Powerlifter, amateur bodybuilder, and arm-wrestler Larry Wheels is known for making headlines by setting crazy personal records. He did so again on May 31, 2022, when he posted a video on Instagram, wherein he performed a colossal deadlift triple with 422 kilograms (930 pounds) on the barbell.
Check out the video below. For the lift, Wheels wore a lifting belt and used lifting straps, opting to lift in socks. During all three reps, Wheels utilized a hitch to help lock out the barbell — a move forbidden in sanctioned powerlifting competition but legal in strongman.
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[Related: Watch Bobb Matthews (100KG) Lift an Unofficial USAPL Record by Deadlifting 383.5 Kilograms (845.5 Pounds)]
Wheels did not appear to be wearing any type of lifting suit. He claimed this set was a PR, posting in the caption that he weighed 125 kilograms (275 pounds) at the time it was performed. Strongman coach and promoter Mark Boyd can be seen in the background of the video cheering Wheels on. Boyd revealed in an Instagram post of his own that he’s been working with Wheels on his programming.
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[Related: Pro Bodybuilder Joe Mackey Deadlifts 850 Pounds at Iron Wars VI]
Larry Wheels deadlifting 422 kilograms x 3 after 8 weeks of solid programming tripling his previous 1-rep max.
According to Open Powerlifting, Wheels’ best raw deadlift in powerlifting competition (without straps) is 400 kilograms (881.9 pounds) at the 2018 USPA Kern US Open. To date, Wheels has yet to perform in a deadlift event in a strongman competition.
On May 3, 2022, Wheels pulled 425 kilograms (937 pounds) and teased that he is preparing for a deadlift PR in August. Prior to that, he joined forces with IFBB Pro women’s bodybuilder Kiera Aston for a training session. The 2022 Middle East’s Strongest Man is set to take place on Aug. 27-28, 2022 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. According to Strongman Archives, the events are as follows.
- Max Deadlift
- Log Lift
- Medley
- Truck Pull
- Atlas Stones
If Wheels competes, it would be his first full strongman competition. He has competed in a single event — the 2019 World Log Lift Championship. Wheels successfully pressed 202.5 kilograms (446.4 pounds) overhead, which tied him for fifth place. Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou won that contest thanks to a lift of 220 kilograms (485 pounds).
The final event of the 2022 Middle East’s Strongest Man contest may be the most troubling for Wheels. In 2019, he suffered a biceps tear while trying to lift Atlas Stones. He had since recovered from that injury, but it’s unknown if he’s worked with the implements since. Regardless, the expectation he teased is a massive deadlift heavier than he’s ever lifted before — it could very well be his attempt at joining the 1,000-pound deadlift club.
Featured image: @larrywheels on Instagram
