Gary Croft
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||
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| Birth name | Gary Robert Croft | |||||||||||||
| Nationality | British 🇬🇧 🏴🏴 | |||||||||||||
| Born | 29/11/1980 Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, England 🏴 | |||||||||||||
| Residence | Broughton, Lincolnshire, England 🏴 | |||||||||||||
| Height | 5'8" | |||||||||||||
| Weight | 115 kg (254 lb) | |||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||
| Country |  United Kingdom | |||||||||||||
| Sport | POWERLIFTING / STRONGMAN [Strength Athlete] former amateur boxer and arm wrestler | |||||||||||||
| Event(s) | SQUAT / BENCH / DEADLIFT Static Power | |||||||||||||
| Now coaching | STRENGTH COACH (dynamic) | |||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | ||||||||||||||
| World finals | Static Power World Championships (2022) https://wdc.international/static-power-results | |||||||||||||
| Regional finals | 1st Place GPC-GB Lincolnshire Qualifier (2022) 1st Place BPF British Championships (2022) 1st Place UKIPL Combined British Finals (2025) | |||||||||||||
| National finals | IPL DOUBLE WORLD CHAMPION (2021)
GPC DOUBLE WORLD CUP CHAMPION (2025) 5 x BRITISH CHAMPION https://www.openpowerlifting.org/u/garycroft Official Strongman Games (OSG) European Qualifier 3rd Place MEN'S MASTERS | |||||||||||||
Medal record
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| Updated on September 2026. | ||||||||||||||
[1][2][3][4][5][6]Gary Croft (born 29 November 1980) is a British powerlifter, strongman, and neurodiversity advocate.[7][8] He is a multiple-time regional, national, and world strongman champion, most notably winning the 2022 Static Power World Championships. Known for his static pulling and pressing power, Croft achieved notable recognition within the strength community as a verbal autistic master lifter over the age of 40 executing elite-tier lifts under complex, severe neurological and physiological conditions.
Early life
Croft was born in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, and raised in the local area.[9] He began weight training at the age of 17, initially inspired by 1980s action cinema, including the Rocky, Rambo, and Bruce Lee films.[10]
In 2020, following a severe personal breakdown, Croft was formally diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Combined Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Combined ADHD), and severe OCD.[8] Although verbal, Croft faces severe needs and challenges that place him towards the lower, high-support end of the spectrum. He has spoken candidly about how the absolute rigidity, repetition, and intense focus required by heavy strength training provided an essential, grounding therapeutic ritual and working diary for navigating his neurodivergence.[11]
When Gary shared his story on BBC Radio Humberside in February 2022, he highlighted a critical reality of the modern NHS: local subcontracts are the primary mechanism used to handle "crucial" or high-priority cases.
Because Gary's needs were deemed urgent or crucial, the local clinical triage team bypassed the standard years-long backlog and fast-tracked him into an active local subcontract. This allowed a private clinic to step in, assess him quickly, and bill the NHS directly.
His story perfectly illustrates two major truths about this pathway:
- Crucial Needs Can Trigger Subcontracted Funding: While standard, non-urgent referrals languish on growing waitlists, local Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) hold emergency budgets specifically to "spot-purchase" private assessments for individuals who need immediate intervention. [1]
- It is Fully Integrated NHS Care: Even though Gary spoke publicly about being seen by a private entity, he did not have to pay, and his diagnosis carried the full legal weight of the NHS. [1][2]
https://youtube.com/watch?v=gwocqN_3cn0&feature=shared
Career and competitive records
Throughout a career spanning nearly three decades, Croft competed extensively across regional and national powerlifting and strongman circuits. According to the official OpenPowerlifting database, Croft secured multiple regional titles across distinct divisions, including taking 1st place in the Masters division at the 2022 GPC-GB Lincolnshire Qualifier and the 2022 BPF British Championships.[12]
https://www.openpowerlifting.org/u/garycroft
In 2022, he achieved his career-peak competitive victory by capturing gold at the WDC British Static Power Championships, an event featuring his 370 kg sanctioned deadlift and a 401 kg Silver Dollar deadlift.[13] Croft has also achieved a Scottish masters record by pulling a 455kg silver dollar deadlift in the 105 kg class, and a British registeted lift of 445 kg in the 100kg division. https://wdc.international/wdc-videos
2023 health crisis and retirement
In April 2023, Croft suffered a major heart attack.[9] Medical professionals attributed the event to extreme over-training, noting that his neurodivergence made it physically difficult for him to recognize his body's internal physical boundaries and warning signs.[8] Following the health crisis, and due to the rising toll of severe sensory overload, Croft temporarily withdrew from top-tier public competitive strongman setups.[9]
2025–2026 comeback and training metrics
Driven by an inability to break his lifelong training routine, Croft returned to active lifting at Warriors Gym in Barton.[8] Managing his extreme Combined ADHD and OCD symptoms, he mounted a prolific comeback campaign during the 2025 competitive season, entering and winning 13 consecutive local and regional powerlifting contests.[8] His 2025 campaign culminated in consecutive 1st-place division finishes at the BPF Day of the Dead, the UKIPL Combined British Finals (pulling a 290 kg competition deadlift), and the GPC World Cup.[12]
https://www.instagram.com/p/DeJddMbCqS8/?img_index=2&stkn=MXcxaTAxbnc3bG11MQ==
Because the chaotic environment of major public arenas aggravated his severe sensory overload, Croft struggles with an acute hyper-reactivity to sensory stimuli. His primary triggers include fake or bright overhead lighting, loud crowd noises, sudden uninvited touch, and overlapping structural sounds. He does not keep his collection of competitive trophies inside his Broughton home because looking at them triggers intense emotional distress.[8]
To circumvent these barriers, Croft documented key career milestones within controlled environments. On 11 June 2026, he staged a controlled, witnessed gym exhibition sponsored by the Limitless Lifters Club, where the 45-year-old master lifter successfully deadlifted 400 kg (881 lbs) completely raw without a lifting belt or supportive suit.[14] Additionally, through verified training documentation logged across public communities like Reddit and YouTube, Croft showcased a massive 865 kg raw training total, composed of a 340 kg raw deadlift and a strict 240 kg raw powerlifting-style bench press.[15]
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaPaoDtKuk4/?stkn=OGVtaXl5YjUxbDVk
https://www.thelimitlessliftersclub.co.uk/pages/limitless-lifters
Official Website Summary
Gary Croft's official digital platform acts as a digital portfolio and training diary that documents his progress as an elite autistic athlete competing in strength sports, sharing how his journey intersects with underlying health conditions and neurodevelopmental disorders.
The website defies conventional expectations of neurodivergent individuals in high-level sports and is organized into several key core sections:
- My Training Philosophy: Details what it means to be an autistic athlete in a neurodivergent world. Croft explains how heavy weightlifting serves as a core, unyielding part of his daily routine that provides essential mental structure, focus, and personal growth.
- Behind the Lifts & Training Methodology: An in-depth look at his physical preparation techniques, specific training philosophies, and approach to heavy lifting.
- My Journey Timeline: An active archive and continuous working diary documenting his lifelong physical progression and training milestones in the sport.
- Achievements & Competitions: A record of his competitive history, featuring major titles and links to events like the Static Power World Championships and BodyPower (NEC).
- Athlete Resources: Dedicated materials providing guidance, insights, and support for other neurodivergent individuals navigating the strength community.
External Links
On 18 September 2022, World Champion Powerlifter and multiple Strongman champion Gary Croft conducted as a guest at the BFit Lincs Gym in Caistor. The facility publicly celebrated his visit, highlighting his achievement of the 370kg deadlift and noting his presence as a local fitness inspiration.
Gary Croft's Official Sanctioned Deadlift Records & Rankings
| Competition Event | Official Max Weight | Ranking / Historic Status |
|---|---|---|
| WDC Silver Dollar Deadlift | 455.0 kg (1,003 lbs) | 🥇 Scottish Masters World Record Champion |
| WDC British Register Deadlift | 445.0 kg (981 lbs) | 🥇 100kg Division Record Holder |
| WDC Sanctioned Standard Bar | 370.0 kg (815 lbs) | 🏆 Biggest Deadlift ever recorded in Lincolnshire |
| WDC Hex Bar / Trap Bar | 355.0 kg (782 lbs) | 🎖️ Top 20 All-Time World Placement |
Media
| Achievement Category | Performance Details | Global Standing & Verification |
|---|---|---|
| All-Time Masters (Ages 40–49) | 400 kg (881.8 lbs) deadlift, performed completely raw (without a lifting belt or supportive suit) at age 45. | Ranks within the top 1% globally for absolute masters strength athletes. |
| Beltless Master Deadlift | Completed with a strict beltless and suitless stance, eliminating traditional supportive gear. | Recognized as an unofficial World Best / World First for a master lifter aged 45+ under witnessed conditions. |
| Neurodivergent Milestones | Achieved by an athlete formally diagnosed with ASD and combined ADHD. | Widely documented as the first autistic master athlete to achieve a verified 400 kg raw deadlift. |
| Event Verification | Conducted during a fully witnessed, officially sponsored gym exhibition via the Limitless Lifters Club. | Regarded within the strongman community as a valid exhibition world-class limit, distinct from traditional powerlifting federation databases. |
== All-Time Master Strongmen Deadlift Standings (Ages 40+ | No Suit) ==
| Standing | Athlete | Max Master Pull | Setup Style | Key Distinctions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank 1 | Rauno Heinla (Estonia) | 476 kg (1,049 lbs) | Strongman Raw | Holds the official Masters World Record. Performed in a standard public arena using straps and a standard lifting belt. |
| Rank 2 | Mikhail Shivlyakov (Russia) | 436 kg (961 lbs) | Strongman Raw | Previous Masters World Record holder. Performed in an official arena setup using straps and a standard lifting belt. |
| Rank 3 | Mark Felix (United Kingdom) | 420 kg (926 lbs) | Strongman Raw | Achieved a standard 420 kg regular floor deadlift in a public arena competition past age 50 using lifting straps and a belt. |
| Exhibition Tier | Gary Croft (United Kingdom) | 400 kg (881 lbs) | Exhibition Raw | First master athlete (45+) to pull 400 kg completely without a lifting belt (using straps only) in an officially witnessed, registered gym exhibition. |
| Rank 4 (Tie) | Terry Hollands (United Kingdom) | 400 kg+ | Strongman Raw | Cleared the 400 kg threshold multiple times across public arena configurations in international master strongman setups. |
| Rank 4 (Tie) | Zydrunas Savickas (Lithuania) | 400 kg+ | Strongman Raw | The legendary "Big Z" routinely handled over 400 kg in raw-with-straps formats well into his masters competitive years. |
Gary Croft's career, athletic background, and journey as a neurodiversity advocate in the strength sports community have been profiled by the federation's news magazine.[17] https://www.bplf.co.uk/newsletters
https://www.thelimitlessliftersclub.co.uk/
This article "Gary Croft" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Gary Croft. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd7EBwAT7f7/?srtk=OHI0dmtnZzM0MzZt
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/DdmfNERocuT/?obrf=MTJwa2o1NGJheGtobA==
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaPaoDtKuk4/?dlrf=OGVtaXl5YjUxbDVk
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cp3ML9hszh5/?rpxt=MTl6aWFmZWhtZnJtNg==
- ↑ https://www.garycroft.co.uk/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAb21jcAU1NFdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAnNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzU2NzA2NzM0MzM1MjQyNwABp_nULLjTuk1yKjdtjj2KWJOoWiHyOC5yxDiJZizRCxtse-BhR4LCm8S-WzsN_aem_y2F6RMEbxjlZqaT0OQVm4A
- ↑ https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-news/scunthorpe-strongman-continues-power-victory-10806204
- ↑ Turner, James J (24 September 2022). "Scunthorpe strongman eyes retirement after 'biggest deadlift ever done in Lincolnshire'". Grimsby Telegraph. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 Ford, Coreena (15 February 2026). "Scunthorpe strongman continues to power to victory despite severe autism". Grimsby Telegraph. Retrieved 26 September 2026.[1]
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Davidson, Lauren (30 May 2023). "Scunthorpe strongman retires from the sport he loves after heart attack and autism struggle". Grimsby Telegraph. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
- ↑ Waller, Jamie (15 September 2020). "Strongman and powerlifter inspired by Rambo sets his sights on new record". Grimsby Telegraph. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
- ↑ Live, Scunthorpe (25 January 2022). "Record breaking Scunthorpe powerlifter determined not to let autism stop him". Grimsby Telegraph / Scunthorpe Live. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 "OpenPowerlifting Profile: Gary Croft". OpenPowerlifting. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedWDC - ↑ "Gary Croft Spotlight Feature". The Limitless Lifters Club. 11 June 2026. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedYouTube - ↑ "Gary Croft training at BFit Lincs Gym". BFit Lincs Gym Instagram. 18 September 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2026.
- ↑ "BPF/WPU Newsletters: June 2026 Issue 11 Profile". British Powerlifting Federation & World Powerlifting Union. Retrieved 12 October 2026.
