Mike Hall (powerlifter)
Michael Hall (born October 3, 1956) is a retired American powerlifter, who is perhaps best known for being a pioneer of the drug-free movement in powerlifting. Hall is considered the first African American Super Heavyweight powerlifter to win a World Powerlifting Championship. Hall succeeded in setting numerous American Drug Free Powerlifting Association (ADFPA), American and National records in all three lifts, as well as the total. In addition, he won both the ADFPA and United States Powerlifting Federation (USPF) nationals several times during the same year. He was also the first superheavyweight lifter to win both  the IPF and the WDFPF World Championships. At the 1987 IPF World Championships, Hall officially became the first American lifter to squat 900 lbs (409 kg) and break the 2200 lbs (1000 kg) total under drug tested conditions. He became the first ADFPA drug-free lifter in powerlifting history under drug tested conditions to bench press over 600 pounds, squat over 900 pounds and break the 2000, 2100, 2200 and 2300 pounds total without the use of anabolic steroids”. Hall, who claims God as his coach, is known as the "World’s Strongest Drug-Free Man". He has been highly  decorated as one of the leading anti-drug role models in the United States. In 1992 he appeared on a poster titled Natural Power, which is part of a campaign by the National Federation of High Schools to combat steroid and drug use. The posters were sent to 20,000 schools in the United States, reaching 11 million students. Early life. Hall was born in Lewes, Delaware to Mary Magdalene Hall and John Westley. As a child, Mike Hall was picked on a lot while growing up in Dagsboro, Delaware. At age 12, Hall started lifting using a tree branch and  old car rims. Hall could bench press 400 lbs when he was 16. Accolades. In 1990, then-Delaware Senator Joe Biden, proposed key legislation to address steroid use among athletes and student-athletes. Biden authorized legislation to make steroids a Schedule II substance drug. Biden stated Hall was an example of how an athlete does not have to use steroids to be a champion. He said, “ Mike Hall holds the current record of the most weight lifted by a drug-free lifter, a record he is proud to share with young athletes who think they need steroids to become a  champion. I am proud of Mike Hall who is a native of Delaware.” In 2019, Hall was referenced in TieBreaker's Homegrown Talent: Every State's Greatest Athlete for Delaware Personal records. Equipped Personal life. Hall is married to his wife Toni and they have three daughters, Renata, Briana, and Brittany. He is employed at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, in Princess Anne Md., as the Director and Fitness Specialist of the Health and Wellness Department. In 2013, Hall suffered a heart attack and was admitted to Nanticoke Hospital. Powerlifting career. During the mid-1970s, Hall became the all-marine  Heavyweight-Powerlifting Champion several times. He was considered as one of the strongest marines in his time. Hall arrived on the National scene with the American Drug-Free Powerlifting Association (ADFPA) in 1983. He won the 2nd place in his first Nationals at the ADFPA Nationals in Allentown, Pa. with 1862 lbs (846 kg) total while setting a National and American record in the deadlift. The following year, he took 1ST place at the 1984 ADFPA Nationals setting an American and National record in the deadlift 722 lbs (328 kg) and total 2033 lbs (924 kg). Hall officially became the  first ADFPA drug-free lifter to break the 2000 lbs total barrier at a National competition. On July 6, 1985, Hall participated in his first United States Powerlifting Federation's National Powerlifting Championships in Chicago, Illinois and took 3rd place in the Superheavyweight (SHW) division behind the great Doyle Kenady and George Hector. Hall posted a 2171.5 lbs (987 kg) total. Two weeks later, on July 20 Hall took 1st place at the 1985 ADFPA Nationals in Wilkes Barre, PA. His winning 2160 lbs (981 kg) total became the first 2100 lb total in ADFPA history. Powerlifting USA Magazine stated , "Lifting this often and doing well is quite a challenge for a big man". Hall attempted the first 600 lbs bench in ADFPA history on a fourth attempt and was good for 2300 lbs total. In November 1985, Hall competed at the ADFPA Longhorn Open/Collegiate Powerlifting competition held by Dr. Terry and Jan Todd in Austin, Texas and shocked the powerlifting world by posting the highest total in history lifted by a drug-tested lifter. A record-breaking 2303 lbs (1046.8 kg). His lifts consisted of 925 lbs (420 kg) squat w/wraps, 584 lbs (265 kg) raw bench  press and a 793 lbs (360 kg) raw deadlift. He officially became the first lifter in ADFPA history and the first man to break the 2200 and 2300-pound barrier without the aid of Anabolic steroids. In April 1986, Hall won the super heavyweight division in the ADFPA North American Powerlifting competition in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He squatted 905 lbs missing 940 lbs twice. He totaled 2250 lbs and became the first ADFPA lifter in history to officially bench press 600 lbs (272.7 kg) drug-free. In the 1988 Boys Life Magazine, Dennis Brady, the president of the American Drug -free Powerlifting Association at that time quoted, "Mike Hall is an unusual drug-free lifter, and He’s able to compete with anyone”. Hall continued his lifting journey by winning first place at the United States Powerlifting Federation National Powerlifting (USPF) in 1986, 1987, 1989 and the American Drug Free Powerlifting Association (ADFPA) in 1986, and 1989. In November 1986, Hall entered his first International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Championships in the Netherlands, the Hague. He won his first gold with a 2160 lb (981.8 kg) total. At the 1986 IPF World Championships, Hall registered the highest SHW total since  IPF began drug testing in 1982. At the 1987 IPF World Championship in Oslo, Norway, Hall took second place behind Sweden’s Lars Noren, with a 2210 lbs (1004.5) total. In addition, Hall became the first American lifter to officially squat 900 lbs (409 kg) and total 2200 lbs at a drug tested IPF World Powerlifting competition. On October 25, 1988, in San Diego California, Hall made history by competing at the first World Corporate Games and winning the Gold with a 2160 lbs (982 kg) total. In 1989, at the ADFPA Lifetime Drug-Free Nationals in Tempe, Arizona, Hall  spoke to 8000 kids during a “Say No to Drugs” seminar and lifting exhibition. While squatting at the exhibition, Hall injured his hand returning the bar back in the rack. Hall placed first while posting the highest drug tested total 2336.9 lbs (1062 kg) ever lifted by an American Superheavyweight lifter during that time. At the 1989 IPF World Championships in Canada, despite serious injuries Hall won the 1989 IPF World Championships with a 2099 lbs total. Mike Lambert, editor of Powerlifting USA Magazine quoted, "Few people realized the intensity of Mike's effort to win the super heavy title  at the fantastic IPF Worlds in Canada. Hall prayed, and he felt no pain until after the 705 lbs deadlift he needed was successfully completed. At the 1990 World Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation World Championships in Meaux, France, Hall took first place and set a new WDFPF world bench press of 529 lbs (240.4 kg). In 1991, Hall known as the World’s Strongest Drug-free Man retired from the lifting platform.