Dave Ricks is already a legend in the powerlifting community, but his performance at the 2021 USA Powerlifting (USAPL) Nationals proves that, at 61 years old, he’s still got plenty left in the tank. On June 18, 2021, Ricks took the platform in Daytona, FL, competing in the Masters Over 60 division at 93 kilograms. He set two American Records in that division, in the squat and bench press.
The summary of Rick’s best lifts is below. All three of his lifts can be seen in the Instagram post shared by King of the Lifts.
- Squat — 317.5 kilograms (700 pounds), New American Record
- Bench Press — 202.5 kilograms (446.5 pounds), New American Record
- Deadlift — 282.5 kilograms (623 pounds)
- Total — 802.5 kilograms (1,769.5 pounds)
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Squat Recap
Ricks went three for three on the opening lift of the meet. After completing the opening lift of 287.5 kilograms, he moved up to 305 kilograms, which was also called a good lift. It was at this point that he made the 12.5 kilograms jump to the 317.5 kilograms he was able to lift on his final attempt. This lift is the new American Masters Over 60 record, breaking his old mark of 310 kilograms that he set at the Arnold Sports Festival in 2019. According to Open Powerlifting, this is also an unofficial world record at 100 kilograms, which Ricks owns at 310 kilograms. Because this is a National meet, it does not count as a world record.
Bench Press Recap
After all squat flights were completed, the bench press was next. Ricks once again went three for three, starting with an opening lift of 182.5 kilograms. His second attempt was another good lift with 195 kilograms on the bar. He then added 7.5 kilograms to the bar. The final lift of 202.5 kilograms was also called good by the judges, and it also set another American record for his division by five kilograms. The old record of 197.5 kilograms was set by Ricks at the Arnold two years ago as well.
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Deadlift Recap
Ricks went two for three on the deadlift, with two good lifts of 257.5 kilograms and 282.5 kilograms. He then made a monumental 25 kilogram jump to 307.5 kilograms, but he was unsuccessful. Had he completed that lift, he would’ve broken his American Masters total record of 817.5 kilograms. His performance overall was enough to place him 10th in the Open division.
The USAPL is a part of the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) who only recognizes world records in international competition. That said, had this been an international meet, Ricks’ squat and bench would’ve both been world records for his category as well.
Ricks wasn’t the only powerlifting legend putting on a show in Daytona. Earlier in the week, Jen Thompson had won her 50th career National level event by taking the Masters bench press contest with a lift of 125 kilograms.
Featured Image: @ricks.david on Instagram
