The 2022 World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) The American Pro meet is scheduled for the weekend of July 29-30, 2022, at the Salisbury Center in Manassas, VA. One lifter many fans are excited to see compete is John Haack. He added to that anticipation by posting a video on his Instagram page wherein he bench pressed 272.5 kilograms (600 pounds) in training.
It was a touch-and-go rep, so it is doubtful it would get the green light from a judge in competition, but it still indicates how strong Haack feels as he closes in on the meet. The massive lift can be seen in the video below:
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[Related: Powerlifter Kristy Hawkins (75KG) Deadlifts 285-Kilogram (628.3-Pound) Raw PR In Training]
Haack’s training partner and coach, Andy Huang, served as the spotter for Haack on this attempt. Once Haack lowered the bar to his chest, he immediately pressed it back up. It takes him just over four seconds to lock out the elbows before returning the bar to the rack. Since Haack intends to compete in the 90-kilogram class at the 2022 WRPF The American Pro, this bench press was slightly over three times his competition body weight.
According to Open Powerlifting, Haack is the current world record holder and the WRPF world record holder for the bench in the 90-kilogram class, with a lift of 262.9 kilograms (579.8 pounds). He set that mark at the 2021 WRPF The Bucked Up Showdown. That is 15 kilograms more than the second place holder, Erbol Nauanov.
Haack’s prep for this meet has seemingly been successful. On July 9, 2022, he squatted 355 kilograms (782.6 pounds) raw — 15 kilograms over his current competition personal best. On July 19, 2022, Haack posted a YouTube video wherein he deadlifted 390 kilograms (860 pounds) in, what he called, his final heavy deadlift session. That can be seen at the 2:41 mark of the video below:
Haack also holds the current world record deadlift at 90 kilograms — a pull of 402.5 kilograms (887.3 pounds). He pulled 410 kilograms (903 pounds) in December 2021 during an appearance in the United Kingdom.
Based on Haack’s recently posted numbers from his training, the fans attending the 2022 WRPF The American Pro could be in for a legendary performance in the Old Dominion State. He’s already the all-time world record holder in the total. Perhaps he will bump that up as well.
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