Ray Orlando Williams (born September 15, 1986) is an American powerlifter who previously held the world record for the heaviest raw squat at . Williams is a five-time IPF classic world powerlifting champion, as well as a six-time USA Powerlifting national champion, and two-time Powerlifting America national champion.
Career Williams broke the raw squat world record (with the use of only a belt and knee sleeves) for the first time in 2016 when he squatted at the 2016 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships in Killeen, Texas. Even though Don Reinhoudt squatted in 1976 (using ace bandages), it is this lift from Williams which is regarded to have broken Paul Anderson's 51-year old raw squat record of from 1965. Four months later, he became the first man to squat 1,000 pounds with only knee sleeves when he squatted during the 2016 USAPL Raw Nationals. Williams continued to break the raw squat world record, squatting in 2017, in 2018 and in 2019. His record-breaking 490 kg squat was surpassed in 2026 by Devonte Lewis with at USAPL Raw Nationals.
Williams also broke the IPF deadlift world record twice when he deadlifted in 2017, breaking John Kuc's 38-year old IPF record and extended it to in 2018 which stood until Jesus Olivares deadlifted in 2023.
In June 2025, Williams received a 16-month suspension after testing positive for heptaminol, a prohibited substance by the USADA. His first place performance at the 2025 Powerlifting America Raw Nationals was also annulled.
Personal records Squat – Bench press – Deadlift – Total –
References