Rauno Heinla
Rauno Heinla is an Estonian professional strongman competitor. He is a specialist in the deadlift events and is regarded as one of the best deadlifters in the world.
Strongman career
Born in Tartu, Estonia, Rauno started his Strongman career in 2000 in the local strongman competition Kõrveküla rammumees. He won his first national title by winning the Estonia's Strongest Man competition in 2008. He's the only Estonian to win this title 6 times following in the footsteps of Tarmo Mitt and Andrus Murumets. For most of his career, Rauno trained with fellow Estonian Strongman Lauri Nämi.Rauno identifies heavy stones and deadlift for reps as his favourite events, and also recognizes that he needs to improve his truck pulls and super yokes.
In his career spanning 22 years, Rauno has competed in over 45 international competitions and 8 single event contests. On September 13, 2020, Rauno broke the Deadlift for repetitions world record with 6 reps under World's Ultimate Strongman Feats of Strength series. During 2022 World Deadlift Championships, he deadlifted which makes him the sixth heaviest deadlifter of all-time in competition and to this date it stands as the heaviest deadlift performed by someone over 40 years of age. Rauno has deadlifted 1,000 lb or more the third highest number of times behind Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson and Ivan Makarov. He has done it both in conventional and sumo variations.
On December 3, 2023, Rauno participated in the Official Strongman Games 40s class, and won his first Masters title, adding to 2nd place finish he earned in 2022.
Personal records
- Deadlift –
- Elephant bar Deadlift –
- Deadlift – x 6 reps
- Axle bar Deadlift with globes – x 9 reps
- Stiff bar Deadlift – x 9 reps
- Silver Dollar Deadlift –
- Squat – Raw, x 10 reps
- Bench press – Raw
- Log press –, x 4 reps
- Axle press – x 2 reps
- Block press –
- Max Atlas stone – as a part of a 5 stone run
- Atlas Stones – 6 stone set in 32.98 seconds
- Atlas Stones – 5 stone set in 21.20 seconds
- Atlas Stone over bar – x 8 reps over a 4 ft 3 in bar
- Húsafell Stone – for
- Bankier sack carry – for
- Arm over arm sled pull – for 25m course in 12.67 seconds