Don Reinhoudt killed in car crash 45 years after winning World’s Strongest Man

Don Reinhoudt, winner of the 1979 World's Strongest Man competition, has sadly died at the age of 78.

A pioneer of powerlifting, the American was involved in a one-car collision on Monday (July 3) in the town of Pomfret in upstate New York, according to police.

An investigation conducted by authorities reportedly found that Reinhoudt's Jeep struck a tree which resulted in his transportation to Brooks Memorial Hospital where he pronounced dead.

It's a tragic loss for the strongman and powerlifting communities as they've lost one of the most important figures in their sport.

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The New York native was a physical specimen, standing at 6'3 and weighing over 200lbs, he began competing in the early 70s and immediately found success as he was a four-time IPF Men's World Powerlifting champ between 1973 to 1976.

First placed finishes couldn't come quick enough as Reinhoudt was also a three-time AAU US National Powerlifting champion from 1974 to 1976.

Following the launch of the World's Strongest Man competition in 1977, the powerlifter decided to compete in 1978, coming second, and in 1979, he went a step further as he won the competition, thus becoming the 'World's Strongest Man'.

The athlete also set a myriad of world records during his career, which totalled up to 51, including lifting a 520lb teeth lift, a 2,550lb car lift, as well as pulling a 10,000lb train.

His worldly exploits secured him an induction into the National Strength and Power Hall of Fame in 2018 who claim that 'no other human being has been as dominant in the world of strength sports'.

Reinhoudt was also inducted into the International Powerlifting Federation Hall of Fame in 1980 and the World Powerlifting Hall of Fame in 1998.

His death prompted tributes from the likes of strongman Laurence Shahlaei who wrote: "Very sad to learn about the passing of Don Reinhoudt, the second man to win The World’s Strongest Man, and one of the pioneers of the modern sports of Powerlifting and Strongman."

"I was lucky enough to talk to Don a couple of times, and he was incredibly kind and a real gentleman with so many stories to share. Our thoughts are with his wife, family and friends."

Powerlifter Ray Williams also commented: "I would like to offer my condolences to the family of Don Reinhoudt. I chased his records for most of my early lifting career."

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