Becca Swanson

Rebecca 'Becca' Swanson (born November 20, 1973) is an American powerlifter, strongwoman and former professional wrestler.[3][4][5][6] She broke multiple powerlifting world records, including the heaviest squat, bench press, deadlift and the total.[7][8][9] Due to her many accomplishments including unbeaten strength world records to-date, she is regarded as "the strongest woman to have ever lived".[10][11][12]

Becca Swanson
Personal information
Born (1973-11-20) 20 November 1973
Papillion, Nebraska, U.S.[1]
OccupationPowerlifter, strongwoman, professional wrestler, bodybuilder
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight89.4–112.1 kg (197–247 lb)[2]
Websitehttps://beccaswanson.com/
Medal record
Powerlifting
Representing  United States
1st 1996 Omaha Open
1st 1998 Omaha Open
1st 1999 Omaha Open
1st 2000 Omaha Open
1st 2001 Nebraka/Midwest
1st 2001 APF Senior Nationals
1st 2001 APF Big Iron Open
1st 2001 WPC World Championships
1st 2002 APF Senior Nationals
1st 2003 WPC WPO Finals
1st 2003 APF Senior Nationals
1st 2003 WPC World Championships
1st 2004 WPC Super Open
1st 2004 APF NE/IA State Midwest
Disqualified 2005 WPC WPO Super Open
2nd 2005 WPO WR Bench Bash
1st 2005 APF Nationals
1st 2005 APF Chicago Summerbash
1st 2005 WPC WPO Semifinals
1st 2005 WPO European Semifinals
1st 2005 WPC WPO Finals
1st 2006 Police/Fire BP Exhibition
1st 2007 UPA Bench Bash For Cash
1st 2007 Rick Hussey Benefit Meet
1st 2008 Big Iron In-House Open
Becca Swanson
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Becca Swanson
Billed height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Billed weight105 kg (231 lb)
Trained byHarley Race
Harley Race's Wrestling Academy
World League Wrestling
Debut2009
Retired2010

Early life

Swanson was born November 20, 1973, in Papillion, Nebraska.[1] She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.[4]

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.[13] 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 2000 pound club, as she is the first of two women ever to total over 2000 pounds in a meet on the same day.[9] 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.[14] On March 12, 2010, Swanson would lose the title to Lucy Mendez in a triple threat match which also included Hennig.[15] 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.[15]

WPC/APF/WPO world records (equipped)
  • 198+ Weight Class - 854.3 lb (387.5 kg) Squat[9]
  • 198+ Weight Class - 600.8 lb (272.5 kg) Bench[9]
  • 198+ Weight Class - 694.4 lb (315.0 kg) Deadlift[2]
  • 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)[9]
  • 198 lb (90 kg) Weight Class - 804 lb (365 kg) Squat[9]
  • 198 lb (90 kg) Weight Class - 480 lb (220 kg) Bench[9]
  • 198 lb (90 kg) Weight Class - 600 lb (270 kg) Deadlift[9]
  • 198 lb (90 kg) Weight Class - 1,884 lb (855 kg) Total[9]

Championships and accomplishments

Bodybuilding
  • Ms. Midwest (1 time)[16]
  • Ms. Nebraska (1 time)[16]
  • Ms. Rocky Mountain (1 time)[16]

Powerlifting

Professional wrestling

Physical statistics
  • Height: 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
  • Weight: 110 kg (240 lb)[2]
  • Quads: 27 in (69 cm)
  • Calves: 17.5 in (44 cm)
  • Shoulders: 54 in (140 cm)
  • Biceps: 19 in (48 cm)[17]

References
  1. "Becca Swanson's profile" (in German). CageMatch.de. Retrieved 3 April 2010.
  2. "Becca Swanson (F)". openpowerlifting.org. Retrieved 8 March 2008.
  3. "Becca Swanson, USA – Strongwoman & Powerlifter | Irish Strong Man".
  4. "An Interview with Becca Swanson: The World's Strongest Woman!". 27 June 2005.
  5. "An Interview with Becca Swanson: The World's Strongest Woman!". 27 June 2005.
  6. Wennerstrom, Steve (May 2004). "Flex 'N' Femme". Flex magazine. Retrieved 24 September 2007.
  7. "Women's 198 Pound/90 Kg Weight Class Top 20". Powerlifting Watch. Archived from the original on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2007.
  8. "Is Becca Swanson's 672 lb Deadlift the Heaviest Ever by a Woman?". 15 April 2016.
  9. "All Time Historical Women's Powerlifting World Records In Pounds/Kilograms" (PDF). Powerlifting Watch. 3 January 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  10. Tom Miller, CSCS (19 March 2020). "The 10 Strongest Women To Ever Walk The Earth - Breaking Down The Strongest Women Of All Time". www.fitnessvolt.com. Retrieved 20 July 2023. "#1 Becca "Strongest Ever" Swanson is quite a physical specimen; her best lifts of 854lb squat, 600lb bench, 694lb deadlift, and 2050lb total makes her the only woman to ever lift over 2000lb".
  11. Ana Smith (29 April 2020). "Strongest woman in the world of all time". www.garagegymbuilder.com. Retrieved 20 July 2023. "Becca is considered by many to be the world's strongest woman who ever lived".
  12. "The 11 Strongest Women Ever". 20 November 2019.
  13. Swanson, Becca (30 June 2004). "About Me". Archived from the original on 19 August 2007. Retrieved 24 September 2007.
  14. "Title History on Becca Swanson's profile" (in German). CageMatch.de. Retrieved 3 April 2010.
  15. "World League Wrestling results from Spokane, MO on 3/12 and Summersville, MO on 3/13". St. Louis Wrestling Community. Archived from the original on 9 December 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2010.
  16. "Profile at AMG-Lite". AMG-Lite. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
  17. "Becca Swanson - AMG Lite version 3.3".
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