped), and eras with varying testing standards. The most respected criteria include:
- Total world records set and broken
- Dominance within and across weight classes
- Longevity at the elite level
- Wilks or DOTS score (bodyweight-adjusted strength comparison)
- Influence on the sport’s development
The Powerlifters Most Widely Considered the Greatest
Ed Coan
Ed Coan is almost universally considered the greatest powerlifter in history. Competing primarily in the 220 lb (100 kg) and lighter weight classes from the 1980s through the 2000s, Coan set over 71 world records across multiple federations. His bodyweight-adjusted numbers remain among the highest ever recorded, and his longevity at the top of the sport is unmatched. He is often called “The G.O.A.T.” by coaches, athletes, and commentators alike.
Lamar Gant
Lamar Gant is widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted powerlifters ever. He was the first man to deadlift five times his own bodyweight — an achievement considered one of the most remarkable feats in strength sports history. Competing at lighter weight classes, his relative strength figures remain extraordinary.
Konstantin Konstantinovs
Konstantinovs is considered one of the strongest raw deadlifters in powerlifting history. He pulled enormous weights with minimal equipment at a time when raw lifting was gaining renewed mainstream attention, and his performances helped define what elite raw strength looked like.
Ray Williams
Ray Williams is among the most dominant super-heavyweight raw powerlifters of the modern era. He has posted some of the highest raw squats ever recorded in competition and holds multiple IPF world records. His performances at IPF World Championships are considered benchmarks for the raw super-heavyweight division.
Stefi Cohen
Stefi Cohen is widely regarded as the most dominant female powerlifter of the modern era. She set multiple world records across several weight classes and has one of the highest Wilks scores ever recorded for a female competitor. Her technical proficiency and consistency across divisions set her apart.
All-Time Greats at a Glance
| Lifter | Era | Division | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ed Coan | 1980s-2000s | Equipped / Raw | 71+ world records, all-time Wilks |
| Lamar Gant | 1970s-1980s | Equipped | First to deadlift 5x bodyweight |
| Konstantin Konstantinovs | 2000s-2010s | Raw | Elite raw deadlift performances |
| Ray Williams | 2010s-present | Raw (SHW) | IPF world records, highest raw squats |
| Stefi Cohen | 2010s-present | Raw (Women’s) | Multi-class world records, top Wilks |
Equipment vs. Raw: A Note on Comparisons
Comparing powerlifters across eras is complicated by the split between equipped lifting (using supportive suits and shirts) and raw lifting (with only a belt and knee sleeves or wraps). Records in equipped divisions are typically higher in absolute terms. Adjusted scoring systems like Wilks and DOTS help normalize comparisons across bodyweights, but cross-era comparisons remain inherently imperfect.
Why These Lifters Matter
Beyond the numbers, each of these athletes helped grow powerlifting’s mainstream appeal, inspired generations of competitors, and demonstrated that strength sports reward technical mastery and consistency as much as raw physical gifts.
Quick summary: Ed Coan is the most widely accepted all-time great in powerlifting, followed by legends like Lamar Gant, Konstantin Konstantinovs, Ray Williams, and Stefi Cohen. Each dominated their era and weight class, setting records that still serve as benchmarks for the sport today.
Frequently asked questions
Who is considered the greatest powerlifter of all time?+
Ed Coan is widely regarded as the greatest powerlifter of all time. He set over 71 world records and dominated multiple weight classes across a career spanning more than two decades.
Who holds the most powerlifting world records?+
Ed Coan holds the most all-time powerlifting world records in the sport's history, with over 71 official records set throughout his career in multiple weight classes.
What is the highest raw total in powerlifting history?+
Several elite lifters including Kirill Sarychev and Ray Williams have posted some of the highest raw totals in history. The exact record depends on the federation and weight class, but elite totals at the heaviest classes have exceeded 1,000 kg in modern equipped and raw divisions.