A 670-pound deadlift is impressive. A 670-pound deadlift with one hand sounds impossible, right? Well, James Spurgin, would beg to differ. On Sunday, October 25th, 2020, he broke the world record for a one-armed deadlift at 670 pounds.

In 2006, Spurgin was involved in a motorcycle accident that left him without the use of his right arm. Fourteen years after his accident, this former Marine veteran proved that there is no limit to what he can accomplish by completing incredible feats of strength. Checkout his world record below

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675lb/306kg 18in strapped #deadlift World Record and 70lb PR! Also hit 170lb on the #monsterdumbbell missed 190lb. @static_monsters 2020 at @beyondlimitsgym #1armpower #strongman #highlandgames #athlete #1in1k #disabledathlete #brachialplexusinjury #adaptive #choosehappiness #refinedsavage #willpower #heavyaf #fukaverage #sandals #flipflops #pursuitofiron #usmc #veteran #ryourogue #homegym

A post shared by James Spurgin (@1armpower) on Oct 25, 2020 at 10:21am PDT

The Genesis 

After recovering from his accident, Spurgin was at the gym with a friend. While there, he saw some guys powerlifting and decided to give it a try. After that, he was hooked. After his accident, Spurgin said he struggled with motivation to do the everyday things he needed to do. 

“I grew up using my hands on everything, Camping and hiking, and climbing and martial arts. When that was taken from me, I was like, I’m not really worth what a normal person is worth because I don’t have the same abilities. I didn’t feel like I was of value,” he told vice. “But I have new abilities now that are stronger than someone with two hands.” 

Racking up the Hardware 

 Since 2012, James Spurgin has been taking these new abilities to competitions across the world. He has placed first in the World’s Strongest Disabled Man competition and second in the America’s Strongest Disabled Competition. 

He placed first in the Adaptive Highland Games and eighth in the Highland Games while competing against non-disabled athletes. 

The Mission 

As adaptive events like the WheelWod, Worlds Strongest Disabled Man, and others, get more popular, Spurgin hopes that he and his fellow competitors can reach more and more athletes who may think competing is out of the cards for someone with a recent injury or a life-long impairment. If you would like to view the Vice Sports special on James Spurgin, click here! 

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