The whole essence of powerlifting is reflected in its name, which consists of two words: "strength" and "lift". Simply put, in this sport, the athlete is tasked with overcoming the weight of maximum weights.

It appeared in the United States in the 50-60s of the last century, and since then, numerous records in powerlifting, set in almost every competition, make the admiring audience applaud.

Athletes compete in three disciplines, performing following exercises: squats, deadlift as well as bench press. Each competition turns into a fierce rivalry, in which each participant tries to simultaneously defeat opponents, himself, and most importantly a titanic weight, the rise of which is unthinkable for the absolute majority of people. The achievements of these strongmen are truly impressive.

Powerlifting records. Discipline - squats

All powerlifting competitions begin with demonstrating the strength of athletes in this exercise - squats. Due to the existence of several federations at once, the rules in this and other disciplines differ, which affects the recorded records, of which there are also quite a few. However, the achievements of many athletes are so outstanding that few would dispute them.
Let's start right away with the modern records set over the past 20 years. The first hero in our impromptu hall of fame will be Bill Kazmayer from the United States. In 1994, this athlete squatted with 447.5 kg, performing in the category from 125 kg.
Just a year later, Kirk Karwoski successfully completed the records in powerlifting with his achievement - he squatted with equipment weighing 455 kg with his weight of 121.45 kg. The result was recorded in the IPF competition in the USA.
The next record, according to the same organization, was set in 2006 by the American powerlifter Shane Hamman. This strong man weighing 169.4 kg managed to overcome 457.5 kg. Note that this athlete won all existing titles in powerlifting and went for new achievements in weightlifting, where he also expected considerable success.
In 2011, as part of the IPF World Championship Russian athlete Dmitry Ivanov sat down with a load of 460 kg. Unfortunately, this achievement was not defended because the athlete was unable to complete the bench press.
Much less stringent requirements are set, for example, by the WPC federation, and therefore the records in powerlifting are much more impressive here. In particular, in 2008 Andy Bolton, performing in the category from 149 kg, managed to sit down with a mind-boggling weight of 520 kg. It should be noted that a year earlier, speaking at the Arnold Classic-2007, this athlete overcame an even more impressive load of 550.5 kg. Unfortunately, this record was not recorded, since it does not apply to the powerlifting federation.
The absolute world record by IPA standards was set in 2008. The weight of 567 kg was taken by the Israeli athlete Vlad Alkhazov.
As you can see, new and new records in powerlifting are constantly being set, athletes never cease to amaze the audience. So in 2011, two achievements were established at once: Donnie Thompson took the weight of 573.8 kg, and after a few months Jonas Rantanen overcame the weight of 575 kg.

Bench press record holders

Typically, in powerlifting competitions, the public is most interested in this exercise. And the first record holder to conquer the audience with his remarkable strength in this discipline was the American athlete Paul Anderson, who squeezed 280 kg back in 1957.
Of course, over the past half century, athletes have made a serious leap, and now it makes sense to consider achievements with weights of 400 kg. For the first time, the 408 kg barrier was taken in 2003 by the American Jim Rychlak. Three years later, the same powerlifter overcame a new height - a record weight of 458.5 kg. Impressively, however, these records in powerlifting were broken, and Ryan Kennelly became the hero, who managed to squeeze 487.6 kg. The last absolute world record was set already in 2013. Tiny Meeker squeezed 488.5 kg.

Deadlift Achievements

In this discipline, the 400.5 kg mark was first overcome in 2002 by the Finnish athlete Ano Turtiainen. In the same year, Hungarian Tibor Mezaros pulled out 407.5 kg. But the records in powerlifting in 2002 did not end there either - the American athlete Harry Frank took a weight of 422.5 kg. Three years later, the athletes reached a load of 440 kg, which succumbed to the titanic strength of Benedict Magnusson, a native of Iceland. The same athlete in 2010 managed to stretch 442.5 kg, moreover, without equipment, and a year later he set an absolute world record, having overcome the weight of 460 kg.

Squats are one of the three main exercises of powerlifting, or. There are several versions for setting world records in this discipline. The main ones are the weight category, the athlete's belonging to a particular federation and the presence or absence of special equipment.

Squat Records by Weight

The maximum weight category in powerlifting is over 125 kg. It has practically no limits. In this category absolute record belongs to the Israeli triathlon Vlad Alkhazov. He conquered a weight of 567 kilograms in 2008 while using equipment.

• Next comes the weight category up to 125 kg. It is led by Kirk Karwoski from the USA. Kirk was able to squat with a barbell of 455 kilograms. This happened in 1994.
• The next category is up to 110 kg. In 1995, the same athlete (Karvoski) from the United States, having already a smaller body weight, overcame a barbell weighing 415 kilograms.
• In the 100 kg category, Ed Cohen, also a powerlifter from the United States, became the record holder. He was able to lift a barbell weighing 423 kilograms.
• Weighing less than 90 kg in 1980, the American athlete Fred Hatfield "defeated" the barbell weighing 375 kg.
• In the category up to 85.2 kg, Mike Bridges from the USA is in the lead. His record in squats with a barbell of 379.5 kg was recorded back in 1982.
• In 1989, the American Osby Alexander squatted down with a barbell on his shoulders, the mass of which was 328 kg. Osby's own weight was less than 75 kilograms.
• In the category up to 67.5 kg, the record (barbell 300 kg) was set by another American - Jesse Jackson. This event took place in 1987.
• The next category is up to 60 kg. In it, the leading position was taken by the Swede Karlsson Magnus, who overcame a barbell weighing 295.5 kg in 1995.
• In the category up to 56 kilograms, Karlsson also showed the best result, but in 1994. Then he lifted a barbell weighing 277.5 kg.
• The lightest weight category with powerlifting - up to 52 kg. Pole Andrzej Stanazhek became the champion in it, lifting a barbell 270.5 kg on his shoulders.

Absolute Squat Records

• As already mentioned, the absolute record is still held by the representative of Israel (currently residing in the United States) Vlad Alkhazov with a barbell of 567 kg (1250 lbs).
• The maximum weight with the use of bandages was lifted by Anrey Malanichev in 2010. His record is 450 kilograms.
• Don Reinhodt is in the lead in the "no equipment" category. Back in 1975, Don conquered a barbell weighing 423.5 kg.

Records according to versions of various powerlifting federations

According to international federation WPC in the category over 140 kg was set by Andy Bolton, having overcome the barbell of 520 kg. In fairness, it should be noted that in 2007 the athlete was able to sit down with 550.5 kg on his back. But since at that moment he was out of the federations, the record cannot be entered into any category.

According to the IPF version, one cannot find the same serious results, since the requirements for competitions from its organizers are characterized by increased rigor. The IPF record belongs to Hamman Shane, who, with a dead weight of 169.4 kg, was able to lift a barbell of 457.5 kg in 1995. Also, for the sake of fairness, it should be noted that the result achieved by Dmitry Ivanov in the Czech Republic (2011) could well be considered a record according to the version of this federation. He lifted a barbell weighing 460 kg, but did not complete the bench press performance, so the achievement was not counted.

The IPA Federation holds the absolute world record of all times and weight categories, which we have already talked about. In 2008, Alkhazov installed it, lifting 567 kg.

Deadlift record

Benedict Magnuson (or simply Benya, as Russian powerlifters call him) was born on July 4, 1983. At the age of 16, I went to the gym to recover from a spinal injury. Yes, he recovered so much that in 2011 he set a world record in the Ronnie Coleman classic tournament. 1015 pounds or 460 kg, from the equipment only a belt - this is the result given by a guy with a once problematic spine. The growth of the Icelander is 183 cm, the weight at the time of the record is 172 kg. Many people still believe that Magnuson could have taken a heavier weight.

Bench Press Record

Officially, the indicator of strength is not considered in classic powerlifting, although there are championships for this exercise, and the usual question for a bodybuilder or powerlifter is: "How much do you press from the chest?" If you are still pressing a little weight, feel free to answer that less than Ryan Kenelli. This American has set a world record in the bench press, lifting 487.6 kg in equipment. It is interesting that the guy came to the bar after he was kicked out of all sports sections, and then from school. Ryan started with 96 kg. So to the question about weight, just answer: "Soon I will catch up with Kenelli!".

Ryan Kenelli's record video:

Barbell Squat Record

A separate discipline, and is usually included in the classic triathlon powerlifting to qualify. But nothing prevents the "pitching" from setting records in this exercise. Moreover, one record here belongs to our compatriot, and the second record to a resident of Moscow.

Vladislav Alkhazov

Vladislav Alkhazov, as a child, moved from the USSR to Israel, where he began performing in the IPA. It was in this federation that Alkhazov squatted with 567 kg on his shoulders, setting a world record in equipment.

Andrey Malanichev

Muscovite Andrei Malanichev in squats with a barbell on his back in bandages set a record of 450 kg. In total, this already legendary powerlifter has 5 Russian records, Titan Cups 2008/2009 and the title of absolute champion of Russia in 2005.

Sergey Feodosienko

Since 2012, the record in the bench press and deadlift, as well as the total weight of the triathlon, belongs to the Russian Sergei Fedosienko (160, 270 and 651 kg, respectively), but the American Michael Koons (225 kg) bypassed Sergei in squatting. Both athletes competed in the category up to 59 kg.

Andrey Ivanets

29-year-old Belarusian Andrei Ivanets set a deadlift record in 2013, lifting 340 kg at a tournament in Stockholm. In his category (up to 105 kg), Estonian Alex-Evard Rous (born in 1992) with 325 kg became the best in squats, and Timothy Anderson lifted the most in the bench press - 232.5 kg.

Among the heaviest weights (from 120 kg or more), the Americans have been in the lead since 2012. Blaine Sumner squatted with 400 kg on his shoulders, Brad Gillingham lifted 375 kg in deadlift, and the same 28-year-old Sumner set the record amount of weights on April 1, 2012.

Women's records

By women's records less information, but the results of the 2011 Powerlifting Championships can be considered official.
Among the lightest (up to 47 kg), the world record in deadlifts and squats was set by Chen Wei-Ling from Taiwan - 185 and 187.5 kg, respectively. In the same weight, the Japanese Fukushima Yukako holds a record of 122.5 kg in the bench press.

In the 52 kg category, the world record in squatting with a barbell was set by Vilma Ochoa Vargas from Ecuador. At the same time, in terms of the sum of weights, she became only the third in the championship, and the Russian Natalia Salnikova won it. True, without records.

Natalia Salnikova from Ulyanovsk (Russia)

• world record in the bench press - 165 kg;
• deadlift world record - 245 kg;
• world record in total triathlon - 632.5 kg.

Larisa Solovieva receives a sports "Oscar"

American Priscilla Ribick (weight up to 72 kg) set the world deadlift record - 240 kg. Olena Kozlova from Ukraine in the deadlift lifted 10 kg more (250 kg), but already among the participants weighing up to 84 kg. In the same category, Chang Ya-Wen set a world record in squatting - 267.5 kg. At the same time, Kozlova took "gold", and the representative of Taiwan took only 4th place in the overall standings.

Another Russian powerlifter Galina Karpova squatted on 300.5 kg. World championship record in weight over 84 kg.

• 1st place - Larisa Solovieva (Ukraine);
• 2nd place - Wei-Ling Chen (Taiwan);
• 3rd place - Natalia Salnikova (Russia).

Powerlifting records are often recorded. There is a fair amount of confusion with them, since athletes perform within the framework of various associations that put forward different requirements when making approaches to the bar and the availability of equipment. In addition, the scope of weight categories also does not always coincide, which does not matter only if it comes about absolute world achievements.

Men's barefoot powerlifting world records:

In weight up to 59 kg, all world achievements belong to the Russian Sergei Fedosienko. Its results in:

squats - 227.5 kg;

bench press - 171 kg;

deadlift -271 kg;

total - 669.5 kg.

In the next weight category, up to 66 kg, Russian Sergei Skochek squeezed 172.5 kg lying, and Australian Luu Nhyep showed 270 kg in deadlift, which is inferior to the achievement of much lighter Sergei Fedosienko.

In weight up to 83 kg, American John Haakk owns almost all world records in powerlifting, except for the bench press:

298 kg squats;

315 kg - deadlift;

813 kg - in the sum of powerlifting.

Only New Zealander Brett Gibbs managed to take away one of the achievements from him, squeezing 208 kg in prone.

Dennis Gary, who is ten kilograms heavier than the New Zealander, showed 232.5 kg in the bench press. Pole Krzysztof Wierzbicki holds records in the same weight category (up to 93 kg) in:

deadlift - 355 kg;

total - 810 kg.

squats - 390 kg;

deadlift - 440 kg;

total - 1055 kg.

Only in the bench press did he manage to squeeze the American Timothy Anderson with the result of 232.5 kg.

Algerian athlete Mohamed Bouafya in the weight up to 120 kg owns three achievements, in:

squats - 356 kg;

deadlift - 355.5 kg;

total - 915 kg.

These results are significantly lower than in the previous weight category.

In the absolute weight category, an amazing picture is observed, because all the records of powerlifting without equipment belong to different athletes:

in squats - Israeli Vladislav Alkhazov (500 kg);

in the bench press - Russian Kirill Sarychev (335 kg);

in deadlift - British Eddie Hall (500 kg).

There is a clear specialization of super heavyweights in individual exercises, since record amount in powerlifting, scored by the Russian Andrey Malanichev, is equal to 1140 kg, which is almost two centners less than the sum of three better results in separate forms.

Women's powerlifting records

The popularity of women's powerlifting is, for obvious reasons, significantly lower. Special attention fixation of world achievements is not given here. Among the best results in the weight category up to 47 kg, the Japanese woman Fukushima Yukako conquered 122.5 kg in the bench press. Chen Weiling from Taiwan owns two of the highest world achievements:

in squats - 187.5 kg;

in thrust - 185 kg.

Russian Anna Ryzhkova (up to 57 kg) obeyed 210 kg in squats.

Her compatriot Larisa Solovieva managed to collect a bouquet of three outstanding records, typing in:

bench press - 165 kg;

deadlift - 245 kg;

total - 632.5 kg.

Deadlift records won:

American Priscilla Ribick - 240 kg in the category up to 72 kg;

Ukrainian Elena Kozlova - 250 kg (up to 84 kg).

Russian woman Galina Karpova has conquered a record in squats in the category over 84 kg - 300.5 kg.

Powerlifting: absolute world records

Powerlifting is not only the IPF flag. Athletes can take part in tournaments under the flag of other international associations, compete according to other rules. It is interesting to note the highest achievements demonstrated by athletes different countries, no matter what organization the competition was held by.

Icelander Benedict Magnusson had to go to the gym in his youth to heal his injured spine. It turned out very well, in 2011, a 172-kilogram Icelander, using a belt, set an outstanding achievement in the deadlift. His 460 kg graced the Ronnie Coleman classic tournament.

American Ryan Kenelli was not denied admission to the only sports section- powerlifting. He repaid his confidence by squeezing a fantastic 487.6 kg from the prone using equipment.

Israeli Vladislav Alkhazov, who left the USSR as a child, was resigned in squats in 567 kg equipment. But the Russian Andrei Malanichev, who used only bandages, obeyed 450 kg. All the same, the use of equipment has an increasingly noticeable effect on the level of achievements.

Everyone can be athletic and fit, but to develop functional strength so that all the cells of the body radiate incredible power, this is only possible for people with strong mind and body.

Powerlifting is exactly the kind of sport that promotes the development of muscles and strength. It is not as popular as other sports, but this does not mean that it does not have its own achievements.

We decided to prepare the most famous world records in powerlifting. In competitive disciplines, powerlifters demonstrate what they are capable of in three exercises: the barbell squat, deadlift, and bench press. So what kind of powerlifting records deserve to be known?

In the "golden three" of exercises in powerlifting, the deadlift is considered the most difficult. Also, this exercise is one of the most dangerous, since if it is performed with the wrong technique, it is very easy to get injured.

The world record for powerlifting belongs to Briton Eddie Hall, who lifted a barbell weighing 500 kilograms. Before that, everyone was convinced that it was impossible to lift the bar with such a weight, but Hall proved the opposite.

True, after he lowered the barbell, his nose started bleeding, but, nevertheless, the goal was achieved, and the record was recorded.

Bench press is considered to be an unofficial indicator of strength in powerlifting. We will look at two bench press achievements. The first includes records for powerlifting in equipment.
It belongs to the American athlete Ryan Kennelly, who began to train with iron after he was kicked out of all possible sections, including school.

After the first lessons, the guy's talent in the bench was immediately noticeable. Ryan Kennelly broke the US junior record with 205kg. This was the start of his career as a powerlifter.

Barefoot powerlifting records are also varied. It is worth highlighting another American, Scott Mendelssohn, who in the bench press raises a barbell weighing 324.5 kilograms from his chest.

Mendelssohn even in 2007 was recognized as the world champion in bench press in equipment - he squeezed 457.6 kilograms.

Barbell squats are part of the classic triathlon, allowing athletes to qualify, but this does not prevent them from setting powerlifting records.

Vladislav Alkhazov set a world record in equipment - squatting with 567 kg on his shoulders. Now the strongman continues to train in America.

World record in women's powerlifting

Women's powerlifting records are almost as good as men's records. We have already written that there are strong women. Ukrainian Olga Lyashchuk the most Strong woman Ukraine, you can read in more detail