We’ll clarify this from the start: While Ray Williams was the first person to squat over 1,000 pounds raw, without wraps in USAPL competition, his massive and historic squat didn’t set a world record because it wasn’t done in international competition.
Earlier today, Nauru’s Jezza Uepa squatted 455kg raw (without wraps) at the sia/Oceania Classic Powerlifting & Bench Press Championship in Christchurch, New Zealand, making him the first to set an IPF World Record squat over 1,000 pounds. Check out the video of his successful attempt below.
Uepa finished 5 for 9 on the day with a 262.5kg bench and 305kg deadlift for a 1,022.5kg raw total. He actually attempted 460kg on his third attempt squat and had a close miss (see below).
Uepa made internet waves a few weeks ago when he started a new Instagram account and began posting massive training PRs, including a ridiculous 470kg back squat.
We look forward to some epic battles between Uepa and Ray Williams in the years to come. A ridiculous but true fact: There are currently TWO IPF lifters squatting over 1,000 pounds raw. Expect these records to tick up and up over the next few seasons of powerlifting competition.
Featured image: @theipf on Instagram