What a festive time of year the holiday season is — full of jolly cheer and massive lifts in the gym. On Christmas day 2022, world record-holding powerlifter Jamal Browner headed to the gym dressed as the Grinch from Dr. Seuss’s famed story “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” However, rather than steal Christmas, Browner stole a 2,002-pound total in less than a minute.
Browner shared the following three speedy three lifts on his Instagram page while dressed as the Dr. Seuss villain:
- Squat — 306.2 kilograms (675 pounds)
- Bench Press — 205 kilograms (452 pounds)
- Deadlift — 396.9 kilograms (875 pounds)
- Total — 908.1 kilograms (2,002 pounds)
Check it out below:
Whoa, whoa, whoa, it sure does seem like the Grinch tried to steal a good lift from a judge on that deadlift lockout! After blitzing through the squat and the bench press, losing his balance at the top of the deadlift is certainly forgivable this holiday season. Since Browner recently scored a 1,003.1-pound deadlift double in training with plenty left in the tank, it’s no secret that he can clear an 875-pound pull without issues.
Browner wore wrist wraps and a lifting belt over his costume’s coat and completed the deadlift in a sumo stance with an overhand grip. He did not take the time to chalk his hands before the deadlift, which feels pretty in character for the Grinch.
Strongman Ivan Makarov, one of the primary contenders to potentially exceed the all-time heaviest deadlift of 501 kilograms (1,104.5 pounds) scored by 2018 World’s Strongest Man champion Hafthor Björnsson in May 2020, slid into the comment section to call out Browner’s Grinch. Makarov believes the “real Grinch” would deadlift “classic style,” presumably meaning in a conventional stance.
Nonetheless, it appears the Grinch can lift as heavy as some of the most jacked villains out there. As Dr. Seuss’s [adjusted] quote goes, “And what happened, then? Well, in Whoville, they say – that the Grinch’s powerlifting total grew three sizes that day. And then – the true meaning of powerlifting came through, and the Grinch found the strength of 10 Grinches, plus 2,002 [pounds]!”
Featured image: @jamal_b15 on Instagram
