Two-time International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) raw world champion in the 83-kilogram class, Russel Orhii, has made incredible progress in the gym recently. He holds the IPF raw world records in the squat at 320.5 kilograms (706.5 pounds) and total at 841 kilograms (1,854 pounds). It seems hardly a week goes by where he isn’t hitting a PR on squat, bench press, or deadlift.
On Nov. 27, 2023, Orhii posted a video to his Instagram page wherein he hit a raw double squat PR of 342.5 kilograms (755 pounds) — 22 kilograms over his current world record squat. Check it out below:
Orhii squatted the set out of a combo rack, enlisting the support of his training partners to spot him — two at the sides and one at the back. The raw squat double was performed with the aid of knee sleeves, wrist wraps, and a lifting belt. Orhii smiled and appeared relaxed as he approached the barbell, but he was all business once the weight was on his back.
I’m going to keep getting better.
Orhii braced at the top of the lift and began the descent, keeping his chest proud. The first rep of the set moved smoothly. Orhii took a breath and braced again for the second rep. It appeared more difficult during the ascent than the first rep, but Orhii maintained his position and pushed through the sticking point to lockout.
At 342.5 kilograms (755 pounds), Orhii’s training squat double is a massive 22 kilograms (48.5 pounds) above his IPF squat world record set at the Eleiko Headquarters in Halmstad, Sweden at the 2021 IPF World Classic Championships (WCC) en route to his second world championship. Coincidentally, both of Orhii’s world titles were won in Sweden — the 2019 edition was held in Helsingborg, down the Swedish coast from Halmstad.
Orhii has announced his return to the IPF and the 83-kilogram class in 2024. He is expected to compete in a local qualifying meet next in preparation for the Powerlifting America (PA) raw nationals in Reno, NV, on March 14-16, 2024. From there, Orhii is expected to compete at the 2024 IPF WCC in Druskininkai, Lithuania, where he will have the opportunity to qualify for the 2025 Sheffield Championships and the first edition of raw powerlifting at the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China. It’s a long and difficult journey, but Orhii looks ready to take it on.
Featured image: @russwole
