The super heavyweight reclaimed the all-time squat world record.
Written by Phil Blechman Last updated on August 16th, 2024On Feb. 6, 2021, super heavyweight powerlifter Nathan Baptist performed an all-time world record (ATWR) squat of 594.7 kilograms (1,311 pounds) in a multi-ply suit and knee wraps. The lift took place at the 2021 United Powerlifting Association (IPA) Kick-Off Meet at PSM Barbell in Clearfield, UT. This lift makes Baptist the second person ever to lift over 589.8 kilograms (1,300 pounds) — the first was Brian Carroll.
Before we dive into the recent history of the ATWR, check out the 36-year-old Baptist’s new ATWR squat on his third attempt in the video below courtesy of Gregory M. Baptist’s Facebook page:
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As is the case with these immensely heavy lifts, it is difficult to see if sufficient depth was achieved during a lift without a precise video angle. Per the current UPA rules on UPA’s website regarding the proper depth of a successful squat: “the lifter must bend the knees and lower the body until the top surface of the legs at the hip joint are lower than the top of knees.”
As this was a UPA sanctioned event, the official referee deemed Baptist did break the required hip-to-knee parallel in order for the lift to count.
Baptist’s squat is 2.4 kilograms more than the previous ATWR squat of 592.3 kilograms (1,306 pounds) successfully hit by Brian Carroll at the Revolution Powerlifting Syndicate (RPS) Gene Rychlak Jr. Pro Invitational in the 140-kilogram weight class. It is worth noting that Carroll and Baptist don’t compete in the same weight class. While Carroll competes in the 140-kilogram class, Baptist competes in the +140-kilogram class.
Competing in different classes means that although Carroll claimed the ATWR in October 2020, Baptist still held the world record squat in the +140-kilogram class — a 580-kilogram (1,287-pound) lifted at the 2020 UPA Kick-Off Meet. If you did not get a chance to see that lift, you can do so in the video below from PowerliftingLegends YouTube channel:
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