Herndon, yet again, has made a new mark on history.
Written by Robert Zeglinski
On June 26, 2023, powerlifter Phillip Herndon shared an Instagram video of himself capturing a 453.9-kilogram (1,000-pound) back squat raw with wraps from the 2023 International Powerlifting Association (IPA) Strength Spectacular. According to the caption of his post, Herndon weighed in with a body weight of 119.4 kilograms (263.3 pounds) at the time of his competition, making him the lightest athlete to ever squat 453.9 kilograms (1,000 pounds) raw with wraps in a sanctioned competition.
What’s more, according to the database on Open Powerlifting, Herndon’s squat raw with wraps is the second-heaviest of all time in the 125-kilogram weight class. Only Zahir Khudayarov’s World Record squat of 479 kilograms (1,058.2 pounds) from the 2017 Finland Powerlifting Organisation (FPO) WABDL World Cup remains heavier. Herndon wore a lifting belt, wrist wraps, and knee wraps for this massive squatting achievement and won the contest accordingly in the 125-kilogram division. The 2023 IPA Strength Spectacular took place on June 25, 2023, in York, PA.
Here’s an overview of Herndon’s top stats from his first-place performance, which also saw him capture a 226.8-kilogram (500-pound) bench press, a 362.9-kilogram (800-pound) deadlift, and a final total of 1,043.2 kilograms (2,300 pounds):
Phillip Herndon (125KG) | 2023 IPA Strength Spectacular Top Raw with Wraps Stats
- Squat: 453.9 kilograms (1,000 pounds) | Second-Heaviest All-Time
- Bench Press: 226.8 kilograms (500 pounds)
- Deadlift: 362.9 kilograms (800 pounds)
- Total: 1,043.2 kilograms (2,300 pounds)
Herndon adds this notable light body weight squatting achievement to an already impressive reputation of leg power. The athlete is the current raw squat World Record holder in the 110-kilogram class, with a squat of 395 kilograms (870.8 pounds). Herndon also holds the second highest raw squat in the and 125-kilogram class with a lift of 411 kilograms (906.1 pounds). Only Reece Fullwood barely edged him out, breaking Herndon’s record with a 412.5-kilogram (909.4-pound) squat. It’s apparent that Herndon’s dominance and strength transcends across different divisions with different equipment setups.
In the caption of his post, Herndon teased his next sanctioned competitive venture: the 2023 World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) American Pro from October 27-29, 2023, in Manassas, VA. Only time will tell what Herndon’s next inevitable jaw-dropping achievement will be with a loaded barbell in on his back.
Featured image: @phillip_herndon 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).