Powerlifter Jamal Browner is a renowned deadlifter. He scored the all-time world record in the 110-kilogram of 455 kilograms (1,003.1 pounds). Despite being the best in the world at a powerlifting discipline, Browner has turned his attention to a new challenge: the 2023 World Deadlift Championships (WDC), which forms part of the 2023 Strongman World Open on Sept. 2, 2023, in Cardiff, Wales.
Browner shared a training video on his Instagram page on Aug. 4, 2023, wherein he deadlifted a conventional PR of 435 kilograms (959 pounds) for two reps. Take a look at both lifts below:
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Browner set up in a conventional stance with a hand position outside his foot placement. He screwed his feet into the floor and then stretched upright to fasten his lifting belt. He attached lifting straps to the barbell, which is permitted in strongman events but not in powerlifting. The use of straps reduces the importance of grip strength as a limiting factor in favor of raw power.
Browner pulled the slack and then began the lift. The first rep was clean and appeared easy. He went again immediately for the second rep that was slower and a bit jerky but he locked it out nonetheless. With barely a pause, Browner attempted a third rep, but he couldn’t break the floor.
I really wanted 3 but a win is a win!
Browner typically deadlifts in a sumo stance in sanctioned powerlifting competitions. However, sumo isn’t permitted in strongman competition, so he has adapted his training to bias conventional deadlifts, and he seems comfortable in both variations.
Browner’s top double sumo deadlift is 455 kilograms (1,003.1 pounds). His new PR suggests his conventional is catching up.
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Browner is widely expected to rank well at the 2023 WDC despite the weight differential from the rest of the roster; Browner is likely to be the lightest athlete in the field by a significant margin. If Browner lifts more than the heaviest deadlift ever pulled — 501 kilograms by Hafthor Björnsson in May 2020 — he would score the $55,000 bounty posted by Giants Live.
Featured image: @jamal_b15 on Instagram
