Gerrit 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 he was able to compete for South Africa internationally on the strongman stage he did represent his country as a powelifter and between 1988 and 1990 won three world titles. In so doing he broke world records in both the squat (450 kg or 992 lb) and the deadlift 402 kg (886 lb). He also broke the world record in the total (squat, deadlift and benchpress) of 1102.5 kg (2431 lb). His world titles and world records led to him being acclaimed the greatest ever powerlifter, 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 the strongman competitions.
