Kafui Hotsonyame lifts in the 83-kilogram class in the Canadian Powerlifting Union (CPU), Canada’s International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) affiliate. In 2019, Hotsonyame broke the IPF deadlift world record with 326 kilograms (719 pounds) and has claimed the deadlift silver medal from the IPF World Classic Championships twice (2019 and 2022).
After steady progress for several years, Hotsonyame has made huge strides in all three lifts. He missed making the Canadian team for the 2023 IPF Classic Worlds in Malta after an epic three-way battle at the 2023 Canadian Nationals with Nick Manders and Adam Jansson that left him in third place, six kilograms (13 pounds) behind Manders and Jansson.
However, Hotsonyame seems to have used that as motivation for his training. Hotsonyame’s performance at the 2023 North American Powerlifting Federation (NAPF) North American Championships (NAC) ranks him as Canada’s top male lifter with 543.38 Dots (a ratio between weight lifted and body weight).
Hotsonyame went nine for nine in attempts for the third consecutive competition. He won the gold medal in all three lifts and the North American title in the 83KG class. Best lifter awards were also awarded based on GL* points across, and Hotsonyame scooped this prize, too, with 111.35 GLP.
Below is Hotsonyame’s full performance from the 2023 NAPF NAC:
*Note: The GL point formula is an attempt to compare the achievements of lifters of different body weights and is used by the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) and its affiliates.
2023 NAPF North American Championships Results — Kafui Hotsonyame, 83KG
- Squat
- 257.5 kilograms (568 pounds)
- 273 kilograms (602 pounds) — New NAPF Record
- 285.5 kilograms (629 pounds) — New NAPF Record
- Bench Press
- 160 kilograms (353 pounds)
- 167.5 kilograms (369 pounds)
- 175 kilograms (386 pounds)
- Deadlift
- 307.5 kilograms (678 pounds)
- 327.5 kilograms (722 pounds)
- 340 kilograms (750 pounds) — New NAPF Record
- Total — 800.5 kilograms (1765 pounds) — New NAPF Record
Hotsonyame hit a 10.5-kilogram (23-pound) personal best squat with 285.5 kilograms (629 pounds) for a new NAPF record. The lift appeared smooth and did not look like an absolute maximum, so expect Hotsonyame to push this further at his next meet.
The bench press can be slow to increase, but Hotsonyame hit a PR of 172.5 kilograms (380 pounds) at the Canadian Nationals and added another 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds) at the 2023 NAPF NAC.
Hotsonyame hit a tough 340-kilogram (750-pound) PR deadlift to round out his day. The center referee held him at the top for a long moment before giving Hotsonyame the down command, securing Hotsonyame an 800.5-kilogram (1,765-pound) total PR that would have been enough for bronze at the 2023 IPF Classic Worlds. Hotsonyame is expected to next lift at Canadian Nationals early in 2024.
Featured image: @kingkaf_ on Instagram
