Background
Badenhorst was born on 10 October 1962 in De Aar, Northern Cape, South Africa.
Badenhorst was born on 10 October 1962 in De Aar, Northern Cape, South Africa.
As a sportsman he played rugby union, but excelled in the sports of weightlifting and powerlifting. Before Badenhorst competed for South Africa internationally on the strongman stage, he first represented his country as a powerlifter. In so doing, he broke world records in the squat at 450 kilograms (990 lb), and the deadlift at 402.5 kg (8874 lb).
He also broke the world record in the total (squat+bench press+deadlift) of 1102.5 kg (2431 lb).
His world titles and world records led to him being acclaimed the greatest ever powerlifter at the time, 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 strongman competitions.
Badenhorst was eight times South Africa"s Strongest Manitoba Badenhorst was also a seven time World"s Strongest Manitoba finalist, coming second at the 1995 World"s Strongest Manitoba and third at the 1996 World"s Strongest Manitoba contests.
In strength athletics Badenhorst had already made an impact in South Africa having been crowned South Africa"s Strongest Manitoba in 1989, 1990 and 1992.
At the 1992 World"s Strongest Manitoba as a newcomer he placed fourth. At the 1994 World"s Strongest Manitoba he again came fourth. Despite an injury sustained in the Bavarian stone lift during the qualifying heats, he came second overall to Magnus Ver Magnusson in the finals.
He competed in a further five World"s Strongest Manitoba contests, coming third in 1996, and 7th in 2000.
Done in official WPC meets. Bench Press - 272.5 kg (60075 lb) Raw Squat - 450 kg (9918 lb) Raw, with knee wraps.
Former WPC World Record in 308lb class (+regardless of weight class). Later reclassified as "equipped" due to the use of a 1980s squat suit, which is likely to have offered very little, if any, support in the lift.
Deadlift - 402.5 kg (8874 lb) Raw, former WPC World Record in 308lb class (+regardless of weight class) Total - 1,105kg (450/250/4025) / 2,431lb (992/551/887) Career aggregate total - 1,125kg (450/2725/4025) / 2,475lb (992/600/887) 8 times South Africa"s Strongest Manitoba (1989, 1990, 1992–1995, 1998 and 2001).
8 times South Africa"s Strongest Manitoba (1989, 1990, 1992–1995, 1998 and 2001) 4th place 1992 World"s Strongest Manitoba 8th place (withdrew due to injury) 1993 World"s Strongest Manitoba 4th place 1994 World"s Strongest Manitoba 2nd place 1995 World"s Strongest Manitoba 3rd place 1996 World"s Strongest Manitoba 7th place 2000 World"s Strongest Manitoba DNP (qualified for finals, injured during heats) 1998 World"s Strongest Manitoba
