The 2025 European Classic Powerlifting Championships in Malaga, Spain, was highlighted by three lifters achieving world records: Nonso Chinye achieved an IPF deadlift world record in the Men’s 120KG category, Sonita Muluh scored all-time squat and total world records in the Women’s superheavyweight category, and Switzerland’s Vladimir Mbassi’s 234-kilogram bench press world record in the Men’s 105KG category.
While Chinye and Muluh won the overall gold in their respective divisions, Mbassi didn’t even podium in his class. However, his performance changed the record books as he exceeded the previous IPF bench press world record held by Anatolii Novopismennyi by four kilograms.
[Related: How Jamal Browner Fuels His Deadlift Training as a Future Bodybuilder]
Mbassi displayed no signs of difficulty with a world record weight on the barbell during his third bench press attempt. He wore a lifting belt but did not wear wrist wraps as he settled the bar on his chest before launching its ascent to lockout.
Without any doubt that the lift would receive three white lights from the judges, Mbassi threw his fists to the sky in triumph.
Despite his rewriting of the record books, his total of 896.5 kilograms was only sufficient for fourth place overall. The three athletes who bested Mbassi all scored totals that hit or eclipsed 900 kilograms.
2025 European Classic Championships Results — Men’s 105KG
- Corentin Clement — 920 kilograms
- Emil Norling — 912.5 kilograms
- Regin Stergakis — 900 kilograms
- Vladimir Mbassi
- Squat
- 270 kilograms
- 290 kilograms
- 305 kilograms
- Bench Press
- 220 kilograms
- 230 kilograms
- 234 kilograms — IPF World Record
- Deadlift
320 kilograms- 340 kilograms
- 357.5 kilograms
- Total — 896.5 kilograms
- Squat
Mbassi went eight for nine in attempts and fell shy of the podium due to his squat falling 15 kilograms behind the nearest attempt of the three athletes who reached the podium.
More Powerlifting Content
- Taylor Atwood’s Squat Training 4 Weeks out From Powerlifting Nationals
- What the Home Gym of a World Champion Powerlifter Looks Like
- John Haack Bench Presses 501 Pounds 6 Weeks out From the 2025 Ghost Clash III
Featured image: @vlad90m on Instagram
