The King of Powerlifting: Big Don Reinhoudt

Big Don deadlifting approx. 240kg (sometime in the 1970's).

At his first international appearance in 1972 at the AAU World Powerlifting Championships Reinhoudt placed 3rd behind two of his idols Jim Williams and John Kuc. Between 1973 and 1976 Don placed 1st in the World Championships four times along with winning national titles in each of these years respectively. He was the only Super Heavyweight to hold IPF world records in all three lifts; squat, bench and deadlift. He also went on to be the first to break the 2,400lb barrier with a total of 2,420lbs. This record stood for nearly forty years from 1975 until 2013.

In 1978 Reinhoudt came 2nd in the Worlds Strongest Man competition behind Bruce Wilhelm. In 1979 he took the crown and became Worlds Strongest Man. He retired from the competition in 1980 due to a string of injuries early on. For the next thirty years Don worked as a Youth Bureau Director in his native Chautauqua County. Don Reinhoudt sadly died in July 2023 when his car collided with a tree. He will be remembered as not only a strength legend but a kind and gentle man who was loved by all who knew him. RIP Don Reinhoudt.