Raul Flores (strongman)

Raul Flores (born May 9, 2000), is a Mexican strongman competitor.

With the heaviest deadlift ever performed in North, Central America and Caribbean region under strongman rules, he is renowned for his deadlifting prowess.^[1][2]

Flores was born in Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, and studied at the Security and Justice University of Tamaulipas. He started training powerlifting and competed at 2020 USPA North Louisiana Shootout in the junior category.^[3]

Flores began competing in strongman in 2021 and quickly rose to prominence as a deadlift specialist after winning Mike Strongman regional championship back to back in 2023 and 2024.^[2] In 2025, he became the first Mexican to qualify for the finals of the Arnold Strongman Pro/Am, finishing in the top 5.^[4] At 2025 Mike Strongman aulex forum qualifier, Flores deadlifted 480 kg (1,058 lb) (equipped with multi ply deadlift suit and straps) and performed the heaviest deadlift ever in both North and South American continents (under strongman rules).

It earned him an invitation to the Giants Live World Deadlift Championships in 2025 where he deadlifted 453.5 kg (1,000 lb) and secured joint-fourth place in a stacked line up which also inluded the all-time deadlift world record holder Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson.^[5]

During competitions:

• Equipped Deadlift (with straps) – 480 kg (1,058 lb) (2025 Mike Strongman aulex forum qualifier)

During training:

• Equipped Deadlift (with straps) – 482 kg (1,063 lb)^[6]

• List of people who have broken the 1000lb barrier in the deadlift