At this point, it should go without saying that when the powerlifting world turns its attention to 110-kilogram lifter Jamal Browner, barbells with an obscene number of weight plates will somehow defy gravity and travel over his knees. On March 15, 2022, that was the case again when Browner locked out a staggering 420 kilograms (925.9 pounds) deadlift raw in a conventional stance.
Not only was this lift a conventional PR for Browner, but it got the attention of two-time World’s Strongest Man (WSM) finalist Nick Best. Best took to Browner’s comment section to suggest to Giants Live owner Colin Bryce that Browner’s lift might be worthy of an invite to the 2022 World Deadlift Championships (WDC) scheduled to take place during the 2022 Giants Live World Open on Aug. 6, 2022. Take a look at what impressed Best so much in the video below, courtesy of Browner’s Instagram page:
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The lift in the above video is raw, but Browner did not use any equipment other than a lifting belt — no knee sleeves, no wrist wraps. Browner has been deadlifting weight in this range for quite some time. In a sumo stance, he’s hit a 476.3-kilogram (1,050-pound) lift, a 455-kilogram (1,003-pound) deadlift with straps, and the all-time raw deadlift world record at 110-kilograms — 440.5 kilograms (971 pounds). However, sumo squats are not permitted in strongman competition, so there wasn’t a fair way to compare Browner to the max deadlifts of elite strongmen.
Then Browner hit a 410-kilogram (903.9-pound) deadlift raw in a conventional stance in early February 2022, and rumblings began — speculating about how Browner might stack up against elite strongmen who are more than 100 pounds heavier than him. Nick Best apparently thinks he could be the lone non-strongman athlete to compete at the 2022 WDC. Judging from Browner’s training lifts, he could potentially fare quite well in that environment as he would notably not have to make weight as he usually does for a powerlifting competition, and the WDC featured equipped deadlifts.
We’ll see if Browner’s latest lift opens the door to elite strongman competition — it would undoubtedly be a sight to see Browner potentially go lift-for-lift with WSM champions. Until then, safe to assume Browner will continue down the training road towards joining the 1,000-pound conventional deadlift club.
Featured image: @jamal_b15