The 2022 United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) Raw Pro is gearing up to be a world-record-thon, and 90-kilogram lifter Samantha Rice is the first across the finish line.
On Sept. 24, 2022, Rice broke the Raw All-Time World Record in her division with a squat of 257.5 kilograms (567 pounds) at the North Kansas City, MO meet. Watch the lift in the clip below, courtesy of the stream by Strong Barbell Club.
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Rice wore a lifting belt, wrist wraps, and knee sleeves, which are all approved equipment in the raw division. Rice set the new record on her third and final squat attempt and was met with three white lights (which signal a “good” lift in powerlifting). Her previous two attempts of 240 kilograms (529.2 pounds) and 252.5 kilograms (556.75 pounds) were also good lifts. Rice was offered an opportunity for a fourth lift to extend the record, but it was declined.
According to Open Powerlifting, Amanda Lawrence previously held the record with a 256-kilogram (564.3-pound) lift at the 2020 USAPL Gainsgiving Open.
Rice’s previous competition best was 250 kilograms (551 pounds), set at the 2022 USPA Hybrid Showdown 4 meet in Miami, FL. That lift was second all-time before her new lift went on record.
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Her best bench press is 157.5 kilograms (347.2 pounds), which is currently third all-time in the 90-kilogram raw division. And Rice’s best deadlift is 273.5 kilograms (602.9 pounds), which is also a current all-time world record. Both of those personal records were also set at the Hybrid Showdown 4. The 2022 USPA Raw Pro is her first competition since the Hybrid Showdown 4. Rice’s 681-kilogram total (1,501 pounds) is currently the highest of any female 90-kilogram raw lifter.
As of this writing, the USPA Raw Pro is still taking place. Stay tuned to BarBend for more news about the meet. If Rice’s squat performance is an indicator, she may not be done setting new PRs and world records.
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Fans interested in watching the meet live can view the stream above.
Featured Image: Strong Barbell Club on YouTube
