A year off from the competition platform to focus on training and increase strength can work wonders for some powerlifters. That seems to be the case for American powerlifter Shane Hunt, who recently eclipsed his competition best deadlift by over 68 kilograms (150 pounds) in the gym. Hunt, who normally competes in the 105-kilogram (231-pound) weight class, deadlifted 408 kilograms (900 pounds) raw in training on Jan. 24, 2021.
Before we dive into his competitive accomplishments, check out that new personal best deadlift (in training) below courtesy of his Instagram page:
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[Related: Strongman Hafthor Björnsson Teaches You How To Deadlift]
Hunt’s caption for the video was cool and collected, simply writing “900…” His reaction after dropping the barbell, however, was a lot more hyped. After all, this pull — which is 3.8-times Hunt’s competitive bodyweight of 231 pounds — is a huge deal for the powerlifter.
On Oct. 16, 2019, Hunt competed in the Junior division of the USA Powerlifting (USAPL) Raw Nationals and placed eighth with the following stats, which includes his competition best deadlift:
- Squat — 260 kilograms (573.2 pounds)
- Bench Press — 150 kilograms (330.7 pounds)
- Deadlift — 340 kilograms (749.5 pounds)
- Total — 750 kilograms (1,653.4 pounds)
His best competition total was 10 kilograms higher. At the 2018 USAPL Southeast Regional, Hunt hit a first-place 760-kilogram (1,675.5-pound) total. Since making his competitive debut at the age of 15 at the American Powerlifting Federation (APF) Florida State Meet in 2013, which he won, Hunt has competed in 10 sanctioned competitions. He’s won gold in seven of them.
The deadlift isn’t the only lift Hunt has made significant strides in. On Jan. 16, 2021, he successfully hit a back squat PR of 320 kilograms (705 pounds). Check it out below:
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[Related: Learn How to Front Squat Like Strongman Robert Oberst]
According to a recent post by Hunt from Jan. 16, 2021, where he hit a 400-kilogram (882-pound) deadlift, he will be competing for the first time in over a year on Feb. 13, 2021 (five weeks from when the announcement was made on Instagram). Assuming he calls for a weight on the barbell that resembles what he has been pulling in training, it’s quite likely that Hunt will put on his best performance to date.
Featured image: @huntpowerlifting on Instagram
