Finland-based powerlifter Zahir Khudayarov has lofty ambitions. He holds the all-time world records in squat and total in the 125KG class, but now seeks to join an elite group who have has squatted 500 kilograms or more.
Khudayarov’s training has been ascendant recently. His squats have been immense. Though he hasn’t competed since 2019, and there was speculation that he had retired, Khudayarov seems to be back to full strength, forging into new territory.
Check out Khudayarov’s training update from his instagram page wherein he squats an incredible 490 kilograms (1,080 pounds) in knee wraps:
The video begins with Khudayarov’s last warm-up squat at 455 kilograms. If done in competition, his warm up lift would rank in the top 20 raw (w/wraps) squats of all time. Despite the huge weight, the squat moved quickly, and appeared within his comfort zone.
Khudayarov then loaded a titanic 490 kilograms for a new personal best attempt. He performed the lift raw in knee wraps and with a lifting belt, but no supportive suit.
Khudayarov walked the weight out of a combo rack; an already impressive feat. Huge wrapped squats are more commonly done in a monolift, where the monolift’s arm is moved out of the way, rather than the athlete having to move their feet.
It took a moment for Khudayarov to steady himself after the walk out. The back spotter offered some stability until Khudayarov signaled that he was ready to begin.
The barbell visibly bent as Khudayarov descended. There was a moment at the bottom of the squat where Khudayarov appeared off line but as soon as he reversed to his upward trajectory, the bar path was on point and he returned to the starting position.
500-Kilogram Squatters
According to OpenPowerlifting, three powerlifters have squatted 500 kilograms or more raw in a full power competition:
- Dan Bell — 505 kilograms
- Vladislav Alhazov — 500 kilograms
- Mojtaba Maleki — 500 kilograms
Khudayarov announced at the end of the video that he would attempt to join this elite group at the Rimini Wellness Experience Show in Rimini, Italy, on June 1, 2024. It’s unclear whether this is part of a sanctioned meet, so it may not be an official all-time world record.
Nevertheless, Khudayarov always puts on an entertaining show, and BarBend will bring you news of a livestream if one is announced. It promises to be quite the spectacle.
Featured image: @zahirkhudayarov on Instagram
