Jonathan Garcia competed in the 66-kilogram class on Aug. 7, 2023, at the 2023 North American Powerlifting Federation (NAPF) 2023 North American Championships (NAC), held in the Cayman Islands, and he put in his best performance yet. Garcia previously set the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) raw squat world record with 271 kilograms (597 pounds) on his way to winning the silver medal at the 2022 IPF Classic World Championships in South Africa.
The 2023 NAC was Garcia’s first opportunity to increase the record, and he made good use of it. On Garcia’s third attempt, he locked out a 275.5-kilogram (607.4-pound) raw squat world record en route to the overall gold. Take a look via the video below, courtesy of the IPF’s Instagram page:
[Related: How To Watch the 2023 IPF Junior World Powerlifting Championships]
2023 NAPF Classic Powerlifting Championships Results — Jonathan Garcia, 66KG
- Squat
- 255 kilograms (562 pounds)
- 268 kilograms (591 pounds) — New NAPF Raw Record
- 275.5 kilograms (607 pounds) — New IPF Raw World Record
- Bench Press
- 160 kilograms (353 pounds)
- 170 kilograms (375 pounds)
178 kilograms (392 pounds)
- Deadlift
- 235 kilograms (518 pounds)
- 247.5 kilograms (546 pounds)
- 257.5 kilograms (568 pounds)
- Total
- 703 kilograms (1,549 pounds)
Garcia was fired up as he approached the barbell for his world record attempt. He called for support from the crowd, shouting, “Let’s go!” before moving under the barbell, settling the weight across his shoulders, and stepping backward out of the rack.
Garcia stepped out wide with his right foot and then his left, adopting a wide stance squatting position. He dropped into the bottom of the squat and then drove it back to the top, looking strong and in control. As soon as the bar was back in the rack, he burst from under it, shouting his triumph to the appreciative audience.
Garcia carried that energy and momentum through the rest of the contest, taking gold medals in the squat, bench press, and deadlift. He scored a lifetime-best total of 703 kilograms (1,549 pounds) — only 7.5 kilograms (17 pounds) below the IPF total world record, currently held by Kasemsand Senumong at 710.5 kilograms (1,566 pounds). Panagiotis Tarinidis won the 2023 Classic World Championships in this class with only two kilograms (four pounds) more.
While Garcia seems capable of challenging for the 2024 world title, his first task is to win a place on the Powerlifting America (PA) classic team. That involves lifting toe-to-toe with last year’s winner, Brian Le, who holds the IPF deadlift world record in the 66KG class at 300.5 kilograms (662 pounds). Le’s 713.5-kilogram (1,573-pound) total from the 2023 PA Raw Nationals is the highest ever achieved in this class in the IPF.
We will have to wait until the first quarter of 2024 to see Garcia and Le battle again at PA Raw Nationals. Given the weights both are locking out on the lifting platform, it will be a battle well worth waiting for.
Featured image: @theipf on Instagram
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