The distinguished powerlifter has another achievement under her lifting belt.
Written by Robert Zeglinski
Natalie Richards, an accomplished American powerlifter, has now set herself apart on a monumental global stage. During the 2023 International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Classic Powerlifting Championships in Valletta, Malta, Richards recorded a top raw total of 512.5 kilograms (1,129.8 pounds). That mark is a new IPF World Record in the 57-kilogram weight class and, naturally, gave Richards the resulting victory in her international debut.
Richards’ new raw World Record total eclipses her peer Jade Jacob, who finished in second place at the 2023 IPF Worlds. Jacob’s notched the previous record of 503.5 kilograms (1,110 pounds) at the 2023 Sheffield Powerlifting Championships.
En route to her raw World Record-setting total, Richards notched a 180-kilogram (396.8-pound) back squat for an all-time raw competition personal record, a 107.5-kilogram (237-pound) bench press, and a 225-kilograms (496-pound) deadlift for another all-time raw competition PR.
Richards wore just a lifting belt for assistive equipment on her deadlift, while her squat was performed wearing a belt, knee sleeves, and wrist wraps. Her bench press was supported by wrist wraps alone.
Here’s an overview of Richards’ top stats from her performance at the 2023 IPF Worlds:
Natalie Richards (57KG) | 2023 IPF Worlds Top Stats
- Squat — 180 kilograms (396.8 pounds) | All-Time Raw Competition PR
- Bench Press — 107.5 kilograms (237 pounds) | Tied All-Time Competition PR
- Deadlift — 225 kilograms (496 pounds) | All-Time Raw Competition PR
- Total — 512.5 kilograms (1,129.8 pounds) | IPF World Record
Richards’ electric IPF Worlds debut performance comes on the heels of a very productive recent run in sanctioned powerlifting contests. According to her personal page on Open Powerlifting, the athlete has now won each of her last four competitions, including a resounding victory at the 2023 Powerlifting America (AMP) Classic National Championship in late February 2023. To date, Richards has lost on just two of 13 occasions in a career that began in November 2019.
What’s clear is that Richards has already established a firm foothold as a dominant American powerlifter. The next frontier is reaching new heights at a global level. Richards is off to a great start with a gold medal, World Record performance in her international debut.
Featured image: @whitelightsmediauk on Instagram
About Robert Zeglinski
Robert is a seasoned and adept editor and writer with a keen, passionate penchant for the writing craft. He’s been a leader in newsrooms such as SB Nation, USA TODAY, and WBBM Newsradio, with various other content and art production teams, and first made a name for himself in his hometown of Chicago. When not knee-deep in research or lost in a stream of consciousness for a thorough piece, you can find Robert inhaling yet another novel, journaling his heart out, or playing with his Shiba Inu, Maximus (Max, for short).