# Becca Swanson

Rebecca 'Becca' Swanson (born November 20, 1973) is an American powerlifter, strongwoman and former professional wrestler. She broke multiple powerlifting world records, including the heaviest squat, bench press, deadlift and the total. Due to her many accomplishments including unbeaten strength world records to-date, she is regarded as "the strongest woman to have ever lived".

## Early life

Swanson was born November 20, 1973, in Papillion, Nebraska. She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

## Bodybuilding, powerlifting, and strongwoman

Becca Swanson started out in 1996 with the desire to be a bodybuilder, but ended up powerlifting. According to her, the larger and more muscular women had fallen out of favor in bodybuilding after a few shows. She was told that she was just too big for bodybuilding, which motivated her to take up powerlifting. At the same time, she was very close to some powerlifting world records and thought it best to focus her efforts there. Her squat is 601.9 pounds (273.0 kg) (equipped), bench press is 523.6 pounds (237.5 kg) (equipped with bench shirt), and she is the only woman to deadlift 621 pounds (282 kg) (equipped). She is also the first woman ever known to be a member of the 2,000 pound club, as she is the first of two women ever to total over 2,000 pounds in a meet on the same day. She has also competed in strongwoman contests, beginning in 2002. Swanson is also known for doing 35 kg dumbbell curls for 10 repetitions.

## Professional wrestling
### Harley Race's Wrestling Academy/World League Wrestling (2009-2010)

Swanson was a professional wrestler in Harley Race's World League Wrestling based in Eldon, Missouri.
Swanson (as a heel) won the WLW Ladies Championship from Amy Hennig on October 3, 2009, at the WLW Tenth Anniversary Show. On March 12, 2010, Swanson would lose the title to Lucy Mendez in a triple threat match which also included Hennig. On March 13, Swanson was unsuccessful in capturing the WLW Women's Championship for a second time as Hennig would defeat both Swanson and Mendez in a triple threat match.

## WPC/APF/WPO world records (equipped)

* 198+ Weight Class - 854.3 lb (387.5 kg) Squat
* 198+ Weight Class - 600.8 lb (272.5 kg) Bench
* 198+ Weight Class - 694.4 lb (315.0 kg) Deadlift
* 198+ Weight Class - 2,050 lb (930 kg) Total (854.3/387.5, 600.8/272.5, 683.4/310.0) (best lifts in one meet)
* 198 lb (90 kg) Weight Class - 804 lb (365 kg) Squat
* 198 lb (90 kg) Weight Class - 480 lb (220 kg) Bench
* 198 lb (90 kg) Weight Class - 600 lb (270 kg) Deadlift
* 198 lb (90 kg) Weight Class - 1,884 lb (855 kg) Total

## Championships and accomplishments
### Bodybuilding

* Ms. Midwest (1 time)
* Ms. Nebraska (1 time)
* Ms. Rocky Mountain (1 time)

### Powerlifting

* World Powerlifting Congress
** 90 kg Class
*** 710.5 kg Total (June 14, 2002)
** 90+ kg Class
*** 377.5 kg Squat (June 4, 2005)
*** 272.5 kg Bench press (June 4, 2005)
*** 290.5 kg Deadlift (June 4, 2005)
*** 873 kg Total (June 4, 2005)

### Professional wrestling

* World League Wrestling
** WLW Ladies Championship (1 time)

## Physical statistics

* Height: 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
* Weight: 110 kg (240 lb)
* Quads: 27 in (69 cm)
* Calves: 17.5 in (44 cm)
* Shoulders: 54 in (140 cm)
* Biceps: 19 in (48 cm)