Rauno Heinla (born 7 June 1982) is an Estonian professional strongman competitor.[1] He is a specialist in the deadlift events and is regarded as one of the best deadlifters in the world.[2][3]

Rauno Heinla
Personal information
Born (1982-06-07) 7 June 1982 (age 42)
Tartu, Estonia
OccupationStrongman
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight129–145 kg (284–320 lb)
Children1
Medal record
Representing  Estonia
World's Strongest Man
Qualified 2011 World's Strongest Man
Qualified 2023 World's Strongest Man
Qualified 2024 World's Strongest Man
Arnold Strongman Classic
8th 2018 Arnold Strongman Classic
6th 2019 Arnold Strongman Classic
World's Ultimate Strongman
11th 2020 World's Ultimate Strongman
9th 2021 World's Ultimate Strongman
Europe's Strongest Man
10th 2015 Europe's Strongest Man
4th 2021 Europe's Strongest Man
12th 2022 Europe's Strongest Man
7th 2024 Europe's Strongest Man
Giants Live
3rd 2011 Finland
5th 2014 Norway
10th 2019 Wembley
8th 2021 World Open
6th 2022 World Open
6th 2022 World Tour Finals
10th 2023 World Open
Strongman Champions League
4th 2011 SCL Lapland
8th 2011 SCL Latvia
4th 2012 SCL Lapland
3rd 2014 SCL Finland
6th 2014 SCL Poland
1st 2014 SCL Savickas Classic
1st 2014 SCL Estonia
3rd 2015 SCL Finland
1st 2014 SCL Savickas Classic
Arnold Pro Strongman World Series
5th 2016 Africa
5th 2016 Asia
6th 2016 Europe
4th 2017 Australia
1st 2017 South America
3rd 2017 Africa
9th 2017 Forts de Warwick
1st 2018 Australia
3rd 2018 South America
4th 2018 Africa
8th 2018 Forts de Warwick
11th 2018 Europe
3rd 2019 USA
3rd 2019 Australia
3rd 2019 South America
9th 2019 Africa
10th 2019 Europe
4th 2020 USA
3rd 2022 UK
8th 2024 UK
Força Bruta
2nd 2021 Força Bruta
2nd 2022 Força Bruta

Strongman career

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Born in Tartu, Estonia, Rauno started his Strongman career in 2000 in the local strongman competition Kõrveküla rammumees. He won his first national title by winning the Estonia's Strongest Man competition in 2008.[4] He's the only Estonian to win this title 6 times following in the footsteps of Tarmo Mitt and Andrus Murumets (who both won 5 times each). For most of his career, Rauno trained with fellow Estonian Strongman Lauri Nämi.

Rauno identifies heavy stones and deadlift for reps as his favourite events, and also recognizes that he needs to improve his truck pulls and super yokes.[5]

In his career spanning 22 years, Rauno has competed in over 45 international competitions and 8 single event contests.[6] On September 13, 2020, Rauno broke the 400 kg Deadlift (standard bar) for repetitions world record with 6 reps under World's Ultimate Strongman Feats of Strength series.[7] Along with Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson and Eddie Hall, Rauno is also one of only a handful of men who has deadlifted 1,000 lbs (453.5 kg) or more, quite a few times.[8] He has done it both in conventional and sumo variations.

On December 3, 2023, Rauno participated in the Official Strongman Games 40s class, and won his first Masters title, adding to 2nd place finish he earned in 2022. [9][10]

Personal records

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  • Deadlift (Max.) – 476 kg (1,049 lb) (Conventional) (Masters World Record)
  • Deadlift (Max.) – 475 kg (1,047 lb) (Sumo)
  • Deadlift (for Reps) – 400 kg (882 lb) x 6 reps (World's Ultimate Strongman) (Feats of Strength series, 2020) (World Record)[11] Rauno has also done this twice more during training.
  • Axle Bar Deadlift with globes (for reps) (with deadlift suit and straps) – 360 kg (794 lb) x 9 reps (2021 Europe's Strongest Man) (World Record)
  • Stiff Bar Deadlift (Raw) (for Reps) – 350 kg (772 lb) x 9 reps (2024 Arnold UK)
  • Silver Dollar Deadlift (18 inches from the floor) – 580 kg (1,279 lb) (World Record)
  • Squat – 360 kg (794 lb) Raw, 320 kg (705 lb) x 10 reps
  • Bench press – 240 kg (529 lb) Raw
  • Log press – 195 kg (430 lb) , 170 kg (375 lb) x 4 reps
  • Axle press – 181.5 kg (400 lb) x 2 reps
  • Block press – 140 kg (309 lb) (2014 Savickas Classic)
  • Max Atlas stone – 220 kg (485 lb) as a part of a 5 stone run (2017 Arnold Australia)
  • Atlas Stones – 5 stone set (100–180 kg (220–397 lb)) in 21.20 seconds
  • Húsafell Stone – 186 kg (410 lb) for 58.90 metres (193 ft 3 in) (2019 Arnold Strongman Classic)

References

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  1. ^ "Rauno Heinla". Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  2. ^ "Rauno Heinla Hits Unofficial World Record Deadlift, Hafthor Bjornsson Reacts". Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  3. ^ Roger Lockridge. "Rauno Heinla Sets World Record In 400 KG Deadlift For Reps With 6". Retrieved 2020-09-14.
  4. ^ Phil Burgess. "Rauno Heinla, 2011 Estonia's Strongest Man – International Strongman". Retrieved 2012-03-06.
  5. ^ Phil Burgess. "Rauno Heinla, 2011 Estonia's Strongest Man – International Strongman". Retrieved 2012-03-06.
  6. ^ "Rauno Heinla". Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  7. ^ Roger Lockridge. "Rauno Heinla Sets World Record In 400 KG Deadlift For Reps With 6". Retrieved 2020-09-14.
  8. ^ Nirmal Hettiarachchi. "The Heaviest Conventional 9 inch Deadlifts of All-time (the 1,000 lbs club)". Retrieved 2021-11-16.
  9. ^ "Strongman Archives - 2023 Masters World's Strongest Man". strongmanarchives.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  10. ^ "Strongman Archives - 2022 Masters World's Strongest Man". strongmanarchives.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  11. ^ Roger Lockridge. "Rauno Heinla Sets World Record In 400 KG Deadlift For Reps With 6". Retrieved 2020-09-14.
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