New Zealand’s Tim Monigatti holds the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) raw squat world record of 283.5 kilograms (625 pounds), scored during a three-way fight for the 74-kilogram world title at the 2023 IPF Classic World Championships (CWC) in Malta. Monigatti ultimately won silver ahead of USA’s Taylor Atwood, who dominated the class for years.
Monigatti seems to have turned his attention to deadlift. At the 2023 CWC, Monigatti broke the IPF raw world record with 324.5 kilograms (715.5 pounds), only to see Sweden’s Carl Johansson take the record and the world title with an emotional 328-kilogram (723-pound) deadlift. This record has since been extended to 330 kilograms (727.5 pounds) by Kjell Bakkelund at the European Powerlifting Federation (EPF) European Classic Championships (ECC).
On Jan. 3, 2024, Monigatti shared a training update to his Instagram page wherein he deadlifted an impressive 345 kilograms (760.5 pounds) — 15 kilograms (33 pounds) over the current IPF raw world record. Check it out below:
Monigatti deadlifted in a toes-forward sumo stance and used a lifting belt to increase intra-abdominal pressure. With little preamble, he took the barbell in a mixed grip and began the pull. His legs shook at the midpoint of the lift, but that was the only sign of effort. He pulled to a solid lockout.
This lift is a long way over the IPF raw deadlift world record recently set by Bakkelund in Estonia. However, it’s not clear what Monigatti’s body weight was at the time of the lift. He will lift in the 74-kilogram class at the 2024 Sheffield Powerlifting Championships on Feb. 10, 2024, but had lifted in the 83-kilogram class for years before cutting to the 74-kilogram class at the 2023 CWC, where he achieved his career-ever finish in the Open category.
At 2024 Sheffield, Monigatti will face Johansson again, duking it out for prize money awarded on the basis of IPF world records broken. Monigatti seems within reach of the IPF raw squat and raw deadlift world records, each of which awards a £5,000 (approximately $6,300) bonus if achieved.
The big prize money is attached to the highest proportion of the total world record. Bakkelund pushed the IPF raw total record to a whopping 800 kilograms (1,764 pounds) at the 2023 EPF ECC, which is more than either Monigatti or Johansson have ever achieved in this weight class. £25,000 (approximately $31,600) is a powerful incentive, though, and both Monigatti and Johansson will give everything in pursuit of this prize.
Watch Sheffield 24 on SBD Apparel’s YouTube channel for free on Feb. 10, 2024.
Featured image: @tim_monigatti on Instagram
