Four-time International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) world champion Jesus Olivares is a must-watch talent anytime he’s around a barbell. The 26-year-old has built a dominant powerlifting reputation in the 120+ kilogram weight class.
Last February, Olivares achieved an IPF world record raw squat of 478 kilograms (1,053.8 pounds) at the 2024 Sheffield Powerlifting Championships. In an Instagram post shared on May 14, 2025, he reignited that excitement with a 440-kilogram (970 pounds) squat single in training. Check it out below:
Olivares will represent the United States in the Men’s classic super heavyweight category at the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China, scheduled for August 14-17, where he’ll compete against seven of the world’s best. His commanding win at the 2024 IPF Classic World Championship cemented his route to this event.
Olivares’ Near-1,000-Pound Squat
Proper back squat mechanics, controlled breathing, and a few gym accessories can go a long way. (1) With black knee sleeves, tightly wound wrist wraps, and a weightlifting belt to stabilize his core and spine, Olivares put those fundamentals to work, lifting the load without a grunt or significant struggle.
“A person in duress falls to their level of training, so if I train to comp standard, then all the better,” Olivares explained. Thus, his training always reflects the intensity needed on a competition day.
How Olivares Accomplished the Lift
- Shelved the barbell, retracting his shoulder blades and engaging the traps.
- Took a two-step walkout with his feet positioned slightly wider than shoulder-width.
- Tightened his core for the descent, propelled his hips back, and kept a mostly upright torso.
- Even with the slight bar whip, he controlled the ascent and kept his shins vertical.
[Related: When Should You Increase Weight on the Barbell?]
Olivares’ latest 440-kilogram squat shows he’s staying consistent with training intensity and focused on technique refinement, ingredients he’ll need to craft another world record-breaking recipe.
Singles are holding on alongside all this crazy volume. I can’t see the future, but I have faith that this will be the craziest peak of my life.
—Jesus Olivares
One week later, Olivares locked out a 455-kilogram (1,003-pound) squat, which can be seen below:
Olivares’ training trend suggests that all signs point to his peak arriving in Chengdu this August.
Reference
- Lander JE, Simonton RL, Giacobbe JK. The effectiveness of weight-belts during the squat exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1990;22(1):117-126. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2304406/
Featured image: @mega.gojira on Instagram
