Tag: powerlifting
21-Year-Old Serena Abweh Hits PR Deadlift Of 350 Pounds
Serena Abweh has been competing massive lifts in recent training sessions.
Powerlifting has plenty of up-and-coming names ready to take the next step in 2022. Serena Abweh is a new face in the sport but continues to impress in training sessions. At 21 years old, Abweh has put up some big numbers in training sessions.
On Saturday, Abweh took to Instagram to share a huge PR lift to begin the new year. She stepped up to the bar and completed a 350-pound deadlift with relative ease. At 103 pounds at the time of the lift, this was over three times her bodyweight.
Serena Abweh gained a passion for powerlifting at a young age and has already made great strides at a young age. She has competed in seven events in her career to this point and that number will continue to rise. Also, Abweh has a chance to break some more personal records in the upcoming year.
During the 2021 USPA New Mexico State Championships in October, Abweh completed a 336.2-pound deadlift. This was her competition high and that might not stand much longer. During this event, Abweh added PRs in other lifts as well. This included a 220.5-pound squat and 137.8-pound bench press. She also totaled 683.4 pounds for the competition.
Serena Abweh has an incredible story to go along with an impressive career early on. Abweh overcame an eating disorder early in her lift where she struggled with her body image. This turned into anorexia but Abweh overcame all obstacles and is now in position to become a big name in powerlifting. She is a true inspiration to those who struggle with the same thing and has not been shy about sharing her story.
“Keep frickin fighting because you have so many people rooting for you even though you can’t even root for yourself. You have people in your life that see your potential even though you’re blinded by darkness and all the negative thoughts inside you.Your mind can be your worst enemy, it will literally take you down if you let it.
You’re deserving of life, of love, of happiness. You deserve to wake up and not hate your self and dread another day in your skin. Life is too short to be at war with yourself and every single day I’m trying to remind myself this.”
Serena Abweh is a powerlifter who is ready to take the next step this year. By the looks of her recent lifts, there is no doubt that she will continue to beat her previous performance bests when she steps on stage next.
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WATCH: 62-Year-Old David Ricks Crushes 606-Pound Raw Deadlift
David Ricks completed five reps of 606 pounds in a recent training session.
They say that age is just a number. For David Ricks, this is especially true. The 62-year-old powerlifter recently shared a video of himself completing five reps of a 606-pound raw deadlift.
Ricks took to Instagram to share his extremely heavy workout. He has been a big name in powerlifting for over 40 years now and is continuing to show that he can still get it done in a big way. Ricks makes sure to get prepared at the beginning of the video and maintains perfect form throughout.
“First Heavy Workout of 2022606 x 5 (reps). I have been on this Powerlifting Journey for over 40 years at age 62. You have to continue to challenge yourself towards greater goals.
I don’t own the rights to this song
#kingofthelifts #ipf #83champion#boyntonbarbellcenter #titanpower81#tharris220 #barbend“
David Ricks shares that this is his first heavy workout of the new year. This means he could be in for something special sometime soon. This would be nothing new for Ricks, who is one of the best powerlifters of all-time.
Ricks has continued to compete at 62 years old. In 2021, he managed to break even more records and he might not be done just yet. Ricks was seen competing at the USAPL Nationals in the Masters Over 60 division. He put on quite a show breaking records in squat and on the bench. These records did not last long as Ricks was able to build on his own numbers later in the year.
Powerlifting is not a sport where you see many put together a career that lasts as long as David Ricks. What he is able to do is incredible and he is not shy about showing his most recent accomplishments. After what was a strong 2021, Ricks is back in the gym preparing for another record-breaking year.
Ricks makes the reps of 606 pounds look easy in his video. This is where years of practice comes into play because of the form and control that he has over the barbell. He has routinely shared big lifts to Instagram and it will be exciting to see which he takes on next. Overall, Ricks has made fans excited for what could be in store this year.
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Kiersten Scurlock Completes Huge 584-Pound Squat During Training Session
Kiersten Scurlock continues to shine and is primed for a big year.
Kiersten Scurlock is one of the up-and-coming talents in the powerlifting game. She has been hard at work in the gym and is not shy about showing some recent accomplishments. On Tuesday, Scurlock took to Instagram to share a huge 584-pound squat in training.
For Scurlock, this is in preparation for the Hybrid Showdown 4. This will take place on January 16. It is clear that Scurlock is in training, with the competition being less than two weeks away, and she hit a new personal record in squats. Her previous record came during the 2021 WRPF Showdown in September. Scurlock squatted 578 pounds, which is over five pounds less than this lift.
“584lbs! ?
Man I am so fucking happy with how this prep went and incredibly lucky to have the best people in my corner!
Coach @mjgreeno
@livelargefitness Scurko10
@gorilla_piss_ammonia
#powerlifting #squat #bench #deadlift #strongman #livelarge #lvlg”
During the WRPF Showdown, Kiersten Scurlock set three personal marks. Along with her squat, Scurlock added a 347-pound bench press and 567-pound deadlift. This was a total of 1,492 pounds, which exceeded her best by 104 pounds.
When looking at the path take by Scurlock, it has improved significantly overtime. This is a chance for her to continue to grow in competition and there will be no time wasted. Scurlock has the raw strength but also uses some help when needed. This is a time for the powerlifter to show progress and that is what she has been doing.
Scurlock has been putting up impressive numbers in training recently. This includes 347-pound bench press and 556-pound raw deadlift. It will be a busy start to the new year for Scurlock as she prepares for competition. Following the Hybrid Showdown 4, she will compete at The Ghost Clash on February 12-13.
Kiersten Scurlock will be one of many big names at the Hybrid Showdown 4. She will have a chance to post some new personal bests in lifts and total weight. This will continue her rise in powerlifting early in the year.
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2022 Arnold Strongman Classic: Full List Of Events
There will be a total of five events taking place in Columbus to determine a winner.
The 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic is upon us.
Hafthor Bjornsson won the 2020 competition before the 2021 show was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, Arnold Schwarzenegger will bring back his full sports festival, which will take place on March 3-6 in Columbus, OH. This weekend will be highlighted by the 2022 Arnold Classic. Also, some of the top strongmen in the world will gather to compete for the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic title.
The full list of competitors for the event was released back in December. Below, you can find the full roster that includes 10 of the best powerlifters in the sport.
Maxime Boudreault
JF Caron
Rob Kearney
Mateusz Kieliszkowski
Martins Licis
Evgeny Markov
Trey Mitchell
Oleksii Novikov
Luke Stoltman
Tom Stoltman
Shortly after the roster was released, sponsors announced the five events that athletes will compete in. The Arnold Sports Instagram page shared a post listing the events.
Friday, March 4 Events
Max Barbell Squat
This is a new event for the Arnold Strongman Classic where athletes will be judged on their depth and form. They will get three attempts each where the weight will increase during each try. For reference, J.F. Caron won this event during the 2021 World’s Strongest Man competition. He squatted 700 pounds 11 times to finish at the top of the event. This is another deep group that could see anyone come out on top.
275-Pound Monster Dumbbell Press
This is an event where the winner will be the athlete who performs the most reps. Competitors will have 90 seconds to move the 275-pound dumbbell from the floor to their shoulder and pressed overhead. Once the arm is locked out, the dumbbell will return to the floor for the next rep. Oleksii Novikov currently holds the world record with 11 reps of 220-pounds in 75 seconds. This will be a heavier dumbbell but Novikov will be one of the favorites to win this event.
Saturday, March 5 Events
Australian Oak Log Press For Max
This event will kick off day two of the competition. This will follow the form of the squat where the weight will increase after each attempt. Athletes will perform a log press to see who could finish with the highest number. There are two record holders tied to this event. Bobby Thompson, the American record holder in the log press, is an alternate and could pose a threat if he is needed to compete. Luke Stoltman currently holds the British record of 487 pounds.
Timber Frame Carry
The timber frame in this event weighs 880 pounds. Athletes will have 30 seconds to move this behemoth up a 35-foot ramp without lifting straps. This means that grip strength and form will be the focus as the athletes want to move with speed. Kieliszkowski won this event in 2020 with a time of seven seconds. This was a world record at the time using a slightly lighter frame.
Stone To Shoulder For Reps
The final event is a familiar one but it will not be the traditional Atlas Stone that is used. Instead, the athletes will have to move Odd Haugen’s Tombstone, which weights 410 pounds. Competitors must lift the stone from the ground to their shoulder. Once the judge gives the okay, athletes can return the stone to the ground. The winner will be the athlete who completes the most reps in two and a half minutes. Martins Licis can be considered one of the favorites in this event. He won the 2019 World’s Strongest Man competition and Arnold Santa Monica contest. He performed five reps in this event, using the Atlas Stone.
As you can see, this is a competition with some classic events to test strength in many ways. There are different favorites in each event but ultimately, any competitor can win at any time. This is what can be expected when some of the best in the world get together on one stage.
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2022 Britain’s Strongest Man: Tom Stoltman, Adam Bishop Headline Event
The full roster for the 2022 Britain’s Strongest Man competition has been announced.
The calendar has turned to 2022 and that means some big events this year are beginning to approach. This includes the 2022 Britain’s Strongest Man contest. This event is set to take place on Feb. 26 at Utilita Arena in Sheffield, England. On Saturday, New Year’s Day, the full roster was released for the show.
This competition will feature some of the best strongmen in the world. The winners of the last three shows will return to try and win gold once again. Below, you can find the full list of competitors and some key names to watch heading into February.
2022 Britain’s Strongest Man Roster
Gavin Bilton
Adam Bishop
Andy Black
Mark Felix
Shane Flowers
Desmond Gahan
Graham Hicks
Pa O’Dwyer
Paul Smith
Luke Stoltman
Tom Stoltman
Competitors to Watch
Tom Stoltman
Stoltman is the reigning champion at the Britain’s Strongest Man competition and will look to make it two in a row. He will certainly be the favorite heading into the event. Stoltman had a monster 2021. He took home the prize at this event along with the World’s Strongest Man competition. Stoltman will compete at the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic after his appearance in England.
Adam Bishop
Bishop has been a contender in this competition for years now. He won the show back in 2020, where he defeated the Stoltman brothers. Last year, Bishop finished as the runner-up. Bishop’s highest finish in the World’ Strongest Man competition was sixth back in 2020. Bishop performs well at this event and has a chance to make it two titles in three years.
Graham Hicks
Hicks is the third and final former champion making his return. Hicks finished with the prize during the 2019 contest but was forced to miss in 2020 due to an injury. He returned to the stage in 2021 and finished third, behind Stoltman and Bishop. Hicks has been dealing with some nagging injuries this year and hopes to enter 2022 with a clean bill of health. This will be key as he prepares for this event over the next two months.
Luke Stoltman
Luke Stoltman, the elder of the Stoltman brothers, will join his brother as the Arnold Strongman Classic in February. First, he will look to bring home another title after successful 2021. Stoltman won the 2021 Europe’s Strongest Man competition along with the Giants Live World Tour Finals. He also set a new British world record in the Log Press for max. Stoltman finished third during the 2020 Britain’s Strongest Man competition.
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5 Tips To Master The Sumo Deadlift
Master the Sumo Deadlifts with these Five Tips
Deadlifts are some of the most brutal exercises which train your complete body. There are many variations of the deadlifts which will keep you from getting bored of the exercise. Sumo deadlifts have a greater impact on your hips, glutes and posterior chain.
Due to the limited range of motion, this variation of the deadlifts can enable you to lift heavier weights as compared to the traditional deadlifts. The sumo deadlifts are great for people who have a stronger lower body.
Since you get into a squatter stance while lifting the weights, your lower body does more work in this variation as compared to the traditional deadlifts. Sumo deadlifts are an advanced exercise and you need to perform them correctly to get the most out of them.
1. Find a Stance Which Works For You
There are no hard or fast rules when it comes to the sumo deadlift stance. The stance will vary for people based on their height and mobility. Some people have a false notion that the wider your sumo deadlift stance, the better it is. Most people need a moderate sumo stance to lift heavy weights while maintaining the correct form.
The sumo deadlifts are harder at the bottom. It is harder to move the weights off the floor than it is to lock our your hips and back at the top of the movement. Take a stance which makes it easy for you to lift the weights off the ground.
2. Get Your Body Behind the Bar
Some people make the mistake of ducking out their toes, doing this automatically puts the bar an inch in front of them. On the other hand, some people stand on top of the bar which is not the best position to start either because the bar can bump into your knees on the concentric movement.
Standing right behind the bar with your shins touching the barbell is the best position to start the lift. Keeping your head and chest behind the bar at the start of the movement will help you in locking out your hips and knees at the top of the movement.
3. Point the Toes Out
Feet placement is where most people go wrong with the sumo deadlifts. You neither want your feet to be pointing all the way out nor should they be pointing straight ahead. You want the barbell to be as close to you as possible while performing the sumo deadlifts.
If you stand with your feet completely “ducked” out, the bar will be an inch in front of you which can make it harder to lift it off the ground. Turn your feet slightly out as doing this will make the lift shorter and easy.
4. Generate Torque and Push Your Hips Through
As mentioned above, the sumo deadlifts are the hardest at the bottom of the movement. You need to generate a lot of torque to crack the bar off the floor. Make sure you push your knees out so they don’t come in the way of locking out your knees.
If you’re a competitive powerlifter, you will need to stand with your knees and back locked out at the top of the movement. Drive your hips into the bar to finish with a smooth lockout. Some people make the mistake of overextending their lower back which can unlock their knees.
5. Hand Placement
The hand placement while performing the sumo deadlifts can be tricky. Some people like to have a wider than shoulder width grip while the others like to keep their hands close to each other. A shoulder-width hand placement can prove to be the most optimal.
Holding the bar too wide can put extra tension on your lower back while a close grip can make it hard for you to balance the bar.
What is your sumo deadlifts PR? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
WATCH: Russell Orhii Completes PR Bench Press Of 446 Pounds
Russell Orhii continues to put up massive numbers in the gym.
Russell Orhii continues to be a powerlifter that is on the rise. He has put up some memorable performances in competition and is not shy about showing some massive lifts in social media. Recently, Orhii took to Instagram to show off another personal record feat of strength.
A personal record is a milestone for powerlifters as they continue to build strength in training sessions. For Orhii, this came in the form of a 446-pound bench press on Tuesday. Orhii lowers the weight to his chest, pauses quickly, then moves the weight back up. Orhii then jumps to his feet after his latest accomplishment.
“? BENCH PR ?
446lbs/202.5kg X 1
I hit a PR every time I come back from vacation ?
Shout out to the brodies for providing the vibes for todays session”
Russell Orhii spent some time in Hawaii enjoying vacation. This was some time off to rest and recover. It seemed to work for the powerlifter. Orhii even commented in his caption on how he always hits personal records after a vacation. This is becoming a theme for Orhii but he is no stranger to world records either.
Orhii put on a show during the 2021 IPF Powerlifting Championships. He set two world records in the 83kg division and there could be more to fall in 2022. It began with a 320.5kg (706.7lb) squat, which was a world record. He also set a new record with a total of 841kg (1,854.3lb). This includes a 187.5kg (413.4lb) bench press and 333kg (734.2lb) deadlift.
The squat record did not last long as Orhii beat his own mark at the 2021 USAPL Nationals. He completed a 323kg (712lb) squat to set a new record. This is a lift that could continue to improve in upcoming weeks.
If this training session is any indication, Orhii is looking to set some more records. This bench press was over 30 pounds heavier than that at the IPF Powerlifting Championships. Also, Orhii recently set a new personal record with a 733-pound squat. This is much heavier than his current IPF world record.
There is no doubt that Russell Orhii has shown interest in breaking some new personal marks. When comparing his recent work in the gym to that in competition, it could be a big year for the powerlifter in 2022. It will be a must-see event when Orhii takes the stage in competition once again.
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VIDEO: Oleksii Novikov Begins Training For 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic
Oleksii Novikov is training for the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic in a big way.
Oleksii Novikov is one of the top strongman competitions in the world so it was not surprising to see him receive an invitation to the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic. Now that the holidays are over, the 2020 World’s Strongest Man is back in the gym training for his next event.
Novikov shared a video on his YouTube channel detailing his first day back in preparation. The Ukrainian strongman podiumed in each event he participated in following the 2021 World’s Strongest Man competition. He is one of 10 strongmen who received invitation to the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic and this means he will have to train harder than ever.
Oleksii Novikov took to his garage-style gym to get in a huge workout. It began on the squat rack where Novikov began with 440-pound lifts and wanted to increase to 551 pounds. No official list has been released on which events will be at the Arnold Strongman Classic but Novikov believes that squats will be there. Novikov’s personal record squat is 771.6 pounds.
Again, the official list has not been revealed but Novikov spoke further on which events he expects to see there. He listed max squat, timber carry (400kg, 881.9lb), heavy dumbbell for reps (124kg, 273.4lb), max log lift, and stone to shoulder (186kg, 410.1lb).
After his squats, Oleksii Novikov began log lifts. He pulled out gym mats and began with his lifts. He began with 176.4-pound lifts with the intention of bumping it up to 286.6 pounds. Novikov expressed that this was one of his weaknesses and that he has never locked out 440.1 pounds. This is his goal heading into 2022. Novikov took some time off for the holiday and it seemed to pay off. He showed great form and fluidity when performing log lifts. He was able to lock out three reps of 319.7 pounds on his second-to-last set followed by five reps on his last set.
The roster for the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic is elite. Novikov is one of three World’s Strongest Man winners, along with Tom Stoltman and Martins Licis. The 2021 Europe World’s Strongest Man Luke Stoltman will be present along with two-time WSM runner-up Mateusz Kieliszkowski.
Oleksii Novikov will enter the competition as one of the favorites to win as his strength seems to be on par. . There is still plenty of time to bump some numbers up and that is what Novikov plans to do in the upcoming weeks.
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John Haack Tops Official Personal Record With 755-Pound Squat
John Haack bested his competition best squat by 5.4 pounds.
There could be some big things coming for John Haack in 2022. He is already considered to be one of the best powerlifters in the world and there could be some more records broken soon. Haack is getting ready for the Hybrid Showdown 4 on January 15-16 in Miami. In a recent training session, Haack topped his competition-best squat with a 342.5kg (755lb) squat.
Haack’s best squat in competition is currently 340kg (749.6lb). It seems as though he will be able to break this personal record come January, especially since there is still three more weeks of training until competition. Haack stepped up to the bar with wrist wraps and a lifting belt to accomplish the feat.
John Haack has quickly become one of the best lifters in the world. He competes in the 90kg division and holds the total world record. He became the first lifter in this division to surpass 1,000kg total with a 1,005.5kg (2,216.7lb) performance. It is not crazy to say that he will continue to build on that record and it could come during the Hybrid Showdown 4.
This is not the only lift that was eye-opening in recent days. Haack also took to Instagram to show off a massive paused bench press of 265kg (584lb). The powerlifter took to the bench with just west wraps and pulled off an impressive lift.
“Had to change up training days to accommodate @that_hugeasian_guy Christmas plans. Working on pauses with this top single of 265kgs/584lbs.”
John Haack has a personal best of 579.8 pounds on bench in competition. He was able to exceed that number with a pause. Haack has also pulled off a 600.8-pound bench press in a recent training session. There is no doubt that he will attempt to set a new personal mark very soon. He is moving a different level of weight recently in all three lifts but his bench press numbers continue to grow.
The 2022 year is coming and Haack seems to be in incredible shape heading into competition. If social media is any indication, Haack is ready to set some new marks and accomplish some lifts that have never been done before. This makes the Hybrid Showdown 4 a must-see competition.
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WATCH: Martins Licis and Justin Medeiros Crush Massive Deadlifts In Workout
Martins Licis and Justin Medeiros put up enormous weight during a workout.
It is not everyday that Strongman and CrossFit are seen together but this happened when Martins Licis and Justin Medeiros took on a workout. Licis shared a video to his YouTube page on Tuesday of the duo crushing some deadlifts that were upwards of 600 pounds.
The last time these two were together was during the 2021 Rogue Invitational. Licis won gold in the strongman competition and set a new world record in Thor’s Hammer with a 136kg (300lb) lift. Medeiros was victorious during the CrossFit event. They continue to be some of the best in their own sport.
Licis won the 2019 World’s Strongest Man competition while Medeiros was named the 2021 Fittest Man on Earth. At XCEL Fitness in Holladay, UT, the duo got together to show off some impressive deadlifts.
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Heading into the holidays, it is only right that they showed off their festive spirit. Medeiros was seen wearing an elf’s hat while Licis went all out with a full Santa Claus costume. The session began with some rows on the machine while a makeshift Bag Toss was being set up. Medeiros was discussing the importance of warm-ups and how they can impact the workout.
“I do the same warm-up, which is, I do pigeon stretches, some runner’s lunge, some windshield wipers. I also got a gluten band for gluten activation, monster walks, banded squats, and sumo squats. After that, I’m probably good to go,” Justin Medeiros said.
Once the Bag Toss, which is a strongman event, was set up, Licis explained that the best throws will feel effortless. He cleared the crossbeam with a 20-pound bag while Medeiros was unsuccessful.
The two quickly moved onto deadlifts with some serious weight. Licis told the group to pause below the knee to make sure that there was complete control. Medeiros began with a 500-pound deadlift, which is nearly three times his bodyweight. His weight at the time of the list was not said but he is listed at 190 pounds on the CrossFit website.
Martins Licis was next and completed five reps with 605 pounds. Licis has been lifting heavy in the gym preparing for the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic. He will enter the competition as one of the favorites to take home the prize.
The session ended with one-minute Each bike challenges. The full workout can be viewed on Licis’ YouTube page.
Martins Licis will be back in action from March 3-6 during the Arnold Strongman Classic. Justin Medeiros is in his offseason but is preparing for the 2022 CrossFit Open, which begins on Feb. 24.
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