Some folks may consider Rudy Kadlub a difficult guy to birthday shop for. The world champion powerlifter is the CEO and Co-Owner of Kabuki Strength — so he doesn’t need any barbells, kettlebells, or dumbbells. That may be why he decided to take matters into his own hands. On April 10, 2021, Kadlub gave himself a birthday gift that any powerlifter would flip for — a new unofficial world record. At 72 years old, he pulled 235.8 kilograms (520 pounds), raw, which is two pounds over his current Masters’ deadlift world record. (The lift was done in the gym, so it isn’t a verified record.)
You can see Kadlub’s epic pull in the video below, courtesy of Kabuki Strength:
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With Kanye West’s “Stronger” booming over the footage, Kadlub can be seen strapping on his “anti-fragile” weightlifting belt and ripping the loaded barbell from a sumo stance. Of course, this is just another day at the office for Kadlub.
According to Open Powerlifting, Kadlub’s first reported meet was in 2006 —15 years ago. His lowest placing ever was fifth. From 2013 onward, Kadlub has never placed lower than first. During his storied career, Kadlub has competed in three different weight classes: 90, 100, and 110 kilograms. (in raw, with wraps, and equipped classes) Since 2019, Kadlub has been competing in the Masters 70-74 division. In his most recent competition — the 2020 USPA Drug-Tested North American Championships on Nov. 6, 2020 — Kadlub set International Powerlifting League (IPL) world records in the squat, deadlift, bench press, and total. During that competition, he competed in the 110-kilogram weight class.
Here are his world records from that meet:
- Squat — 195 kilograms (430 pounds)
- Bench Press — 137 kilograms (303 pounds)
- Deadlift — 235 kilograms (518 pounds)
- Total — 567 kilograms (1,251 pounds)
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Kadlub is darn impressive in the gym too. As the caption in Kabuki Strength’s post states, setting PRs is a recent birthday tradition for the CEO. On his 71st birthday, Kadlub pulled 500 pounds. The year before that, at 70 years old, he deadlifted 505 for two singles. Also of note: on April 6, 2021, the septuagenarian also squatted 172 kilograms (380 pounds) for seven reps.
His next birthday is precisely a year away, but it’ll be interesting to see what PR Kadlub sets for his 73rd trip around the sun. Until then, he had these words of wisdom:
“If you’ve ever thought to yourself, “I’m too _____ to lift and get stronger,” well, get that s*** out of your head right now because there is always more.”
Featured image: @kabukstrength on Instagram
