Bill Kazmaier

Infobox Wrestler
name =Bill Kazmaier
names = Bill Kazmaier


image_size =
img_capt =
height = height|ft=6|in=3
weight = convert|350|lb|kg|abbr=on|lk=on
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birth_date = birth date and age|1953|12|30
birth_place =
death_date =
death_place =
resides = Wisconsin
billed =
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debut = 1990
retired =
website = Bill Kazmaier (born December 30, 1953 in Burlington, Wisconsin) is a former powerlifter strongman and pro wrestler from the United States. Kazmaier played football at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 1973-1974 before leaving school to pursue powerlifting full-time.

Strength Sports

In 1979, Kazmaier won the American powerlifting championship and the IPF world powerlifting championship. He won the IPF world championship again in 1983. In 1981, Kazmaier became the first person to bench 300kg. The 1981 event was the same competition in which he totaled 1,100 kg (2,425 lb). Kazmaier won the World's Strongest Man title three times, in 1980, 1981, and 1982. [ [http://www.theworldsstrongestman.com/wsm/history/history9.html The World's Strongest Man ] ] After these victories, he was not invited back to compete in the WSM contest again until 1988, when he finished second to Jón Páll Sigmarsson [ [http://www.theworldsstrongestman.com/wsm/history/history7.html The World's Strongest Man ] ] He finished fourth in his final WSM appearance in 1989. [ [http://www.theworldsstrongestman.com/wsm/history/history6.html The World's Strongest Man ] ]

Pro wrestling career

Kazmaier wrestled during the 1980s for promotions such as Stampede Wrestling and Continental Championship Wrestling. His biggest national exposure came when he debuted for World Championship Wrestling in 1991 at Halloween Havoc. He received several shots at Lex Luger's WCW World Heavyweight Championship but failed to win the title. He also briefly teamed with Rick Steiner, only to lose to The Enforcers in a tournament final for the WCW World Tag Team Championship.

Life after competition

After his WCW days, Kazmaier opened a fitness club in Auburn, Alabama. The gym closed in 2005. After Kaz Fitness Center in Auburn, AL closed in 2005, Kazmaier opened, and continues to operate, S.W.A.T. gym in Opelika, Alabama.In recent years, he has appeared on ESPN as a commentator on World's Strongest Man broadcasts.

Achievements

Professional Competitive Record - [1st (14),2nd (3) ,3rd (3) - Out of Total(21)]
Performance Metric - .967 [American - .970 International - .966]

COMPLETED CONTESTS

*flagicon|UK Pure Strength 4 Team Challenge - winner (1990)

*flagicon|UK World's Strongest Man - 4th place (1989)

*flagicon|Scotland Pure Strength 3 Team Challenge - 2nd place (1989)
*flagicon|Scotland Scottish Power Challenge - winner (1989)
*flagicon|Iceland World's Strongest Man - 2nd place (1988)
World Strongman Challenge - 3rd place (1988)

*flagicon|UK Pure Strength 2 Team Challenge - winner (1988)
World Muscle Power Championships - winner (1988)

*flagicon|Scotland Scottish Power Challenge - winner (1988)
*flagicon|Scotland Pure Strength - Ultimate Challenge - 2nd place (1987)
*flagicon|Canada Le Defi Mark Ten Challenge - winner (1987)
*flagicon|Scotland Scottish Power Challenge - winner (1987)
*flagicon|Scotland Scottish Power Challenge - winner (1986)
World Muscle Power Championships - 3rd place (1985)

*flagicon|Scotland Scottish Power Challenge - winner (1985)
*flagicon|Scotland Scottish Power Challenge - winner (1984)
*flagicon|USA World's Strongest Man - winner (1982)
*flagicon|USA World's Strongest Man - winner (1981)
*flagicon|UK Strongbow Strongman - winner (1980)
*flagicon|USA World's Strongest Man - winner (1980)
*flagicon|USA World's Strongest Man - 3rd place (1979)

References

External links

* [http://blog.legendarylife.com/legendarylife-profile-bill-kazmaier Bill Kazmaier LegendaryLife Profile]
* [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/b/bill-kazmaier.html Profile] at Online World Of Wrestling
* [http://napalmjedd.blogspot.com/2007/04/04-apr-07-kazmier-in-ring.html Video of Kazmaier competing in WCW #1]
* [http://napalmjedd.blogspot.com/2008/05/kaz-in-wrestling-part-iii.html Video of Kazmaier competing in WCW #2]
* [http://napalmjedd.blogspot.com/2007/08/more-kaz-in-wrestling-ring.html WCW Tag-Team Championship Tournament Final]