Famous American Weightlifters

Tommy Kono was a highly accomplished American weightlifter of Japanese descent, known for his exceptional achievements in the sport. He was a two-time Olympic gold medalist and held world records in four different weight classes, showcasing his versatility and skill. Kono's professional career was defined by his dominance and excellence in weightlifting, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest weightlifters of all time.

Katherine Vibert is a highly accomplished American weightlifter with a successful career as an Olympian, World Champion, Pan American champion, and Junior World Champion. She competes in the 71 kg weight category since 2018 following the reorganization by the International Weightlifting Federation. Vibert has achieved recognition as the IWF Female Lifter of the Year in 2019, showcasing her exceptional talent and dedication to the sport. Her achievements highlight her as a prominent figure in the world of weightlifting, inspiring others with her remarkable success.

Mark Henry is a versatile athlete known for his achievements in powerlifting, weightlifting, strongman competitions, and professional wrestling. He has a remarkable career spanning 25 years in WWE, where he became a world champion and held various titles. Henry is a two-time Olympian, a Pan American Games medalist, and a multiple-time national champion in powerlifting and weightlifting. He also won the inaugural Arnold Strongman Classic. In 2018, he was rightfully inducted into the prestigious WWE Hall of Fame.

David Mark Berger was an American and Israeli Olympic weightlifter and lawyer. He emigrated to Israel after winning a gold medal at the 1969 Maccabiah Games. Berger was one of the 11 Israeli Olympians taken hostage and killed by the Palestinian group Black September during the Munich massacre at the 1972 Summer Olympics. His professional life was marked by a dedication to both sports and law, showcasing his talents as an athlete and his commitment to legal education.

Mattie Rogers is a prominent American Olympic weightlifter known for her exceptional achievements in the sport. She has clinched four silver medals at the World Weightlifting Championships and holds the United States records in the snatch, clean & jerk, and total in the 76 kg category. With a remarkable career, she represented the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics in the 87 kg category, showcasing her dedication and skill on the international stage. Mattie's professional journey exemplifies her commitment to excellence and success in weightlifting.

Harold Sakata was a versatile figure in the world of sports and entertainment. He initially gained fame as an Olympic weightlifter, winning a silver medal at the 1948 Summer Olympics. Transitioning to professional wrestling under the ring name Tosh Togo, he found success in various territories, notably teaming up with Great Togo. Sakata's wrestling skills led to a prominent role in the James Bond film Goldfinger (1964) as the iconic villain Oddjob, solidifying his legacy in pop culture.

Karyn Marshall is a prominent figure in weightlifting history, achieving numerous accomplishments throughout her career. She made history by winning the first women's world championship in weightlifting in 1987 and setting multiple American and world records in the sport. Marshall's most notable achievement was being the first woman to clean and jerk over 300 lb. She later transitioned into becoming a chiropractor, running her private practice. Despite battling breast cancer since 2011, Marshall's dedication to the sport led to her induction into both the USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame in 2011 and the International Weightlifting Hall of Fame in 2015.

Jeremy Buendia is a renowned American professional bodybuilder known for his exceptional skills in the IFBB Men's Physique Division. He has achieved remarkable success in his career by winning the prestigious Men's Physique Mr. Olympia title four times consecutively from 2014 to 2017. Buendia's dedication to the sport, disciplined training regimen, and impressive physique have solidified his reputation as one of the top athletes in the industry. His consistent performance and focus on excellence have earned him a prominent position in the world of bodybuilding.

Kendrick James Farris is a prominent Olympic weightlifter from the United States, known for his exceptional strength and skill in the sport. He has represented the United States in multiple Olympic Games, achieving notable rankings in various weight classes. Farris has a successful track record in international competitions, including winning the silver medal at the 2013 Summer Universiade and being crowned Pan-American Champion in 2010. He is coached by Kyle Pierce and has set impressive records, demonstrating his dedication and talent in weightlifting.

Holley Mangold is an accomplished American sportsperson hailing from Dayton, Ohio. She gained recognition as a member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team, competing in the superheavyweight division of Olympic weightlifting. Mangold's impressive athletic career includes notable appearances on The Biggest Loser, showcasing her dedication to fitness and health. Her achievements in weightlifting and her participation in high-profile competitions have solidified her reputation as a talented and determined athlete in the sports world.

Sarah Elizabeth Robles is a highly accomplished American weightlifter who has achieved significant success on the Olympic stage. She secured a bronze medal in weightlifting at both the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Robles made history by becoming the first US athlete to medal in Olympic weightlifting in 16 years and the first US woman to earn two Olympic weightlifting medals. Her impressive performances have solidified her reputation as a top-tier weightlifter.

Terry Todd was a renowned American powerlifter and Olympic weightlifter. He co-founded the H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports, co-edited Iron Game History, and organized the Arnold Strongman Classic. Todd also had a successful career as a journalist, working for Sports Illustrated magazine, and providing commentary for major networks like CBS, NBC, and ESPN, as well as National Public Radio. His contributions to physical culture, sports history, and strength sports were significant and influential throughout his professional life.

Norbert Schemansky was a highly accomplished American weightlifter, known for being the first weightlifter to win four Olympic medals. Throughout his career spanning from 1947 to 1972, he achieved significant success, winning medals in multiple Olympic Games and becoming a three-time world champion. Schemansky also held numerous world records in weightlifting and was recognized for his achievements by being inducted into both the International Weightlifting Federation Hall of Fame and the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame.

Clarence Cummings Jr., known as CJ Cummings, is a highly accomplished American Olympic weightlifter. He has an impressive track record as a two-time Youth Pan-American champion, Junior Pan-American champion, and two-time Pan-American Champion. CJ's success extends to the international stage, where he has earned 38 medals and broken four International Weightlifting Federation Youth and Junior world records. Additionally, he holds 23 USA Weightlifting American records. His talent and dedication have solidified his reputation as a dominant force in the sport of weightlifting.

Jon Frederic Cole was a renowned athlete excelling in powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, and strongman competitions. He achieved multiple world records in the squat, deadlift, and Total categories. Known as the "strongest man in the world," Cole was the first to total 2200 lbs and squat over 900 lbs. He is considered one of the greatest powerlifters in history, with unequaled raw powerlifting totals in the 242 and 308-pound divisions. Cole also competed in the inaugural World's Strongest Man competition in 1977, finishing 6th.

Charles Thomas Vinci Jr., an American weightlifter and Olympic champion, showcased exceptional talent and dedication throughout his professional career. He dominated the weightlifting scene, holding the title of United States Senior National Champion multiple times. Vinci's impressive achievements include winning gold medals at the Pan American Games and the Summer Olympics, where he set a world record. Known for his tenacity, he overcame challenges like weight limits with determination. Vinci's legacy includes setting numerous world records in the bantamweight class, solidifying his status as a legendary figure in the sport.

Julius Naranjo is a versatile professional known for his expertise in weightlifting, coaching, and filmmaking. As a Guamanian weightlifter, he represented Guam in the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. Naranjo's coaching skills are highly regarded, especially in his role as the coach of Filipino Olympic weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz. Additionally, his talent extends to filmmaking, showcasing his creative abilities and diverse interests. Naranjo's professional life is characterized by his dedication to sports, coaching excellence, and artistic pursuits.

Paul Anderson was a renowned American weightlifter, strongman, and powerlifter known for his exceptional achievements in the field. He secured an Olympic gold medal, multiple world championships, and two national titles in Olympic weightlifting. Anderson played a pivotal role in advancing competitive powerlifting through his contributions. His professional career was marked by remarkable success and a lasting impact on the sport, solidifying his legacy as one of the most accomplished and influential figures in the world of strength sports.

Kuinini Manumua is a Tongan-American weightlifter who made history by becoming the first athlete to represent Tonga at the 2020 Summer Olympics in the Women's +87 kg category. Known for her strength and determination, she showcased her skills on the global stage, finishing in eighth place. Her impressive performance at the Olympics highlighted her dedication to the sport and her ability to compete at the highest level. Manumua continues to inspire others with her achievements in weightlifting.

Jason Kristal is an accomplished American weightlifter and professional strongman athlete. He achieved a significant milestone by securing the first-place position in the prestigious 2008 America's Strongest Man competition. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated exceptional strength and determination, earning recognition as a formidable force in the world of strength sports. With a remarkable track record of achievements and a commitment to pushing his physical limits, Jason Kristal continues to inspire and impress fans and fellow athletes alike with his outstanding performances.

Kimberly Walford is a professional weightlifter known for her impressive achievements, including being a four-time IPF Raw World Champion. With a strong presence on social media, she gained a large following on her trackfu Instagram account. Starting her athletic journey in high school with track and field/cross country events, Walford later gained recognition in the weightlifting world. In 2016, she engaged with fans through a Reddit Ask Me Anything session. Alongside fellow weightlifter Zoe Smith, Walford has become a prominent figure in the weightlifting community.