The 2023 Powerlifting America (AMP) Classic National Championship occurred in Austin, TX, from Feb. 24-26, 2023. The raw powerlifting competition saw some of the best athletes in the USA converge in the lone star state to compete for slots on the US National Team competing slated to compete at the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Open Championships scheduled for June 11-18, 2023, in Valletta, Malta.
One of the elite athletes who secured their spot on the US team is 57-kilogram lifter Natalie Richards. According to Lifting Cast, Richards weighed 56.36 kilograms (124.3 pounds) and won gold via an all-time AMP record raw total of 501.5 kilograms (1,105.6 pounds) against Christina Peracchi and Kaye Johnson.
Richards earned the distinction as the first 57-kilogram competitor in AMP history to achieve eclipse a 500-kilogram raw total. Check out Richards’ top lifts in the video below, courtesy of Powerlifting America’s Instagram page:
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Here are Richards’ full stats from the meet, where she went eight for nine in attempts:
2023 AMP Classic National Championship Results — Natalie Richards (57KG) | Raw
- Squat
- 160 kilograms (352.7 pounds)
- 167.5 kilograms (369.3 pounds)
- 175 kilograms (385.8 pounds)
- Bench Press
- 97.5 kilograms (215 pounds)
- 105 kilograms (231.5 pounds)
110 kilograms (242.5 pounds)
- Deadlift
- 198 kilograms (436.5 pounds)
- 210 kilograms (463 pounds)
- 221.5 kilograms (488.3 pounds)
- Total — 501.5 kilograms (1,105.6 pounds)
Richards’ performance in Austin solidified her as the undisputed queen of the AMP. She holds the heaviest lift in the squat, bench press, deadlift, and total in the federation’s history. All of those AMP records were set at this meet.
When sharing how she felt following her accomplishment on her Instagram page, Richards published a post with the caption that read, “57-kilogram National Champion. We did it.”
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While it is unclear at the time of this article’s publication if Richards intends to compete again before the IPF World Championships in June, she has punched her ticket to compete amongst the world’s best in the 57-kilogram class in Malta.
Richards’ 501.5-kilogram total is within striking distance of the top three totals ever scored in that weight class, suggesting that she will be in contention to not only podium on the world stage but potentially claim gold. It will be Richards’ debut at the IPF World Classic Championships.
