Jan Bártl (born 23 March 1967) is a Czech former track and field athlete specialised in shot put and discus throw[1] and a strongman from Prague.[2]
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]
