Superheavyweight powerlifter Kate Sweatman has long been recognized as one of the top equipped bench pressers in the UK. However, she also has a big squat. At the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) 2023 World Equipped Championships (WEC) in Druskininkai, Lithuania, she finally demonstrated her true potential on the platform.
Sweatman hit a 250.5-kilogram (552-pound) squat in February 2023 at the British Powerlifting (BP) 2023 British Equipped Championships (BEC), giving a glimpse of what might be attainable. In the past, Sweatman has made big squats but struggled on the bench press or hit big benches at events where she encountered difficulty on squats. Finally, Sweatman put it together when it mattered most, scoring a UK single-ply squat record of 270 kilograms (595 pounds).
Check out highlights from Sweatman’s performance at the 2023 WEC below, courtesy of the IPF Instagram page:
[Related: Jarosław Olech (74KG) Wins His 18th IPF Open World Title at 2023 IPF World Equipped Championships]
2023 IPF World Equipped Championships Results — Kate Sweatman, +84KG
- Squat
- 250 kilograms (551 pounds)
- 260 kilograms (573 pounds) — BP Equipped British Record
- 270 kilograms (595 pounds) — BP Equipped British Record
- Bench Press
- 210 kilograms (463 pounds)
- 220 kilograms (485 pounds) — BP Equipped British record
230.5 kilograms (508 pounds)
- Deadlift
167.5 kilograms (369 pounds)- 167.5 kilograms (369 pounds)
- 180 kilograms (397 pounds)
- Total — 670 kilograms (1,477 pounds) — BP Equipped British record
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Sweatman made her 250-kilogram (551-pound) opening squat look easy. The 260 kilograms (573 pounds) on her second scored her the UK single-ply record. Sweatman locked out 270 kilograms (595 pounds) for her final attempt, ascending the UK record further, extending her own BP British record, and netting her the bronze medal on squat.
Sweatman moved into the overall lead after her first bench press of 210 kilograms (463 pounds). Her second bench press at 220 kilograms (485 pounds) gave her a new British record, but she could not lock out the 230.5 kilograms (508 pounds) that would have been an IPF world record and UK record. Still, it was enough for the bench press gold medal.
Moving into the deadlift, Sweatman held the lead, but her closest rival, Iceland’s Sóley Margrét Jónsdóttir, closed the gap with a bigger deadlift opener. After their second attempts, both lifters held a 657.5 kilogram (1,450 pound) total, with Jónsdóttir ahead by means of lighter bodyweight.
Sweatman locked out 180 kilograms (397 pounds) on her final deadlift and had a few tense moments, waiting for Jónsdóttir’s final pull. The Icelandic lifter gave it everything she had — her whole body shook as she tried to lock out 212.5 kilograms (468.5 pounds) to take the win, but it was not to be.
Sweatman is the British team’s first equipped open world champion since 2009 and their first female winner since 1992. Sweatman’s total stands as the UK single-ply record. She is expected to next compete at the 2024 BEP in Newark, UK, on February 25, 2024, to begin the long campaign to qualify for the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China.
Featured image: @weightykate on Instagram
