Natalie Laalaai burst onto the international powerlifting scene at the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) 2023 Classic World Championships (CWC). At that competition, she broke the IPF raw deadlift world record in the +84-kilogram class with a whopping 268 kilograms (591 pounds. She narrowly missed a subsequent attempt at 275.5 kilograms (607 pounds).
Laalaai lifted at the 2023 Australian Powerlifting Union (APU) Western Australia State Championships (WASC) on Dec. 3, 2023, and set a new raw Australian deadlift record of 272.5 kilograms (601 pounds). It’s an unofficial IPF raw world record — it’s the biggest raw deadlift in the IPF and even matches the heaviest-ever-equipped deadlift. However, since it was not performed on an international contest platform, it is not considered an official world record. Check out the lift below, courtesy of Laalaai’s Instagram page:
Laalaai shook out her arms as she prepared to make the lift, setting up in her conventional stance. She took the barbell in a mixed grip. Using only a lifting belt to aid her, she dropped her hips and began the pull. The lift looked smooth, only slowing down at lockout. When the verdict came in, the whole room erupted into cheers and applause, and Laalaai took a well-deserved hug from her coach.
2023 APU Western Australia State Championships Results — Natalie Laalaai, +84KG
- Squat
- 232.5 kilograms (512.5 pounds)
- 245 kilograms (540 pounds)
- 255 kilograms (562 pounds)
- Bench Press
- 115 kilograms (253.5 pounds)
- 120 kilograms (264.5 pounds)
- 125 kilograms (275.5 pounds)
- Deadlift
- 247.5 kilograms (545.5 pounds)
- 260 kilograms (573 pounds)
- 272.5 kilograms (601 pounds) — unofficial IPF Raw Open World Record
- Total — 637.5 kilograms (1405.5 pounds)
Although 268 kilograms (591 pounds) stands as the IPF world record, it was not the heaviest deadlift that Laalaai had achieved in competition. In the IPF, international records can only be broken at international events. Laalaai had previously set an Australian record with 270 kilograms (595 pounds) at the aptly named local meet, 2023 Night of Champions. This was the biggest raw deadlift ever achieved in women’s competition in the IPF.
Laalaai has exceeded that number and can say that no woman in the IPF has deadlifted more. She must wait until her next international contest to attempt to extend her world record.
Laalaai will next lift at her national championships in Australia, where she aims to qualify for the 2024 IPF CWC in Druskininkai, Lithuania. It will be an important event as she will have an opportunity to advance her deadlift world record and potentially qualify for the 2025 Sheffield Powerlifting Championships. Perhaps the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China, are also in the cards.
Featured image: @natbubs on Instagram
