Bill Kazmaier

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Bill Kazmaier
Statistics
Ring name(s)	Bill Kazmaier
Billed height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Billed weight	350 lb (160 kg)
Born	December 30, 1953
Resides	Wisconsin
Debut	1990

Bill Kazmaier (born December 30, 1953 in Burlington, Wisconsin) is a powerlifter and strongman from the United States. Kazmaier played football at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 1973-1974 before leaving school to pursue powerlifting full-time. In 1979, Kazmaier won the American powerlifting championship and the IPF world powerlifting championship. He won the IPF world championship again in 1983. In 1981, Kazmaier became the second person to bench press over 300 kg (661 lb) in competition (the first being Jim Williams, who benched 306.5 KG in 1972). The 1981 event was the same competition in which he totaled 1,100 kg (2,425 lb), which was the IPF superheavyweight record total for 23 years and his career best. The 300 KG bench was raw but there is no solid evidence supporting the claim that his squat was raw (in a singlet). There has been claims on powerlifting/strength forums saying he used a marathon squat suit on the other hand.

Kazmaier won the World's Strongest Man title three times, in 1980, 1981, and 1982.^[1] After these victories, he was not invited back to compete in the WSM contest again until 1988, when he finished second to Jón Páll Sigmarsson^[2] He finished fourth in his final WSM appearance in 1989.^[3] In recent years, he has appeared on ESPN as a commentator on World's Strongest Man broadcasts.

Kazmaier also wrestled briefly for World Championship Wrestling in 1991. He received several shots at Lex Luger's WCW World Heavyweight Championship but failed to win the title. He also briefly teamed with Rick Steiner, only to lose to The Enforcers in a tournament final for the WCW World Tag Team Championship. This match can be found here: *Steiner & Kazmaier vs The Enforcers, Anderson & Zbysko

Later, Kazmaier opened a fitness club in Auburn, Alabama. The gym closed in 2005. After Kaz Fitness Center in Auburn, AL closed in 2005, Kazmaier opened, and continues to operate, S.W.A.T. gym in Opelika, AL.

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Professional wrestling
Portal

World's Strongest Man
Preceded by: Don Reinhoudt	First (1980)	Succeeded by: Himself
Preceded by: Himself	Second (1981)	Succeeded by: Himself
Preceded by: Himself	Third (1982)	Succeeded by: Geoff Capes