Powerlifter Rudy Kadlub continues to defy the aging process. When he was 70 years old, he deadlifted 229.1 kilograms (505 pounds). In 2020, at age 71, he set four world records at the United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) Drug-Tested North American Championships. And at age 72, he deadlifted 235.8 kilograms (520 pounds) and squatted 172.4 kilograms (380 pounds) for a set of seven reps.
On June 29, 2021, Kadlub posted a video to his Instagram page of himself squatting 200 kilograms (440.9 pounds) while wearing wraps — one kilogram shy of the current Masters (70-74) squat world record in the 110-kilogram weight class held by Jean-Paul Belmas. That record is the target of Kadlub, who stated his goal of beating it in July. Check it out:
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[Related: Powerlifter Jimmy Kolb Bench Presses All-Time World Record, 508 Kilograms Equipped]
I’m just building towards that new WR attempt at USPA Nationals.
The 2021 Drug Tested USPA National Championships* are currently scheduled for July 12-16 in Palm Springs, CA. Kadlub will compete on the final day of the competition. Based on his competition success over the past decade, it is safe to assume that Kadlub is a near-lock for the gold. The 72-year old has not lost a competition since he was 61 — a seventh-place finish at the 2010 American Powerlifting Federation Amateur & Raw Nationals. Since then, Kadlub has won 16 of the 17 sanctioned powerlifting meets he’s competed in, according to Open Powerlifting. His only blemish was a disqualification at the 2012 World Powerlifting Congress World Championships.
*Note: USPA is affiliated with the International Powerlifting League (IPL).
Rudy Kadlub’s Best Lifts
The 2021 Drug Tested USPA National Championships will be Kadlub’s fourth contest in the 110-kilogram class. Here are Kadlub’s competition best lifts at that weight, all of which he scored at the 2020 Drug Tested North American Championships:
- Squat — 195 kilograms (429.9 pounds)
- Bench Press — 137.5 kilograms (303.1 pounds)
- Deadlift — 235 kilograms (518.1 pounds)
- Total — 567.5 kilograms (1,251.1 pounds)
Kadlub has squatted heavier than Jean-Paul Belmas’s current world record before. His personal competition record squat in the raw with wraps category is 205 kilograms (452 pounds). However, he hit that at age 69 in the 100-kilogram class at the 2018 IPL Drug Tested World Championships. Assuming he is at competition bodyweight in his recent Instagram post, he has already surpassed his previous competition-best squat — a USPA record — by five kilograms.
Kadlub’s progress over the last two years is indicative that when he steps onto the lifting state in Palm Springs, the Masters (70-74) squat world record is likely to be different after he steps off it.
Feature image: @rudykadlub on Instagram
