Superheavyweight powerlifting superstar Jesus Olivares is leaving nothing behind as he prepares to return to the UK to defend his title at the 2024 Sheffield Powerlifting Championships. Last year, Olivares took home £30,000 in prize money for his raw total (in knee sleeves) of 1,152.5 kilograms (2,541 pounds) — more than anyone else on the planet.
Olivares’ raw deadlift world record in the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) stands at 410 kilograms (904 pounds). He seems likely to blow right past that number at the 2024 Sheffield, judging by his recent deadlift progress in training. Check out Olivares’ colossal 426-kilogram (939-pound) deadlift — a staggering 16 kilograms more than the IPF raw world record — published on his Instagram page on Jan. 19, 2024, below:
Using only a lifting belt to assist with intra-abdominal pressure, Olivares set up in his familiar conventional stance and took the barbell in a mixed grip. The bar moved well, and Olivares showed no sign of struggle or a sticking point, suggesting that he had not yet found his limit.
Olivares subsequently posted a side view of the same lift. Check it out below:
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At the 2023 Sheffield Championships, Olivares broke the deadlift world record twice. On his second attempt, Olivares locked out 399 kilograms (880 pounds), breaking Ray Williams’ long-standing deadlift world record.
With more left in the tank, Olivares took 410 kilograms (904 pounds) for his final lift. It was initially turned down by the referees, two-to-one, for soft lockout. However, the jury disagreed and awarded the lift to the rapture of the two thousand-strong crowd who cheered the roof off Sheffield City Hall.
Perfection is unattainable, but improvement is in reach.
Olivares will next lift at the 2024 Sheffield Championships on Feb. 10, 2024. This competition has an unusual format in which 12 male athletes and 12 female athletes from various weight classes compete together and are scored on the proportion of the total world record in their class achieved on the day. The highest proportion takes the top prize of £25,000 (nearly $32,000). Bonuses of £5,000 (approximately $6,350) are given for any Open class IPF world record broken.
Olivares seems within reach of the squat world record. During his contest prep, Olivares surpassed his deadlift world record by an incredible 16 kilograms (35 pounds) — notably, he will not have to cut any weight as he competes in the superheavyweight class. If Olivares breaks the raw squat and raw deadlift world records at the 2024 Sheffield, he will surely break his total world record as well. A first-place finish, comprised of squat, deadlift, and total world records, would bag Olivares £40,000 (approximately $50,800).
The 2024 Sheffield promises to be an exciting event. It can watched for free on SBD Apparel’s YouTube channel on Feb. 10, 2024.
Featured image: @mega.gojira on Instagram
