On Feb. 6, 2021, super heavyweight powerlifter Nathan Baptist performed an all-time world record (ATWR) squat of 594.7 kilograms (1,311 pounds) in a multi-ply suit and knee wraps. The lift took place at the 2021 United Powerlifting Association (IPA) Kick-Off Meet at PSM Barbell in Clearfield, UT. This lift makes Baptist the second person ever to lift over 589.8 kilograms (1,300 pounds) — the first was Brian Carroll.
Before we dive into the recent history of the ATWR, check out the 36-year-old Baptist’s new ATWR squat on his third attempt in the video below courtesy of Gregory M. Baptist’s Facebook page:
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As is the case with these immensely heavy lifts, it is difficult to see if sufficient depth was achieved during a lift without a precise video angle. Per the current UPA rules on UPA’s website regarding the proper depth of a successful squat: “the lifter must bend the knees and lower the body until the top surface of the legs at the hip joint are lower than the top of knees.”
As this was a UPA sanctioned event, the official referee deemed Baptist did break the required hip-to-knee parallel in order for the lift to count.
All-Time World Record Squat
Baptist’s squat is 2.4 kilograms more than the previous ATWR squat of 592.3 kilograms (1,306 pounds) successfully hit by Brian Carroll at the Revolution Powerlifting Syndicate (RPS) Gene Rychlak Jr. Pro Invitational in the 140-kilogram weight class. It is worth noting that Carroll and Baptist don’t compete in the same weight class. While Carroll competes in the 140-kilogram class, Baptist competes in the +140-kilogram class.
Competing in different classes means that although Carroll claimed the ATWR in October 2020, Baptist still held the world record squat in the +140-kilogram class — a 580-kilogram (1,287-pound) lifted at the 2020 UPA Kick-Off Meet. If you did not get a chance to see that lift, you can do so in the video below from PowerliftingLegends YouTube channel:
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Looking Forward
With only two powerlifters in history ever breaking the 1,300-pound milestone, it is not clear if anyone will be able to best Baptist’s squat in the near future. We look forward to seeing if Carroll can retake the record or if someone else can step up their game to become the third athlete ever to lift over 1,300 pounds.
Feature image via PowerliftingLegends’ YouTube channel
