Junior powerlifter Liam Newell sent the fans home happy at the 2023 WRPF American Pro 2 meet in Manassas, VA, on Oct. 27, 2023. On the final lift of the day in the Primetime session, Newell used his third deadlift attempt to set the Junior tested all-time world record in the 90-kilogram weight class with a massive pull of 402.5 kilograms (887.5 pounds).
Newell looked confident as he approached the barbell and had no trouble pulling it up to a standing position. After he returned the barbell to the floor, the audience cheered loudly for him as he held his arms out to his sides.
The 20-year-old weighed in for the meet at 89.8 kilograms (198 pounds), and he went seven for nine for the day. He missed his opening squat attempt of 245 kilograms and his final bench press attempt of 157.5 kilograms.
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According to LiftingCast, the deadlift was the heaviest lift out of all the athletes competing on the opening day of the meet. It beat Jesse Norris’ previous record of 374.1 kilograms (824.9 pounds) by almost 28 kilograms. That record had stood since December 2014 before Newell claimed it. The summary of his best lifts is below, all of which were new personal bests in competition.
- Squat: 275 kilograms (606.3 pounds)
- Bench Press: 150 kilograms (330.7 pounds)
- Deadlift: 402.5 kilograms (887.5 pounds)
- Total: 827.5 kilograms (1,824.5 pounds)
His lift at this meet was the fourth deadlift world record on the day, which began with Sawyer Klatt’s Junior world record lift of 385 kilograms (848.9 pounds), followed by Dorrell Petties’ record of 401 kilograms (884 pounds) in the 140-kilogram tested category, and Nabil Akram Lahlou’s (67.5-kilogram) new record of 325 kilograms (716 pounds).
Live coverage of the 2023 American Pro 2 meet is being streamed for free on the WRPF Americas YouTube channel, courtesy of A1 Digital. Replays will be available following the conclusion of the meet on Sunday, Oct. 29.
Editor’s Note: BarBend and the World Raw Powerlifting Federation Americas have established a Strategic Media Partnership. The two organizations maintain editorial independence unless specified on specific projects.
Featured Image: @theliamnewell on Instagram
