Anthony "Tony" Harris
Born: November 4, 1964
Hometown: Mobile , Alabama
Current Residence: Kapolei, Hawaii
What is your Alabama Connection?
Born and raised in Mobile , Alabama. Graduated from Murphy High School
Current pursuits in life & powerlifting:
Retired from US Army a year ago and currently working for the Navy, chief engineer on Torpedo Weapons Retriever boat. Sill competing and hope to break some of the Master 3 records in Powerlifting America and the IPF( International Powerlifting Federation) in the 120kg/264 weight class.
Lifting History:
When did you start weightlifting and what inspired you to start weightlifting?
I started lifting seriously in high school. I wanted to get stronger. I enjoyed lifting and never stopped. I did one non sanction meet in 1982 at 165 and hit 500s 350bp and 425dl. After that it would be seven years before I competed again and I was at 90kg/198
I started powerlifting in 1990 but had been training with powerlifters on and off since 1980. Attending my first meet and not being able to compete lit a fire in me and it has been burning since.
When did you get involved with powerlifting and what got you interested in the sport?
I got involved in powerlifting in 1990 and the guys I were training with convinced me to try it out and I did and I’m still here doing it today.
What weight class(es) did you compete in?
I started as a 90kg/198 for five years. 100kg/220 for five years and 110kg/242-125kg/242 for the next twenty-five years
What are your best lifts in each category in each weight class?
412.5kg / 909.4#
Best Lifts @ 198 lb. Weight Class
TOTAL
EQUIPMENT
SQUAT
BENCH PRESS
BENCH PRESS
DEADLIFT
760.6
450
738.5
1929
SINGLE PLY
Best Lifts @ 220 lb. Weight Class
TOTAL
EQUIPMENT
SQUAT
BENCH PRESS
BENCH PRESS
DEADLIFT
793.6
479.5
782.6
2025
SINGLE PLY
Best Lifts @ 242 lb. Weight Class
TOTAL
EQUIPMENT
SQUAT
BENCH PRESS
BENCH PRESS
DEADLIFT
859.8
523.6
793.7
2171.5
SINGLE PLY
Best Lifts @ 264 lb. Weight Class
DEADLIFT
TOTAL
BENCH PRESS
EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
SQUAT
1973.1
760.6
435.4
RAW
834.4
2171.5
SINGLE PLY
909.4
705.5
518.1
How many years did you compete? 35 and counting
Between what year and what year did you compete? 1990 – present
What is the approximate total number of meets you competed in? 80
List your favorite meets you competed in.
-
1995 Fash World Record Breakers
-
2007 USAPL Nationals
-
2011 International Pacific Invitational, Australia
-
2016 USAPL Nationals
-
2017 Rogue Invitational, Arnold Sports Festival
What’s the highest classification you achieved?
Elite/International Elite
What’s the highest score you achieved?
DOTS: 575 equipped 517 raw
What are some of your powerlifting accomplishments?
-
IPF World Record deadlift (single ply)
-
IPF Open/Master World Record squat (raw)
-
Currently hold multiple M2 IPF National and World Records
Who are some of the most memorable lifters/people for you in your career?
Ed Coan, Gene Bell, Steve Goggins, Andrew “Bull” Stewart. These are guys in the sport that I got to know and became really close friends with and help with a big part of my powerlifting in the 90s.
With your name as part of the history of powerlifting in Alabama, what would you like to be most remembered for?
As a lifter who trained hard and did his best to promote powerlifting help others achieved their powerlifting goals
What words of wisdom would you like to pass down to future powerlifters?
Get with someone to teach you and guide you and don’t be in a rush to get on the platform. Be consistent with your training and the gains will come
What are some of your contributions to sport of powerlifting in Alabama?
I served as USAPL State Chair for the state of Hawaii, Meet Director for numerous State and local meets, I’m also a national referee (USAPL and PA) and have ref national meets since 1999. I have spotted/loaded and worked the scores table.
355 kg / 782.6#
345 kg / 760.5#
378kg / 834#
IPF Open World Record
385kg / 848.7#
335kg / 738.5#