Powerlifter Heather Connor is back in the gym doing Heather Connor things. The American squat record holder in the 47-kilogram (100-pound) division hit a 147.5-kilogram (325-pound) back squat in training. She posted the video to her Instagram on Feb. 16, 2021. This is 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds) more than her last in-gym PR. You can check out the 147.5-kilogram squat below courtesy of Connor’s Instagram page:
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Connor is the first female International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) powerlifter to deadlift four times her bodyweight raw — which is a lift she has done multiple times. When it comes to the squat, she currently holds the American record with a 142.5-kilogram (314.2-pound) lift from the 2018 USA Powerlifting (USAPL) Arnold SBD Pro American (an event she won).
On Jan. 17, 2019, she broke past her American record by squatting an unofficial record of 145 kilograms (319.7 pounds), which at the time was also her all-time personal best. On the same squat rack, just under a month later, Connor tacked on 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds) and moved the unofficial American squat record up again to 147.5 kilograms (325.2 pounds).
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Unofficial Records
We say “unofficial” American squat record because Connor’s weight at the time of this lift was 45.7 kilograms (100.8 pounds) which is well within the range of the 47 kilograms she would have to weigh for a sanctioned competition. Had this lift been performed at a sanctioned meet, it would have been a new American record. Since it was a training lift, even within the requisite body weight, it is considered unofficial.
For reference as to where this new personal best squat for Connor ranks among the best in the world, the current world record squat at 47 kilograms is 152.5 kilograms (336.2 pounds) by Chen Wei-Ling from the 2015 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships.
If Connor — who announced on Instagram that she has already signed up to compete in 2021 Raw Nationals — continues adding weight to the barbell at the pace she is, it’s likely that she’ll close in on the world record in the near future.
Featured image: @heather.e.connor on Instagram
