Born on January 17, 1946, in Rome, New York, Larry Pacifico later moved to Dayton, Ohio, where he made a name for himself in powerlifting. Known as “Mr. Powerlifter” in the 1970s, he is recognized as one of the greatest powerlifters of all time. With nine consecutive world titles in three different weight classes and 54 world records, he remains a true legend in the history of strength sports.
Although powerlifting was still a new sport, Larry got into it quickly. As a teenager in Ohio, where the sport was growing faster than in many other places, he discovered powerlifting early and began training seriously. He reportedly won a U.S. Teen National Championship in the mid-1960s.
At the 1969 U.S. Nationals, he placed third in the -90 kg / 198 lbs class with a total of 750.7 kg / 1,655 lbs. The following year, he won the class and went on to remain undefeated for more than a decade. Competitors from the 1970s often said that when you competed against Larry, you were really fighting for second place. He had an exceptional sense for attempt selection, weight classes, and meet strategy, which allowed him to secure wins even when he was not in peak form.
Pacifico set numerous world records in the squat, bench press, and total. He also once broke a deadlift world record with a pull of 500 kg / 1,102 lbs together with Jane Todd. Although he excelled in the squat and bench press, he was primarily known as an outstanding overall lifter. Even when others surpassed him in a single lift, the margin was small and rarely in more than one event. His deadlift was also strong, despite facing legends like Vince Anello and James Cash. Larry sometimes took the final deadlift of the meet, but he had often already secured the victory after his openers, which allowed him to take bold jumps on his second and third attempts.
Like many lifters of his era, Larry competed under varying equipment rules. Below are some of his most notable results, with notes on the equipment used. In those days, the same suits worn for squats and deadlifts were also worn during the bench press, which gives perspective on how much, or how little, support they provided.
Here are some of Larry’s best lifts and the equipment he wore.
1968: Olympic weightlifting
Class -82,5 kg / 181 lbs
- Clean and press: 143 kg / 315 lbs
- Snatch: 122.5 kg / 270 lbs
- Clean and jerk: 145 kg / 320 lbs
1972: Weightlifting belt and knee wraps
Class -110 kg / 242 lbs
- Squat: 317.5 kg / 700 lbs
- Bench press: 268.7 kg / 592 lbs
- Deadlift: 317 kg / 699 lbs
- Total: 895.8 kg / 1,975 lbs
1973: No belt, no wraps or bandages
Class -110 kg / 242 lbs
- Squat: 340.1 kg / 750 lbs (nearly 362.8 kg / 800 lbs)
- Bench press: 247.2 kg / 545 lbs (nearly 263 kg / 580 lbs)
- Deadlift: 317.5 kg / 700 lbs
- Total: 904.9 kg / 1,995 lbs
1974–1975: Belt and knee wraps
Class -100 kg / 220 lbs
- Squat: 322.5 kg / 711 lbs
- Bench press: 257.5 kg / 568 lbs
- Deadlift: 350 kg / 771 lbs
- Total: 907.5 kg / 2,003 lbs
1976–1977: Belt, squat and deadlift suit, knee wraps
Class -90 kg / 198 lbs
- Squat: 315 kg / 694 lbs
- Bench press: 230 kg / 507 lbs
- Deadlift: 324.3 kg / 715 lbs
- Total: 865 kg / 1,907 lbs
1977–1978: Belt, squat and deadlift suit, knee wraps
Class -100 kg / 220 lbs
- Squat: 365 kg / 804 lbs
- Bench press: 255 kg / 562 lbs
- Deadlift: 342.5 kg / 755 lbs
- Total: 935 kg / 2,061 lbs
He also squatted 377.5 kg / 832 lbs in the -110 kg / 242 lbs class in 1980 but did not perform a deadlift at that meet.
Pacifico’s best lifts outside competition, at exhibitions and similar events, were slightly higher. Because the Round System was not introduced until 1985, the conditions were often less favorable for making very heavy attempts. He reportedly squatted 401.4 kg / 885 lbs, deadlifted 369.7 kg / 815 lbs, and benched 276.7 kg / 610 lbs, which is consistent with an exhibition bench without a competition pause. In a standing press from racks, he lifted 200 kg / 440 lbs overhead.
He could also blow up hot-water bottles, a feat of lung power and grip that Franco Columbu was famous for as well.
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