Claude Bouyer
Born: 6/12/1985
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan (born), Abbeville Alabama (grew up)
Current Residence: Ooltewah, Tennessee
What is your Alabama Connection?
Moved to Alabama when I was 7 and live there until 33
Current pursuits:
Retired from powerlifting in 2022 after being inducted into the HOF and Winning my 4th World Championship
Lifting History:
When did you start weightlifting and what inspired you to start weightlifting?
I started lifting when I was 16 then in 2005 when I was 20 I did my first ever competition where I broke 3 SPF world records in my very first meet.
When did you get involved with powerlifting and what got you interested in the sport?
2005 I use to train at Golds Gym in Dothan Alabama where they had a poster up about a upcoming powerlifting meet.
Do you have a powerlifting nick name, if so what is it and how did you get it?
Yes. My nickname is The Phenom I got the name because I weighed 165 and could bench 400 raw, squat and deadlift over 500 raw and I was a junior 20-23 years of age but my numbers where higher than most men's open even some pros.
What weight class(es) did you compete in?
165,181,198,220,242
Best Lifts @ 165 lb. Weight Class
DEADLIFT
TOTAL
BENCH PRESS
EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
SQUAT
1345
530
420
RAW
420
WRAPS
500
Best Lifts @ 181 lb. Weight Class
TOTAL
EQUIPMENT
SQUAT
BENCH PRESS
BENCH PRESS
DEADLIFT
450
550
1000 P/P
RAW
Best Lifts @ 198 lb. Weight Class
TOTAL
EQUIPMENT
SQUAT
BENCH PRESS
BENCH PRESS
DEADLIFT
500
RAW
Best Lifts @ 220 lb. Weight Class
TOTAL
EQUIPMENT
SQUAT
BENCH PRESS
BENCH PRESS
DEADLIFT
500
RAW
Best Lifts @ 242 lb. Weight Class
TOTAL
EQUIPMENT
SQUAT
BENCH PRESS
BENCH PRESS
DEADLIFT
515
RAW
How many years did you compete? 17
Between what year and what year did you compete? 2005-2022
What is the approximate total number of meets you competed in?
I cant remember how many cause I've competed so much I would guess 30 meets.
List your favorite meets you competed in.
My all time favorite is when I won the 2011 MHP Kings of The Bench meet when at the time I was ranked 3rd in the country and I beat the #1 and #2 ranked guys at that meet.
What’s the highest classification you achieved?
Elite level. 4x time world champion, 2x raw unity meet winner, and 2011 Kings of The Bench lightweight division winner.
What’s the highest score you achieved?
Not sure but won best lifter a few times in my career
What are some of your powerlifting accomplishments?
4 time world champion (multiple feds)
2 time raw unity meet winner in 165lb class
2022 Alabama HOF inductee
Only person in recorded history to bench 500lbs raw and win a world title in powerlifting having Spina Bifida.
Bench 500 raw in competition in 3 different weight classes 198,220,242
Who are some of the most memorable lifters/people for you in your career?
Scotty Cox, Sam Bryd, Robert Wilkerson I personally witness all 3 men put up legendary numbers and dominate the sport for years.
With your name as part of the history of powerlifting in Alabama, what would you like to be most remembered for?
Just beating the odds growing up in a small town in Alabama with little to no resources and being born with Spina Bifida I worked hard and beat the odds and became a multi world champion and hall of famer.
What words of wisdom would you like to pass down to future powerlifters? Hard work and dedication always equals success never give up on your dream.
What are some of your contributions to sport of powerlifting in Alabama?
I was the Alabama meet director for a few years with the SPF and I worked countless meets being a judge and spotter and loader and I personally train many male and female lifters and helped them become State, National, even World champions.
Best Lifter
w/ a 515 Bench Press @ 242
445 Bench Press under 200#
600.7 Bench press w/ a
Sling Shot in Training