Jan Bártl

Bártl started his athletic career as a track and field athlete. In 1996 he registered a personal best shot put of 18.81 metres (61 ft 9 in) and in 1998 a personal best discus throw of 54.58 metres (179 ft 1 in).^[1]

Bártl started his strongman career in 1999 IFSA Czech Grand Prix with a fifth place finish and was quickly noted for his grip strength.^[3] During 2000 Beauty and the Beast competition, he performed 120.4 kg (265.4 lb) on the Rolling Thunder with a thumbless grip for a new world record.^[4] However, upon banning the thumbless grip by IronMind Enterprises, Bártl initiated a new revised world record during 2001 Rolling Thunder World Championship with 117.3 kg (258.6 lb) which remained unbeaten since 2003 by Magnus Samuelsson.^[5]

Bártl's strength career highlight came in 2000 IFSA Czech Grand Prix where he beat Svend Karlsen, Martin Muhr, Odd Haugen and Glenn Ross to win the championship.^[6]

• Raw Deadlift – 340 kg (750 lb) (2003 Sword of Matúš Čák)
• Log press – 150 kg (331 lb) (2002 Strongman Super Series Sweden Grand Prix)
• Axle press (for reps) – 120 kg (265 lb) x 15 reps (2000 Beauty and the Beast) (Joint-World Record)^[7]
• IronMind Rolling Thunder (V1) – 117.3 kg (258.6 lb) (2001 Rolling Thunder World Championship) (Former World Record)
• Hercules hold (car setup) – 317.5 kg (700 lb) for 41.31 seconds (1999 IFSA Czech Grand Prix) (World Record)^[8]