Ian Bell is a second-generation powerlifter. Son of the legendary Gene Bell, Ian Bell, has powerlifting running through his veins. Gene Bell was a multiple-time International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) world champion by the time of Ian’s birth, so Ian Bell was born into the iron game.
Ian Bell is no stranger to the top step of the podium, having been Sub-Junior (under 18 years old) world champion in 2010 and Junior (under 23 years of age) world champion three times from 2012-14. He was the bronze medallist in the Open class twice but saw heartache at the 2022 IPF World Equipped Championships (WEC) when he sustained a back injury and failed to make a successful bench press.
Ian Bell held the IPF deadlift world record in the 93-kilogram class but missed a couple of attempts at the 105-kilogram class records. He deadlifted 391 kilograms (862 pounds) at his national championships in 2021. However, in the IPF, an international record can only be broken at an international contest. Though he failed to muster it when it mattered then, that changed at the 2023 WEC when Ian Bell scored a new IPF equipped deadlift record in the 105-kilogram class of 388.5 kilograms (856.5 pounds). Check out the lift in the video below, courtesy of the IPF Instagram page:
[Related: Powerlifter Jamal Browner Deadlifted 1,003 Pounds for 4 Reps]
2023 IPF World Equipped Championships Results — Ian Bell (USA), 105KG
- Squat
- 372.5 kilograms (821 pounds)
- 392.5 kilograms (865 pounds)
397.5 kilograms (876 pounds)
- Bench Press
- 255 kilograms (562 pounds)
- 262.5 kilograms (579 pounds)
- 265 kilograms (584 pounds)
- Deadlift
- 357.5 kilograms (788 pounds)
- 370 kilograms (816 pounds)
- 388.5 kilograms (856.5 pounds) — IPF Equipped World Record
- Total — 1, 046 kilograms (2, 306 pounds)
In the video, Bell wore a single-ply deadlift suit and lifting belt, both of which are permitted in IPF equipped lifting. He set up in a sumo stance, settled his grip, and began the pull. It moved smoothly to lockout, and Bell held the weight for a long moment, even after receiving the “down” command from the judge. After returning the barbell to the platform, he stepped back, threw his arms wide, and took a well-deserved bow.
Bell’s new deadlift record was all the more impressive as it came in the midst of a pitched battle for the 105-kilogram equipped world title. Many-time world champion Sergii Bilyi of Ukraine was 47.5 kilograms (105 pounds) ahead at sub-total, but Bell closed that gap to 30 kilograms (66 pounds) with his opening pull.
Bychkov missed his second deadlift, and Bell brought the margin for the title closer with another fast 370-kilogram (816-pound) lift. When Bychkov missed his third attempt, Bell capitalized, breaking the deadlift world record on his way to victory. Bell plans a long run-in to next year’s WEC, hoping to qualify for the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China, at that event.
Featured image: @theipf on Instagram
