Ray Williams Becomes the First Man to Squat Over 1,000 lb RAW
Today is the last day of the Raw Nationals for USA Powerlifting (USAPL). Attaining first place will automatically put the winner on the USA team for the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) Raw World Championships next year during the early summer.
If you are new to powerlifting, here is a quick rundown:
- Similar to Olympic weighlifting, lifters get three attempts in competition to lift as much weight as they can. For powerlifting, the lifts are the squat, bench, and deadlift.
- Lifters can compete “raw” or “equipped.”
- Raw – lifters can wear knee sleeves, a belt, and wrist wraps, but are not required to. Some people believe raw should mean no equipment at all, but this is the definition established by the IPF.
- Equipped – lifters wear a compressive squat suit, bench shirt, and deadlift suit that will help them lift more weight.
- The most recognized world powerlifting organization is the IPF. It is recognized by both the World Games and the Olympic committee and is in process of becoming part of the Olympics.
Since last Thursday, there have been some intense competition for gold in both the men and women’s divisions. However, one man seems to just dominate and stand above all, Ray “Ray Ray” Williams. A few months ago, Ray Williams squatted 1,000 lb during training and posted it on his Instagram (@optimusprime_334), but people have criticized his depth. After today, no one will ever criticize his squat again.
The current world record for the squat is held by Williams at 966 lb. Today, Williams squatted 1,005 lb. What’s scarier is that it looked like he had more in him. Only a handful of men have squatted over 1,000 lb, but they were all equipped. Williams is on another level. Since Williams squatted this weight only at a national competition, it is an unofficial world record. Come next year at world’s, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him squat 500kg/1100lb.
Happy squatting.
