On Aug. 16, 2022, Jonathan Cayco posted a video on his Instagram page wherein he captured a raw back squat of 260 kilograms (573 pounds) for five reps during a training session. According to the powerlifter, who usually competes in the 93-kilogram weight class, the strength mark is his new five-rep personal record (PR).
Cayco wore a lifting belt, lifting straps, and knee sleeves during his set, which demonstrated his leg power. Watch a video of Cayco’s PR squat session below:
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According to Open Powerlifting, the 29-year-old Cayco has been competing in some capacity as a powerlifter since September 2015. In that time, Cayco has made a name for himself for his elite-level finishes.
In 14 career contests, most often as a Men’s Open competitor, Cayco has nine wins to his name. He’s missed the podium just twice — both were fourth-place finishes. Arguably the most noteworthy accomplishment of Cayco’s career to date is his victory in the 93-kilogram class at the 2021 International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Classic Powerlifting Championships.
Cayco also won the USA Powerlifting (USAPL) raw National Title twice (2019, 2021) and holds the current IPF bench press World Record of 238.5 kilograms (525.8 pounds), which he set at the 2022 IPF World Championships.
Here’s an overview of some of Cayco’s more notable results to this point:
Jonathan Cayco* | Notable Career Results
- 2016 USAPL Southwest Regionals & Ferrigno Power Classic — First place | First career raw victory
- 2018 USAPL The Arnold SBD Pro American — First place
- 2019 USAPL California State Championships — First place
- 2019/2021 USAPL Raw Nationals — First place
- 2021 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships — First place
- 2022 AMP Classic Open Nationals — First Place
- 2022 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships — Third place
*Note: 13 of Cayco’s 14 career appearances in sanctioned competition were as a Raw competitor. Those were all in the Men’s Open category.
Here’s a rundown of Cayco’s top lifts in competitions to date:
Jonathan Cayco | Top Career Lift Stats*
- Squat — 305 kilograms (672.4 pounds)
- Bench Press — 242.5 kilograms (534.6 pounds)
- Deadlift — 347.5 kilograms (766.1 pounds)
- Total — 892.5 kilograms (1,967.6 pounds)
*Note: These figures are all in the raw division.
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Cayco’s Task Ahead
Entering as the defending champion at the 2022 IPF World Championships, Cayco ultimately lost the title thanks to a record-breaking performance by Chance Mitchell. At the time of this writing, Cayco has not confirmed when he will participate next in a sanctioned meet.
If the competition is domestic with the USAPL, Cayco will have to choose a new division between either 90 kilograms or 100 kilograms. USAPL’s change in bodyweight categories occurred in January 2022. If Cayco decides to stay at an international level — particularly with the IPF — the American athlete can continue competing at 93 kilograms.
Wherever Cayco’s ambitions take him next, it seems clear he’ll return hungry and prepared to take a spot at the top of that podium.
Featured image: @league_of_lifting on Instagram
