ICUH

Doug Hepburn

He was considered the strongest man in the world at one time, and for good reason. Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Douglas Ivan Hepburn (1926-2000) would overcome a clubfoot impediment on his way to setting his first Canadian weightlifting record, a clean and press of 327 1/2 lbs, in September 1950. At an exhibition two months later, Hepburn cleaned and pressed 341 lbs, benched pressed 400, and squatted 550.

By 1953, while preparing for the World Weightlifting Championships, Hepburn was bench pressing 450 for doubles and squatting 550 for triples in addition to his regular weightlifting movements. He would go on to win the heavyweight class over American weightlifting icon John Davis with lifts of 371 in the press, 297 in the snatch, and 364 in the clean and jerk.

Hepburn was the first man to officially bench 400, 450, and 500 lbs. Ultimately, he would pause 525, 550, and 560 lbs during the early to mid 1950's. This would be topped off by a touch and go with 580 using a collar to collar grip and a near miss with 600 lbs. He was also a great squatter: it was his 630 lb world record deep knee bend that Paul Anderson exceeded in late 1952. Doug would later improve to 760 lbs.

During his prime Doug weighed 280 and was reportedly capable of the following lifts:

  • Press off the rack: 440 lbs
  • Two-Hand Dumbbell Press: 175s
  • Press Behind The Neck: 350 lbs
  • Two Hand Barbell Curl: 260 lbs
  • Wide Grip Bench Press: 580 lbs
  • Jerk Press: 500 lbs
  • Crucifix: 200 lbs
  • Squat: 760 lbs
  • Deadlift without straps: 705 lbs
  • Deadlift with straps: 740 lbs

In addition to his remarkable strength and achievements in weightlifting, Douglas Ivan Hepburn's legacy extended beyond the gym. Known for his indomitable spirit and perseverance, Hepburn's journey began with the triumph over a clubfoot impediment, a testament to his resilience and determination.

Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in 1926, Hepburn quickly rose to prominence in the weightlifting world. His inaugural Canadian weightlifting record, a clean and press of 327 1/2 lbs in September 1950, marked the beginning of a series of extraordinary feats. Just two months later, at an exhibition, Hepburn showcased his formidable strength by cleaning and pressing 341 lbs, bench pressing 400 lbs, and squatting an impressive 550 lbs.

As he geared up for the World Weightlifting Championships in 1953, Hepburn's training regimen included bench pressing 450 lbs for doubles and squatting 550 lbs for triples, demonstrating his commitment to pushing the boundaries of strength. In a showdown with the renowned American weightlifting icon John Davis, Hepburn emerged victorious in the heavyweight class, securing his place in history with lifts of 371 in the press, 297 in the snatch, and 364 in the clean and jerk.

A true pioneer in the sport, Hepburn became the first man to officially bench press 400, 450, and 500 lbs. His achievements continued to soar, with pauses at 525, 550, and 560 lbs during the early to mid-1950s, culminating in a touch-and-go lift of 580 lbs and a near miss with an astounding 600 lbs.

Beyond his prowess in the bench press, Hepburn excelled in various lifts during his prime, weighing in at a formidable 280 lbs. His repertoire included a press off the rack at 440 lbs, a two-hand dumbbell press with 175 lbs, a press behind the neck reaching 350 lbs, and a two-hand barbell curl of 260 lbs. The wide grip bench press remained a forte, with Hepburn conquering an astonishing 580 lbs. His jerk press reached an impressive 500 lbs, and he demonstrated strength and control with a crucifix lift of 200 lbs. In the squat, Hepburn's world record deep knee bend reached 630 lbs, a mark that influenced legendary lifter Paul Anderson. Notably, Hepburn continued to push the limits, eventually achieving a remarkable 760 lb squat.

In the realm of deadlifting, Hepburn showcased his formidable strength with a 705 lb deadlift without straps and an even more impressive 740 lb deadlift with straps. As a titan in the world of weightlifting, Douglas Ivan Hepburn's legacy endures as a symbol of unwavering determination and extraordinary physical prowess.