In case you missed it, world record holding powerlifter Larry “Wheels” Williams competed in his first bodybuilding contest over the weekend and won best overall. For months, powerlifters and bodybuilders had speculated how Williams would fair in his first ever bodybuilding show, and now we have the answer.
On February 3rd, Williams competed in the NPC Gold Coast Muscle Classic in California.
In his Instagram post from a day ago Williams writes, “1st place overall! Loved the experience I had at my first show. This won’t be my last! Full show video coming on YouTube tomorrow morning! Now to prep for the US OPEN MAY 15th!”
It was in June of last year that Williams first announced that he’d be temporarily making the switch to bodybuilding for a few months. As it turns out, those few months turned into a seven month bodybuilding (while also powerlifting) prep to winning his first show, and as Williams stated above, it’s definitely not his last.
If you want to check out the full bodybuilding show recap shared on Williams’ YouTube channel, then we’ve embedded the video below.
Williams also mentioned above in his Instagram description that he plans to compete in the Kern US Open, which is being held in May. This year’s US Open is being hosted in San Diego, and has over $250,000 in cash prizes for the respective sports competitions being held over the weekend of May 12-13th. The powerlifting competition is invite only and hosts some of sport’s best lifters from around the world.
At last year’s US Open, Williams fell under his final squat attempt of 793 lbs. It appeared to be a fluke mishap and he sustained an injury to his quad. Heading into this year’s Open, it’s going to be interesting to see how Williams does. He currently holds the 242 lb and 275 lb all-time world record total in sleeves.
Will he be able to best his current records?
Feature image from @larrywheels Instagram page.
