Nottingham fitness coach and YouTuber Danny Mulligan has made strength-sport history, smashing the world record for the most weight deadlifted in 24 hours — all while raising thousands for charity.
The Sneinton-based coach, known for his work as part of the @mulliganbrothers, completed a staggering 11,738 reps at 70kg, lifting a total of 821,471kg (over 821 tonnes) within 24 hours
That’s an average of 8.1 reps every minute — for an entire day — a feat that obliterates the previous world record of 580,220kg.
The achievement wasn’t just about numbers. Mulligan took on the challenge to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, with donations already surpassing £5,470 at the time of writing.
On his JustGiving page, Mulligan wrote: “Whether you choose to donate or not, I promise to give this everything I have. My goal is to break the world record for the most weight deadlifted in 24 hours, and to do it in the fight against cancer.
“I’ll push myself beyond every limit I’ve known, because I hope my resilience can inspire generosity and hope. Every rep, every drop of effort, is for those who believe in me, and for everyone still fighting.”
The 24-hour test of endurance saw Mulligan join a rare group of athletes who’ve blended physical record-breaking with powerful charitable impact. Local supporters and followers from across social media were quick to flood his pages with praise.
One person commented: “Absolutely insane effort!” Another wrote: “Very well done Danny! Great effort for such a great cause,” while a third added: “What an amazing achievement! Congratulations and what a great way to raise money for a really great charity.”
Following the incredible achievement, Mulligan wrote to his followers: “I have a world record.”
“This thing will forever have a big place in my heart,” he continued. “I will post so much about it over the next couple of weeks.
“But first I want to say thanks to everyone who volunteered, everyone who came to support, everyone who sent supportive messages.” Danny also thanked everyone who donated to the amazing cause.
The world-record attempt follows weeks of buildup, with Mulligan previously announcing his intention to challenge the 580,220kg benchmark — a total that once seemed untouchable. Yet through grit, repetition, and purpose, the Nottingham trainer has now raised the bar for what’s possible in endurance strength sports.
The Giants Of The Barbell: Eddie Hall And Hafthor Björnsson
Mulligan’s achievement adds a fresh chapter to the UK’s long-standing love affair with deadlifting — a lift that’s produced some of the most iconic moments in strength history.
It was Eddie Hall, a fellow Brit and former World’s Strongest Man, who set the world alight back in 2016 when he became the first person ever to deadlift 500kg. The historic moment, achieved under the glare of arena lights and deafening cheers, nearly caused Hall to black out — but it also cemented him as one of the greatest lifters of all time. His half-ton lift redefined human potential and became the benchmark for every strongman who followed.
Since then, Iceland’s Hafthor Björnsson — known globally for his role as The Mountain in Game of Thrones — has been on a relentless mission to push that limit even further.
On September 6, 2025, inside Birmingham’s Utilita Arena, the 36-year-old strongman stunned a sold-out crowd at the Giants Live Strongman’s Mutant Nation World Deadlift Championships by successfully pulling 510kg (1,124lb) from the floor — the heaviest deadlift in history.
The 6ft 9in powerhouse and the arena erupted in celebration as he became the first man to cross the 1,120lb barrier, pushing human strength into uncharted territory.
Björnsson had first made headlines with a 501kg lift in 2020 — performed during the lockdown era — before setting an official 505kg mark in front of a live crowd in Germany’s Eisenhart Black Competition in July 2025. That lift erased any lingering doubts and set the stage for his jaw-dropping 510kg triumph just two months later.
But for all the celebration, Björnsson’s record inevitably reignited comparisons to the man who started it all – and his biggest rival – Hall. Speaking on fellow strongman Mitchell Hooper’s YouTube channel, Hall reflected on the new record with trademark respect and honesty.
“I just respect strength where respect is due,” Hall said. “I’m happy and content with what I did in the strongman world, and I’m happy and content that I did set the boundary at 500 kilos.”
As Danny Mulligan’s 24-hour marathon proves, strength can take many forms — from the explosive single lift that makes history to the endless repetitions that fuel hope, resilience, and charity.
821,471kg lifted. £5,470 raised. A record broken — and a community inspired. Congrats, Danny!
Featured image credit: Instagram/@coachmulligan
