Mark Henry facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mark Henry
Henry in 2018
Birth name	Mark Jerrold Henry
Born	(1971-06-12) June 12, 1971 (age 53) Silsbee, Texas, U.S.
Children	2
Family	Kevin Henry (cousin)
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)	Mark Henry Markswoggle
Billed height	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Billed weight	360 lb (163 kg)
Billed from	Silsbee, Texas, U.S.
Trained by	Leo Burke Tom Prichard
Debut	September 21, 1996
Retired	April 27, 2018

Medals and competitions
Men's Weightlifting
Representing  United States
Pan American Games
Silver	Mar del Plata 1995	+108kg
Gold	Mar del Plata 1995	+108kg
Bronze	Mar del Plata 1995	+108kg
Strongman
Representing  United States
Arnold Strongman Classic
1st	2002 Arnold Strongman Classic
Powerlifting
Representing  United States
WDFPF World Powerlifting Championships
1st	1995	+145kg
USAPL National Powerlifting Championships
1st	1995	+145kg
1st	1997	+145kg
USPF National Powerlifting Championships
2nd	1990	+125kg
International Junior Powerlifting Championships
1st	1991	+125kg
Weightlifting
Representing  United States
NACAC Championships
1st	1996	+108kg
U.S. National Weightlifting Championships
4th	1991	+110kg
3rd	1992	+110kg
1st	1993	+108kg
1st	1994	+108kg
1st	1996	+108kg
USA Weightlifting American Open Championships
2nd	1991	+110kg
1st	1992	+110kg
U.S. Olympic Festival Championships
1st	1993	+108kg
1st	1994	+108kg
U.S. National Junior Weightlifting Championships
1st	1991	+110kg

Mark Jerrold Henry (born June 12, 1971) is an American former powerlifter, Olympic weightlifter, strongman, and retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his 25-year career in WWE.

Henry is a two-time Olympian (1992 and 1996) and a gold, silver, and bronze medalist at the Pan American Games in 1995. As a powerlifter, he was WDFPF World Champion (1995) and a two-time U.S. National Champion (1995 and 1997) and once held an American record in the deadlift. He still holds the WDFPF world records in the squat, deadlift and total.

In April 2018, Henry was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2018.

Early life

Henry was born in the small town of Silsbee in East Texas, 90 miles northeast of Houston. As a child, he was a big wrestling fan and André the Giant was his favorite wrestler. While attending a wrestling show in Beaumont, Texas, young Henry tried to touch André as he was walking down the aisle, but tripped over the barricade. André picked him up out of the crowd and put him back behind the barricade. When Henry was 12 years old, his father, Ernest, died of complications from diabetes. When he was 14 years old, Henry was diagnosed with dyslexia.

Henry comes from a family in which almost all of the men are larger than average, especially his great uncle Chudd, who was 6 ft 7 in, weighed approximately 500 lb (230 kg), never had a pair of manufactured shoes, and was known as the strongest man in the Piney Woods of East Texas.

Henry played football in high school until his senior year, when he strained ligaments in his wrist during the first game of the year and scored below 700 on the SAT.

Career

Henry appears to push a tank

Henry is a two-time Olympian (1992 and 1996) and a gold, silver, and bronze medalist at the Pan American Games in 1995. As a powerlifter, he was WDFPF World Champion (1995) and a two-time U.S. National Champion (1995 and 1997) and once held an American record in the deadlift. He still holds the WDFPF world records in the squat, deadlift and total.

In weightlifting, Henry was a three-time U.S. National Weightlifting Champion (1993, 1994, 1996), an American Open winner (1992), a two-time U.S. Olympic Festival Champion (1993 and 1994) and a NACAC champion (1996). He held all three Senior US American weightlifting records in 1993–1997.

In strongman, Henry won the inaugural Arnold Strongman Classic in 2002.

Since joining the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) in 1996, he became a one-time WWF European Champion and a two-time world champion, having held the ECW Championship in 2008, and WWE's World Heavyweight Championship in 2011. First winning the ECW Championship, he became only the fourth black world champion in WWE history (after The Rock, Booker T, and Bobby Lashley).

In April 2018, Henry was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2018.

Personal life

Henry has an older brother named Pat. He lives in Austin, Texas with his wife Jana, son Jacob, and daughter Joanna. He also has a two-foot ferret named Pipe. He drives a Hummer that he won in the 2002 Arnold Strongman Classic. On September 10, 2012, Henry served as one of the pallbearers for actor Michael Clarke Duncan's funeral.

In March 2019, Henry pledged to donate his brain to CTE research once he dies.

Filmography

Film

Video games

Henry appears in the following licensed wrestling video games:

Championships, records, and accomplishments

Powerlifting

• Championships Participation – High School Level
  • Two times 1st place in Texas State High School Powerlifting TEAM Championships (in Division I under Silsbee High School)
  • 1st place in Texas State High School Powerlifting Championships 1988 in SHW division
  • 1st place in Texas State High School Powerlifting Championships 1989 in SHW division
  • 1st place in Texas State High School Powerlifting Championships 1990 in SHW division
  • 1st place in National High School Powerlifting Championships 1990 in SHW division at age 18
  • results: Powerlifting Total – 2,033 lb (922 kg) (832 + 501 + 700 lb (377 + 227 + 318 kg)+
• Championships Participation – Junior&Senior Level
  • 1st place in International Junior (20–23) Powerlifting Championships 1991 in SHW division at age 20
  • 2nd place in Men's USPF Senior National Championships 1990 in SHW division at age 19
    • results: Powerlifting Total – 2,006.2 lb (910.0 kg) (365.0 + 212.5 + 332.5 lb (165.6 + 96.4 + 150.8 kg)
  • 1st place in ADFPA (USAPL) National Powerlifting Championships 1995 in SHW division at age 24
    • results: Powerlifting Total – 2,314.8 lb (1,050.0 kg) (948.0 + 462.9 + 903.9 lb (430.0 + 210.0 + 410.0 kg) raw with wraps
  • 1st place in WDFPF World Powerlifting Championships 1995 in SHW division at age 24
    • results: Powerlifting Total – 2,336.9 lb (1,060.0 kg) (953.5 + 518.1 + 865.3 lb (432.5 + 235.0 + 392.5 kg) raw with wraps
  • 1st place in USAPL National Powerlifting Championships 1997 in SHW division at age 26
    • results: Powerlifting Total – 2,248.7 lb (1,020.0 kg) (903.9 + 496.0 + 848.8 lb (410.0 + 225.0 + 385.0 kg) raw with wraps
• Records*

• • Teen III (18–19 years) Level
    • Teen-age World Records in the squat at 832 lb (377 kg) and total at 2,033 lb (922 kg) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class) set in April 1990 at The National High School Powerlifting Championships at age 18
    • Teen-age US American Records in the squat at 832 lb (377 kg), bench press 501 lb (227 kg), dead lift 700 lb (320 kg) and total at 2,033 lb (922 kg) set in April 1990 at The National High School Powerlifting Championships at age 18
    • Texas state and US American Teen-age record holder in all four powerlifting categories – the squat at 832 lb (377 kg), bench press at 525 lb (238 kg) and deadlift at 815 lb (370 kg) as well as the total at 2,033 lb (922 kg) at age 19.
    • Current Texas state and US American Teen-age record holder in the squat at 936.75 lb (424.90 kg) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class) since 1991
  • Collegiate Level
    • Current Texas State Collegiate Record holder in the squat at 936.75 lb (424.90 kg) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class) since 1991 (best in America as well but not registered as such)
  • Junior Level (20–23 years)
    • Current Texas State Junior Record holder in the deadlift at 850 lb (390 kg) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class) since 1995 (best in America as well but not registered as such)
  • Senior Level (24+ years)
    • Current Texas State Record holder in the squat at 954 lb (433 kg), the deadlift at 950 lb (430 kg) and the total at 2,337 lb (1,060 kg) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class) since 1995
    • Former All-time raw (unequipped) squat World Record holder at 948 lb (430 kg) (drug-tested as well as non drug-tested) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class) from July 16, 1995, to October 29, 1995
    • Former All-time raw (unequipped) squat World Record holder at 953.5 lb (432.5 kg) (drug-tested as well as non drug-tested) in SHW class from October 29, 1995, to June 7, 2010** (+regardless of weight class until November 4, 2007***)
    • Former All-time raw (unequipped) deadlift World Record holder at 903.9 lb (410.0 kg) (drug-tested as well as non drug-tested) in SHW class from July 16, 1995, to May 23, 2010**** (+regardless of weight class until July 4, 2009*****)
    • Current All-time drug-tested raw (unequipped) squat World Record holder at 953.5 lb (432.5 kg) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class) since October 29, 1995
    • Current All-time drug-tested raw (unequipped) deadlift World Record holder at 903.9 lb (410.0 kg) in SHW class only since July 16, 1995
    • Current All-time drug-tested raw (unequipped) Powerlifting Total World Record holder at 2,336.9 lb (1,060.0 kg) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class) since October 29, 1995
    • Current All-time American Record holder in the raw deadlift at 903.9 lb (410.0 kg) (drug-tested as well as non drug-tested) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class) since July 16, 1995
    • Current American Record holder in the deadlift at 903.9 lb (410.0 kg) (drug-tested as well as non drug-tested) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class and equipment) since July 16, 1995
    • Current All-time US National Championship Record holder in the deadlift at 903.9 lb (410.0 kg) (drug-tested as well as non drug-tested) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class and equipment) since July 16, 1995
  • Federation Records
    • World Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation (WDFPF) World Records
      • Current WDFPF World Record holder in the squat at 953.5 lb (432.5 kg), the deadlift at 865.3 lb (392.5 kg) and the total at 2,336.9 lb (1,060.0 kg) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class and equipment) since October 29, 1995 (categorized as "open equipped", despite performed in singlet&knee sleeves only/without suit)
    • U.S.A. Powerlifting (USAPL) US American Records
      • Current USAPL US American Record holder in the deadlift at 903.9 lb (410.0 kg) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class and equipment) since July 16, 1995
      • Current US National Championship Record holder in the deadlift at 903.9 lb (410.0 kg) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class and equipment) since July 16, 1995
• Special Powerlifting Honors
  • "The World's Strongest Teen-ager" by the Los Angeles Times in April 1990.
  • Mark Henry was voted in the All-time Top 25 All-Mens US Powerlifting Nationals Team in 2007.
  • Mark Henry's 948 lb (430 kg) raw squat and 903.9 lb (410.0 kg) deadlift, done on July 16, 1995, is the joint-seventeenth highest raw "squat-pull-2-lift-total" (squat+deadlift=1,851.9 lb (840.0 kg)) ever lifted in a competition.
  • Mark also holds the fourth heaviest drug-tested raw (unequipped) Powerlifting Total in history at 2,336.9 lb (1,060.0 kg),

Weightlifting

• Olympic Games
  • Olympic Games team member representing USA at the Olympics 1992 in Barcelona, Spain, finishing 10th place in SHW division at age 21
  • Team Captain of the Olympic Weightlifting team representing USA at the Olympics 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, finishing 14th in SHW division due to back injury at age 25
• Pan American Games
  • Silver Medalist in the Olympic weightlifting Total in SHW (+108) division at the Pan American Games 1995 in Mar del Plata, Argentina at age 23
    • result: total – 804 pounds
  • Gold Medalist in the Snatch in SHW (+108) division at the Pan American Games 1995 in Mar del Plata, Argentina at age 23
    • result: snatch – 391 1/4 pounds, setting an American record
  • Bronze Medalist in Clean and jerk in SHW (+108) division at the Pan American Games 1995 in Mar del Plata, Argentina at age 23
    • result: clean and jerk – snatch 412 3/4 pounds
• North America, Central America, Caribbean Islands (NACAC) Championships
  • 1st place in North America, Central America, Caribbean Islands Championships 1996 in SHW (+108 kg) division
• U.S. National Weightlifting Championships
  • 1st place in U.S. National Junior Weightlifting Championships 1991 in SHW (+110 kg) division at age 19
    • results: total: 326.0 kg – snatch: 156.0 kg / clean&jerk: 170.0 kg
  • 4th place in U.S. Senior National Weightlifting Championships 1991 in SHW (+110 kg) division at age 19
    • results: total: 325.0 kg – snatch: 150.0 kg / clean&jerk: 175.0 kg
  • 3rd place in U.S. Senior National Weightlifting Championships 1992 in SHW (+110 kg) division at age 20
    • results: total: 365.0 kg – snatch: 165.0 kg / clean&jerk: 200.0 kg
  • 1st place in U.S. Senior National Weightlifting Championships 1993 in SHW (+108 kg) division at age 21
    • results: total: 385.0 kg – snatch: 175.0 kg / clean&jerk: 210.0 kg
  • 1st place in U.S. Senior National Weightlifting Championships 1994 in SHW (+108 kg) division at age 22
    • results: total: 387.5 kg – snatch: 172.5 kg / clean&jerk: 215.0 kg
  • 1st place in U.S. Senior National Weightlifting Championships 1996 in SHW (+108 kg) division at age 24
    • results: total: 400.0 kg – snatch: 180.0 kg / clean&jerk: 220.0 kg
    • Mark Henry was voted as the #1 outstanding lifter of the championships
• U.S. Olympic Festival Championships
  • 1st place in U.S. Olympic Festival Championships 1993 in SHW (+108 kg) division at age 22
  • 1st place in U.S. Olympic Festival Championships 1994 in SHW (+108 kg) division at age 23
• USA Weightlifting American Open Championships
  • 2nd place in the American Open Weightlifting Championships 1991 in SHW (+110 kg) division at age 20
  • 1st place in the American Open Weightlifting Championships 1992 in SHW (+110 kg) division at age 21
• RECORDS
  • Junior US American record holder (+110 kg) in the Snatch at 162.5 kg, Clean and jerk at 202.5 kg, and Total at 362.5 kg (1986–1992)
  • Senior US American record holder (+108 kg) in the Snatch at 180.0 kg, Clean and jerk at 220.0 kg, and Total at 400.0 kg (1993–1997)

Strength athletics

• Arnold Classic
  • Arnold Strongman Classic – Winner 2002
• First man in history to one-hand clean and push press the "unliftable" Thomas Inch dumbbell (172 lb (78 kg); 2 3/8" (6.03 cm) diameter handle)
• The Second Strongest Man That Ever Lived according to Flex Magazine

Henry as World Heavyweight Champion

• International Sports Hall of Fame
  • International Sports Hall of Fame (Class of 2012)

Professional wrestling

Mark Henry being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in April 2018

• Cauliflower Alley Club
  • Iron Mike Mazurki Award (2019)
• George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
  • Frank Gotch Award (2021)
• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • Most Improved Wrestler of the Year (2011)
  • Ranked No. 9 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2012
  • Ranked No. 472 of the top 500 greatest wrestlers in the "PWI Years" in 2003
• World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment/WWE
  • ECW Championship (1 time)
  • World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • WWF European Championship (1 time)
  • WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2018)
  • Brisbane Cup (2006)
  • Slammy Award (3 times)
    • "Holy $#!+ Move of the Year" (2011) Big Show and Mark Henry implode the ring after Henry superplexed him at Vengeance
    • Feat of Strength of the Year (2013) Pulling two trucks with his bare hands
    • Match of the Year (2014) – Team Cena vs. Team Authority at Survivor Series

Images for kids

• 

  Mark Henry in December 2011

• 

  Henry in 2007

• 

  Henry lost to The Undertaker at WrestleMania 22 and Unforgiven 2007

• 

  Henry as ECW Champion with Tony Atlas

• 

  Henry as World Heavyweight Champion

• 

  Henry facing Jack Swagger in January 2015

• 

  Henry before a tag team match with Montel Vontavious Porter

See also

In Spanish: Mark Henry para niños

• List of strongmen
• List of powerlifters