Powerlifter John Haack Hits a Deadlift PR of 405 Kilograms in Training

John Haack wants to leave nothing to chance at the 2021 World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) Showdown. Just under five weeks before the competition (Sept. 25-26), Haack showed off a 405-kilogram (892-pound) deadlift on his Instagram page. Since Haack’s deadlift was done while training, it can’t count as an official record. But for reference, this deadlift is five kilograms over the current world record at 90 kilograms, held by Cailer Woolam, in the Raw and Raw With Wraps categories. (Note: Woolam has deadlifted 440 kilograms in training before.)


The lift was done raw — meaning the only gear Haack wore was a lifting belt and deadlift shoes. (He was also wearing a pair of wrist wraps.) Check out the video below, posted on August 23, 2021, courtesy of Haack’s Instagram page:




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Twelve days before this video, Haack posted similar footage of him pulling 400 kilograms (which he has done in training before). This 405-kilogram pull, Haack wrote on Instagram, is a PR. Though Haack didn’t disclose his weight at the time of the lift, one can assume he’s close to his competitive bodyweight of 90-kilograms (198 pounds) since he’s about a month out from competition.


Seeking Redemption
The 2021 Showdown is a raw without wraps meet, featuring names like Joe Sullivan, Kevin Oak, Ashton Rouska, Blake Lehew, Jamal Brower, and Chad Penson. It’s Penson who Haack undoubtedly has his sights set on.


In April 2021, Haack and Penson battled for the top spot in their weight class at the 2021 Kern US Open, where they both put on a clinic. In fact, both Haack and Penson scored the all-time heaviest totals in the Raw W/ Wraps category in that meet — Haack posted 970 kilograms, and then Penson tacked on seven and a half more kilos. In doing so, Penson totaled 11 times his body weight at 90 kilograms and became the first man to squat 400 kilograms (881.8 pounds) in that weight class.



Haack attempted a 400-kilogram deadlift twice at the Kern US Open and missed both attempts. Had he successfully pulled 400 kilograms, Haack would have won the Kern Open and been the first man to total 1,000 kilograms (2,205.6 pounds). It’s safe to say that Haack is keen on keeping Penson at bay and making history at 90 kilograms.


Haack currently owns the bench press world record in the 90-kilogram category — 262.5 kilograms (578.7 pounds) — at the Kern Open. He pressed 264-kilograms in training, mere weeks before that meet.


Get Ready for the Showdown
The WRPF Showdown is set to occur the weekend of Sept. 25. The men will lift on the 25th, and the women will hit the platform on Sept. 26. The meet will take place at Brave Enough CrossFit in North Kansas City, MO. Tickets are available at theshowdownpowerlifting.com for $40. A live stream of the competition will also be available via coresports.world.


Featured image: @bilbo_swaggins181 on Instagram




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