Who is considered to be the strongest man ever have lived?

Answer 1

You could give all kinds of answers to this based on different feats and records. I think the most compelling argument is for Paul Anderson, a strongman from the 1950's. He won Olympic Gold and set world records despite little training in the Olympic lifts, horrible technique and a 103 degree fever. He was listed for a while n the Guiness Book of world records for a back lift of 10,000 lbs (the lifter gets under a table and with his back against the underside of the table and has to break all four legs from the ground) but this was later withdrawn due to questions about the true weight. He is still credited with the heaviest ever verified back lift of 6,270 lbs. He did full squats with 1200 lbs many times in exhibitions before many witnesses in an age before high tech lifting suits and steroids. This feat has never been duplicated with the highest ever "raw" squat in modern competitions being 1000 lbs.

Bill Kazmaeir has my vote for most impressive competitor ever in "The World's Strongest Man" competition with 3 championships and awe inspiring performances that sometimes requires the officials to re-write the rules. For what it is worth Mr. Kazmaier referred to Paul Anderson as "the king of strength".

Of the "lifts" done with defined weights using a well defined method the deadlift is probably the "purest" one, meaning that it relies the least on equipment, technique and judging. By this standardBenedikt Magnusson could claim the title by virtue of his 1.015 pound lift.