Arnold Schwarzenegger, with his super successful pursuits in bodybuilding, acting, business, and politics, has become a giant of a media personality. He uses his online platform, his social media, to boost causes he cares for, shares his interests and projects, and communicates with his audience.

With the Special Olympics powerlifter Kevin Cantrell going viral for his incredible feat, Schwarzenegger expressed his admiration for the young athlete.

Kevin Cantrell at the Special Olympics

On Instagram, Arnold Schwarzenegger posted the footage of the powerlifter, Kevin Cantrell, easily deadlifting 501 lbs, driving the audience wild. He captioned the post, “You inspire me, Kevin! Repost from @espn • Kevin Cantrell 🤝 500-pound club @specialolympics”.

The Special Olympics is the largest sporting event organized for children and adult athletes with intellectual and physical disabilities. The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games held in Orlando, Florida, started on June 5 and will wrap up on June 12. Cantrell, a powerlifter from Ohio, stole the spotlight with his performance and made headlines across the globe.

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The 34-year-old athlete became an inspiration for many. He went viral on all social media platforms for his display of almost-superhuman strength. Wearing a t-shirt with ‘Ohio’ printed on the front, Cantrell made the first 500 lbs lift of the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger also competed as a powerlifter once

In a span of 18 months between 1966 and 1968, Arnold Schwarzenegger competed in at least three powerlifting competitions. He even has a weightlifting history, winning the heavyweight class at the Austrian Olympic Lifting Championships in 1965.

As a powerlifter, he progressed from a 1290 lbs total to just shy of 1600 lbs. His peak was at a total of 1598 lbs at the 1968 German Powerlifting Championships, his last competition as a powerlifter. Here, he deadlift a phenomenal 683 lbs, near 700 when the 800-pound barrier had yet to fall. He also did a 474 lbs squat and a 441 lbs bench press.

This deadlift was a German record that stayed at the top for about 2 years. At the time, Schwarzenegger was only 20, nowhere near his powerlifting peak. The age at which elite powerlifters usually hit their prime is 35.

According to the bodybuilding icon, his best powerlifts in the gym were even higher. He claims to have reached 545 lbs in the squat, 500 lbs in the bench press, and a 710 lbs deadlift. He truly is a strength icon. It seems Kevin Cantrell is well on his way to become one as well.

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