Although Tiffany Chapon and Heather Connor were the first to break records at the 2023 IPF World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships, Brian Le has now opened up the gates for the men. Competing on the second day of the competition in Valletta, Malta, Brian wowed everyone watching. His debut at the IPF Worlds also got a bit more special when he set a new U66KG Raw Deadlift IPF World Record of 300.5 kilograms (662.5 pounds).
Brian Le deadlifted 300.5 kilograms (662.5 pounds) on his first attempt. He then tried to further advance the record with his remaining two attempts, but both were unsuccessful. However, his first attempt was good enough to become an IPF World Record in the 66-kilogram weight class.
Hassan El Belghiti previously held the U66KG Raw Deadlift IPF World Record, having pulled 297.5 kilograms (655.9 pounds) at the 2018 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships. So, having broken the record, Brian Le is the first man in the 66-kilogram weight class to deadlift over the 300-kilogram (661.4-pound) mark.
Brian Le weighed in at 65.25 kilograms (143.9 pounds) for the 2023 IPF World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships. He then went on to miss one squat and bench press attempt, as well as two deadlift attempts. So, it is clear that he aimed to lift heavier in all three events. However, he still managed to claim a silver medal for his second-place finish overall.
Squat
230 kilograms (507.1 pounds)
242.5 kilograms (534.6 pounds)
Unsuccessful — 247.5 kilograms (545.6 pounds)
Bench Press
147.5 kilograms (325.2 pounds)
152.5 kilograms (336.2 pounds)
Unsuccessful — 155 kilograms (341.7 pounds)
Deadlift
300.5 kilograms (662.5 pounds) — U66KG IPF World Record
Data Source: Open Powerlifting. Last Updated: April 12, 2023
The 2023 IPF World Classic Open Powerlifting Championship was Brian Le’s 13th-sanctioned powerlifting appearance. He has won nine competitions to date, including National and State titles. Brian has an impressive resume for someone his age, given that he is only 24 years old. Based on his remarkable progress, it’s highly probable that he will continue to achieve more milestones with each new competition he enters.
Brian Le was already one of the most promising powerlifting prospects in the world, but his second-place finish at the 2023 IPF Worlds proves that he will reach the top spot sooner or later. The only man who managed to outperform him this time was the great Tarinidis Panagiotis. However, Brian still set a new World Record and almost beat Panagiotis as well.
