Certainly one of the greatest lifts of all time would have to
go to Mel Hennessey, of Minneapolis (Saint Paul), MN.
Back in late 60s or so, Mel did 560 pound bench in the 220
pound class. This of course was raw, raw, raw. And to see
this guy lift was to witness absolute perfection: no noise,
no wraps, no bounce, no backbend; just pure, perfectly
executed strength, with proper pauses and the whole nine
yards. He weighed apx. 215 pounds of solid muscle.
When a teen, I witnessed Mel in competition easily handle
500, 525, 540. It was funny, though. When he failed at an
attempt, it just simply--and quietly--didn't go anywhere.
He went from perfect execution to perfect failure.