Inderraj Singh Dhillon made his debut on the international stage at the 2022 European Powerlifting Federation (EPF) European Classic Championships (ECC), where he broke the European deadlift record in the 120-kilogram class with 375.5 kilograms (828 pounds). It was quite the impressive start to his international lifting career, but Singh Dhillon was only warming up.
At the 2023 International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) Classic World Championships (CWC), Singh Dhillon deadlifted a phenomenal 386 kilograms (851 pounds) raw for the world record, pulling himself up into third place. Despite those incredible numbers, Singh Dhillon still sought his first international title.
At the 2023 ECC, Singh Dhillon faced a strong challenger in Jonah Wiendieck, but Singh Dhillon deployed his deadlift superpower and pulled an IPF raw world record deadlift of 395.5 kilograms (871.9 pounds) to seal the gold. Check out the lift below, courtesy of the IPF’s Instagram page:
Singh Dhillon deadlifted in a conventional stance, using only a lifting belt to aid him. He stretched his arms wide, bent, and took hold of the barbell in a mixed grip. Once the barbell started moving, the pull appeared smooth to lockout without passing through much of a sticking point. Singh Dhillon stepped back from the bar and pounded his chest when he saw that the lift was good, bellowing back at the noisy crowd.
2023 EPF European Classic Championships Results – Inderraj Singh Dhillon (UK), 120KG
- Squat
- 322.5 kilograms (711 pounds)
- 342.5 kilograms (755 pounds)
- 349 kilograms (769.5 pounds)
- Bench Press
- 175 kilograms (386 pounds)
- 180 kilograms (397 pounds)
- 182.5 kilograms (402 pounds)
- Deadlift
- 347.5 kilograms (766 pounds)
- 380 kilograms (838 pounds)
- 395.5 kilograms (872 pounds) — New IPF World Record
- Total
- 920.5 kilograms (2029 pounds)
Singh Dhillon broke the record during an intense battle for the 120-kilogram class European title with a rising star of powerlifting, Jonah Wiendieck of Germany. Wiendieck had recently competed at the 2023 IPF World Junior Championships (WJC), where he set the IPF Junior world record in the 120-kilogram class with an immense pull of 250.5 kilograms (552 pounds). However, Wiendieck was pipped to the world title by Etienne El Chaer by half a kilogram (one pound).
Singh Dhillon and Wiendieck were closely matched in the squat. They each hit 342.5 kilograms (755 pounds). Wiendieck’s squat was a Junior European record, but the squat bronze went to Singh Dhillon due to his lighter body weight.
Wiendieck was impressive on the bench press. He set a huge lead over Singh Dhillon by locking out 253 kilograms (558 pounds) for a new IPF Junior world record. Singh Dhillon had a 70.5-kilogram (155.5-pound) deficit to the German lifter — a massive gap to close.
Singh Dhillon took over 40 kilograms (88 pounds) out of that deficit with his opening deadlift — 347.5 kilograms (766 pounds) moved super fast. He made a big jump to 380 kilograms (838 pounds) for his second attempt and scored that as well. When Wiendieck missed his final deadlift, Singh Dhillon seized the opportunity, loading a new IPF world record of 395.5 kilograms (872 pounds) on the barbell — the exact number needed to match the Wiendieck and win the overall gold on body weight.
The crowd was on their feet for the world record attempt, and deafening cheers greeted its success. Singh Dillon scored his first European title while simultaneously claiming the IPF raw deadlift record in the 120-kilogram class.
Due to a change in the structure of the EPF calendar, the next ECC is only 14 weeks away in Velika Gorica, Croatia, on March 12-17, 2024. It will be Singh Dhillon’s next opportunity to extend his new deadlift record.
Featured image: @theipf on Instagram
