The world-record-holding powerlifter in the superheavyweight division, Tamara Walcott, showed off her strength in a new way on Jan. 3, 2023. Walcott posted a video to her Instagram page wherein she hoisted a new log lift PR overhead.
Of course, this is worthy of a double-take because the log press is not one of the big three lifts — squat, bench press, deadlift — performed in sanctioned powerlifting meets. The practice — and success — in a new discipline teases Walcott’s potential entry into a sanctioned strongwoman competition during the 2023 season.
Walcott wore a lifting belt and wrist wraps during her log press PR. Check it out below:
[Related: Mark Rosenberg Locks Out World Record Jefferson Deadlift of 910 Pounds]
When BarBend reached out to Walcott regarding the weight of her log press PR and whether or not she intended to compete in a strongwoman contest in 2023, she did not disclose specifics for either. However, she did say that she and her team are “taking a different approach with this prep” and that details would follow once that unnamed competition is over. While that doesn’t reveal whether the mentioned competition is powerlifting or strongwoman, it does open the door for discussion as to how one of the strongest powerlifters on the planet would fare in an elite strongwoman competition.
Given that Walcott is the world record deadlift holder of 290 kilograms (639.3 pounds), eclipsed that record by 21 pounds in training in late July 2022, and has the Elephant Bar deadlift record of 641 pounds, scored at the 2022 Rogue Record Breakers event at the 2022 Arnold Sports Festival, pulling strength will be amongst the best regardless of who she is competing against. Likewise, Walcott’s recent log lift PR displayed that she has a relatively clean technique and commendable triceps strength.
If Walcott does test her hand in a sanctioned strongwoman contest, it would be safe to bet that she could reach the podium on her sheer strength alone, assuming the events lean more toward max lifts. The additional outlying detail remains unknown: how Walcott would fare in timed events, such as a loading race or a medley? Hopefully, 2023 will give us that answer.
Featured image: @plussize_fitqueen4.0 on Instagram
