Liam Beville

I am an Irish powerlifter with a competitive career spanning four decades, ranked number one in the world in the deadlift for my age and weight category. I hold six deadlift world records across four weight divisions and am the only Irish powerlifter to hold a Guinness World Record.

What makes my career unusual is simple: I have a permanent disability, and I have never competed in disability sport. Every title, medal, and record has been achieved in fully able-bodied competition.

At 18, I was hit by a stolen car. I spent a year in plaster, six months in a wheelchair, and underwent multiple surgeries. At one stage, I was not expected to walk again. I returned to compete at international level and continued for decades at the highest tier of the sport.

In 1992, at 75 kg bodyweight, I deadlifted 310 kg at an IPF international competition. That lift equalled the best recorded at that bodyweight at the time and remains an unbeaten Irish benchmark in that category.

At 57, I became the oldest and lightest athlete to hold a Guinness World Record for the deadlift, lifting 285 kg under strict competition conditions using the conventional stance and without straps.

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Career Highlights

• Six deadlift world records across four weight divisions
• Guinness World Record – Heaviest Deadlift (Disability Criteria)
• Ranked number one globally (age and weight category, deadlift) IPF international deadlift:
• 310 kg at 75 kg bodyweight (1992)
• Irish total record: 682.5 kg (1992 IPF competition)
• Multiple World and European gold medals in deadlift
• Multiple Best Lifter awards nationally and internationally
• Competed raw and equipped at international level
• Coordinator – Powerlifting, 2003 Special Olympics World Games / 2002 National Games
• Brand Ambassador – Active Disability Ireland / West Limerick Sports Complex
• Civic recognition from Lord Mayor of Dublin and Mayor of Limerick
• Letter of commendation from President of Ireland
• Author of Unbroken – The Liam Beville Story

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Speaking

I speak from lived experience in elite sport under physical constraint. My focus is performance, adaptation, and discipline under conditions where outcomes are assumed to be limited – and then exceeded.

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Contact

Phone: 087 096 4898 Email: bevilleliam@gmail.com