Gallagher’s GOAT Lifters and Lifts – Part 1: Olympic Lifters

I was recently asked to put together a list of my favorite Olympic weightlifters and their best lifts. This is no easy task; picking the all-time greats means diving into decades of iron history, sifting through records that have stood the test of time. Who made the greatest lifts ever? Who pushed the boundaries of human strength? As always, my list is subjective, drawn from a lifetime of studying the sport, both as a competitor and a coach. I won’t bother with modern lifters—my choices are rooted in the golden era of weightlifting when giants roamed the platform, lifting weights that, in many cases, remain unmatched.

This is a story-driven list. I’m including snippets and snapshots of each lifter’s career, highlighting the moments that made me stop and say, “This is something special.” Many of these legends have videos floating around on YouTube, and I strongly suggest you go watch them. Nothing captures the power and drama like seeing a true champion in action.

Paul Anderson: The Strongest Man Who Ever Lived

Paul Anderson was one of a kind. If you ask me who is the greatest Olympic weightlifter of all time, he’s the first name that comes to mind. Anderson was the 1956 Olympic Champion, and his overhead pressing ability was like nothing the world had ever seen. With atrocious technique but unimaginable power, he bulled the weight overhead like it was a feather. I witnessed Anderson’s strength firsthand. In 1965, I saw him squat 900 pounds for five reps at the Silver Spring Boys Club, just 45 minutes after he cleaned and pressed 420 pounds, a feat that broke the world record by two pounds at the time.

Paul was more than just an Olympic lifter—he was a pioneer of powerlifting. He became the godfather of the sport, guiding the AAU as they created the original powerlifting rules. Anderson’s impact on strength sports cannot be overstated; his feats are the stuff of legend, and even today, they remain benchmarks for the greatest lifters.

Vasily Alexeev: The Soviet Giant

Vasily Alexeev, the Soviet behemoth, redefined the clean and jerk in his era. In 1977, Alexeev hoisted an incredible 564 pounds overhead, a weight that, over four decades later, has only been exceeded by 22 pounds. The 600-pound barrier remains elusive, even to today’s top superheavyweights. Alexeev was a master of the Soviet system, setting 63 world records in his career. Each record brought a $5,000 bonus, and Alexeev knew how to game the system—he made incremental jumps, keeping his true capabilities hidden to secure future payouts.

I believe we never saw Alexeev at his absolute peak. The Soviet reward system encouraged him to hold back just enough to keep setting new records without blowing past his competition. Despite this, Alexeev’s 521-pound clean and press remains the heaviest ever. He was a product of the Soviet training machine, honed by coach Rodolph Plyukfelder at the infamous Trud Academy. At his peak, Alexeev stood 6’1” and weighed a hefty 350 pounds, a true colossus of the platform.

Yurik Vardanian: The Unassuming Master

If you’ve never heard of Yurik Vardanian, you’re missing out on one of the most remarkable athletes in Olympic weightlifting history. Vardanian was the definition of deceptive strength—he looked more like a tennis pro than a weightlifter, with a lean, tightly muscled physique. Yet, he outlifted legends like David Rigert in both the 181-pound and 198-pound weight classes. Yurik’s 402-pound snatch as a 181-pound lifter remains one of the greatest feats I’ve ever seen. Imagine a man, weighing less than 200 pounds, snatching as much as the mighty Vasily Alexeev. It’s almost science fiction.

Vardanian’s clean and jerk was equally stunning. As a light middle-heavyweight, he jerked 507 pounds, a lift that left the crowd gasping. He was technically flawless, and his power was something you had to see to believe. Yurik Vardanian is my pick for the GOAT of Olympic weightlifting—his lifts, his technique, and his achievements are unmatched.

Yuri Zakharevich: The Technical Genius

Yuri Zakharevich is often described as the most technically perfect Olympic weightlifter of all time. At just 20 years old, he achieved a double bodyweight snatch of 440 pounds, a lift that remains legendary. Zakharevich was plagued by injuries throughout his career, but his best lifts are etched in the history books. As a 242-pound lifter, he snatched 463 pounds and clean and jerked 551 pounds—feats that most modern lifters can only dream of.

Zakharevich’s technique was unparalleled. Soviet bio-mechanist Robert Roman once analyzed his snatch and concluded that Yuri lifted the barbell to the minimal possible height while still successfully fixing it overhead. This kind of precision is what made him a standout, even among the greatest lifters of all time.

Anatoly Pisarenko: The Explosive Showman

Anatoly Pisarenko was the most charismatic lifter I’ve ever seen. With his intense, lynx-like eyes, Pisarenko commanded the stage every time he stepped onto the platform. He set world records in both the snatch and the clean and jerk, with best lifts of 454 and 584 pounds, respectively. His explosiveness was second to none; he moved like a cat, launching the barbell overhead with incredible speed and power.

Pisarenko’s streamlined physique was a stark contrast to the bulkier superheavyweights. Weighing around 270 pounds, he was pound-for-pound the greatest superheavyweight of all time. His on-stage presence and raw athleticism made him a fan favorite, and I have no doubt that had he been born in the USA, he would have been a superstar in the NFL.

Naim Suleymanoglu: The Pocket Hercules

Naim Suleymanoglu was a phenomenon, plain and simple. Standing only 4-foot-10 and weighing just 132 pounds at his peak, he earned the nickname “Pocket Hercules.” His lifting numbers are staggering: a 336-pound snatch and a 418-pound clean and jerk, the latter representing an incredible 3.15 times his bodyweight. It’s widely considered the single greatest Olympic lift of all time.

Naim’s story is one of triumph and tragedy. Pushed to greatness by the Bulgarian weightlifting machine, he was pumped full of anabolic steroids from a young age. His defection to Turkey made international headlines, and he became a national hero. Sadly, his life off the platform was marred by alcohol and cigarettes, leading to his early death at age 50.

David Rigert: The Rebel of the Platform

David Rigert was the rock star of weightlifting. With a chiseled physique and a bad-boy attitude, Rigert set 65 world records, making him one of the most prolific lifters of all time. He snatched 407 pounds and clean and jerked 506 pounds, feats that were often downplayed due to the Soviet reward system. Like Alexeev, Rigert made smaller jumps in his lifts to maximize his financial bonuses.

Rigert’s stage presence was electrifying. He was a born showman, and the crowd loved him for it. Whether he was winning or bombing out spectacularly, Rigert never failed to entertain. His legacy is one of power, rebellion, and a relentless pursuit of greatness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is Paul Anderson considered the GOAT of both Olympic and powerlifting? Anderson’s versatility and strength in both Olympic lifts and the squat, bench, and deadlift cement his place as a pioneer in strength sports.

2. What made Vasily Alexeev so dominant in the 1970s? His strategic approach to setting world records and his incredible clean and jerk ability made him an iconic figure.

3. How did Naim Suleymanoglu earn the nickname "Pocket Hercules"? Despite his small stature, Suleymanoglu’s explosive strength and multiple Olympic golds earned him this affectionate nickname.

4. Why do many experts regard Yurik Vardanian as the greatest Olympic weightlifter? Vardanian’s achievements across multiple weight classes and his technical excellence set him apart as one of the most remarkable lifters.

5. What role did Soviet coaching methods play in these lifters’ success? The systematic approach of Soviet training, including biomechanical analysis and psychological preparation, was key to their dominance.

6. How do the records of past legends compare to modern Olympic weightlifters? While modern lifters benefit from advancements in equipment and sports science, many of the records set by legends remain competitive today.

Conclusion: Celebrating the Legends of Olympic Weightlifting

These legendary lifters, immortalized by Marty Gallagher’s selections, continue to inspire new generations. Their feats stand as enduring testaments to the strength, skill, and determination that define Olympic weightlifting at its highest level.

About the Author - Marty Gallagher
As an athlete Marty Gallagher is a national and world champion in Olympic lifting and powerlifting. He was a world champion team coach in 1991 and coached Black's Gym to five national team titles. He's also coached some of the strongest men on the planet including Kirk Karwoski when he completed his world record 1,003 lb. squat. Today he teaches the US Secret Service and Tier 1 Spec Ops on how to maximize their strength in minimal time. As a writer since 1978 he’s written for Powerlifting USA, Milo, Flex Magazine, Muscle & Fitness, Prime Fitness, Washington Post, Dragon Door and now IRON COMPANY. He’s also the author of multiple books including Purposeful Primitive, Strong Medicine, Ed Coan’s book “Coan, The Man, the Myth, the Method" and numerous others. Read the Marty Gallagher Biography for a more in depth look at his credentials as an athlete, coach and writer.